Hunting Washington Forum

Classifieds & Organizations => Where To Go - Partners - Hunt Swaps => Topic started by: mcrawfordaf on October 22, 2022, 07:55:25 PM

Title: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: mcrawfordaf on October 22, 2022, 07:55:25 PM: So I've been hunting a piece of DNR land that is clearly marked on OnX as DNR land as well as on WDFW's hunt planner map. There are pieces next to it and in the area with signage that says "hunt by written permission only" and there are other pieces near it with clearly marked "no hunting" signs. Scouting tonight, I saw two bucks battling on what I've assumed to be private land with no hunting access according to OnX and the hunt planner. After they got done with their skirmish they headed deeper onto the private land towards a public road. It was already about 15-20 mins before last light so I knew I had no chance of them making to to the public land, but I wanted to try and cut them off at the road to at least get a better look on them. When I got down to the property that I had assumed was non-hunting private land they had signage on a couple gravel roads coming off the main road. (https://privatelands.wdfw.wa.gov/private_lands/graphics/no_vehicles.jpg) This is the same signage as the piece that is clearly marked as DNR land on OnX as well as WDFW's "hunt planner" map that I've been hunting. There was also a "SAFETY ZONE" sign on one of the gravel roads on the same property. The property is not listed on the Private Lands Hunting Access list anywhere as either written permission, reservation or feel free. Would you feel comfortable hunting this property?
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: MADMAX on October 22, 2022, 08:06:53 PM: Yup
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: boneaddict on October 22, 2022, 08:13:00 PM: I’d think so with exception to the safety zone.
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: Mfowl on October 22, 2022, 08:21:02 PM: I would check that all of the public land layers are activated on your OnX. Is there a private owner listed on the desired property? What does it say when you tap on the parcel? No vehicles and safety zone signs are synonymous with public land but I would not hunt it without verification. Could be that it is off limits on purpose since adjacent lands are open.
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: Dansk on October 22, 2022, 08:30:20 PM: I've hunted a friend's family farm that had been in the family for maybe 70+ years. House, outbuildings, wheat fields, livestock, mailbox, etc... looked private, but family owned all improvements, land was state land... set up as some sort of permanent lease ages ago. Public? Private? Prob in the grey.
Either way you cut it, best to see if someone lives there first and have a friendly chat.
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: mcrawfordaf on October 22, 2022, 08:31:12 PM: Quote from: Mfowl on October 22, 2022, 08:21:02 PM
I would check that all of the public land layers are activated on your OnX. Is there a private owner listed on the desired property? What does it say when you tap on the parcel? No vehicles and safety zone signs are synonymous with public land but I would not hunt it without verification. Could be that it is off limits on purpose since adjacent lands are open.

All my layers are active including the "WA possible access" layer and "WA private lands hunting opportunities". The owner is listed as an LLC with the tax address being a smaller home/farm about 15 mins down the road.
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: mcrawfordaf on October 22, 2022, 08:39:54 PM: Quote from: Dansk on October 22, 2022, 08:30:20 PM
I've hunted a friend's family farm that had been in the family for maybe 70+ years. House, outbuildings, wheat fields, livestock, mailbox, etc... looked private, but family owned all improvements, land was state land... set up as some sort of permanent lease ages ago. Public? Private? Prob in the grey.
Either way you cut it, best to see if someone lives there first and have a friendly chat.

That sounds safest. I've done some sleuthing and believe I've found phone numbers for the owner. To boot there is a piece of land locked BLM within the property and another piece of BLM butted against it that is land locked as well. I'm going to hunt the for sure public land in the AM and give them a call tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks to everyone's thoughts on this.
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: Mfowl on October 22, 2022, 08:45:19 PM: Good luck out there! Hope it works out!
Title: Re: Private Land Hunting Signage
Post by: millerwheeler on October 23, 2022, 08:18:52 AM: Pm sent