When does asking for permission to hunt become harassment ?

[Tikka 15]

Not trying to be a stuck up private landowner but man do the phone calls get overwhelming this time of year for elk.  I don't want to register my land with wdfw but any suggestions to organize this chaos?  Today was the breaking point when hunters showed up to my door at 7:30 am.  I have a family and its border line harassment when the phone never stops and they show up at my front door.  Just FYI on here, I appreciate the calls months in advance not the morning of.

[KFhunter]

electric remote controlled driveway gate and a phone number change ought to do it


Oh, and a message drop box so hunters can drop requests in to go hunting 6 months in advance 

[TheHunt]

Make a sign and put it out on your driveway which will stop the drive ins...

Screen your phone calls and add a message to your phone message. 

[JimmyHoffa]

A sign would probably help a bit.  I saw one sign in Forks that was along the lines of:  No Trespassing/Hunting, Don't Even Ask, You Won't Be The Exception, Have A Nice Day.

[Skillet]

Free advice? I'm full of it- 

Signs at the residence property line indicating no hunting permission will be granted to door knockers, and trespassing charges will be pressed against those who can't read.  Let the voice mail pick up all unknown numbers, so they hear your message that no more permission will be given.
It is an unfair burden you have to bear as a landowner,  but just remember that everybody who thinks ill of you actually asserting your rights as a property owner will most likely forget all about it after their bong hit back at the truck, dude...

[CAMPMEAT]

Just make a sign that says, NO, and leave it at that..

[jackmaster]

Yep, a big sign saying " don't bother unless you have a million dollars cash in hand, otherwise the shotgun is loaded with buckshot" have a great day, and p.s go buy your own Damn land to hunt!!! That should do the trick..

[Bob33]

That sounds like a real pain. I imagine some of the hunters are well meaning but ignorant while others don't care.

[Whitpirate]

Because asking for permission is like getting cancer.... don't want them to trespass and they want to do the right thing.... but if you got a knock or phone call in July is the answer different?  Its a burden but feel pleased they are asking and not looking to trespass or damage your property/fences/endanger your family.  Not everyone has a piece of ground locked up though they shouldn't wait until the week of to ask.

[pd]

I feel sorry for the OP (and landowners in general).

I have permission to hunt some properties in Eastern Washington.  The landowner is very polite to me, but it is not easy to make contact with him (he likes it that way).  He has a gated driveway, with a remote microphone at the gate.

I am very much the pushy type, and do not mind to knock on doors.  07:30 is excessive, especially the day of the hunt.  I start asking one or even two years in advance (seriously).

[Tikka 15]

I want to add 90% of the hunters are very polite, it's just the volume of callers that gets overwhelming.  Thanks for the suggestions so far.  I want to allow access when possible, just need to keep it organized and respect my family.

[Bob33]

We tell our students in Hunter Education to make contact well in advance of hunting season.

Unfortunately, as more and more land gets locked up or requires a fee, this trend may get worse.

[bobcat]

How is it that they are getting your phone number?

[blackveltbowhunter]

If your giving permission freely, just hang a sign feel free to hunt or contact number with a sign stating what time they can expect to reach you at the end of driveway. Should help with the incessant door knocking if permission is granted or someone knows when they can contact you.

[KFhunter]

How is it that they are getting your phone number?

He's let people hunt, who brings friends who bring friends who bring friends so that now their all strangers to one another all with his number

[Tikka 15]

I guess I will unlist my number.  I am an avid hunter myself as well as my family it will never be feel free to hunt I just try to share the best I can. 

[Tikka 15]

Exactly Kf hunter, just because I give one guy permission it's a shame he has to share my number with his friends s, boyfriends, girlfriends, x dog.

[carpsniperg2]

As a land owner I can tell you I get tired of it as well. It's always a day or to before the season when people start pounding on the door or calling at 9pm at night Or the guys that call you and says I am watching a deer on your property can I shoot it

A unlisted number and when a number is given out you tell them not to give it out. When ever I get a new caller I ask where they got my name from Now days the gps is the most common lol

[runamuk]

How is it that they are getting your phone number?

google
tax records
land records
google
phone books
word of mouth from others who have permission
google
search engines

[tgomez]

I want to add 90% of the hunters are very polite, it's just the volume of callers that gets overwhelming.  Thanks for the suggestions so far.  I want to allow access when possible, just need to keep it organized and respect my family.

