Do We Want Weston To Become The Local Hunting Range?

If our town’s Conservation Commission gets its way, even more of our town land will be opened up to hunters.  At the League of Women Voters event this past weekend, Con Com member Brian Donohue admitted during his presentation that the current bow hunting program will not be able to control Weston’s deer population or reduce the incidents of Lyme disease among residents.  He explained that the Con Com’s goal is to expand the hunting program in Weston by opening more of the town’s land to bow hunters.  The Con Com’s survey (This was very unscientific so who really knows what the correct number is?) indicates there are currently 25 deer per square mile.  Brian said they have a goal of lowering the number to 10 per square mile.  That would require a lot of hunting!  So for all of you who don’t feel the impact of the bow hunters yet because you don’t live near the five parcels that are currently approved for hunting – Beware!  Unless you show up at town meeting to vote “Yes” to end hunting on town land, bow hunters could end up in forests near your home.  If the Con Com succeeds with their plan you will be seeing many more bow hunters up in the trees when you go hiking with your dogs and children on the town trails.  More and more arrow-injured, dying deer will show up in back yards - I heard from several people who witnessed these disturbing sights this past fall.  The risk of human injury will climb as the number of hunters in tree stands increases.  Do we really want Weston to become the local hunting range for bow hunters?  Let’s reclaim our forests for our residents – Please come to town meeting and vote “Yes” to end hunting on Weston’s town land.  For more information contact Westondeerfriends@gmail.com

Diane Anderson

Kings Grant Rd.