Hunters Turn Public Park Into Private Playground

Baldpate Mountain - Park closed for hunting

Here’s the latest from Baldpate Mountain – we last wrote about that from the land of Green Fakers (a prescient tale in light of the debacle at Ringwood Manor SP – Historic Site).

The entire Mercer County Park was completely closed to the public today – for hunting.

The so called “deer management” program there is PR cover for a political deal cut with gun clubs and hunters that used the land for many years before it was acquired by Mercer County (with state taxpayer Green Acres dollars).

I’m no wildlife biologist, but I doubt that hunting in the Park can make a dent in the deer population in the area and prevent excessive browse. I suspect that, from a deer population control standpoint, hunting is an ineffective management tool.

Baldpate Mountain is surrounded on 3 sides by forested private lands of prime deer habitat that prohibit hunting. Any hunting related herd reductions in the park likely would be offset by migrating deer populations from surrounding lands.

No, this is about special privileges for hunters – not “deer management”.

But to hell with the efficacy of the hunt and whether it can reduce forest damage due to deer browse.

There are principles involved.

First of all, Baldpate is a public park purchased with Green Acres taxpayer dollars.

I’m offended that an entire public park can be closed to the public, while certain special interests can use public lands as a their own private playground.

Second, there is no reason to close the park to allow hunting on Saturdays. The park is closed to the public and open exclusively to hunters for 1 Saturday in November, 4 in December and 4 in January, and 2 in February.

For people who work during the week, that is an unacceptable restriction.

Total park closure for hunting are: November (2 days); December (18 days); January (16 days) and February (6 days). The park is closed more than half the months of December and January.

That’s way too much time dedicated exclusively for hunters, who represent a tiny fraction of Mercer County residents.

I hiked in the park today and was thrown out by the Park Ranger after about a 3 mile trek.

I entered through the trailhead at Washington Crossing State Park – no closure signs were posted there.

I walked for over an hour on trails through the woods. I noticed unusual litter (coffee cups) and wide gully damage to the trails from ATV’s, things I had never seen before at Baldpate.

As the trail entered the open area by the outbuildings, I noticed several pickup trucks and ATV’s. There was a lot more damage there from truck tires in the mud. I was pissed and was going to complain, when I noticed that the men were hunters with guns.

So, discretion being the better part of valor, I kept my mouth shut and walked by.

Shortly after, a Ranger arrived (I’ve never seen a Ranger in the Park, so he must be there protecting hunters).

He pulled up and told me the park was closed and that my dog must be on a leash. He warned me that it was dangerous to be in the woods because there were hunters active.

He asked where I entered the Park. I replied that I entered up by the Washington Corssing trailhead and that no closure signs were posted.

He told me I had to return the way I came – damn idiot!

If it was unsafe to be in the woods, why would he want me to go back in the woods?

So, I told him no, I would leave the park via the roads.

I told him about all the ATV and pickup truck damage I saw. I complained that if a hunter kills a deer, he should be required too drag it out of the woods. The hunters are a bunch of fat, lazy, pussies!

ATV’s should not be allowed – what’s next, helicopters and drones?