Hitchiner Town Forest

Map
Management Plan
Field Management Plan

The Hitchiner Town Forest provides prime habitat for white tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray squirrels, ruffed grouse, weasels, mink, fisher cats, snowshoe rabbit, red fox and porcupine. The variety of forest types and age classes provides a multitude of habitat and "edge", or interface, between two types of ecosystems.

The open fields, saplings, acorn-producing oak and cover provide for an abundance of wildlife. The proposed management practices and timber sales will promote healthy oak for acorn production. New openings will produce high quality saplings for deer browse and continued regeneration of the forest. Proper maintenance of the fields will also promote quality grazing and enhance the aesthetics of the property. Periodic mowing (at least once every three years) is advisable to prevent the forest from reclaiming these open areas. Consideration should be given to planting forest tree species such as red and white pine and wildlife plants such as apple trees if mowing is not desired or if site conversion is desired.  

The Hitchiner Town Forest provides a variety of uses for recreation and education. The 16 acres of open fields are easily accessible by car, and if properly mowed and maintained, they would be suitable for a fairground or campsite for Boy Scouts or other such organizations. Keeping the existing roads and trails opened and maintained and constructing new trails to the summit of Burns Hill would provide an excellent view. Many of these trails could also be used for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling during the winter months.