Maybe get a track phone, or a "throw away cell phone"(the ones you add minutes to) and use that number so the hunters don't call your land line, or personal cell phones. Put a sign that says CALL ONLY FOR PERMISSION TO HUNT PLEASE. Then leave the number on there. Good luck and hope it works out whatever you choose.

[SemperFidelis97]

I heard from a mutual friend of ours tikka that the call volume this year was 3x what it has been in past years.  I personally only seen one trespasser this year which was very encouraging.  Many hunters think that landowners like yourself are given rewards for allowing access to your land, so they feel somewhat entitled to push for access.  I think they would be surprised to find out most landowners only get insurance from the state for any harm that may come to someone accessing your land, and that's it, no bonus points, no special tags, just insurance.  It is a testament to the character of folks like you who do deal with the constant badgering, the trespassing, the property damage, and still choose to give people a place to hunt.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[Bean Counter]

Showing up opening morning?? They specifically told us in hunters ed not to do that crap. 

Other than putting up a sign I don't know what to do tell you. If I owned land I'd rather have to tell people "No, but thanks for asking" than deal with trespassers. You could always put the land in an LLC and use a post office box for the assessor information. That's what I would do for myriad reasons.

[pianoman9701]

Make a sign and put it out on your driveway which will stop the drive ins...

Screen your phone calls and add a message to your phone message.

 

At least they're asking. It may be annoying but how much more annoying are the trespassers??? 

[Landowner]

Couple of comments on this topic.

I try to be polite (but brief) with those who are asking to hunt at the last minute before a season opener or in the middle of a season.  The answer is always no as we are full up way before then.  But I do know that it takes some courage to knock on a door to ask for permission, so some respect has to be shown to those who do. 

I am continually amazed at the number of hunters with draw permits who show up at the last minute with no idea where to hunt.  Gotta understand before you apply for a permit  what your options are for access.   

Lastly, I won't get off my tractor to stop and talk to someone looking to hunt. 

[WSU]

I asked a lot of farmers around Pullman for permission when I was in school.  I did it during summer, during hunting season, and after hunting season.  They all seemed accepting of my asking even if they denied permission.  I'm not sure what else a person is supposed to do except perhaps not asking on opening weekend.

Like others have said, perhaps be glad they are asking instead of just hunting without asking?

[Gringo31]

I'd have a sign put up that said this years hunting slots are full.  Please email _________ for opportunities for next year.  (You could add a first come first serve basis after March 1 or something) Thanks for being respectful of my property. 

[Bill W]

I'd have a sign put up that said this years hunting slots are full.  Please email _________ for opportunities for next year.  (You could add a first come first serve basis after March 1 or something) Thanks for being respectful of my property. 

We have a farmer nearby that also has a sign up just like yours.  I lucked out the first year I asked for permission as it turned out I held the door open for him at the local Big R the day before.

Bill W

[cavemann]

I just want to say thank you to Tikka and the landowners on here that are still granting permission for people to hunt..  I have three kids and worry their opportunities are shrinking each year.  It is good to know you guys are still trying to keep an open mind even with the headaches you endure.  Please don't get discouraged, most hunters appreciate your willingness to even be open to permission.  Hopefully you find a way to work it out.

[2MANY]

I want to add 90% of the hunters are very polite, it's just the volume of callers that gets overwhelming.  Thanks for the suggestions so far.  I want to allow access when possible, just need to keep it organized and respect my family.

You don't have to look far to find what you are doing wrong.
The answer is NO to everyone.
It might take a year or two but word will get out and you won't have the problem moving forward.

Only people that have truly had this problem understand it.
Everyone else feels entitled.

[high country]

If they got me up on a day off I'd ask if I  can give them a call back. Wake up in the middle of the night and say, "sorry we are at capacity this season." When they get crabby just hang up.

I have hunted some ground that is plagued by elk herds that destroy fences and crops, the landowners often appreciate the call......but not always, and that is where the pre season relationship comes in handy.

[2MANY]

"elk herds that destroy fences and crops, the landowners often appreciate the call......"

Nothing like an over aggressive novice hunter spooking the herd into the fences.

It's sad but true.

I always kind of assumed my pops was being an Ahole when he wouldn't let some hunt.
Then over the years I have watched the circus.

We have actually had people break into the shop next to the ranch house and steel bolt cutters to cut the chain locks on the gates.
It's pathetic.
Shooting from the road in the middle of the cows.
Fishing bait in a fly only stretch.

And when confronted they all try to lie.
"I didn't see the signs"
"I haven't caught a thing"
"I shot it up there and we tracked it down here"

It's laughable when you show them the phone pictures taken from the spotting scope of them hiding fish, or reading the signs.

