Will Ridgefield Re-Open Deer Hunting Debate?

RIDGEFIELD, CT --- Members of the Ridgefield town deer committee came before the Board of Selectmen on April 4 and presented a list of 15 town properties where they hope to continue the hunt next fall and winter.

Nine of the 15 properties the deer committee is seeking permission to use this year would be hunted only for the bowhunting season, which goes from Oct. 15 to Jan. 31. They are Linden Lane, 26 acres; Keeler Court, 26 acres; Ridgebury Farms, 94 acres; Bobby’s Court, 34 acres; Colonial Heights, 19 acres; Peaceable Refuge, 16 acres; Silvermine Ridge, 14 acres; Turtle Ridge Court, 10 acres; and 20 acres between Old Trolley Road and Shadow Lake.

Six other properties would be open for bowhunters but could also be hunted during the various gun hunting seasons: Dec. 5 to 31 for muzzleloaders and Nov. 14 to Dec. 4 for other firearms. These include Laurel Lane, 50 acres; Shadow Lake, 40 acres; Ledges Road property, 26 acres; Stonecrest, 34 acres; Sarah Bishop, 39 acres; and the town golf course.

In 2006, the controlled hunting of deer on selected town properties was approved by a vote of 531 to 194. At the April 4 meeting, the selectmen raised the possibility of another town debate and vote about deer hunting on town land.

For more on the story, read the Ridgefield Press.