IIT Fall Newsletter: On The Trails - Hunting Season

By Jack Taylor

It is hunting season again on Islesboro, which runs for the extended archery season through December 12th. Islesboro is a part of the coastal region, island Wildlife Management District 29 and all the rules and regulations therein. On a municipal level, the Town of Islesboro prohibits the use of crossbows for hunting on island. The state of Maine had a record harvest of 55,876 deer last year, up 12,000 from the previous record of 43,787 in 2022 according to Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. The reported deer harvest on Islesboro for 2025 held steady from 2024 at 130 deer. 

All of our preserves, including the ones open to hunting, are open to the public through hunting season. Hunting is allowed at select IIT properties by written permission only. These properties are the Herbert, Mill Dam, Bachelor, Heckel-Schrodinger, Hutchin’s Marsh, Hutchin’s Island, and Blueberry Hill Preserves. All other preserves are closed to hunting. Hunting is a key part of our management plans at IIT as it helps regulate deer populations, and therefore tick population. Hunting is also an important tradition whose practice provides food and income for state conservation efforts. 

To accommodate the multi-use nature of our trails, IIT hunting policy allows hunters to only hunt for the first three hours after sunrise and the three hours before sunset. Additionally, hunters are required to maintain a minimum distance of 50 yards from the trails to ensure the safety and quality of the outdoor experience of all parties. Regardless, it is always a good idea to wear a piece of orange and maintain awareness of your surroundings while you are out enjoying the gorgeous fall colors. We encourage anybody interested in hunting or with any questions to reach out to me at jtaylor@islesboroislandstrust.org.