Heather Berry

"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.

Tips for Hunting Private Property in Ohio

Article Excerpt
"Can I Hunt Your Property?"
Ohio Game&Fish 2007

Use Common Sense

Convincing a landowner you're one of the good guys comes down to common sense, especially when approaching property owners you've never met. Here are a few tips:

Don't knock on the landowner's door at 5 a.m. the first day of deer season. Call ahead and set up a convenient time to meet.
If you're not certain of a property owner's name or phone number, pick an appropriate time to stop by the landowner's home. Saturday afternoons or weekdays before dinner are good bets. Leave a note, if no one's home, with your name and phone number.If a mutual friend or relative is involved, mention their name in the initial introduction.
Look the part of the responsible hunter. No torn t-shirts or mud-covered jeans. Remember, allowing a stranger to bring weapons onto your property is a serious decision.
Use the "Permission for Hunting and Trapping on Private Land Form" in the back of the current Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet. The form may be photocopied and used by all Ohio hunters. Any written permission is acceptable, but the more professional-looking the agreement, the better the chance of gaining permission.
Many landowners are concerned about liability issues related to allowing hunting. According to Officer Rick Louttit, the Ohio Department of Wildlife's Medina County wildlife officer, the "Permission for Hunting and Trapping on Private Land Form" has a release-from-liability statement.