Hunting – Lyme Land Conservation Trust

Hunting Program

The Land Trust has partnered with the Town of Lyme to cooperatively administer a hunting program on some of our preserves as part of our stewardship management plan.

Preserves Where Hunting Occurs

Beebe Preserve
Chestnut Hill Preserve
Hand-Smith (Bow and turkey/goose shotgun only)
Jewett Preserve
Johnston Preserve
Mount Archer Woods, Eno, and Pickwick’s Preserve
Plimpton Preserve
Slawson Preserve

Regulations and Permits

For spring season hunting regulations, requirements and for permit application instructions: Spring Hunting Policies with Season Chart and Map 2022.

Information on No lead hunting.
No lead hunting information from New York State DEC

For partly filled out consent forms (there are several pages): Pre-filled Spring Hunting Consent Forms 2022

Consent to hunt may be granted to licensed hunters by request by mail or drop off at the Town Hall to the Open Space Coordinator of the Town of Lyme. (Email requests not accepted.)

Contact: openspace@townlyme.org.

Open Space Coordinator,
Lyme Town Hall,
480 Hamburg Rd,
Lyme CT 06371

Hunting Seasons

Much of Lyme’s forestland is experiencing deer browse damage to the valuable understory vegetation. Controlled hunting protects vibrant habitats, decreases the number of wildlife related car accidents, helps decrease the spread of tick-related diseases, and provides access for a traditional use of open space in Lyme. Hunters pay a special tax on hunting equipment which funds federal wildlife projects like turkey restoration. A limited number of permits are granted to licensed hunters. All State laws and safety regulations are followed.

Bright clothing is recommended for all users during hunting seasons.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season: April 27 to May 28, 2022: Monday through Thursday, 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon; the preserves where hunting occurs are open to non-hunting users during that time. Please note that no hunting is allowed in these preserves on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Deer and Turkey Bow Hunting Season: September 15 to November 15, 2022 and December 21, 2022 to January 31, 2023: Monday through Thursday, 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset; the preserves where hunting occurs are open to non-hunting users during that time. Please note that no hunting is allowed in these preserves on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Turkey Fall Shotgun Season: October 1 through October 31, 2022: Monday through Thursday, 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset; the preserves where hunting occurs are open to non-hunting users during that time. Please note that no hunting is allowed in these preserves on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Deer firearm Season: November 16 through December 20, 2022; Monday through Friday, 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset; Preserves where deer firearm hunting occurs are closed to all other users, except for Saturday and Sunday when no hunting is allowed.
December 22, 2021 through January 31, 2022 – Fall Deer and Turkey Bow Hunting Season: Monday through Thursday; the preserves where hunting occurs are open to non-hunting users during that time. Please note that no hunting is allowed in these preserves on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays during this season.

The Nature Conservancy coordinates a deer hunt at Selden Creek Preserve; however, the preserve will not be closed because the hunting area is safely separated from the part of the preserve with public trails.

Hunting on State property is allowed with a State permit. On State property, hunting is allowed every day, during hunting seasons, except Sunday. The preserves remain open to all users. Be aware and always wear bright colors.

Practice caution and wear bright colors in the woods during hunting seasons.

Information about hunting seasons, public hunting areas, laws, and regulations is in the Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, which is available at all town halls, license agents, and also here.