“Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, in our own).” ― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
Hunting on Conservation Lands
Photo by Milke Tucker
Deer populations in New England have multiplied over the past 50 years in response to the development of natural landscapes and the reduction of predators. As a result, over-abundant deer populations reduce the diversity of plants and other wildlife species found in the forest. With the removal of shrub and seedling layers, the successional process of a forest is interrupted, resulting in a less resilient landscape.
Simply put, when old trees die, there are no new trees to replace them if deer eat the seedlings and saplings. Unfortunately, they especially like oaks and many other native species, as their pallets have yet to adapt to many introduced species.
Regulated hunting is one of the most effective tools that state wildlife agencies use to address the overpopulation of a species. Therefore, when it comes to deer, hunters are tapping into a local food source and helping to give our forests a chance to regenerate by controlling the numbers of the local deer population.
Properties where hunting may occur:
| Andrews Grove & Pond 14 |
| Breivogel |
| Crane Wildlife Area N. of 151 |
| Crane South (Hayway Road) |
| Collins Wood Lot |
| Crooked Pond Wellsite |
| Dorthea Allen & Hayway Road Town Parcel |
| Kettle Holes Area |
| Long Pond / Town Forest |
| Mares Pond |
| Moonakis & Quashnet River |
| Northern Moraine Trail Area |
| Shallow Pond Woodlands |
| The Rod and Gun Club Properties with Permission |
| Washburn Island |
| Wing Pond Conservation Area |
**This list is for informational purposes and may be missing some properties, please let us know if there is a property that should be added or removed.