Hunting On The Cove Is Legal – In Warwick

The hunters were crouched in the reeds nearby the lower trail at Scalloptown Park and Wildlife Refuge. A brace of ducks were on the water just in front of them. What were they waiting for? Shoot the ducks!

Upon closer inspection, I realized the "ducks" were decoys. Of course! But is duck hunting allowed in East Greenwich? 

No. It's not. 

"The town does have a provision in the ordinances in regards to no discharging of any firearms east of South County Trail," said Lt. Paul Narhgang via email. But it's not quite that simple.

He continued: "The hunters that have been in the area have been on the Warwick side of the bay at the inlet that abuts Forge Road. The regulations that govern that are covered under the regulations set forth through DEM. I do know that the hunters are only allowed to shoot over the water and not towards residences or over private property that is along the shoreline." Whew!

"The hunters use the easement to get to the blind and there is an area that is along the waterline that is in Warwick that is confusing depending on where your point of view is.... So if they are in the upper portion of the park ... they are not allowed in that area but on the lower area there is an area which is Warwick," Narhgang concluded.

So, are the hunters pictured here are in Warwick? 

For an answer to that question and more information, here's a second story.