Do Trespassing and Written Permission requirements need to changed?

[Aimrite]

Do Written Permission requirements need to changed?



I have found over the last few years many landowners refuse to give written permission while welcoming me with verbal permission. This has prevented myself and others from hunting these properties while others not willing to follow the law are able to hunt away.
Is there a better way without infringing on private property rights?
Aim

[Pike]

Actually I wish PA. would copy OH. when it comes to this subject. Saves CO's and police alot of time. Signed permission slip= No problem, No signed permission slip = $500.00 dollar fine short ans sweet. The signed permission slip actually benifits the land owner, because by them and then you signing it, protects them from being sued incase you fall out of your tree stand. Maybe you should explain to the land owner that the permission slip if for the landowners benifit, , I would also recommend getting them to sign 2 of them and letting them keep a copy aswell. I would think that every lawbiding hunter would want to make it as easy as possible for law enforcement to enforce the law.Pike

[Aimrite]

Most of landowners that wont sign dont want to hear it. Im sure that any hunter asking for written permission has explaned that they need it to legaly hunt and actualy helps there liability.
.Our ODNR provides slips outlining all this Yet still many landowners are reluctent to sign

[Pike]

Aimrite, well maybe that is the excuse they give because its easyier to say that then it is to say No. Its very hard for nice people to have to say No most of time especially if they like you but for whatever reason feel they must say or have to say NO. Pike

[flathunter]

I dont bother with the permission slips anyway..If a landowner says I can hunt of fish on thier property, that is good enough for me...I have never been stoped or questioned.

The law should be done away with and go back to the old way when verbal permission was all that was needed.

I agree it just a bother for the landowners to sign the slips, and they are much more likely to let you hunt with just verbal permission.

[Stacker]

I'm with Flathunter. You can't be ticketed for trespassing unless the landowner or agent press charges. If you have permission and know the owner well, you have no reason for concern. I offer to be a trustee (keep an eye on things) for the landowner and always drop off a ham or turkey and some deer steaks and burger during the holidays. They always say it's not necessary but also appreciate the gesture and the fact you are making an effort. Permission slips are a formality and don't mean diddly unless you piss someone off or have a gamewarden who thinks he's God!

[mikenbow]

I must say there are two adjoining properties to my farm which i am allowed to hunt (verbal permission.) One on each side of me. I have not asked for permission in writing from either of the other land owners. Have had no problems. All three farms have no incidents with tresspassers. We get no outside pressure from hunters, nor do any hunters ask to hunt our properties. Together we own 205ac. and are very rural in SE Ohio. I think verbal permission should be acceptable in similar situations.

[Aimrite]

The Penalty for Hunting Without Written Permission
The maximum penalty for hunting without written permission of the landowner for a first offense is 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. The maximum penalty for a second offense is 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

A person must carry written permission at all times while engaging in hunting or trapping on private land and exhibit it upon request to a state wildlife officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, other law enforcement officer, owner of the land, or the landowner ’s authorized agent.

From what I always understood, if caught without written permission It does not matter what landowner says and automatic ticket.
Can somone clarify this please

[Pike]

Aimrite, You are correct !!! A wco, told me, that you could be the son of the landowner and if the son is not in possession of written permission he is getting a $500.00 fine. Pike

[lureboy98]

I prefer to abide by the law. I don't have problems getting written permission, but i hunt on a friend's land. With this in mind, I don't think that changing to verbal permission will stop with the tresspassers that are always around, as they can just claim they had verbal permission. I don't mean to contradict, but I like the written permission.

[Aimrite]

Pike, So everyone hunting without written permission is hunting illegally verbal or not?

There gotta be a better way.

[Ðe§perado™]

I just get permission from the land owner and that should be it. But all the people that don't hunt or have land seem to be the only people for this nonsence.:p

[Thunderflight]

The written permission law IMO it doesn't work.

Every landowner didn't feel the need to give me a slip, but did after I pressed the issue. They feel that it's his or her land and their word should be good enough.

It doesn't deter (sp?) tresspassing nor does it deter poaching.

Personnally I think it's another ploy to get $$$$.

