Overview
The Nature Conservancy's Lucius Pond Ordway-Devil's Den Preserve will be closed to hold its annual controlled deer hunt during the state-designated firearms hunting season for private lands. Signs will be posted at all public entrances to the preserve. TNC provides this information so that residents can make plans to refrain from visiting the preserve on these days.
The purpose of the controlled hunt, which has been held each fall since 2001, is to improve and maintain forest health by reducing the deer population. In recent decades, the high density of deer in southwestern Connecticut and associated overbrowsing have caused ecological damage in the region's forests. The annual hunt, along with additional restoration tools used by TNC and partners, helps to improve and maintain forest resilience in the region.