Ridgefield Sets June 5 for Deer Hunt Public Hearing

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Residents will have an opportunity to share their opinions, and hear the opinions of experts, on the debate about the annual controlled deer hunt on town land during a public hearing on Wednesday, June 5.

The town initiated deer hunting on public lands because of the high incidences of deer/car accidents and Lyme disease, as well as the damaging effect the animals were having on the open space understory and residential landscaping. The hunt has been an annual event since 2006.

During the 2018-2019 hunting season, 15 open spaces were included in the hunt. Eight of the properties were in Ridgebury, three were on the western edge of town, two were east of Route 7,and two were nearer the town center.

During the previous 13 years of the public hunt, the number of spaces hunted per year has ranged on the order of 10-15 properties and the number of deer taken from 92 in 1998 to 336 in 2009.

The hunting season allows bows and guns, including muzzleloaders, depending on the season. The hunting season for the 2018-19 hunt had the following dates, which are typical from year to year:

• Archery: Oct. 15 – Jan. 31
• Firearms: Nov. 14-Dec. 4
• Muzzleloader: Dec. 5 – Dec. 31

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the lower level conference room at Town Hall.