BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has announced that Griffy Lake Nature Preserve will close to the public on two upcoming weekends in November to allow for controlled deer hunts aimed at protecting the local forest ecosystem.
The managed hunts are scheduled for Nov. 14–15 and Nov. 21–22, 2026.
To ensure public safety, the entire nature preserve—including all hiking trails, shoreline areas, and the lake itself—will be completely closed to all public access and recreational use during the following times:
- First Weekend: Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:00 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 a.m.
- Second Weekend: Friday, Nov. 20 at 11:00 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 23 at 5:00 a.m.
During these closure windows, all hiking, fishing, boating, and general recreational activities are strictly prohibited, and no watercraft may be launched onto the lake.
Managing Forest Health and Native Vegetation
According to Parks and Recreation officials, the controlled hunts are part of an ongoing natural resource management initiative designed to reduce the ecological impact of excessive deer browsing on native plants and young tree seedlings within the forest understory.
The department has utilized controlled hunts and culls at the nature preserve since 2017. Biologists and staff regularly monitor vegetation height and native flora recovery to evaluate the program’s success and guide future conservation efforts.
Strict Access Rules
Participation in the hunts is strictly limited to pre-registered hunters who applied and were selected through the city’s formal application process. General public hunting is not permitted at any time, and unauthorized individuals found on the property during the closure windows will be subject to trespass restrictions.
Community members seeking additional information on past harvest data, plant monitoring results, or program guidelines can visit the official Deer at Griffy Lake Portal. For real-time updates regarding park access and hunt schedules, residents can contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 812-349-3700 or check the department’s social media pages.
