I was walking along the bike path in Colt State Park. The small stretch along the west side of the Mill Gut, which runs from the main road to the small parking lot near Poppasquash Road, is very peaceful in winter time. It has a stark beauty compared to summer.

The trees have shed their leaves, the marsh is brown, but there are still signs of life on the pond. Many species of duck are there only in the winter.

As I walked along, two men passed by dressed in camouflage and carrying what appeared to be rifles or shotguns. They were in a carryall, so I couldn’t tell what they were. They walked into the marsh by the open area, where there’s an osprey nest about 30 yards to the left.

I thought it odd to see hunters in the park, and about 20 minutes later, as I was finishing my walk, I heard a blast from a shotgun. I couldn’t believe it.

In this calm, tranquil place where people walk their dogs and women push their youngest of children in baby carriages, there were hunters with guns to shoot ducks.

I called the Department of Environmental Management, and they said it was duck hunting season, but they assured me they would send someone from law enforcement to investigate.

There should be NO HUNTING of anything in Colt State Park.

Steve Lowe
16 Fort Hill Road

Editor’s note: A DEM official said duck hunting is allowed in this area, so long as hunters do not come within 500 feet of a residence or dwelling.