I sympathize with the land owner and not that it matters but we hunt 100% public land.

[2MANY]

Good God.
I apologize after reading my post for the attitude but just thinking of the crap is irritating.

[Bean Counter]

I'm always super respectful when I ask. I drive really slow up  as to not kick up dust, and change out of the camo before I get there. Use lots of "sir/ma'am" and don't spend even one second trying to argue or convince someone that they should let me onto their land. People can get uncomfortable being put on the spot and I just accept a clumsy no as a 'no.' Thank them kindly for their time and consideration and move on. Doesn't hurt at that point to ask if they can recommend me to anyone. That has worked surprisingly well 

[The100Road]

I just want to say thank you to Tikka and the landowners on here that are still granting permission for people to hunt..  I have three kids and worry their opportunities are shrinking each year.  It is good to know you guys are still trying to keep an open mind even with the headaches you endure.  Please don't get discouraged, most hunters appreciate your willingness to even be open to permission.  Hopefully you find a way to work it out.

Very well said. we very much appreciate it.

[GBoyd]

It's too bad hearing this from the landowner's perspective. I'd hate to think that I'd made anyone uncomfortable or bothered anyone by asking. I've done a lot of asking in various places over the years and I never got that impression, but you don't always know what someone is thinking.

On the other hand, asking is how you get access when you don't know anyone. Really, I'd be stupid not to.

[pc]

I have always asked ahead of time – I began taking to an acquaintance two years before he invited me to come up to his property.
I waited until he told me of the problem deer on his property eating all his Blueberries, and other fruit trees. I said I think I can help you I have a special permit that allows me to remove problem deer  
Once we walked the property, I came clean and told him... I’m a bow hunter. He was great, he gave me the gate key, and said if you see anything strange or anyone else around let me know. Happy to Sir 
Also tried to work about a full week up at this place every summer, the less I worked, the more of the deer went to him.
Hope that helps~

[NoBark]

I just want to say thank you to Tikka and the landowners on here that are still granting permission for people to hunt..  I have three kids and worry their opportunities are shrinking each year.  It is good to know you guys are still trying to keep an open mind even with the headaches you endure.  Please don't get discouraged, most hunters appreciate your willingness to even be open to permission.  Hopefully you find a way to work it out.

That's Truth!

As more and more people pop for leases, the rest have fewer and fewer places to hunt.  One of the things our founders wanted changed was the way hunting was for the rich only back in jolly old England. They wanted the average Joe to be able to Hunt as well as the rich. I'm afraid we are quickly traveling down the road of reverting back to the old ways.  From someone who will never call or knock on your door Tikka, (have other options) THANK YOU for your attitude of trying to share a little with others.  Wow, made my day.

[Opportunist]

We talked to an old rancher whose neighbors property we used to hunt and he posted up his property with a sign saying "fee hunting only". He said it cut down on 90 % of the stop ins. He didn't allow any hunting on his land.

At least they are asking permission instead of trespassing, a lot of dirtbags out there.

[Brad Harshman]

Tikka,
Thank you for your humble honesty.  It's important that we respect the landowners personal lives. I live in town, once a month, a stranger/salesman/mission knocks on my door.  It drives me nuts. And it's only once a month.  I can't imagine what you go through.  Sorry.

With all this said, are hunters driving by your land and seeing elk out in the fields?  I can see their desire to get permission that very day.  After all, the elk migrate. 

So what should you do? I help manage a lot of public land and I can tell you signs with a positive message are less vandalized.  Signs are expensive.  Signs need to be sized appropriately.  It's an investment. Time and money. 

Maybe signs stating:
Hunting by Written Permission Only
Permission Application Period May - July
Late Requests Will Not Be Considered

It's professional, polite, and enforceable. It's says "no" but also says "try again next year."

Regards,
Brad

[Rob Allen]

 I used to hate no trespassing signs. I used to think  that people who posted their property  every 5  feet  were just  kinda  being jerks  saying to everyone"  hell  no  stay off my  land,  it's mine and no one  can touch it"

 then I went  deer hunting  for the  first time   in an area  with a  huge mix of different kinds of property. Columbia and Garfield  counties. I really appreciated the properties  being well marked..
it  was  actually a huge help.

Tikka, I am curious if  you  are willing to allow  some hunters on your land   what is  your hesitation with enrolling in the WDFW plan?  just curious.

 I am  also  really appreciative to the landowners  who allowed us  to hunt their land even though we were unsuccessful.