Hunting Program

Preserves Where Hunting Occurs

  • Beebe Preserve
  • Chestnut Hill Preserve
  • Hand-Smith
  • Jewett
  • Johnston 
  • Mount Archer Woods, Eno, and Pickwick’s Preserve
  • Plimpton Preserve
  • Slawson Preserve

Regulations and Permits

For hunting regulations, requirements and for permit application instructions: Hunting Requirements w chart and map For partly filled out consent forms (there are several pages): Pre-filled Hunting Consent Forms Consent to hunt may be granted to licensed hunters by request to the Open Space Coordinator of the Town of Lyme. Contact: openspace@townlyme.org. Open Space Coordinator, Lyme Town Hall, 480 Hamburg Rd, Lyme CT 06371

Hunting Seasons

The Land Trust has partnered with the Town of Lyme to cooperatively administer a hunting program on some of our preserves. 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. 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 29 to May 30, 2020: 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 17, 2020 and December 23, 2020 to January 31, 2021: 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 3 through October 31, 2020: 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 18 through December 22, 2020; 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.

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.noon

Maps for Hunters

Beebe Preserve Hunting Map
Chestnut Hill Preserve Hunting Map
Hand Smith Aerial Map
Hand Smith Hunting Map
MT Archer, Jewett, and Eno Preserves Hunting Map
Plimpton Preserve Hunting Map
Slawson Preserve Hunting Map

For all other trail maps, click here. 

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.
Photo Cedit: Skip Broom