Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: CurlewLLC on September 14, 2018, 10:12:06 AM

Title: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: CurlewLLC on September 14, 2018, 10:12:06 AM: Hunter grown food plots on public lands, are they legal ?
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: N7XW on September 14, 2018, 10:28:33 AM: I'm definitely tagging along for this one :tup:
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: flyfishWA on September 14, 2018, 12:27:17 PM: thats what I was wondering to :dunno:
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: Henrydog on September 14, 2018, 01:46:30 PM: State land use regulations prohibit the destruction, damage, or removal of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses or other vegetation. The use of
motorized vehicles off of designated roads or trails is also not allowed. I think our state DNR would see a food plot as destruction and damage.

On National Forest land, it is illegal to introduce seeds, fertilizer, potting soils, chemicals or other substances. I think this was to combat dope and homesteading but looks like another no go.
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: CP on September 14, 2018, 02:49:19 PM: If you planted one would you expect to have the exclusive right to hunt it?
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: bearpaw on September 14, 2018, 05:40:46 PM: I doubt it's legal to till/plant on public land of any type. I'm sure there is a serious and rightful concern for introduction of invasive non-natural species!
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: bigtex on September 14, 2018, 06:47:35 PM: Quote from: CurlewLLC on September 14, 2018, 10:12:06 AM
Hunter grown food plots on public lands, are they legal ?
No
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: CurlewLLC on September 14, 2018, 06:56:57 PM: Absolutely not CP, its public land. You have as much right to be there as anyone else. If you happened to stumble upon it and were there before I arrived I would just hunt on. I would expect others to use it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up its location on this forum, but first come serve.
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: CP on September 14, 2018, 07:10:23 PM: I expect if you did plant one it would be vandalized by either fellow hunters that don't approve of food plot hunting, berry/mushroom/whatever pickers that don't appreciate infringement on "their" resource, anti-hunters, tweakers, or whomever for whatever reason.

Public land sees all kinds of people. You'd need to hide it well.
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: fishnfur on September 14, 2018, 09:18:57 PM: ...and unless it was placed in full sun, it wouldn't grow well enough to attract deer from their normal browse.
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: HoofsandWings on September 14, 2018, 10:18:11 PM: What about conservation land? I believe there is a section in Oak Creek.
Also RMEF land?
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: bearpaw on September 15, 2018, 12:01:34 AM: Quote from: HoofsandWings on September 14, 2018, 10:18:11 PM
What about conservation land? I believe there is a section in Oak Creek.
Also RMEF land?

@bigtex may have specific details, but I think you need to contact the land manager of any land before planting anywhere.
Title: Re: Small Food Plots On Public Land
Post by: fisheral87 on September 15, 2018, 07:32:23 AM: I believe this was discussed recently on the meateater podcast at one of their live broadcasts. Denver maybe?

At any rate, the respondent took the position that for most public or managed lands there is a structured management plan and a process around how changes are made. So any substantial modification to the land outside of the current plan would be at least unallowable and at worst unlawful.

I considered it an enviable skill to be able to identify those areas that naturally attract animals due to feed, water, structure, minerals or any other characteristic. I work at it.

Al