Northborough has a wealth of beautiful open spaces and the Trails Committee encourages everyone to get out and use them. Autumn is a particularly wonderful time to be out in the woods. The air is cool and the color of the changing leaves can be spectacular. Extra caution is needed at this time of year however. This is hunting season and some of the areas we love to explore in Northborough are open for hunting.

There are a number of hunting seasons throughout the year, but the deer seasons require special caution. There are three deer seasons worth noting. The dates for 2009 are:

• Bow & Arrow: October 12 thru November 21
• Shotgun: November 30 thru December 12
• Muzzle-loaders: December 14 thru December 31

You can still enjoy the woods during this time if you use common sense and take a few precautions:

• Be aware of which areas are open for hunting and when (no hunting on Sundays!)
• Wear blaze orange clothing (at least a hat)
• Avoid hikes during prime hunting times (dawn & dusk)

For more information about hunting seasons and safety in the woods, visit the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (Mass Wildlife) webpage:www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/

I'm continuing to evaluate our new trail development tool: the gas-powered hedge trimmer. After the maiden voyage at Watson Park, my evaluation resumed at Little Chauncy trail where both the hedge trimmer and pole saw were field tested extensively. Both these areas seemed best suited to the hedge trimmer, but the pole pruner was needed in a couple cases. This is good to keep in mind for future trail development.

I tried out the new hedge trimmer today at Watson Park. It works great. I went along the length of the trail first with the hedge trimmer, clearing small growth along the sides of the trail and overhead, then switched the hedge trimmer attachment off and put on the chainsaw bar (a.k.a. pole pruner). I then went through and cut branches, dead limbs, etc. that were too big for the hedge trimmer. The pole pruner is awesome. For example, there was a 10 inch diameter maple limb that was hanging over the trail about 8 feet up. I was able to get this limb sawed up and out of the way in about 5 minutes. It would've taken at least a half hour to do by hand with a pole saw.

The Northborough Trail Committee today just purchased a gas-engine powered hedge trimmer that also has a chainsaw bar attachment. This tool will allow trail stewards to clear the vines and tree limbs and other foliage that hangs over the trail from up high. Certainly the brush mower and string trimmer are great for plants growing from the trail surface, but we had no tool specifically designed for clearing overhead growth. This is primarily important for equestrians due their tall ride-height requirements.

So, the new trimmer, along with the chainsaw bar, handle extension and instructions are now in the equipment trailer. I will gladly assist any volunteer with the safe use of this new tool. Please be aware, the new Stihl hedge trimmer uses a 50:1 gas:oil mix (which I will soon prepare and label) whereas the Honda string strimmer runs on regular gasoline.

Best Regards,

Bob