Lost Hunting Grounds

It's interesting to read this after being a fan of the shows Steve Rinella and Randy Newberg make, who both advocate public land hunting and portray it as accessible. That said, they certainly put the miles on to find lower pressure areas. No truck hunting from those dudes. One of the few things I really appreciate about Canuckistan is how much of the land is public. For example, well over 95% of British Columbia is public land and I believe nearly 70% of Alberta is as well. That's just two provinces.

I certainly empathize with landowners though. I have some in the family and know a few others as friends and acquaintances. The bullshit they put up with from "hunters" and trespassers is unreal, most of it similar to what has already been posted here.

 

What the hell is wrong with people?

I have posted my positions on what I think is fair for land owners in regards to access vs special hunting programs for land owners. Basically no public hunting allowed should = no special tags for the land owner, no depredation payments, no fish and wildlife $$$ (doesn’t apply in every state). Same for other breaks land owners may receive like agricultural tax rates, while charging money to hunt or leasing their land for hunting. That should be no bueno in my opinion for getting an agricultural property tax rate, seeing as how the land owner would be profiting from state resources that are supposed to be for common use.

Beyond that a land owner should be able to bar anyone from running around on their place for whatever reason they see fit.

On the flip side of the coin if my policy goal (again were I able to implement this) were to increase hunting and fishing opportunities and access to both land locked public lands, and good private land for fishing and hunting there would need to be a lot of protections for land owners.

For starters Woods and a few others have mentioned legal liability if someone were to sustain an injury on their land. There really needs to be a legal protection from frivolous lawsuits for land owners who allow people access to their land for hunting, camping, fishing, or other outdoor activities. State laws should really heavily place the assumption of risk on the person engaging in the recreational activities and not the land owner.

Next up we have assholes who vandalize things, litter, leave gates open, cut fences, shoot things and critters they’re not supposed to, drive places they’re not authorized to and probably do more annoying crap I’m not thinking of. Then there are the really dumb ones who discharge firearms near, or in the direction of occupied dwellings.

To rid us of these idiots we need more enforcement, and much much stiffer penalties. Like losing hunting and fishing rights permanently, huge fines, property forfeiture, and criminal charges. To accomplish this a lot of states need more game wardens, and I don’t mind my tax money or license fees going towards that.

There should also be stronger positive incentives for land owners to allow access. Like monetary incentives for posting walk in hunting. If a farmer or rancher can arrange a hunting lease with a private party, maybe states should consider negotiating similar terms for public access?

 

You know - reading this thread again, I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t call about moving forward with putting things in the hands of a local land conservancy.

Basically - I “own” the property - but it has deed restrictions on it and in turn I get a hefty charitable write off. The restrictions are mainly no commercial development allowed aside from public right of way (roads, rails or pipeline/electric lines), no sub dividing in future (so can’t sell to a housing developer) and conservancy has right to enter and monitor property (set up trail cams).

It’s family farm land - gifted to me and been in family for 4 generations now. I have no plans on ever being a “farmer” again - and about half wooded. Originally had a deal with state department of ag to sell them an easement (fell through as I do not own minerals and they wanted those included - no way in hell I’d buy those back to give away to state).

The conservancy seems to be a fair deal - they monitor land, ensure responsible use including hunting and when I pass - whoever I leave it to must abide by my restrictions.

Thinking of taking the pasture half and barns and sinking the cash I reap from the conservancy break and investing in new fencing/barn and trying to find someone to either help out local school as a land lab or just to use it for pasture for rescue horses.

I can’t ever see myself “selling” it - it was passed down through family and I have plenty already. At the same time I want to see it maintained and kinda hard when your 500 miles away. It’s not big enough to support a full fledged farm operation- but would make a nice little space for someone doing it as a learning experience.

The fact it would allow things to be open to responsible hunters and give back to the community is just a bonus to me. I want to think something like this would encourage more “responsible” hunters and avoid dumb asses tearing up the land (and the neighbors) - but at the same time I know “people gonna people” and it’s inevitable one dumbass ruins things at some point. I mean public lands are taxpayer money - but something semi private gives both availability and a barrier to access.

 

That sucks. Lots of land changing hands around here that are now no access. Or pay for access. Luckily I have some feel free to hunt access and national forest land to hunt still. That is if the fires don't destroy everything first.

