I want to preface this with saying I am NOT looking in any way for any direction as to specific locations, regions, or even states to hunt.
I was wondering if someone with experience hunting the Northeast could provide any helpful tips concerning hunting private land that is not posted. Being from the South, this concept of hunting unposted private land is completely foreign to me. I understand it is a courtesy to ask the landowner, even if not posted, and I intend to do so.
Other than that, I was wondering if anyone had any helpful information, or perhaps encountered a scenario they were unsure of at the time. For example, what if the piece of property does not have a residence on it, and the owner is not reasonably ascertainable? And did you primarily hunt, or intend to hunt, public land, and only asked for permission when you saw or heard a bird on a specific property, or would you ask in advance on property that looked promising on a map?
I've never been much of a "door knocker," but have obtained permission organically through casual conversation. I would really appreciate any commentary you could provide regarding general mindset of how you approach deciding where to hunt when everything not posted is open to hunting. My initial thoughts are to plan on hunting the public land just due to my ignorance of hunting unposted private. Thank you for your time!
Here's your first piece of advice. I'm from PA, which many think of as the Northeast (this forum has a vast audience). I will tell you that the New England culture of posted land does not extend south, to even states like here and New York. In many northeastern states, I would not recommend stepping on any private land, posted or not, without permission.
That being said, a buddy and I went up to New England where the culture is congruent with what you're seeking advice on.
While it is the culture, and it was affirmed to us by locals, we reflexively sought and received permission for private access the old fashioned way. Had to stare down some mean a** dogs at one point but it was worth it.
There were some longbeards in a completely unposted and remote pasture that we drove past on the way home every day. We discussed running in there and getting em. We did try, unsuccessfully, to get in touch with the landowner. We never hunted those turkeys even though they were right in our laps. We had gained a good deal of private and public to run around on for a few days. After many miles, we did end up finding a good one. Just felt better knowing that we had affirmative rights to be there.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230518/8e73bbc303f832d42003413036b7f59f.jpg)
To each his own, and it is indeed the letter of the law in some of those states. Good luck!
In Nebraska, if it is unposted, I don't believe that gives you the ability to hunt. Other states yes, Nebraska I don't think so.
With that said, if you door knock, you can a yes almost anywhere if you knock 5,6,7 doors
Here in NY if you step on land uninvited and you will if lucky get a very heavy fine, if unlucky you will go to jail.
Here is my advice, we already have a bad rap we don't deserve, so why make it harder in the rest of us, just don't do it.
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I agree those New England state's situations are unique,...and would leave those of us that are not used to those sorts of regulations in a quandary as to how to approach hunting there.
My initial question would be: What constitutes (legal) posting of a property? Is there a requirement that some sort of legally acceptable "posted" sign be placed at specific intervals along a property line such that someone who was not familiar with the area/property could not inadvertently enter a property that was posted because there was no sign visible at their entry point? In addition, if someone were to enter a property mistakenly because they did not see any posted signs only to find out later that it was posted at some other, possibly obscure, location, what is their liability? ...Just curious as to how that whole thing works?...
Private land is private because it is not public.
Thank you all for the replies. I realize my intention to not name states may have inadvertantly caused confusion.
Sir-diealot, I am specifically referencing states north of NY whose regulations expressly state that pursuant to long-standing culture, all state, county, and private property not otherwise posted is open to hunting... the regulations/published guide also provides that it is best to ask for permission as a courtesy even if not posted. Further, to the extent you read my post as me entertaining the idea of trespassing, respectfully, you are mistaken. Being from Mississippi, many "hunters" (read "poachers") advertise and brag about the number of fences they cross to kill a turkey. I despise this, which is why I am trying to better understand culture/regulations I am not familiar with.
Gobblenut, those are great points. The Guide I looked at didn't provide the legal requirements for land to be considered posted, but as with most things, I am going to err on the side of caution. Too much land to hunt to be married to a spot where there is any ambiguity as to permission to be there.
Turkeyfool, my apologies, I meant Northeast by "NE." not Nebraska, but that again is my fault.
Quote from: Tommy Strutsalot on May 18, 2023, 10:21:34 AM
Here's your first piece of advice. I'm from PA, which many think of as the Northeast (this forum has a vast audience). I will tell you that the New England culture of posted land does not extend south, to even states like here and New York. In many northeastern states, I would not recommend stepping on any private land, posted or not, without permission.
Also from PA. The above is VERY solid advice.
That being said............ A little door knocking COULD go a long way.
For some reason, I thought this post initially said Nebraska. If people don't start knocking more, the current laws are gonna go away and it'll become NY and PA. More so, if the JuntHuntClub continues to post and people keep racing up here, it's gonna be gone within 10 years. Almost guarantee it
Call the local warden where you intend to go...problem solved!
