2025 Deer Hunting Program and Horse Riding Events
Bow Hunting Program Details
When:
October 6 to December 31, 2025
Where:
Wright Woods
Bigelow Woods/Soutter Field
Hunting Information:
Deer bow hunting occurs 1/2 hour before sunrise to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 1/2 hour after sunset. There is no hunting on Saturdays or Sundays.
All trails remain open during hunting hours, except for one secondary trail in Wright Woods, which is posted with signage during hunting season.
When hunting season begins, check the map at the trailhead kiosk off of Fairhaven Hill Road to view where bow hunting is taking place.
Please pay attention to posted signs and follow trail use policies:
– Stay on marked trails
– Dogs (no more than 3 per person) must be under control at all times
– Leash dogs that wander off trail
Each year, a limited number of licensed hunters are granted permission to bow hunt. Nearly all have held permission from the Land Trust for more than twenty years. The use of guns is prohibited.
Program Background
The bow hunting program began in 1997 in response to requests by several abutters on Fairhaven Hill to help control the deer population in their section of Wright Woods. The archery season is set by the Commonwealth and typically begins in early October. The Land Trust extends hunting permission through the end of December. We allow bow hunting only to a small group of qualified hunters in designated areas with written permission from the Land Trust and from the abutters. An overabundant deer population is negatively affecting the ecology of the town’s forested habitats. Through this managed hunting program, we aim to reduce the impact of the deer herd and support the essential ecological functions that a healthy, biodiverse forest provides.
Horse Riding Events
Sunday, October 5 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm ONBH in Wright Woods (hunter pace event)
Tuesday, October 14 from 10:30 am – 11:30 am ONBH at October Farm Riverfront (drag hunt)
Sunday, October 19 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm BSTRA in Wright Woods (pleasure ride)
All trails remain open during riding events. Please plan ahead and remember: horses always have the right of way, followed by hikers, then by bikers!
In other words, hikers yield to horses, and bicyclists yield to hikers and horses on trails. If you must step off a trail to make room for a horse rider to pass, step off to the downhill side. Whenever possible, watch where you step to avoid disturbing plants or wildlife. If you approach a horseback rider from behind, calmly make your presence known by offering a friendly “Hello.“ Let the rider know your intentions and only pass once they tell you it is safe to do so.
About Old North Bridge Hounds (ONBH)
Old North Bridge Hounds host annual riding events in Wright Woods and at October Farm Riverfront in the fall and spring each year. The group is one of seven hunt clubs in New England. They engage in drag hunting, which involves laying a scent trail where riders and hounds “hunt” an artificial scent for sport. They also host hunter pace events, which are low-key, competitive cross-country rides that are meant to simulate a fox hunt. Horse and rider teams are sent off at intervals to follow a pre-set course. The goal is to not ride too fast or too slow, but to achieve an optimal time or “pace” in order to win.
About Bay State Trail Riders Association (BSTRA)
Founded in 1989, the Bay State Trail Riders Association is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and expanding trails for equestrian use, while also supporting multi-use trail access that is horse-friendly. The organization hosts pleasure rides on marked trails, allowing riders to enjoy the landscape at their own leisurely pace.
