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.

Much of Lyme’s forestland is experiencing deer browse, which decreases biodiversity in 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. Many of the hunters in the program provide volunteer stewardship services to help maintain the preserves.

A limited number of permits are granted to licensed hunters. All State laws and safety regulations are followed.

Hunters are asked to seek alternatives to lead ammo. Lead is toxic to humans and lethal for many scavengers such as bald eagles. It also can contaminate the soil and seep into the ground water.

Preserves Where Hunting Occurs

Click to enlarge map.

Beebe Preserve
Chestnut Hill Preserve
Hand-Smith (Bow only)
Hilles Preserve, East and West
Jewett Preserve
Johnston Preserve
Mount Archer Woods, Eno, and Pickwick’s Preserve
Plimpton Preserve
Slawson Preserve

Regulations and Permits

HUNTING POLICIES For hunting regulations, requirements and for permit application instructions: Hunting Policies with Season Chart and Map 2024

CONSENT FORMS For partly filled out consent forms (there are several pages): Pre-filled Hunting Consent Forms Fall 2024

Use alternatives to lead ammo when available. Information on No lead hunting.
No lead hunting information from New York State DEC

TO APPLY 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. Include a stamped self-addressed envelope with your application. (Email requests are not accepted.)

Contact: openspace@townlyme.org.

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

Hunting Seasons

Spring Turkey Hunting Season: April 24 to May 25, 2024: Monday through Friday, 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 Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Fall Deer and Turkey Bow Hunting Season: September 15 to November 19, 2024 (and December 25, 2024 to January 31, 2025) Monday through Friday, 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 Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Turkey Fall Shotgun Season: October 5 through October 31, 2024: Monday through Friday, 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 Saturdays or Sundays during this season.
Deer firearm Season: November 20 through December 24, 2024; 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.
Late Fall Deer and Turkey Bow Hunting Season: December 25, 2024 to January 31, 2025: Monday through Friday, 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 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.