Deer Hunt Closures at Devil’s Den

Weston Today photo

Devil’s Den Preserve will be closed to visitors on eleven upcoming weekdays as The Nature Conservancy holds its annual controlled deer hunt.

The preserve will be closed on the following days:

• November 19 and 20
• November 24, 25, and 26
• December 1, 2, 3 and 4
• December 8 and 9

The hunt takes place during the state-designated firearms hunting season for private lands. Signs will be posted at the entrances to the preserve.

The Nature Conservancy says only experienced hunters with knowledge of the preserve and the area will participate in the hunt, and only in certain areas of the preserve’s interior, away from neighboring properties. The purpose is to maintain forest health by reducing the deer population.

The Conservancy reports that the dense population of deer in southwestern Connecticut causes over-browsing that damages forests, limits tree regeneration, and contributes to the gradual loss of native flowering plants.