Treat the Landowners Well

[AndyCAK]

With just one week to opening day we found out the land we have been hunting for over a decade will be closed to all hunters.  The very generous landowners have allowed many people to hunt their productive land, but newcomers in the last couple years have left gut piles right in front of their gates, driven all over their planted fields, and otherwise disrespected the lovely people who allowed them to hunt on their property. 

For those of you hunting on private land this fall, send the owners a thank you note, drop off a bottle of Pendleton, swing by with some venison, and treat their property with respect. 

I'm now off to look at some maps and hope I can find some way to redeem this deer season.  Best of luck next weekend!!!

[buckman202]

I might be sounding like an *censored* on this one. However I totally agree with you on how to treat land owners and their property. But why are you just finding out 1 week before season. I usually stay in good communication with all land owners I get permission from and also usually make sure I have permission atleast 2 months in advance.

[TheHunt]

Well, one week before season I was offered a cabin and access to private property to hunt in unit 204.  Since I personally have never killed a mule deer or whitetail I am kind of excited. But I just found out yesterday.  So it goes both ways...

[sixty4nhalf]

With just one week to opening day we found out the land we have been hunting for over a decade will be closed to all hunters.  The very generous landowners have allowed many people to hunt their productive land, but newcomers in the last couple years have left gut piles right in front of their gates, driven all over their planted fields, and otherwise disrespected the lovely people who allowed them to hunt on their property. 

For those of you hunting on private land this fall, send the owners a thank you note, drop off a bottle of Pendleton, swing by with some venison, and treat their property with respect. 

I'm now off to look at some maps and hope I can find some way to redeem this deer season.  Best of luck next weekend!!!

This past week while out looking for a bear I found that a section of land that has been gated and posted as no trespassing / no hunting signs. I have hunted this property for the past 5 years, and I was a bit upset after walking nearly 3.5 miles to get to that point only to have to turn around and back track to get back to my vehicle. Well saying f-this and just continue my walk through crossed my mind but I figured this would seal my fate on never being able to hunt this section of land ever. I will and always respect the land owners request.  I also found a section in North Kitsap county that was firearm restricted is now closed to all hunting, what a bummer!

[sebek556]

I agree with buckman, you need to be proactive on hunting private property, staying in contact with them helps build a relationship that would allow you to keep hunting there. But definitely treat the land and its owners with respect.

[AndyCAK]

The landowners are long time family friends and we see them several times each year - as recently as Labor Day.  They're plan is to have no hunting on the property for a few years and work to enforce it.  They're hoping that doing so will get rid of most people and then reopen it to only close friends in a couple years.  When they notified us of the change he was very apologetic.  It sounds like the issues escalated during ML season and he just said screw it!  It's a shame for the dozen or so of us who hunt it responsibly...

[sebek556]

you might offer to help with the clean up, might get you back in faster  . sorry to hear about issues like this

[Camp David]

I have good friends that hunt my property. With so many problems with a few people it is hard for me allow people to hunt without knowing them first. We all stay in touch all year, but we hunt @ different times. Staying in touch and helping out is key if you always want a place to hunt.