Above: Consider grabbing a “Blaze Orange” safety vest if you’re exploring the outdoors most days of the week this fall and early winter — especially on certain properties. (photo rendered using photo of Beals Preserve, maps edited from SOLF and DCR maps)
The Southborough Open Land Foundation asked me to alert readers to wear Blaze Orange when hiking on Beals Preserve and Lynbrook Hollow now through the end of the year — except on Sundays. That’s because Bow Hunting Season is open through December 31st.
The news reminded me that it’s time to share info on the the hunting season’s impact beyond tose two properties. SOLF’s recommendation to wear Blaze Orange is consistent with the state’s advice for those enjoying outdoor spaces during hunting season..
Last year, the state issued a warning that also applies to pets.
In Massachusetts, hunters with bow hunting permits are allowed to hunt (on properties covered by their permit) now through December 31st, except on Sundays. (The hours are 30 minutes before sunrise and must end 30 minutes after sunset.)
Hunting isn’t allowed on open spaces and trails owned by the Town of Southborough. But it is allowed on some state owned and private properties, with the owners’ permission.
For SOLF, that permission is granted each year only to two “very experienced hunters” who are very familiar with the two properties (Beals Preserve and Lynbrook Hollow) and won’t hunt near trails. (See their property map right for a reminder on where those spaces are.) Anyone with questions can email SOLF at info@solf.org.
As they have in the past, Mass DCR has also allowed permitted hunting on their property surrounding the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough.
I checked and that is true again this year. (See the map right and click here for an interactive map if you want more detail.)
For anyone questioning the reasons behind allowing deer hunting, the Sudbury Valley Trustees previously posted:
Wildlife habitat in SVT’s service area is threatened by growing deer populations. SVT has identified deer management as a high-priority issue because of the high deer density in our region and the negative impact deer are having on our forests.
You can read more about why they support managing the deer population here.
