Hale Cracking Down on Violating Hunters

Monday was not a good day for deers. 

The reason? The day marked the first day of hunting season by bow for deer, according to MassWildlife. (Deer season by shotgun begins Nov. 28.)

But what hunters may not realize is that the large wooded area in Westwood and Dover known as is actually off limits. 

"There's absolutely no hunting on Hale property," said Jay Walsh, Hale's Environment Resource Manager. "With all this hunting going around, people are feeling it's okay to hunt at Hale. We're just looking to dispel that misconception."

Much of that misconception comes from the fact that Dover is looking to organize a deer hunt to reduce the risk of lyme disease. 

In the last two years, Hale has caught three poachers in the act, and anticipates that number to rise, prompting the reservation's officials to up their patrolling. 

"In past years, we have begun patrolling and looking for hunters and we have found that there are poachers out there," Walsh said, clarifying that poachers are those who hunt without permission to do so. "These people are really despicable characters. They're not responsible hunters. They're giving hunting a bad name."

The public is encouraged to help in the patrolling, too. Patrons of Hale and hikers who happen to see hunting at the reservation are asked to contact Hale at 781-326-1770 or at 781-320-1000.