FBC 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 (for hunting on conservation easements, please contact the property owner). If you would like to hunt on FBC property, please read our hunting & trapping policy, and fill out our online registration form below.

Hunting Registration Form

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: Hunting & Trapping: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Rules & Guidelines

Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) recognizes the long tradition of hunting, fishing, and trapping in Hancock County, and without taking a formal position for or against these activities, maintains the following policy, to be reviewed annually:

Hunting:

• Hunting is allowed by registration on the conservation lands owned by FBC, subject to State laws.
  
• Trapping is prohibited on FBC lands except on properties funded with Land For Maine’s Future Funds. As of 2025, these include those listed below.  Please see the trapping form and contact FBC for more information and trapping regulations.
  • Branch Lake
  • Sojourn Point
  • Kilkenney Cove
  • Schoodic Bog
  • Whitney Forest
  • Long Ledges

• Baiting is prohibited on all FBC lands.
• Night hunting is prohibited on all FBC lands.
• Dogs are prohibited on FBC lands for the purpose of hunting.
• Predator hunting is prohibited on FBC lands.
• Non-toxic shot/bullets are required for all hunting. No lead shot/bullets allowed.
• Cutting, flagging or marking of vegetation or trees for any reason is prohibited. Hunters found to have cleared shooting lanes or trails will have their permission revoked, and will be expected to reimburse FBC for the value of the trees cut at landscape appraisal rates.
• Access for hunting and fishing is pedestrian only. No ATVs or UTVs are allowed on FBC lands.
• No permanent tree stands, duck blinds, or other permanent structures are permitted on FBC lands. Temporary stands are allowed during hunting season if properly identified. See the notification section below to request permission.
• Game cameras are allowed with written permission. See the notification section below to request permission.
• FBC conservation lands are used for multiple low-impact activities. Hunters should take note of trail locations and be careful of other users.
• Hunters assume all liability and responsibility for all of their actions and inactions while on FBC land.
• Any hunting violations committed on FBC property will result in the revocation of hunting permission.

Target Shooting:

• Target shooting is prohibited on all FBC lands, including but not limited to the use of clay pigeons, paper targets, and plinking.

FBC reserves the right to restrict hunting or trapping in designated areas in the future according to wildlife management or recreational goals, or conflicts.

FBC welcomes observations of wildlife and comments on land management issues.

Hunters are expected to abide by all state hunting regulations, and to avoid heavily used hiking areas. State law permits hunting from one half hour before sunrise to one half 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 Legal Hunting Hours: Laws & Rules: Hunting: Hunting & Trapping: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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Please contact FBC’s Stewardship Manager, Elliot Deans, 207-422-2328 or elliot@frenchmanbay.org with any questions.