"Can I Hunt Your Property?"

Article Excerpt
Ohio Game&Fish 2007

Give & Take

"Most importantly, this issue is one of basic ethics," Wildlife Officer Marshall said, "It's the law: You must have written permission to hunt someone's property. Any ethical hunter is going to seek that permission."

Historically, farmers have relied on hunters to control deer populations and other game-related threats to their crops. Hunters will often give the farmer a portion of their bounty or offer their labor in trade.

Even though the times have changed, veteran hunters may need to remind younger generations on the importance of fostering the hunter-landowner relationship.

"Hunters should take care of their hunted property as if it were their own," Marshall stressed." They must leave the property in as good, or better shape than when they arrived by picking up litter and closing gates."

If they see suspected violators or trespassers, hunters should advise the landowner."The idea of "give and take" is particularly important when it comes to the stereotypes that many landowners hold about hunting in general.

As more of Ohio's land gets developed, the chances of encountering an "anti-hunting" property owner increase. Farmers aren't the only ones who own acreage anymore.In order to offset the preconceptions some people still hold, hunters must work hard to foster good relations with every landowner.

Hunting without permission makes for angry landowners and each year, the mistakes of a few are putting more acreage out of reach of law-abiding hunters.

No comments:

Chubby Trubby"s hobo pet beds and pillows