Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Psst! That fellow in camouflage lurking in the reeds with a shotgun — he’s probably just a duck hunter.
In an effort to head off calls from nervous residents as the fall hunting season gets under way, state police Thursday issued the following advisory:
"Given the events of Sept. 11, the appearance of armed individuals wearing camouflage outfits possibly operating camouflage boats along the coast of Massachusetts may cause concern to some of our citizens.
"This having been said, we want to remind everyone that today is the opening day for duck hunting along the Massachusetts coast.
"So as not to cause undue concern among members of communities that may be affected by this, we would like to take the opportunity to remind them that individuals attired in this fashion may be pursuing a legitimate sporting activity."
The concern apparently goes both ways.
H. Heusmann, the state’s waterfowl biologist, said he had received calls from hunters worried about their own safety if they ventured into Boston Harbor, now under tight patrol by armed Coast Guard.
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