Editor, The News:
Re: Beware of hunters (News Views, Jan. 16).
Beware of hunters? I beg to differ; I would say a better choice of words would have been ‘Be aware’ that hunters also use the area.
There is no large threat to humans; waterfowl hunters in Pitt Meadows are restricted to using shotguns with bird shot (small BBs). Hunters must pass a federal firearms safety exam; the RCMP do a background check to see if the applicant has a history of violent behavior and if they have a history of a mental disorder before a gun license is issued.
If the gun owner wants to hunt, they must also pass a hunter training and safety exam. This course covers animal and bird identification, hunter ethics, hunting regulations, and hunter safety. It takes a lot of gun and safety knowledge to acquire the necessary permits to hunt in this area.
Many hunters would like to see signs posted, making the public aware hunters also use the area. The public needs to know that safety is the No. 1 concern of all hunters when they are in the field.
Dan Otway
Pitt Meadows