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I'm from Pa and it's plain and simple no mater what state I'm in.
Posted or not, somebody owns that land and you have a responsibility to at least reach out to the land owner and ask permission. It's the right thing to do!
If you don't have written permission from the land owner to hunt you don't just trespass and invade their property!
Until this past year in the province of Sask, if it was not fenced or posted, it was open hunting. We never followed that rule and have always asked for permission first because it is the right and polite thing to do regardless of the law.
I did not know it was that way in the NE.
I know guys from Maine that will hunt anywhere thats unposted. A few other states may be that way to. I was told that if you post in some places you pay more in taxes than open land.
I've lived and hunted in a couple of the northeast states. Be aware that some towns have a town-wide ordinance that supersedes the general state laws on implied permission and prohibits hunting on private property without permission.
I think New Hampshire did a great job with their FAQ that addresses a lot of the questions raised here.
https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/landshare/faqs.html (https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/landshare/faqs.html)
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 18, 2023, 11:21:56 AM
Here in NY if you step on land uninvited and you will if lucky get a very heavy fine, if unlucky you will go to jail.
Here is my advice, we already have a bad rap we don't deserve, so why make it harder in the rest of us, just don't do it.
Sent from my moto g pure using Tapatalk
Could not say it better myself. Posted or not with out permission things can go south in a hurry especially in this day and age. I am a door knocker and courtesy pays off. I hunted one of my cousins property today and I called him before hand. I lived with his family on the farm as a teenager. He told me i do not have to ask and my response was I will though. My take is owners appreciate it. Good day.
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on May 18, 2023, 02:34:13 PM
I've lived and hunted in a couple of the northeast states. Be aware that some towns have a town-wide ordinance that supersedes the general state laws on implied permission and prohibits hunting on private property without permission.
I think New Hampshire did a great job with their FAQ that addresses a lot of the questions raised here.
https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/landshare/faqs.html (https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/landshare/faqs.html)
Thank you! This is extremely helpful. For avoidance of any doubt, I am referring to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
I hope my posts did not illustrate an intention to poach, disrepect, or otherwise use someone else's property that I did not have permission on. Frankly, the idea of all land being open to hunters if not otherwise posted is almost beyond my comprehension, as property containing turkeys where I live is revered, and most people would be laughed at if asking a stranger to hunt/kill their turkeys. I was merely asking for a view into a hunting culture I am completely ignorant of, but am very excited to experience. While I'm from the "hospitality state," I've found that most folks in small town America are as friendly and amicable as can be, and I am sure New England is no exception. As I mentioned in my original post, I fully intend to ask for permission anywhere I go. Integrity and respect, in all facets of today's society, are dwindling. I hope my actions demonstrate both.
Delmar, As noted in these post every state is different. It's the right thing your doing seeking answers. I have in the past called the DNR directly with my concerns. Good luck on your endeavors!
In VT if it isn't posted you can hunt it. Legally posted is posters with proper date and registered with the town.
Our laws are written so if someone were hunting on your unposted land and they fell and broke their leg or something like that, they can't turn around and sue you.
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Personally, I would be interested in hearing more about the "door knocking" successes of those that regularly do that,...and specifically in places that they are unfamiliar with. Admittedly, I have had limited experience in approaching landowners because I have historically only chosen places to hunt where there are abundant public land opportunities and have primarily focused on hunting the public stuff.
I just wonder,...in this day and age with many landowners either leasing the hunting rights on their properties, and/or only allowing family/friends to hunt, or just not allowing any hunting on their properties,...how much success a guy might have in actually hitting on a property owner that would allow a complete stranger to hunt their land?
Again, I am not talking about a local situation where contacts are made through acquaintances. I am talking about traveling to distant, unfamiliar locales and randomly approaching landowners. To me, that just seems to be a real longshot,...and not only that, the amount of time spent trying to find such a landowner could take a big chunk of actual hunting time out of somebody's trip.
Quote from: Delmar ODonnell on May 18, 2023, 11:52:30 AM
Thank you all for the replies. I realize my intention to not name states may have inadvertantly caused confusion.
Sir-diealot, I am specifically referencing states north of NY whose regulations expressly state that pursuant to long-standing culture, all state, county, and private property not otherwise posted is open to hunting... the regulations/published guide also provides that it is best to ask for permission as a courtesy even if not posted. Further, to the extent you read my post as me entertaining the idea of trespassing, respectfully, you are mistaken. Being from Mississippi, many "hunters" (read "poachers") advertise and brag about the number of fences they cross to kill a turkey. I despise this, which is why I am trying to better understand culture/regulations I am not familiar with.
Gobblenut, those are great points. The Guide I looked at didn't provide the legal requirements for land to be considered posted, but as with most things, I am going to err on the side of caution. Too much land to hunt to be married to a spot where there is any ambiguity as to permission to be there.
