Are you deer hunting private ground?

[finnman]

I am calling the property owner tonight to make sure we are on the list for this falls deer season. This will be our 4th hunt on this big ranch. We are able to hunt every other year on their program. So our first hunt was with them in 2000, I shot a 3pt. on Sunday and the wife got a 3 pt. on Saturday. We always see deer and have managed to get a buck or two every year.
Does anyone else use the states private land permission system with success?
This property consists of approx. 7,500 acres of wheat, wheat stubble, CRP and sagebrush. They give out 10 permission slips a year for deer season, my group has 5 for this year, should be good hunting!

Finnman

[robodad]

Does anyone else use the states private land permission system with success?

Can't say I have heard of this in Washington, Do you hunt another state ??

[saylean]

Well...got the second deer tag this year (anterless) so I will more than likely fill it with the property in Twisp we have....

Got family in Montana (dad just got back from gopher blasting) with about 1000 acres and nothing around for miles, including hunters...

I think next year, its gonna be my first Montana hunt....

Got a few ranchers willing to let me kill some yotes...I hope that works into some deer opportunities down the road.

Good luck on the hunt man! Great buck!

[Dman]

 I sent a note to WDFW on how to access our private land ranches on their "list" and I never heard back from them. 

[finnman]

Thats a good way to get in Saylean, you just have to be patient, respectful and after some time and effort it may pay off.
This is in WA, its the "Hunt by Written Permission Only" system, many of you have probably seen the yellow signs all over parts of eastern WA.
We have had fairly good success using this program in eastern WA.

[Ridgerunner]

I have not had good luck with the program, seems like the landowners I talked to were already full with friends, relatives etc.  It was pretty frustrating.  Looks like it has worked for you though.

[MountainWalk]

nope. no fences here.

[E-Town Hunter]

The hunt by written permission program in this state is JOKE! I have ran into ranchers in April and May volunteering to help with fences or other odds and ends for the possible opportunity to get permission to access their lands and so far they usually tell me they have already given out all their cards. In May!!!? What I have found is that if their ground is even half way decent for hunting they reserve their tags for their buddies or family members. They get money from the state to post their land as "hunt by written permission" so if they are only going to let their buddies and relatives hunt they should just post it privately and not through the state. I don't let it bug me anymore though, there are plenty of other places to hunt.

[finnman]

I have run into this myself! Irks me

[PolarBear]

Nope, public land only.  I have exclusive access to several hundred acres around home and and in Ea WA. as well as owning a good chunk in Ferry County but I only hunt them for predators.  I am waiting to see how big some of the critters will get.  I am saving my own land for my kids, besides it is no fun for me to hunt critters on private or "safe" land.  I had to chase 2 groups of rifle hunters off of my Ferry County land last fall.  One group actually had a camp set up 40 yards past my fence and signs. 

[robb92]

That is all I hunt in Maryland, I tried the public land but when I had some *censored* shoot over my head at my turkey decoys I made some phone calls and now have 33 acres to hunt, the land is owned by a retired judge and he told me that if I take any less than 2 deer a day of his place he would be upset, so far the land has been good to me, I have taken 36 deer off his place in 4 years. The hunting pressure is really really light, just me and one other perosn hunt the place, I took my uncle out there in 05 and he shot a nice 3x3 whitetail, I have also taken a big 3x3 and a couple of 3x3 and some spikes off there, but I mainly hunt the land to fill the freezer, and where the land is at is considered a bow deer suburban zone where it is unlimited does with a bow. My goal every year is to fill the freezer up and then try for a buck.

[rosscrazyelk]

I cannot tell you how much I get pissed about this subject. half the time there is no number on a sign, Or you never get anyone to answer their phone. or call back.
There has to be a better way. So basically I just hunt public

[Jackjr]

 

[poulsbo]

the ranchers are smart if you could someone to pay for your  no tresspassing signs out of the hunting lisc. funds would you do it? lol

[yelp]

I just want to put this fire out...landowners in the WDFW Hunting By Written Permission program do not get paid $$$ by the WDFW.  It is voluntary.   I know landowners who give out 30 and some who give over 300 slips a year and not always to the same person...Many landowners get frustrated with that many people calling every year, but they realize it beats hunters trespassing.  I know several landowners who start getting calls in January from hunters...so it is plausible that landowners are filled up by May. After all these are popular areas to hunt. 90% of hunters are afraid to ask for permission...because of rejection factor.  There also is a proper way in asking landowners to hunt...Not "can I hunt?"  or " I want to hunt" ....Not every landowner will have an opening.  Many landowners only have limited deer or pheasants to hunt.  Many of these landowners ask for assistance from WDFW to help them manage problems they are having (i.e. trespassing, driving in fields, littering, weeds, fire, etc..)  Most of the yellow signs have phone numbers on them and landowners name.  
A lot of the landowners I contact get several calls the week before season.  Gas prices aside hunters have become lazy now a days and don't spend the time talking with landowners or understanding them. I respect that some hunterson are doing it right and offering to do things for landowners.  Also not all landowenrs are created equal....Most landowners are nice and polite...some are ass*&%$#.  Don't give up...keep on them.  Either way its their land.  
The WDFW Go Hunt Website has them listed on there map.  There isn't phone numbers mainly to keep landowners land open...many of them feel the yellow signs with names and phone numbers are enough advertising for them.  Also not every landowern allows deer hunting some only allow goose hunting or upland bird hunting...You also must ask that question...A majority of them do allow deer hunting though.  Most prefer rifle season vs archery.  But some allow archery...it all depends on the landowner and thier preferences.  Remember first impressions too.  Good luck.  If you have any further questions PM me.