Hunting season opens in Hamden

If students at Quinnipiac University think they are hearing gunshots during the next few months, they may not be wrong! 

The archery (traditional bows and arrows) hunting season began on September 15th. Hunting turkey with firearms will begin on October 3rd, while hunting for upland birds doesn’t begin until October 17th. Hunting for Red & Gray Foxes, Raccoon and Opossum begin on October 17th. Deer hunting season with shotguns, rifles and revolvers begins on November 18th.

There are public spots near the Quinnipiac University campuses where people hunt. Some also hunt on private property in Hamden, with the consent and permission of the landowners. There are, however, some issues that arise among both local residents and students with regards to hunting in the area.

Hunting is not permitted on the grounds of Sleeping Giant State Park, which is located within walking distance of the Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses.

Some residents hike on the local lands, including in the woods, and have presented the issues they have with hunting in those areas. Some of their concerns include themselves or their pets being accidentally mistaken for a target, as well as stray bullets or arrows that are not meant for them.

Donna Mastracchio, a Hamden resident, said that she often hikes with her dog in the woods near her house. Mastracchio has lived in the town for over 40 years and lives on Mountain Road. 

“Living up here all these years I have heard shots in the woods across the street,” Mastracchio said. “All the property is state property around me, across the street from me and behind me as well.”

She also said that there are trails all throughout that area, and those trails are where she often walks with her dog. 

“I walk six, seven, sometimes eight miles with my dog through all the trails on state property across from my home down near Lake Wintergreen,” she said.

Mastracchio said that her main concern comes from accidentally being hit by a stray bullet during one of her walks. She is also worried about being accidentally targeted by hunters, either herself or her dog.

“I’m more concerned with it being accidental, although I am worried about someone mistaking my dog or myself about being mistaken for a target,” Mastracchio said.

A local Hamden resident, who asked that his name not be used, has been hunting for his entire adult life. He provided insight into why hunting is important to him.

“Hunting is first and foremost a way to provide for my family. I have been out of work for over a year, and at this point and more than ever it helps lighten the load of grocery costs. It is also an escape from everyday life. A way back to nature and a stress reliever. Sitting outside with nothing other than the sounds of nature from 4am til dark resets my mind and helps put life in perspective. Even if I don’t harvest an animal, being out in the woods is still incredible,” the individual said in an email.

Mastracchio also mentioned the issue of neighbors, especially families with young children, who may not want to see people coming out of the woods or fields with the bodies of dead animals. 

“I don’t even like seeing this, and I understand it’s for food,” she said. “Children would see it as if a man killed Bambi.”

The hunter said that he understands the stigma around hunting and people’s concerns.

“Of course, I understand neighbors, especially neighbors with children, being upset about seeing something like that,” he said. “If I would need to bring the deer to an area where other people can see me then I wrap it in a tarp to be as discreet as possible.”

Asiyah Neal is a senior at Quinnipiac, who said that she was not aware of hunting occurring so close to campus, and that she was not too concerned about it.

“I did not know that hunting occurred close to campus,” Neal said. “I’m not surprised though. I would not say that I am concerned just because this is the first time of me hearing about it.”

She did say that hearing a gunshot while on campus could be unsettling. 

“I know I would be startled about hearing a gunshot while in campus so it may be pretty unsettling for students,” she added.

Ashley Brennan, a first-year student at Quinnipiac, said that she thinks stress could be avoided as long as students are aware of where the shots are coming from.

“Just as long as everyone knows they are gunshots from people who are hunting, I’m sure that it should be fine,” Brennan said.

John Morgan, the associate vice president for public relations at Quinnipiac, said that reports of gunshots being heard on the QU campuses is a rare occurrence, and as such there are no plans to address the potential with students.

“The university does not receive regular reports of gunshots near our campuses, and there are no plans to notify the university community about the start of hunting season,” Morgan said in an email.

The local hunter said that, in his experience, it is certainly possible for gunshots to be heard from the campus.

“There are quite a few properties within close proximity of QU that have more than 10 acres of land which would allow them to hunt with a rifle there. Gunshots can be heard for miles so it is not all that odd to be able to hear gunshots from QU. There is also a Rod and Gun club in Hamden that has a shooting range so that might be what you’re hearing,” he said.

However, he added that there is nothing for students or faculty and staff to worry about. He said this is because there are rules and regulations that, provided they are followed, ensure responsible hunters will not pose a threat to anybody on campus.

“There are laws, rules, and regulations that prevent responsible hunters from even coming close to harming anyone,” he said.