Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is once again implementing controlled deer hunts at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve as part of its ongoing effort to protect the health and diversity of the forest ecosystem. The hunts are scheduled to take place over two weekends — November 15–16 and November 22–23 — and are designed to help restore balance between wildlife and plant life in one of Bloomington’s most valued natural spaces.
These carefully managed hunts are limited to participants who applied and were selected in advance. The preserve remains closed to public hunting at all times, ensuring that only authorized individuals participate under strict safety and environmental guidelines. The temporary hunts, officials say, are a key conservation strategy to control an overabundant deer population that has been placing increasing pressure on native plants and young trees.
During the designated weekends, Griffy Lake Nature Preserve will be closed to the public to ensure safety and to maintain the integrity of the management effort. The closure will begin at 11 p.m. on the Friday before each hunt and continue through 5 a.m. on the following Monday. This includes all hiking trails, the entire lake, and surrounding areas. Recreational activities such as shoreline fishing, boating, and watercraft launches will also be suspended during these periods.
The main objective of the deer management program is to reduce the deer population enough to allow native plant communities to recover. Overbrowsing — when deer feed heavily on young plants and seedlings — has been a growing problem at Griffy Lake for years. Without intervention, forest regeneration slows dramatically, and invasive species often take over. Controlled hunts, officials say, are a humane and effective method for restoring the natural balance of the ecosystem.
“The goal of the annual deer hunts is to remove enough deer from the nature preserve to reduce deer browse pressure on understory plants and seedling trees to the point that these native plant communities are able to recover and thrive within the preserve,” the department stated.
Since 2017, Bloomington Parks and Recreation has conducted deer management activities at Griffy Lake through both controlled hunts and professional sharpshooting programs. These efforts are guided by ecological data, including plant height studies and deer harvest records, which show clear signs of forest recovery in areas where deer populations have been reduced.
The Griffy Lake Nature Preserve is one of Bloomington’s most important natural habitats, known for its diverse plant life, wildlife, and scenic hiking trails. The city’s ongoing management efforts reflect a commitment to balancing public recreation with ecological preservation.
Residents seeking updates or additional information about the deer hunts and forest health programs can follow the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook or call 812-349-3700.
As Bloomington continues its stewardship of Griffy Lake, officials emphasize that maintaining biodiversity and forest resilience is not only vital for the preserve’s long-term health but also for ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.
