Hunting the Northeast - Guidance on the relationship of not posted = huntable

[Delmar ODonnell]

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

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.

[Old Timer]

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!

[vt35mag]

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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[GobbleNut]

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. 

[Sir-diealot]

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.

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

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". 

[g8rvet]

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. 

[deathfoot]

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.

[Kyle_Ott]

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.