 

Hear that Tim, you guys out west have been dealing with a lot of that lately.

 

Maybe it varies by state, but you don't own wildlife, at least not in my state. Department of natural resources owns them. That's why game wardens don't need permission to access your land to check on animals or make sure you are not taking animals out of season. If you owned them you could shoot them at anytime, but you can't. Again, maybe different in other states. You may want the check your state laws on that before you go quoting you own the wildlife on your property.

 

West coast is basically on fire. Big fires in Cali, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona. Only one I am not sure on is Utah. It sucks.

 

They can definitely read up here

 

Just move the deer crossing signs to safer location for the deer to cross

 

Can only imagine. Time spent in South Dakota and was hunting in the Blackhills. There was a fire going on several miles away but the wind changed. Before I knew it the smoke came rolling in. It was enough for me to say I was done for the day. Be safe and hope you, family and property are not in danger.

 

Appreciate the kind words. hope you find some huntable land for this fall.

 

Thanks Tim, I’m knocking on some doors. Hoping something will come available.

 

Just made it to our cabin in northern Wisconsin and there’s a haze from all the fires out west. All the way over here. Crazy. Sad. Had that haze a couple years back for the first time. Must be as bad or worse.

 

Worse right now. And it's still early too.

 

Depressing. Lived on the west coast and Colorado through the 90’a and early 00’s and fires were pretty rare. Last time I was in Montana it was hardly bearable.

 

This drought sucks. We got no rain this spring. It was so dry in may there were no mushrooms. Everything is highly flamable right now. It sucks. Hunting season is going to be rough as well.

 

Yeah, we go to No Dak duck hunting every year and it looks terrible. Like you said, no snow and now no rain. Super wet last year so I’m hopeful it’s not gonna totally suck. But the prelim breeding report was the worst in like 40 years.

 

That sucks. Hopefully they are wrong on the reports. Pheasant hunting around here sucks now. I need to learn to cook duck and goose. Good opportunity for them here.

 

Oh that’s easy. Hot and fast. On a griddle or grill. Can’t over cook it or it gets tough. Treat it like a lean steak and you’re all good. Bacon wrapping is always good on the grill as well. Like 1-2” cubes wrapped on skewers.

 

I'll give it a try this fall.

 

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/hunting-resources/ohio-landowner-hunter-access

So Ohio is at least trying to help.

$2-30 per acre for landowner…not a lot - but this is basically squirrel/rabbit/coin/ and turkey hunting - my understanding is program EXCLUDES deer and fishing - but those can be granted by landowner if they wish. Not sure how payment is worked out but guessing higher end payment is for those who allow deer.

So I mean - if someone owns 50-100 acres and was getting upper range of that from the state - that’s pretty competitive compared to what others are getting for deer leases solely. You also get the state backing your lease so no worries about hunters trashing the property (you have recourse via the program for damages) and no liability concerns (state assumes those and secures waiver from participants).

Going to look into it more. But nice to see state using those license fees for something helpful.

 

Reading more in the FAQ - so it’s $30 for woodland - $2 for field per acre.

Deer is exempted - small game hunting and trapping only.

Users are given daily permits - told where to hunt/where to park/etc - this way they always know who is legally on the property.

Pretty damn good money for the landowner who can also still lease out to deer hunters and probably make the same per acre on that week of deer season.

 

So I followed up with the land owner I thought was shutting me out and found out that he thought his father responded to my request to hunt on this land. He contacted me through another mutual friend who hunts on that land and said I could hunt there. I guess lesson learned is to always seek permission face to face versus virtual. This past weekend I dropped off a thank you basket to the land owner with deer bologna, chipped deer, favorite cheeses, and other goodies because the first weekend of Pennsylvania archery I knocked this big boy down at 10 yards away. Field dress came out to be 157 pounds and his head was still touching the shed floor. Predict him to be around 185 lbs, not bad for a PA deer. Getting it mounted as my first trophy deer and damn proud of it!

 

I’ve never had the means to have a lease. We’ve always put in for public draw hunts here locally. We get lucky around every 3 years or so. For me it’s no longer about the hunt, but rather about being out in the woods. Would be nice to get to go every year though haha