NASHUA — A city alderman has drafted legislation that — if approved — will prohibit hunters from dressing wild game in residential areas that are within public view.

Alderman-at-Large Mark Cookson has proposed the new ordinance, which he says is constituent driven.

The legislation states that it shall be unlawful in a residential zoning district to slaughter, dress or skin animals or fowl. The regulation does not apply to wild game or fowl (legally taken for sport and not to be sold), or poultry and livestock that are dressed in an enclosed area not open to public view.

It goes on to say that no wild game or fowl that is intended to be dressed as permitted shall be delivered between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

“It is not intended to limit or discourage those who enjoy hunting, only that they be cognizant of their surroundings and neighbors when dressing game, or when having their game processed in a residential zone,” Cookson wrote on his blog, explaining there are now several instances where game has been processed in public view, including the cutting of limbs with a saw.

The Board of Aldermen had its first reading of the proposed legislation on Tuesday, and the matter will now be taken up by the aldermanic Personnel and Administrative Affairs Committee. “It is being solicited, and we are getting feedback,” said Cookson. He said it is a reasonable request to keep carcasses out of public view.

His ordinance has been shared with the Horse Pond Fish and Game Club of Nashua, Nashua Fish and Game Association and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, according to Cookson, who said he expects hunters to share their opinion on the matter.

Two local hunters voiced disapproval over Cookson's legislation this week. Both said they were concerned about the time limit for dressing game.

“Time is of the essence,” said Robert Valade, adding animals must be properly skinned and processed in a timely manner or the meat will spoil. “To deny a sports person the right to do this is not only fundamentally wrong, it is morally wrong.”

Valade, a hunter education instructor for more than 40 years, urged city officials to dismiss the “frivolous” legislation, adding the immediate dressing of wild game and the preparation of meat is part of the hunting experience.

John Richard agreed, saying the proposed regulation is based on a difference of opinion between neighbors.

“That is what this thing is about,” said Richard, arguing it is his right to dress game at his own residence.

Richard explained that when he killed a moose last year, it took him 11 hours to get the animal out of the woods, and several more hours to pack up camp and travel home. By the time he returned to Nashua with the moose, it was around 11 p.m., he said. Under the new legislation, he would not have been permitted to dress the animal and the meat would have spoiled, he said.

The city's legal counsel has reviewed the proposal, and says there are no state statutes that limit or control the dressing of game, fish or fowl legally obtained, but that the city has the authority to make any other by-laws or regulations for the well-being of Nashua.

Cookson says he is hoping to have a meaningful discussion about the topic when it is reviewed by the assigned committee.

khoughton@newstote.com