CBS 2 Exclusive: Neighbors Furious After Kings Park Allows Bow-Hunting Near Homes

KINGS PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The start of bow-hunting season has prompted an outrage in the Suffolk County community of Kings Park.

As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported exclusively Thursday, residents are upset that bow-hunting is being allowed closer to homes inside a recently-renovated nature trail.

Bow-hunter Scott Trafas was readying his bow Thursday, and deer along the Kings Park trail would be well advised to run. It is mating season for the animals, and for Trafas, it's time to hunt.

"We need to control the deer population," Trafas said. "I mean, people complain that deer run out, and they're in the road, and they're hitting them with their their cars."

The state would like to reduce the deer population in the area by as much as 40 percent. To help hunters accomplish that goal, the rules changed this year.

Instead of keeping hunters 500 feet away from homes, they can now be as close as just 150 feet away.

Homeowners said that is foolish.

"You tell me," said Diane Motherway of Kings Park. "You think that's a good fit for a neighborhood with children, and handicapped people, homes -- high school right here? I don't think so."

"I don't like of anybody traipsing around there and shooting a bow, and possibly getting shot in my backyard," said Hans Vanophemert of Kings Park.

"Nobody says there can't be an accident," added Sean Lehmann of the Kings Park Civic Association. "And I wouldn't want to be the one to tell that mother, 'Hey, your child was hit by a bow and arrow.'"

A spokesman for the New York State Conservation Department told CBS 2 only one bow hunter is allowed onto the nature trail at a time. The spokesman added that in the last 10 years, no one has been shot by a bow hunter in Kings Park.

The state put in a handicapped hiking trail this past summer that will now bring hikes and hunters into the same places.

State lawmakers representing Kings Park said they want the state Conservation Department to reconsider bow hunting on the nature trail. They said state wildlife experts will soon meet with local residents to hear their concerns.

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