I was glad to see that an 85-acre parcel of land has been purchased for conservation off Hot Hole Pond Road in Concord. This newly acquired acreage is a real bonus for public access to trails on Oak Hill and the upper end of East Concord.
When hiking this serene public land, I was dismayed to see a well-worn and recently used ATV trail cutting deep into the interior, which led to an illegally bated deer stand. Upon questioning a member of the conservation committee, I was told this particular hunter claims to be handicapped and is requiring the use of this public area for his own personal hunting preserve.
My perspective of public conservation land is that it is for use by the public, not just one individual, especially when all-wheel vehicle use is banned on these lands.
I know of several handicapped individual who would welcome the opportunity to both transport themselves and possibly harvested game from deep within any conservation land where hunting is allowed but only one individual with illegal hunting practices is allowed to do so.
If you are interested in seeing this worn ATV trail, it is located approximately halfway between Shaker Road and Hot Hole Pond on “your and my public land.”
RALPH WILSON
Concord