November 17, 2011
Letters, Vermont

Hunt the Lowell Mountains

The Orleans Record, orleanscountyrecord.com 17 November 2011

The Lowell Mountains are a traditional hunting ground for deer, moose, and bear – but this year, it will be different. Clear cutting, blasting, and earth moving for the Lowell wind project are destroying the ridgeline and driving animals off the mountains. The finished project will break up an essential wildlife corridor which allows deer and other large animals to travel from western New York to the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada. Fragmenting this route will further isolate Vermont’s wildlife, limiting genetic diversity and herd heath. Noise from big wind turbines has been shown to drive animals away. This could ruin the Lowells as a hunting ground. Now is the time to show politicians and wind developers across the state that hunters care about long-term wildlife health more than short-term corporate profits.

Here’s how: Exercise your right to hunt the Lowell Mountains – as Vermonters always have. Then call your local representative and tell them what you think.

With all the hoopla that’s been going on, you might be wondering if it’s legal to go up there.

The answer is: It is legal. Although you may be confronted by signs warning of blasting, you will not be breaking any laws unless you refuse to leave when asked by a law enforcement officer. Being asked to leave will not affect your ability to go back to the area, and you cannot be charged for being there multiple times.

Why not go up? Hunt the Lowell Mountains and help preserve our way of life.

Will Young

Westfield, Vt.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/17/hunt-the-lowell-mountains/