WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Firing Range Danger

Firing Range Danger

Jericho, Vermont - November 20, 2009

The Vermont National Guard uses Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho for training, including use of live ammunition. The exercises help prepare soldiers for their upcoming mission in Afghanistan.

"For us to do our mission, we have to know that we're conducting safe operations here for our soldiers," Vt. National Guard Col. Matthew Fitzgerald said.

But some civilians have created an unsafe situation. The guard has documented numerous incidents of trespassing by hunters and ATV riders, who have ignored warning signs, driven around gates and even cut fences to get onto the 11,000 acre property.

Fitzgerald showed reporters some of the evidence.

"And then I saw foot traffic," he said. "I thought it was where a deer had come over the fence and I looked at it was foot traffic and they have cut a man-sized hole through the fence right here so that you can just duck through."

Guard officials say the trespassers not only put themselves in danger, but the guard worries hunters could target guard members moving through the bushes dressed in their camouflage gear.

"If they're out here hunting, they're firing in areas that their not supposed to or we've got people working out here, it just creates an unsafe environment," Fitzgerald said.

Of particular concern are the ATV tracks found in the impact areas of the guard's mortar and artillery range.

"Not all of the ordinance that goes in there explodes," Fitzgerald said. "If it's disturbed, if it's picked up, it's touched, it's run over by an ATV or someone picked it up, there's a potential that it could go off and either instantly kill or permanently maim somebody."

The guard hopes the trespassers will get the message about the danger and stay away. The guard is also asking the public to call the police if they know about anyone illegally entering the range. Call the State Police/Fish and Wildlife at 802-878-7111 or the Vt. National Guard at 802-338-3050.

Roger Garrity - WCAX News