Lands - The University of Maine - University of Maine

UMaine Lands

Each property has unique regulations related to hunting and trapping related to local ordinances and the education, research, and extension activities that occur there. Below you will find hunting and trapping access on each property is designated as “unrestricted,” “by permission only,” or “no hunting” in alphabetical order by town.

Statewide Forests Map (PDF) UMaine Hunting and Trapping Policy

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Policy

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The University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias (hereafter referred to as UMaine) recognize the tradition of hunting and trapping in the state and welcome these activities on many of its properties as part of an ongoing commitment to public service and access. This policy provides guidelines for utilizing UMaine property for hunting and trapping while ensuring faculty, staff, students, and partners can safely engage in education, research, and extension activities. It is always the responsibility of the hunter/trapper to be knowledgeable of, and adhere to, all state and local hunting and trapping laws and regulations, as well as landowner expectations, including those of the university. Consistent with state law, individuals engaging in hunting or trapping do so at their own risk. Please note that this policy covers properties owned, leased, or otherwise managed by UMaine and is not inclusive of all University of Maine System (UMS) properties.

Types of Access

UMaine reserves the right to restrict access to its properties, including temporary closures, to accommodate specific research or educational activities. UMaine reserves the right to revoke any individual’s or group’s privilege to hunt on any UMaine-managed property, in its sole discretion.

Hunting and trapping are not allowed on the 660-acre main residential campus located in Orono and the adjacent Demeritt Forest in Orono and Old Town, nor on the 240-acre residential campus in Machias. Further, the UMaine Firearms Guide prohibits weapons or ammunition from being worn, displayed, used, or possessed on either residential campus.

All UMaine-managed properties and their current access status are detailed on the UMaine Lands Access Status List. This list does not include property owned or managed by other UMS universities or units. Hunting and trapping access on each property is designated as “unrestricted,” “by permission only,” or “no hunting.” All UMaine-managed properties not included on the UMaine Lands Access Status List are designated “no hunting” unless permission is otherwise granted in writing by the Director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) or their designee.

“Unrestricted” applies to property on which there are no university-imposed restrictions on hunting or trapping. Written permission from the university is not required for access. Please note: Maine law requires written landowner permission for the placement of tree stands, traps, bait piles, and trail and game cameras. To request that permission, please contact the property manager listed on the UMaine Lands Access Status List.

“By permission only” applies to property on which limited hunting or trapping is allowed at the discretion of the property manager, who must provide permission in writing. Links to written permission applications and contact information for property managers can be accessed via the UMaine Lands Access Status List. Signs/purple paint are posted at all prominent entrances and every 100’ around the property’s perimeter to the extent practicable, consistent with state law. Even with written permission to hunt or trap on the property, a person may not discharge, or cause a projectile to pass as a result of a discharge, within 100’ of a building or residential dwelling.

“No hunting” applies to property on which hunting or trapping is not allowed. UMaine will make reasonable efforts to post signs/purple paint at all prominent entrances and every 100’ around the property’s perimeter to the extent practicable, consistent with state law. If a hunter or trapper is unsure whether a particular property allows hunting or trapping, they should review the UMaine Lands Access Status List, which is the authoritative source for hunting and trapping on UMaine properties.

Leased Properties

Hunting or trapping on properties leased by UMaine is subject to the discretion of the lessor and the lease agreement. If UMaine has information for hunters to contact the lessor for policies and permission, that information will be listed on the UMaine Lands Access Status List. Please see all properties leased by UMaine and their current access status on the UMaine Lands Access Status List.

Hunting or trapping on properties leased from UMaine are subject to the terms of the lease agreement between UMaine and the lessee. Please see all properties leased from UMaine and their current access status on the UMaine Lands Access Status List. Additionally, there are multiple platforms to determine and contact a landowner (e.g., Onyx Hunt, tax maps, etc.).

Written Permission

All UMaine property managers will review applications for written permission, provide permissions in writing, and keep records of permissions granted for hunting or trapping purposes and report those to their immediate supervisor annually prior to the initiation of the relevant hunting season.

Due to the proximity to the main campus in Orono and the potential that university law enforcement may be contacted, records of written permission granted by the university to hunt or trap on UMaine properties in Orono or Old Town will be additionally provided to the University of Maine Police Department.

Please note that some UMaine properties are accessible only by lands owned by others. Written permission to hunt and trap on university land in no way indicates permission to cross the lands of others.

Guidance for UMaine faculty, staff, and students

All UMaine faculty, staff, students, and partners conducting teaching, research, or otherwise working in the field are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Maine’s hunting seasons and legal hunting hours.

UMaine faculty or staff who manage property should be aware of Maine’s hunting and land access laws and be prepared to address questions from hunters about access according to the landowner’s (or lessor’s) determination.

Hunting safety should be part of fieldwork training.

If you are concerned about hunting activities on or around a UMaine-managed property you will be conducting activities on, please contact the property manager before going to the field. As noted above, UMaine reserves the right to temporarily or permanently close properties or portions of properties for safety and research purposes.

Be hunting conscious. UMaine does not control hunting access on neighboring properties. Wear blaze orange while conducting fieldwork, especially during the rifle deer hunting season (the month of November and certain other days designated as “youth” days etc.).

If you witness suspicious hunting activities, do not interfere. Contact the Maine Warden Service directly. Consider also calling the Maine Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-253-7887 (1-800-ALERT-US).

Unrestricted Hunting

Consistent with the UMaine Hunting and Trapping Policy, “Unrestricted” applies to property for which there are no university-imposed restrictions on hunting or trapping. Written permission from the university is not required for access. Please note: Maine law requires written landowner permission for the placement of tree stands, traps, bait piles, and trail and game cameras. To request that permission, please contact the site manager.

Applin

Town:
Bethel

Written permission?
No Permission Needed

Keith Kanoti

Phone: 207.581.2849