Dogs kept on a leash are much less of a problem , according to Audubon Society of Rhode Island bird expert Laura Carberry , because the leash restricts the amount of area the dog can reach . “ Birds and other wildlife can learn to keep away from paths where dogs are kept on a leash ,” she says .
Birders note the unleashed dog problem is especially concerning at Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown , the trail to Rome Point in North Kingstown , and Chase Farm Preserve in Lincoln , where online reviews refer to it as “ an unofficial dog park .” All three sites display prominent signs indicating that dogs must be kept on a leash .
“ The biggest problem is at the mudflats at Charlestown Breachway ,” says Jan St . Jean , one of the state ’ s most active birders . “ All the shorebirds come there on migration . Boaters pull up there and let their dogs run , and the birds just keep getting flushed . It puts so much stress on these birds that are trying to put on weight for migration .”
While dog walkers argue that not enough dog parks are available to let their pets run unleashed , none would publicly defend their practice of letting their dogs run freely at parks where it is prohibited .
Unleashed dogs don ’ t just cause conflicts with birdwatchers , however . They are a top concern for many users .
Charlie Vandemoer , manager of the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex , which includes all five federal refuges in the state , says most of the complaints he receives from refuge visitors are about off-leash dogs . “ I spoke to an elderly couple walking on a trail at Ninigret a while back , and I was admiring their walking sticks ,” he says . “ They said the reason they have them is to keep dogs away .”
As for hunting at the refuges , Vandemoer says it ’ s not high on his list of refuge user conflicts , even though he received roughly 1,600 comments about the expanded hunting plan and more than 1,400
Sachuest Point in Middletown offers a waterfront trail , ideal for birdwatchers ; Stepstone Falls in Escoheag ( opposite page ) is one of the most scenic spots in Rhode Island for hikers .
opposed it . “ As we implement a new plan for a new hunting area , maybe something will pop up , but that ’ s all ,” he says . “ We have a pretty good experience base of how hunting occurs and how safe or unsafe it is , and that builds our confidence . But it doesn ’ t do anything for a neighbor who isn ’ t familiar with it . There ’ s a learning curve , and individuals just have to accept — or not accept — that it is indeed safe .”
He says refuge staff are trying to learn as much as they can during the first year of the new hunting plan , with the aim of identifying any issues that may need to be addressed in future years .
Dylan Ferreira , the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management wildlife biologist who monitors deer and deer hunting on public and private property around the state , agrees that there is little direct conflict between hunters and non-hunters , despite concerns among users . “ I would say most concerns come from hunters that non-hunters are not wearing the appropriate fluorescent orange during hunting season ,” he says . “ Some hunters even bring extra orange with them to give to people not wearing orange .”
Representatives of all user groups agree that the underlying problem leading to most user conflicts is the density of the state ’ s population and the dearth of public lands available to meet the needs of all users .
“ We ’ ve been managing for multiple uses for decades , so most people who use the state management areas have been groomed to understand that ,” says Catherine Sparks , who was assistant director for natural resources at DEM | | CONTINUED ON PAGE 100
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