Hunting Policy

Hunting Policy and PKCA Permit, 2023 Information 

Updated October 11, 2023

It is the policy of Orono Land Trust (OLT) to permit use of its fee lands for a diversity of outdoor recreational activities. Hunting of game species, where appropriate and under appropriately issued State of Maine licensure, and under conditions where the activity can be pursued to ensure safety of the hunter and other users of the property, is allowed on PKCA by OLT-issued permit only; no permit is required on other OLT fee lands, as listed below.

The following rules apply to all types of hunting, for all species of game, and by usual means of take (bow & arrow, shotgun, rifle). The following OLT properties are open for hunting consistent with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife current regulations, 2023:

  • Dorion Land: All game species, all methods of take.
    • Hunting is only allowed on the North side of the Taylor Rd, not the South side
  • Hsu Land: All game species, all methods of take.
  • Newman Hill Land: No Hunting due to addition of CBCA recreation building
  • Piney Knoll Conservation Area: Only White-tailed deer, ONLY BY BOW & ARROW.   PERMIT REQUIRED, See special instructions below.
  • Thibodeau Land: All game species, all methods of take.
  • Wickett Land:White-tailed deer (BY BOW & ARROW or SHOTGUN). Other game species, BY SHOTGUN.  (No Hunting, during posted Forestry Operation in August – September OR until operation is completed!)
  • Otter Point: All game species, all methods of take.
  • Boulder and Black Ponds: No hunting or fishing

ATTENTION ALL HUNTERS INTERESTED IN HUNTING ON THE PINEY KNOLL CONSERVATION AREA (PKCA): 

To obtain a permit to hunt on PINEY KNOLL CONSERVATION AREA, owned by Orono Land Trust:

Send an email to <PKCA.Permit@oronolandtrust.org> with your name and email contact information, and an indication of which season you are applying for (EARLY= Sept 9 – Oct 24: or LATE = Oct 25 – Dec 9), as described in the separate PKCA season announcement. Jerry Longcore, OLT’s authorized representative, will issue the permit to hunters selected according to the PKCA season announcement. NOTE: If selected by lottery for a PKCA permit, (sample below), to hunt in either season, receipt of that permit must be acknowledged by return email to validate your permit. Failure to acknowledge receipt prior to the start of the selected season may result in revocation of the permit. 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR HUNTING OLT LAND THAT IS IN THE MAINE EXPANDED ARCHERY DEER ZONE: ONLY the PINEY KNOLL CONSERVATION AREA and HSU land are OLT’s properties in the expanded Archery Deer Zone.  No permit is needed for the HSU property.

The Orono Land Trust, Board of Directors approves hunting of white-tailed deer by bow & arrow only on Piney Knoll Conservation Area, by OLT-issued permit during the Maine’s Expanded Archery Season, which is September 9 – December 9, 2023. See Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for details of the white-tailed deer expanded archery season.

  1. Hunters who apply for the OLT permit must fulfill all license, training requirements, and regulations of ME DIF&W for archery hunting.
  2. SAFETY to hunters, the public, and domestic animals is paramount. Take all safety precautions and be aware of the horses and goats on the Trask property that abuts OLT property. For safety, please hunt from a temporary “tree stand” and do not stalk deer or hunt from ground blinds. Do not use the “stand” of another hunter without permission.
  3. Dispose of deer entrails appropriately, off the OLT property, but not on Orono Town land or other nearby private property.
  4. Tree stands and “scent tags,” if used, must be removed THE LAST DAY OF THE PERMITTED SEASON (EARLY or LATE). If a stand remains after this period you will forfeit the stand and OLT will have it removed.

Permit holders are expected to respond to a short online survey after their season. The survey will be online and the information will be sent to the email used by the permit holder, after the end of the season. OLT would appreciate comments on your experience(s), including the number of hours spent hunting on OLT land and results of your efforts. If you did not hunt, send us that information as well. Not submitting a survey response may be cause to deny a permit in subsequent years. The survey will be emailed to permit holders prior to the end of their season. This permit must be carried with the permittee while on PKCA lands and presented as requested.

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HUNTER ENTRY PERMIT

Property: ___Orono Land Trust – PKCA___. Permission is granted to ____________ for the 2023 Expanded Archery Season for the following dates: ________ EARLY (SEP 9– OCT 24) vs. ______ LATE (OCT 25– DEC 9) SEASON). (Place an X in only one season to be valid. Permit is void if altered or if both seasons are checked) for the purpose of bow hunting for white-tailed deer. By accepting this permit, the identified hunter accepts and agrees to: OLT will not be required to provide permittees warnings of hazards, hazardous conditions or use of any structures or activities on the land. OLT does not grant any assurance to permittees that the premises are safe and do not assume, in any way, the responsibility, or incur liability for any injury to any person or property caused by any act by persons to whom permission is granted. Permittees shall indemnify OLT and hold OLT and its members harmless for any and all actions or causes of action that result from the permittee’s use of the land. Permittees are solely responsible for any environmental damage caused by a permittee’s activities. This permit is granted only to the permittees and is non-transferable. The Marsh Island Preserve, now known as Piney Knoll Conservation Area (PKCA), is a multi-recreational area; undue conflict between hunters and other recreational users may result in loss of hunting opportunity on this property. Keep permit on your person when hunting on this OLT property. PERMISSION GRANTED on: _________ by Orono Land Trust, P. O. Box 4 Orono, ME 04473 For the Board, Jerry Longcore, Hunt Coordinator (866-3104; jrlongcore@gmail.com) /signed / issued/. NOTE: Failure to follow laws, rules, and permit requirements may result in revocation of permit and disqualification of the permittee for future seasons.

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Use of trail cameras is NOT ALLOWED.  Your elevated deer stand must have a tag attached to it with your contact information: Name, address, phone number or email address.  This is a state law.