Public WMA access denied/ how to handle?

[sixbird]

The situation I had was the WMA was small (guessing 30 acres). The landowner next door could see the entire field from his house. If he walked outside, with his dog, as he did, he could scare the birds from the field. His dog runs loose and seems somewhat aggressive. I know, by the way he handled the situation that he was a sneaky, weasley kind of guy (he told me I had upset his dog by walking in the WMA). I know I have the right to hunt there, but I just wasn't prepared to ruin a day or more of hunting to get this resolved. He could have all manner of "complaints" to tie up my time both trying to hunt and in court. One call and L/E has to come and investigate so just that ruins your hunt for the day.
In addition, here in N.J., we basically don't have a second amendment right so any encounter with L/E could result in problems that you wouldn't want to deal with. I know it's principle but I don't really want to spend the limited time I have to hunt on contention.
Hopefully somebody with more principle than me will confront the situation and make it better for everyone. Like I say, it's fairly common in N.J. for the signs to be ripped down and for neighboring landowners to chase people off. 

[Bowguy]

The situation I had was the WMA was small (guessing 30 acres). The landowner next door could see the entire field from his house. If he walked outside, with his dog, as he did, he could scare the birds from the field. His dog runs loose and seems somewhat aggressive. I know, by the way he handled the situation that he was a sneaky, weasley kind of guy (he told me I had upset his dog by walking in the WMA). I know I have the right to hunt there, but I just wasn't prepared to ruin a day or more of hunting to get this resolved. He could have all manner of "complaints" to tie up my time both trying to hunt and in court. One call and L/E has to come and investigate so just that ruins your hunt for the day.
In addition, here in N.J., we basically don't have a second amendment right so any encounter with L/E could result in problems that you wouldn't want to deal with. I know it's principle but I don't really want to spend the limited time I have to hunt on contention.
Hopefully somebody with more principle than me will confront the situation and make it better for everyone. Like I say, it's fairly common in N.J. for the signs to be ripped down and for neighboring landowners to chase people off.

If the dog runs loose film it n show LE. It's illegal. Another thing, Sat the season is over in NJ. The landowner doesn't know that. Go there wearing camo w no gun and "scout" for next spring. You can than deal w the idiot n not ruin a morn. Taking steps backward is not something I'd ever do. Don't let them force their will on you. Use your head n make em pay.

[kjnengr]

In addition, here in N.J., we basically don't have a second amendment right so any encounter with L/E could result in problems that you wouldn't want to deal with.

Please explain this sixbird.

[LaLongbeard]

I had a similar situation on NF land an old man stopped me on the road and told me it was private land no hunting. There was a gate blocking the logging road. I said ok and left after looking at a better map of the area I realized not only the road but the whole section was NF except for a 100acre pasture next to the guys house. I walked in from the back side and found the NF signs right on the fence row. I hunted a few more times then saw the old man again I told him I knew it was NF he just laughed and walked off can't blame the guy for trying to keep the hordes off his land and the gate and signs I'm sure keep a lot of people from hunting this spot. I always have topo maps of  areas I hunt with private land marked so I don't run into this again.

[sixbird]

In addition, here in N.J., we basically don't have a second amendment right so any encounter with L/E could result in problems that you wouldn't want to deal with.

Please explain this sixbird.

In N.J. our second amendment rights for all intents and purposes doesn't exist. We are "allowed" to own guns by "exception." That's where the permits come in. There are other places like N.J. where ownership is conditioned upon meeting certain qualifiers. Heller, et.al. are, in places superceded by local ordinances...
N.J. is not one of the "free states..."
I'm sure you've all heard about the woman who was moving to, or traveling through N.J. She was stopped and she informed the officer that she had firearms in her car. She ended up in jail and the only way she got out was a pardon from Gov. Christy...It's N.J....

[trkehunr93]

I would verify it with your Game Dept., they can confirm public access points.  I would say landowners aren't hunters and have had some bad experiences and are taking it out on everyone that pulls up at that spot.  I would also think they know its an access point they just don't like it right next to their property lines.  If maps clearly show it's WMA property then they don't have a leg to stand on as long as you don't park on their property.

[quavers59]

I hope the author of this post is able to gain access after talking to the right people. Stuff like this should not happen for sure. At a public hunting area that I hunt in New Jersey-- there is a very large sign that displays what is allowed. This sign is at a Trailhead. Allowed uses- Hiking, Mountain biking,--nothing about hunting being allowed- when that should be there and yes, I have the hunt map for this area as well as this area being listed in the yearly hunting issue.  Now my Brother in law had a confrontation with a home owner years ago off of East Shore Road in Sterling Forest State Park in New York very close to the NJ border. The homeowner who lived ACROSS the road from the State Land walked over that road and confronted my Brother in law who was about to Spring turkey hunt in that area for the morning and told him that he owned that land and that he had to leave right away. My Brother in law fired back -- you own Sterling Forest State Park and out came the hunting map.   The Homeowner walked back across the road. I wish this stuff would stop happening to hunters.

