John Clapp Email12/28/17
To Wayne Feiden and the Planning Board;
The consideration in the Open Space Plan of opening Mineral Hills to hunting is deeply upsetting to my wife, Dee and me, as well as many of our neighbors. We are annoyed that as abutters
who own a B&B and llama farm, we were not notified that this was being considered. The wildlife corridor and hiking path, which is now labeled as No Hunting, cannot have mixed use.
All the land that my sister and I placed into a conservation restriction (110 of our 120 acres) was done with the intention of extending this wildlife corridor and does not allow hunting
as part of the agreement. Our land abuts Mineral Hills, and hunters will only be separated from our land by a hiking path. This is not acceptable.
We have had bad luck with hunters in the past, both having our No Trespassing signs shot through or torn down and tree stands erected on our property. One hunter asked my wife if he
could hunt on our land, and when he was told no, he commented that maybe he “should go llama hunting instead” making a reference to our herd. I’m sure this was in “jest”, but Dee was
horrified. We are not the only ones who feel bullied by hunters with this mentality and since the prospect of more hunting areas has come up, we have heard many more related stories.
I am sure the hunters who have spoken to you seem rational, but there are many from that population who do not respect the wishes of land owners and will not hesitate to go onto private
property in pursuit of a deer.
My wife and I have repeatedly put up No Hunting signs only to have them torn down, and frankly, I don’t know why land owners should be responsible for posting their land. I understand
that this is the law now, but I think it should be reconsidered. For us to purchase enough signs to do the perimeter of our 120 acres (over 9,100 feet) would cost us $2,000 plus the
time it would take to install them, only to have hunters tear them down again. The onus should be on hunters who should go to the land owners and ask permission and know and respect
the boundaries of that land. Let the hunters spend their time asking for permission not the land owners wasting their time posting, only to have their wishes ignored.
The Mineral Hills hiking path/wildlife corridor should be protected. Opening the adjacent land to hunting will only increase the chances of more “mistakes” and more conflicts between
hunters and hikers. Dee and I open our home as a bed and breakfast and many people come to be in the quiet of the country. We offer hiking on our trails and many guests like to take
advantage of the Mineral Hills path. My house is 1800 feet from the property in question. I do not want my B&B guests subjected to the sound of gun shots. People who hear guns will
not come back, and I depend on the guests for my income. I will be adversely affected if hunting is allowed that close to our home. We cannot afford this potential loss of business.
I also lead hikes for the Westhampton Council on Aging, other groups, as well as individuals who have enjoyed the trail since the inception of the Bookends Project. If this area is open
to hunting we will have to listen to the blast of shotguns and worry about our animals for the rest of our lives. We are not going to move, my family has been on this property for close
to 200 years, alternatively hunters have many other places to go, many within ten minutes of Northampton. Times have changed, there are many more hikers today than hunters and the hikers
need to feel safe on conservation land. I understand that the hunters are a part of your constituency, but it is a small number, and the majority of people are against hunting and they
need to be heard and protected.
I also support the people in Leeds who object to opening land on Route 9. The meeting at Leeds Elementary School on December 19th proved that the majority of residents do not want hunting
on conservation land. Their wishes need to be respected. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this matter further. All the hunters have to worry about if this does not go through
is that they might have to drive a few minutes to their destination, the rest of your constituents will have to live in fear and will be subjected to gun shots for the rest of time.
Please do not allow hunting in Mineral Hills or other conservation areas where the majority are in opposition.
John Clapp