Maine has a rich history of land conservation for the benefit of its residents and visitors. Conservation organizations and state agencies have always supported the state’s tradition of public access to private lands.
In the coming weeks, as many Bangor Daily News readers head into the woods hoping to fill their freezer or their neighbor’s, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the wide-ranging access that conservation organizations have worked to protect.
Unlike many other states, Maine does not have a significant amount of public land, defined as federal, state or municipally owned lands. Only 6.5 percent of Maine is classified as public land, and the state ranks last among the six New England states. For decades, land trusts have stepped up to provide outdoor access, including support for traditional land uses such as hunting, fishing and trapping.
A land trust is a legal entity that holds land for a specific purpose, most commonly to conserve it for public benefit. Land trusts are nonprofit organizations that work with landowners, community partners and state agencies to protect natural habitats, scenic areas, recreational access, working forests and farmland.
Conserved land comes in many forms. This includes conservation easements that protect privately owned land and direct ownership of publicly accessible land by land trusts. With more than 80 active organizations in the state, land trusts support a wide variety of public uses.
Kids enjoy a fall hike on a land trust property while wearing blaze orange for safety during hunting season. Many Maine land trusts support both recreation and traditional hunting access.
A moss-covered path winds through the trees on land conserved by a Maine land trust, offering peaceful access to the state’s forests and wildlife.
Fresh snow blankets a trail on land conserved by a Maine land trust, where year-round public access offers quiet winter views.
As of 2024, Maine land trusts have built and maintained 3,450 miles of trails. This improves access to long-cherished properties that might have otherwise been lost to development or posted signs. Visit the Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) to read more facts and figures and learn how to support your local land trust.
There is a common misconception that land trust lands are only for non-consumptive recreation like hiking, biking, birding and photography. That is not true. According to MLTN’s 2025 survey study, Land Trusts Work for Maine, Maine land trusts allow hunting on more than 2.7 million acres.
In addition to supporting Maine’s hunting traditions, land trusts manage more than 200 boat launches across the state. These sites provide critical access for anglers and allow hunters and trappers to reach remote areas.
Supporting traditional use is a key focus of Maine land trusts. In 2021, the land trust community worked with the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to codify language into law that guides the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. The law states that “hunting, fishing, trapping and public access may not be prohibited on land acquired with proceeds from the Land for Maine’s Future Trust Fund… except to the extent prohibited by applicable state, local or federal laws, rules and regulations and except for working waterfront projects and working farmland preservation projects.”
This means that hunting, fishing and trapping are available on most of the 650,000 acres in Maine already conserved with LMF dollars.
Because not all hunting opportunities are the same, you should always check with your local land trust before heading out. Some properties are not ideal for hunting because of proximity to population centers or other safety concerns.
Some organizations, like Downeast Coastal Conservancy, allow non-permanent structures such as tree stands, blinds or cameras on conserved land but usually require a written permit. Checking in with staff in advance can reveal new lands to hunt and provide helpful tips. Many land trust staff members in Maine are just as excited for hunting season as you are.
Finally, we wish everyone good luck for the season and encourage all users of publicly accessible lands, hunters and non-hunters alike, to stay safe. Wear your blaze orange, follow proper hunter safety practices and state laws, and be respectful of all land trust users.
