Mental and Emotional Health During this Time
A note on mental and emotional health while safely enjoying the outdoors during this time:
The tragic events in Lewiston this past month are being felt throughout our community and state, and while navigating the aftermath, we are all experiencing the impact of these events in different ways. Firearms season began this past week in Maine, a month that many look forward to every year when friends and family spend time outside on beloved properties in hopes of responsibly harvesting deer. While spending time in nature hunting or walking on trails can be comforting and healing for many, we encourage everyone to be mindful of how to take care of themselves while enjoying the outdoors during this uniquely challenging time. Once familiar places and sounds may prompt unexpected responses and reactions in light of recent events. As the days get colder and nights grow longer, it is a natural time for self-reflection and healing in many forms. We hope everyone finds ways to come to terms with recent events and to support those in need of kindness and compassion.
Land Trust properties with public trails allow only bow hunting by permission, although a few privately-owned properties with public trails (where the Land Trust holds a conservation easement) do allow hunting with firearms. To learn more about the Land Trust’s hunting permission process, please visit btlt.org/itshuntingseason. For your safety, please remember to wear blaze orange if you are visiting a Land Trust trail where hunting is allowed (see orange trails listed below), stay on marked trails, and leash your dog.
If you prefer to visit a trail that does not allow firearm or bow hunting this month, please see the green marked trails listed below.
Hunting is allowed on the following properties with public trails:
🧡Bradley Pond Farm* – The landowners of this easement-protected property hunt using firearms.
🧡Cathance River Nature Preserve* – The landowner of this easement-protected property is allowing limited bowhunting by a small and experienced group of hunters to cull the deer population this year.
🧡Chase Reserve* – The landowners of this easement-protected property allow bowhunting as well as hunting with a firearm.
🧡Crystal Spring Farm – Bowhunting only by permission only.
🧡Maquoit Bay Conservation Land* – Hunting is allowed by the Town of Brunswick.
🧡Tarbox Preserve – Bowhunting only by permission only is allowed. Waterfowl hunting is also permitted.
🧡Woodward Cove – Bowhunting only by permission only. Waterfowl hunting is also permitted.
🧡Woodward Point – Owned by Maine Coast Heritage Trust and co-managed with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, only bowhunting by permission is allowed on this property. MCHT staff should be contacted to obtain hunting permission.
Hunting is NOT allowed on the following properties with public trails:
💚Androscoggin Woods – Hunting is prohibited but note that waterfowl hunting along the Androscoggin River is common.
💚Head of Tide Park – Hunting is prohibited.
💚Neptune Woods – Hunting is prohibited.
💚Skolfield Preserve – Hunting is prohibited but note that waterfowl hunting in Middle Bay is common.
💚Smart/Town Landing Trail – Hunting is prohibited but note that waterfowl hunting in Middle Bay is common.
*A town-owned or privately-owned property with public trails where the Land Trust holds a conservation easement. The landowner of these properties can allow or prohibit hunting in consultation with the Land Trust to ensure that the public can still safely access trails where hunting is allowed.
