Jeers to the Nature Conservancy for continuing its annual deer hunt at Lucius Pond Ordway-Devil’s Den Preserve in Weston, Connecticut—it’s been 24 years of it giving itself and its land over to hunting interests under the guise of preserving plants.

At 1,800 acres, Devil’s Den is the group’s largest preserve in Connecticut, yet it’s wedded to deer hunters who claim deer should be shot under the guise of controlling them.

Wouldn’t an overly wealthy land acquisition organization be aware of studies that show deer exclosure fences protect understory vegetation by preventing deer from browsing on it, which helps promote forest regeneration and increase plant diversity?

The Nature Conservancy raised $1.8 billion in 2024, according to its annual report. Clearly it can afford to buy some of these fences.

Until Devil’s Den operates like a refuge, allowing nature to take its course and stops being an apologist for deer hunters, they should be avoided like the plague. Enough is enough! You can also express your opposition to the deer hunt by sending an email to state director Frogard Ryan at  emma.grovesbaldacci@tnc.org or to Devil’s Den at TheDen@TNC.org.