If you spend much time in the Cape Elizabeth woods, you have likely seen a deer or a few! One trail-user sighted a herd of up to six deer a few months ago on the newly-protected Davis parcel. We feel very fortunate to have such a beautiful rural area in Cape Elizabeth where the population of deer can be healthy.
Managing these deer populations is an integral part of conservation. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) has been monitoring and studying white-tailed deer population trends since the 1950s, and the current management strives to maintain deer levels that are socially acceptable and in balance with available habitat. Hunting is one outdoor activity that is necessary for management, is good sport for many, and keeps our lands and wildlife populations healthy.
CELT allows bow-hunting in specific off-trail sections of two of our conserved properties: Robinson Woods and Runaway Farm. Hunting is allowed only in certain areas that are at least 100 feet from the nearest trail and 300 feet from the nearest residence (see maps below). The fall 2024 bow-hunting season was September 7 to December 14, with the typical annual bag limit of one deer.
We request all interested hunters to reach out to us if they would like to use CELT land during the season. As people reach out, we confirm each person agrees to the CELT regulations and agrees to follow all state and municipal laws for hunting practices.
For this past fall season, 41 bow-hunters received permission to hunt on CELT land, increased from 33 in 2023. After the end of the 2024 season, we requested feedback from these CELT-registered seasonal hunters. Fourteen shared post-season insights, nine of whom hunted in Cape Elizabeth this season, and two respondents each took one deer.
Feedback was positive overall, with an appreciation for CELT’s communication practices. Helpful, constructive feedback recommended more clarity regarding parking access, camera allowances or prohibitions, and additional education for non-hunters in the area.
Many thanks to the hunters, the trail users, and all who visit these forests. Thanks for communicating with CELT throughout the processes and for helping to enable the lands to be multi-use with a range of recreational and ecological management activities coexisting onsite. Here are some of the appreciative comments from hunters this year:
“Thanks for the opportunity to hunt.”
“Thanks for use of the land, it’s appreciated.”
“I like how few people I see hunting. Not over-worked like a lot of farms. Keep up the good work.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to hunt local land. Thank you.”
