HUNTING/FISHING APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN FOR THE 2026 SEASON
Blue Hill Heritage Trust lands are used for multiple recreational purposes. During hunting season, it is especially important that all users be aware of others using these lands.
We welcome hunters on most of the properties we own around the peninsula (for hunting on conservation easements, please contact the property owner). If you would like to hunt on BHHT property, please read our hunting & trapping policy, and fill out our online registration form below.
Hunting is NOT permitted on Sundays in Maine; therefore, it’s the best day of the week to hike during hunting season. We highly encourage everyone to wear blaze orange during the hunting seasons. For a current list of Season Dates and Bag Limits, please visit IFW’s website: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/index.htm
Hunting Policies by Preserve
Rules & Guidelines
Blue Hill Heritage Trust (BHHT) recognizes the long tradition of hunting, fishing, and trapping on the Blue Hill Peninsula and maintains the following policy, to be reviewed and renewed annually, with an expiration date of December 31st of each year.
Hunting:
- All hunting, fishing, and trapping on conservation lands owned by Blue Hill Heritage Trust, subject to Maine State laws.
- Hunters must use extreme caution while hunting and trapping on BHHT land. Our properties are open to the public for multiple recreational uses, including off-leash dogs. Hunters are responsible for paying attention to the location of roads, trails, and other user groups.
- Trapping is not allowed on BHHT lands except on properties funded with Land For Maine’s Future Funds. As of 2025, these include: Wallamatogus- Penobscot Community Forest, Edgehill, and part of Caterpillar Hill. Please see the trapping form and contact BHHT for more information and trapping regulations.
- Baiting is prohibited on all BHHT lands.
- Night hunting is prohibited on all BHHT lands.
- Dogs are allowed ONLY for bird hunting at Surry Forest and Meadowbrook Forest. See the notification section below to request permission.
- Access for hunting and fishing is pedestrian only. Vehicle/ATV access is restricted on BHHT lands.
- No permanent tree stands, blinds, or other structures are permitted on BHHT lands. Temporary tree stands, blinds, and game cameras may be used only with annual written permission from BHHT. All temporary stands, blinds, and game cameras must be clearly labeled with the owner’s name, phone number, and town of residence. Hunters may bring a portable hunting seat with them, provided the seat is labeled and is not left in sight of a road or trail. Any unmarked or unauthorized game stands, blinds, seating, or game cameras may be subject to confiscation.
- Interference with any person’s game camera, tree stand, or blind is against state law and is strictly prohibited on BHHT lands. Tampering with, moving, damaging, or using another individual’s equipment without permission will result in the immediate revocation of all hunting, trapping, and fishing privileges on BHHT land.
- Any hunting/trapping/fishing violation committed on BHHT property will result in immediate revocation of hunting/trapping/fishing permission.
Trapping:
- No use of baiting
- No use of dogs
- No traps set within 200 feet of recreational trails.
Target Shooting:
- Target shooting is prohibited on all BHHT lands, including but not limited to the use of clay pigeons, paper targets, and plinking.
BHHT abides by all Maine State laws related to hunting, fishing, and trapping. Under Maine law, it is unlawful for any person to willfully interfere with the lawful hunting or trapping of any wild animal or wild bird, including intentionally disturbing wildlife with the purpose of preventing or disrupting its lawful taking. BHHT expects all visitors and hunters to respect these regulations and to conduct themselves safely and responsibly while on BHHT lands. Any violation of this law should be reported immediately to BHHT and to the State of Maine Warden Service.
Blue Hill Heritage Trust reserves the right to restrict hunting/fishing/trapping access in designated areas according to wildlife management or recreational goals or conflicts. BHHT welcomes observations of wildlife and comments on land management issues.
Hunters are expected to abide by all state hunting regulations, to avoid heavily used hiking areas such as the south side of Blue Hill Mountain. State law permits hunting from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset for most of the open hunting seasons. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife publishes a chart listing legal hunting hours for the season. The chart can be found at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting-laws/legal-hunting-hours.html
Please contact us at Blue Hill Heritage Trust, 374-5118 or info@bluehillheritagetrust.org with any questions.