When does asking for permission to hunt become harassment ?

[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.

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[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.