Dave, thanks for sharing your encounter with the List, because this potentially affects anyone who intends to go birding at Stewart Park or in the nearby areas, if this kind of activity is seasonally permitted from such a widely and publicly used space.
Does the Cayuga Bird Club have an official position on this and other past similar situations at the South shore of Cayuga Lake? As Laura suggested, perhaps a letter (from the Cayuga Bird Club) to the City of Ithaca representative(s) whose area(s) includes the disputed region, a letter to the Mayor, and a discussion placed on the agenda during one of the City Administration public meetings, would help clarify the City’s stance on this issue and possibly put forth an opportunity for official change in the future? I believe that we, as birders, are not all blatantly opposed to hunting, but I do think there’s a time and place for that sport – Stewart Park, and the South end of Cayuga Lake in general, does not seem like the right place at any time. Sincerely, Chris T-H On Nov 13, 2015, at 7:54 AM, Laura Stenzler <l...@cornell.edu<mailto:l...@cornell.edu>> wrote: Dave, It is great that you followed through on all of this! It sounds like an intimidating situation, but you did not back down. I think it would be worthwhile to share your experience with your city representative and the Major. I just read in the Ithaca Journal this morning that all Ithaca police officers are now wearing and using body cameras (as of Nov. 3) which must be turned on when they respond to a call. So there is a good official record of what occurred (we hope). Good for you! Laura Laura Stenzler l...@cornell.edu<mailto:l...@cornell.edu> ________________________________ From: bounce-119891413-8866...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-119891413-8866...@list.cornell.edu> <bounce-119891413-8866...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-119891413-8866...@list.cornell.edu>> on behalf of Dave Nutter <nutter.d...@mac.com<mailto:nutter.d...@mac.com>> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2015 11:05 PM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Cc: rmann...@twcny.rr.com<mailto:rmann...@twcny.rr.com> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] guns at Stewart Park This afternoon I was enjoying Stewart Park - the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, the Fuertes Sanctuary (swan pond), the birds on the lake - as I often do. As I walked clockwise around the pond and came out from the Fuertes Sanctuary path near the lakeshore and toward the park road, I came face to face with 3 guys carrying guns and dragging a small boat. I took a couple photos on my phone (I've been practicing lately, but they weren't very good) and I told them they weren't allowed to have guns in Stewart Park. They said lots of law enforcement agencies had been called on them before, which sort of contradicts what they also said about me being the only one who has given them a problem, and they were told it was okay if the guns weren't loaded. I said the ban was in the City Code, and maybe those police hadn't read that part. They were skeptical. They said they'd seen guys walk right out and shoot waterfowl from Stewart Park. I said I would've tried to stop those guys, too. They didn't want to leave, but seemed to think that having police, who had agreed with them before, resolve the issue would get me out of their hair. So I called 911 and explained the situation. The guys in camo agreed to wait for the cops, although meanwhile they did put their guns back in their pick-up trucks. That was nice, since kids were arriving next to them for rowing practice at the Cascadilla Boathouse, although I think the kids were unaware of what was going on. Also I was pretty uncomfortable confronting people with guns while waiting for police (also with guns) to tell me I was wrong. The guys asked me if I had been waiting for them. I said, no, I was just here a lot. A short while later IPD showed up in the form of a friendly woman who was smaller than the smallest of the 3 guys, and a lot smaller than the largest, who was considerably bigger than me. She seemed inclined to let them proceed, then took my ID info, and said I could leave. I didn't say that I had been enjoying the park and intended to continue. Instead I said I'd like to stay for the outcome, that I thought guns were banned in Stewart Park by the City Code, and if that's the case I'd like to see it enforced. She said she had to look it up, then took the guys' IDs, and got back in her cruiser to consult her computer monitor. Another IPD officer, a man, pulled up, got out, and stood by her window, not talking to me or the gun guys. After awhile she came out, gave the guys back their IDs and told them they had to go. I didn't hear their whole conversation but she gestured toward the boat ramp at Treman and they nodded and said they wouldn't park here anymore, although I bet they'll set up within conversational distance of the path around Fuertes. She then came over to me and repeatd their story of being told before that what they were doing was okay. I think that was my opportunity to insist they be ticketed, but I didn't. I thanked the officer for looking up the law, but she credited the other officer. After the cops drove off, the leader of the guys, the big one, said I had won today, but if this happened again they'd call the cops on me for harassing them. I asked, if what happens? No answer to that. So it has been established, at least among six people, that you are not allowed to bring your gun into Stewart Park, not even if you plan to shoot the ducks and geese. I wish I had also asked the officers to look up the boundaries of Stewart Park in the City Code, because Stewart Park extends north to the City Limit, which is a considerable distance out in the lake. A lot of Buffleheads went about their business. If you see a maroon Ford pickup 71642 KA or a dark gray Silverado pickup GTL 7095 parked in Stewart Park while there are gunners in camo standing in the water nearby, perhaps with a small boat for their stuff, you can ask IPD to talk to them about whterh they brought their guns through the park after being told not to. --Dave Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> Cayugabirds-L Welcome and Basics Cayugabirds-L – List Welcome and Basics . Welcome to Cayugabirds-L! 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