Turkeyfool, my apologies, I meant Northeast by "NE." not Nebraska, but that again is my fault.
I did miss things and for that I do apologize. Head has been bobbing off my chest as I am reading this lately and I either missed or misunderstood what I read. I am glad you as seeking to ask permission and for the reasons I stated above. Hope you are seeing more than I am this year.
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 20, 2023, 09:41:27 AM
Personally, I would be interested in hearing more about the "door knocking" successes of those that regularly do that,...and specifically in places that they are unfamiliar with. Admittedly, I have had limited experience in approaching landowners because I have historically only chosen places to hunt where there are abundant public land opportunities and have primarily focused on hunting the public stuff.
I just wonder,...in this day and age with many landowners either leasing the hunting rights on their properties, and/or only allowing family/friends to hunt, or just not allowing any hunting on their properties,...how much success a guy might have in actually hitting on a property owner that would allow a complete stranger to hunt their land?
Again, I am not talking about a local situation where contacts are made through acquaintances. I am talking about traveling to distant, unfamiliar locales and randomly approaching landowners. To me, that just seems to be a real longshot,...and not only that, the amount of time spent trying to find such a landowner could take a big chunk of actual hunting time out of somebody's trip.
When I lived in New Mexico, I did a lot of door-knocking in Kansas for permission to hunt turkey or pheasants. I would estimate our success rate on un-posted property as somewhere around 3 out of 4, maybe even a little better. The later in the season, the better and this was often due to the early season access be reserved for friends and family. On more than one occasion it was made clear that if we had been asking permission to hunt deer the answer would have been "no".
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 20, 2023, 09:41:27 AM
Personally, I would be interested in hearing more about the "door knocking" successes of those that regularly do that,...and specifically in places that they are unfamiliar with. Admittedly, I have had limited experience in approaching landowners because I have historically only chosen places to hunt where there are abundant public land opportunities and have primarily focused on hunting the public stuff.
I just wonder,...in this day and age with many landowners either leasing the hunting rights on their properties, and/or only allowing family/friends to hunt, or just not allowing any hunting on their properties,...how much success a guy might have in actually hitting on a property owner that would allow a complete stranger to hunt their land?
Again, I am not talking about a local situation where contacts are made through acquaintances. I am talking about traveling to distant, unfamiliar locales and randomly approaching landowners. To me, that just seems to be a real longshot,...and not only that, the amount of time spent trying to find such a landowner could take a big chunk of actual hunting time out of somebody's trip.
Depends where you are and what you are hunting. In Canada, we are 100% knocking or calling. Very few no, most are because someone else has already spoken for it. In Miss, if it is not a club (just a field), it is almost always no for ducks, especially if there is sheet water (often either leased or family hunts) but for snows it is 50-50 yes. Nearly 100% if it is a green field. (50,000 geese make short work of their rye grass cover crop). I have never asked for permission to hunt turkey except from people I know.
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 20, 2023, 09:41:27 AM
Personally, I would be interested in hearing more about the "door knocking" successes of those that regularly do that,...and specifically in places that they are unfamiliar with. Admittedly, I have had limited experience in approaching landowners because I have historically only chosen places to hunt where there are abundant public land opportunities and have primarily focused on hunting the public stuff.
I just wonder,...in this day and age with many landowners either leasing the hunting rights on their properties, and/or only allowing family/friends to hunt, or just not allowing any hunting on their properties,...how much success a guy might have in actually hitting on a property owner that would allow a complete stranger to hunt their land?
Again, I am not talking about a local situation where contacts are made through acquaintances. I am talking about traveling to distant, unfamiliar locales and randomly approaching landowners. To me, that just seems to be a real longshot,...and not only that, the amount of time spent trying to find such a landowner could take a big chunk of actual hunting time out of somebody's trip.
While in Missouri a few weeks ago, farmers were eager to let you hunt. The issue...no birds. Most farmers, if you see a bird on my land...go after it. Didn't see any tho. These were conversations had while sitting on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and farmers pulling up asking, so you're turkey hunting?"
And Iowa and Minnesota, friendly folks. Most were "you're not from around here!" Accent gave it away.
South tho. Completely opposite. I'm fortunate to have lots of private land to hunt where I live. Been being in the community helps. Most southern folk tho, if you're a stranger, just move on.
You earn the right to know how things work in the North East by getting in the truck and going to to North East. Furthermore, the regs are not uniform from one state to the next and walking onto unposted land will get you in huge trouble in a lot of places up there.
Anyone thinking they're headed up there to enjoy a free for all has largely been misled. That being said, there is a lot of information thrown around on the internet and social media that doesn't belong on social media and this falls right into that category.