[GobbleNut]

out came the hunting map.   

I think a really important point to be made about this thread is that all of our hunting activities have moved beyond just getting license and gun and going afield.  In this day and age, it requires due diligence, research, and an understanding of wildlife laws and mapping/GPS use in order to be an effective (and legal) hunter.  Across the country nowadays, there are way too many people that will try to bluff others out of hunting somewhere.  Having and knowing how to read maps is an essential element in what we do, as is knowing and understanding the rules and regulations that apply to hunting in any particular state or location. 

I doubt there are many of us here who have not had the experience of having someone try to bamboozle us into leaving a spot we were hunting.  Being fully prepared to deal with that situation by being informed and having the ability to verify and prove you know what you are talking about is of no less importance anymore than making sure you have shells for your gun when you leave the truck. 

Besides that, it is pretty satisfying to see the look on some A-holes face when the game warden or sheriff tells them that you are perfectly legal to be hunting where you are...

[Bowguy]

I hope the author of this post is able to gain access after talking to the right people. Stuff like this should not happen for sure. At a public hunting area that I hunt in New Jersey-- there is a very large sign that displays what is allowed. This sign is at a Trailhead. Allowed uses- Hiking, Mountain biking,--nothing about hunting being allowed- when that should be there and yes, I have the hunt map for this area as well as this area being listed in the yearly hunting issue.  Now my Brother in law had a confrontation with a home owner years ago off of East Shore Road in Sterling Forest State Park in New York very close to the NJ border. The homeowner who lived ACROSS the road from the State Land walked over that road and confronted my Brother in law who was about to Spring turkey hunt in that area for the morning and told him that he owned that land and that he had to leave right away. My Brother in law fired back -- you own Sterling Forest State Park and out came the hunting map.   The Homeowner walked back across the road. I wish this stuff would stop happening to hunters.

I'll never get why exactly someone would give not only a large property but a road for people to key in on. Seems crazy. I've read Quavers posts on another forum. At same time he posts the information he complains about company in his spots. Don't you put two and two together??

[southern_leo]

Contact the land manager.   He or she should resolve it.

This. It's the land manger/region managers job to maintain order on their properties.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[Gooserbat]

I have about a fingers worth of Cherokee blood but it gets me access to thousands of acres of tribal land.  Had a guy get sideways with me because of his landlocked 60 acers.  He has an eisment but basically expected to have about a thousand acers to his self.  He threatened to call the sheriff.  I said go ahead I'd call the tribal Marshall and I told him to stay on his 60 since he wasn't a tribal member and I'd stay on my thousand.  He had a different attitude suddenly.

[joey46]

Just noticed this thread.  This situation I've found on both the Wayne National Forest in Ohio and the Daniel Boone NF in KY.  Both involved gated access roads.  Usually involved no more than parking a distance away and then walking in.  Always was apprehensive returning to the truck but never had any problems.  Several years ago one of the outdoor magazines did an article on this problem.  One group of hunters supposedly used ultra-light aircraft to access some landlocked property in a western state.  Takes time but all legal easements and access will be a matter of public record someplace.  Good luck.

[trkehunr93]

OnX Maps app is a great tool.  Shows the boundaries exactly like the GIS maps would show you from whichever county your in.  I just purchased it for my iphone and it's fantastic.  I'm learning boundaries on private I hunt are alot different than my estimates, gaining some ground in my favor.  It shows you exactly where you are within a few feet.  Great tool and has helped many a hunter dispute what was public and what was private.  I'd look into it. 

[Gooserbat]

OnX Maps app is a great tool.  Shows the boundaries exactly like the GIS maps would show you from whichever county your in.  I just purchased it for my iphone and it's fantastic.  I'm learning boundaries on private I hunt are alot different than my estimates, gaining some ground in my favor.  It shows you exactly where you are within a few feet.  Great tool and has helped many a hunter dispute what was public and what was private.  I'd look into it.

OnX is a great tool but beware it's not always spot on.  For instance it shows my parents property lines being about 30' off to the South but the original survey section marker from the state is in the corner of their yard.  In fact most of the state of Oklahoma is 20-30' off north/south.

[Bowguy]

Well so what happened? Season is coming soon again