Hunting Regulations Snarl an Equally Important Regular, that Just Lost Her Way (Rocky Point, NY)

My left eye was killing me from eye strain. My sunglasses were being fixed with a new prescription, and I had just bought a cheap over clip to protect my eyes from blinding, brilliant sunlight. I needed a break and some down time.

Forgotten about, or something I leave for my significant other to point out, was that hunting season was on full blast. Not just regular hunting season it was shot gun season for deer hunting. And the cops, actually environmental conservation officers, were watching, making sure everyone had a proper permit and in their right parking spot. Parking Lot #18 is one of many parking lots scattered throughout Rocky Point. As a 5000 acre nature preserve, Rock Point is a recreational haven for not just hunters, but hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, cross country skiiers, high school runners, joggers, photographers, bird watchers, nature lovers, history buffs, dog runners, and local residents out for a stroll.

The last thing the environmental conservation officer needed was someone with an attitude. The last thing I needed was to be bothered by someone in uniform packing a gun. With my left head aching, and my laptop in my lap, I was trying to get some work done, trying to figure out how to fundraise and reach out in a positive, encouraging way to the many, many volunteers I was working with to produce a compelling story about Rocky Point!

Taking a break in the pine barrens, to find some peace and solitude among the trees, I had briefly walked for a few minutes along the property's edge into the pine barrens. Oh, yes, I did hear shot guns, but that was way off in the distance, and I wanted to visit the thousands of trees my friends and I planted over the past ten years to restore a badly eroding hillside. Being a bit chilly, I headed back to my truck satisfied by our accomplishments. With the headache somewhat in check, I had taken out my laptop to rework a letter meant to go out to our volunteers.

And then he arrived, the cop, or that is, "encon," the environmental conservation officer asking me for my permit, and not initially, by the way, telling me what I needed most to hear. He stood over my truck asking for my permit, and that I should please take it out for him. All I could think of was why is he treating me like a stranger?

For twenty years I toiled to plant trees and wildflowers in Rocky Point, as well as led hikes about nature conservation and wildland fire management. I also created a 9/11 Living Memorial Forest in Rocky Point and knew the park well and loved all of its wildlife. Didn't he know that I was no stranger? Alas, my permit was stuck inside my wallet and I had to struggle to pull it out. He studied it and handed it back to me. I snatched it back from his hand in disgust.

He gave me the cop response, questioning me further about my rudeness until, I offered, "Sorry, I have a really bad headache." But body language, conveyed by both of us, told a different story. He walked away. I returned to writing on my lap top. Ten long minutes went by. I tried to work and wait for the aspirin I had just taken to kick in. Would he be leaving me alone? Why hadn't he left? Sure enough back he came. It was then that he mentioned shot gun season was on, and remembered what I had forgotten.

Generally speaking, from March to end of August there's no hunting. In September, crow hunting begins with small game continuing. By October, bow hunting season starts and goes until the end of December. Hiking is O.K. during this time, just be cautious and wear bright orange. Each January, on weekdays following the first weekend after New Year's Day, is shotgun season. Stay out of designated hunting areas, including Monday, Martin Luther King's Day! Find areas to walk in that have specifically been designated nonhunting areas. This is generally the northwest corner of the Rocky Point Natural Area, go to nearby Brookhaven State Park instead, or take a walk on the beach.

Later in the comfort of my own home, with my headache clearing, I realized the underlying issue was how to distinguish a friend from a foe. What if he had come up to me as an equally important regular, that just lost her way. Would he have said, "Hey, it's January, shotgun season, remember? Maybe you should stop by on the weekend instead."