Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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- 160 - Appendix C: Responses to Substantive Comments hunting that occurred in Massachusetts in 2001. During that year there were 3 hunting accidents, the corresponding accident rate is extremely low. Specific areas were mentioned by local residents as being of concern. Some commentors indicated distances that bullets travel when fired from a rifle (effective range). The areas that were mentioned by commentors as being potential safety areas were: Great Meadows NWR Concord Impoundments O’Rourke, Greenough, and Foss Properties in Carlisle Dudley Road area in Bedford Area along the Concord River in Billerica Areas adjacent to Wayland Conservation Property Heard Pond Assabet River NWR Stearns Lane and Hudson Road in Sudbury The Maynard School Complex Firecut Lane area in Sudbury Based upon the concerns expressed in response to the draft, we reviewed the most up-todate aerial photographs available. We analyzed the locations of the 500-foot safety zones around existing homes to determine whether or not a reasonable hunting area could be provided given the constraints associated with the safety zones. In addition to the aerial photo analysis, we went to the refuges to determine how visible the homes near the refuge are from inside the refuge. We would like to remind individuals that by state regulation there is a 500 foot zone around any inhabited structure. Hunting, whether by gun or bow, is not allowed in this area unless the hunter received permission from the owner of the building. It is the hunter’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is more than 500 feet from any such buildings. There are times in which the safety zone extends into the refuge. Hunting will not be allowed within these areas. However, the Service will assist hunters in delineating any areas where there may be confusion as to the actual location of the safety zone. The information that we gathered enabled us to make informed decisions about the appropriateness of areas for different hunting activities. We will require hunters to obtain an annual hunting permit. We may prepare maps showing the hunt areas in detail. Areas with adjacent homes can be depicted on the maps as a further guide to inform hunters of safety zones adjacent or within the refuge. Also, there is some confusion as to whether or not hunting is being proposed in certain locations. We would like to clarify our original proposal and highlight the following changes: o Hunting is not proposed for the Concord Impoundments. o The waterfowl hunting area on the Concord River and associated wetlands starts at the Route 225 Bridge and extends upstream to the area where refuge ownership Assabet River NWR
Appendix C: Responses to Substantive Comments ends on the west side of the Concord River in the town of Carlisle. This is the area at the northern end of the O’Rourke property. The area along the Concord River in Billerica has been removed from consideration for waterfowl hunting. The entire river in that area is within the 500 foot safety zone required by state hunting regulations. Hunting on the river in that area is illegal. o We understand the concern regarding hunting on the Greenough property. We will ensure that the boundary is clearly marked. The deer hunting opportunities on the property will be limited to archery only. o The area adjacent to private and conservation property in the vicinity of Dudley Road in Bedford is proposed as archery only for deer hunting. o In the Sudbury Division of the refuge, the proposed waterfowl hunting area south to Route 20 has been reduced. The waterfowl hunting opportunities adjacent to refuge lands out to the center line of the Sudbury River south of Route 20 have been reduced from 193 acres to 77. Additionally, no waterfowl hunting will be allowed between Route 20 and the Wayland School Complex. Waterfowl hunting will be allowed in a limited area upstream of the school along the Sudbury River south of Heard Pond. The revised hunting area will be a minimum of 1,000 feet from the school playing fields. Please see the maps in the Great Meadows NWR CCP for a depiction of this area. o In the South section of the Assabet River NWR, we have changed the designation to Archery Only. o Based upon the comments that we received regarding Hudson Road and Stearns Lane, we made a revision to the hunting areas on the North section of the Assabet River NWR. The area outside of the entire Patrol Road has been designated Archery Only. Hunting – Various Species Commentors indicated that it was necessary for the Service to conduct detailed surveys of wildlife populations before implementing a hunt program. The hunting of migratory bird species is managed from a national point of view. The Service monitors the population status of all migratory bird game species and works with the States to set season lengths and harvest limits. Hunting is managed in a way that does not contribute to a decline in waterfowl and other migratory game bird populations. The hunting of resident species, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels, falls within the responsibility of state fish and wildlife agencies, which also monitor and manage populations to ensure healthy ecosystems, sustainable populations, and a certain level of hunter success. We work in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and rely on their knowledge and expertise to determine the appropriateness of hunting seasons. Any decisions we make to limit or prevent the harvest of resident species on any refuge is based on other management concerns and not on a concern about the Comprehencive Conservation Plan - 161 -
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Assabe
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Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introd
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Table D-2: Birds of Assabet River N
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Blue Iris: Photo by Marijke Holtrop
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Eastern Massachusetts National Wild
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Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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