Deer management season has begun in Weston

One of the least-known programs under the Weston Conservation Commission’s purview is the “Deer Management Program,” a euphemism for deer hunting. The town approved deer management at Town Meeting in 2012, in an effort to control the overwhelming burden of lots of hungry deer. Or to quote the commission’s website: “The Conservation Commission seeks a balanced approach to land management so that no single species dominates the landscape to the detriment of other flora and fauna.”

While I personally could never hunt a wild animal, I respect the reason for the program, which is for the safety of our residents (deer in the roadways) and the good of our forests, where deer can browse and kill the new growth and tiny trees.

Open from the first Monday in October to Dec. 31, Weston’s deer hunting program is carefully managed by the Conservation Commission and town staff. All hunters must be state-licensed, and then apply for a permit through the town – there is an extremely limited number of permits issued. In addition, all hunters agree to a certain number of volunteer hours, which is why you might have noticed 15 or so hunters helping out in the town orchard on Concord Road a couple of weeks ago.

There are 14 Weston-owned properties open to hunting for these permitted hunters, and you can find the map online. There are no Weston Forest and Trails Association properties open to hunting. In 2024, 28 deer were harvested from 45 hunters – 17 does and 11 bucks. There is no hunting on Sundays, and let me reiterate that this is bow-hunting only.

Personally, I recommend wearing a bright color and putting an orange collar on your dun- or brown-colored dog during hunting season, even though, as one hunter explained to me, the chance of an errant shot finding you or your pet is infinitely small. Not only does bow hunting require careful aim (you must see exactly what area you are aiming for), but most of the hunters are out early in the morning or in the gloaming. As always, trail walkers are advised to stay on the trails in our conservation properties. Offroading might net you a surprise.

I do know several of the hunters, including one that spends his time up in Ogilvie Town Forest. It never fails to give me a small heart palpitation to see him exiting the trail absolutely covered in camouflage and with weaponry on his back. I have also followed a “successful” hunter, who I do not know, as well, and that image is ingrained in my brain. I will also say that hunters have been very good citizens on our trails, helping to look for lost pets, reporting strange situations (including illegal dirt bikers) and volunteering for trail projects including bog bridge building. Note that 17% of last year’s hunters were Weston residents.

The main point of this is to be aware of Weston’s deer management program, and to respect the trail boundaries. Share the trails, Weston! See you outside.

Kristin Barbieri is a trustee of Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA), the 501(c)(3) that cares for Weston’s trails and open spaces.