Deer Management Program at the East River Preserve Announced Monday

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Conservation Commission will be moving forward this October with a Deer Management Program at the East River Preserve, officials announced Monday.

The Deer Management Plan was approved by the Board of Selectman in March 2015 after several years research and meetings by the Deer Management committee.

The deer management plan was developed as a part of the recommendations of the East River Preserve Management Plan approved by the Board of Selectman in January 2012 which developed goals to ensure that the ecological values and uses of this protected open space are managed to sustain and, where necessary, restore the property’s natural resource values by conserving a diverse and healthy suite of habitats.

Research conducted on the property by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has documented deer browse damage at the East River Preserve. Long term research areas are currently being installed to study the long term effect of the management program.

The Deer Management plan created a lottery system in which 20 applicants will be selected to bow hunt the East River Preserve from a tree stands. The deer control will be conducted Monday through Friday from October 15th through November 15th.

No deer control will be conducted on the weekends or on days that school is not in session. Bow hunters who receive permits from the Town of Guilford will be allowed on the property at 4:30 a.m. and must be off at 11:30 a.m.

Any one selected to be part of the deer management program must pass a proficiency test and attend a safety meeting. The East River Preserve will be open to the public while the deer control is being conducted.

The public using the preserve during this time period should wear safety orange or bright colored clothing. Dog owners are reminded that Guilford Town Ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash when on town property including the open space properties.

Anyone with questions should contact Kevin Magee Town of Guilford Environmental Planner at 203-453-8074. Applications are available at Town Hall South located at 50 Boston Street and on the Town of Guilford Web site under the Conservation Commission tab.