TF

[george tinkham]

I have relatives that have large farms and will not turn down a hunter that wants to hunt.But they will not sign anything.They are plain afraid to do this no matter what it says.They are more comfy doing it like they have for hundred yrs.I had a hard time convincing them to sign mine even though I'm a relative.Otherwise I wouldn't be able to hunt on their land ,I told them,I go by the law.They reluctantly gave me writtin permission but only because I'm a relative.THEY are afraid of slick lawyers and they don't want to lose the farm.This signed piece of paper makes them nervous.

[atrkyhntr]

The main reason ths all came about was to get the farmers to allow Sunday hunting. They wanted tougher tresspassing laws & higher deer harvest passed before Sunday hunting would pass muster. Many wardens wil not enforce the permission slips on certain properties but will if they see you in violation of a game law or rec'v a call concerning same... Be safe and contact oyur game warden then let him know about which landowner and many times they'll say they already know... Must watch that one or two or ??? that will nail oyur butt anyway!!!:eek:

[mikenbow]

Tinkham brings up a good point. Many land owners dont like signing anything that could lead to some sort of legal matter down the road. Stranger things have happened. Also, many land owners still believe that their word is sufficient for permitting access. I mean really, what are the issues here? Trespassing? Poaching? Limiting the # of hunters? A signed slip wont prevent these actions. Most land owners I know (myself included) will simply call the DOW or police/sheriff should it be necessary.

[deerhunter]

I think what it basically boils down to is the sueing or lawsuit thing. Most all of the landowners that won't sign that slip are afraid of liability, and I can't blame them. I have heard of idiots riding 4 wheelers on someones land without permission (TRESPASSING), running into a cable across a path, getting hurt, and sueing. And these brainless judges making the farmer pay for medical,suffering, etc. , Just shoots your " written permission" in the rump. Nowadays if you get verbal permission on private land, your lucky, and some times asking them to sign a peice of paper is just pushing your luck.

[Lewis]

First off nice site that you have here!
I am looking forward to contributing.
I know many guys here from GFO.
As far as the written permission goes,I too have found that many landowners are reluctant to write out a detailed written permission slip.
What I do now is just to have them sign their name on the back of my license.
In fact ,in years past I have had 4 or 5 signatures on the back of my license.
Simple but effective,and it even passed the game warden test one time.

[george tinkham]

STACKER you are dead wrong.If you are caught without written permission even on your brothers land he can not help you.been there done that.

[Nut]

I go with the way it is now. It always leaves no doubt at all to a wildlife officer who is allowed permission or not. 99% of the time in my experience the landowner has no problem signing a slip of paper for me.(my problem is finding a landowner who will allow me to hunt).

The way it is now helps keep the knowledgeable people from trespassing on others land. It even helps keep others off too or they leave real quick when they see another hunter there who has permission.

[lureboy98]

Seems like from reading this, the best way is to find a simple license that just requires the signature, quick and easy. The one I use has a box for hunting/trapping and a box for fishing, plus my signature and the landowners signature. Ohiosportsman.com permission slips?

[Stacker]

Guess we know where "that warden" I mentioned lives. My club hosts a federation of sportsmans clubs meeting once every 6 months that is attended by our local wildlife officer. He also attends our trapping and hunting safety courses to speak and answer questions regarding Ohio laws and hunter ethics. Few Officers speak of ethics, just hardline laws and punishments. Frank discussions with him have resulted in my knowledge of his "unwritten/unspoken" code. Basically it boils down to this. If you give him a reason he'll get you. If you're in the wrong place at the wrong time wothout proper documentation, he'll get you. An officer can only "legally" trespass without permission of the landowner if he finds
"probable cause" to do so. Every officer who trespasses without permission will certainly fabricate and document a cause in his reports. Probabl Cause is a wide open phrase (ask any cop or warden) and if the guy is a jerk he'll use it to his advantage to prove he has power. I'm told that if an officer has made the effort to track you down on private land you WILL get ticketed and there is nothing anyone can do about it unless you fight it successfully in court.

Typically this doesn't happen unless the area has a history of poaching/trespassing/property damage.

[atrkyhntr]

If you need a slip simply go to the following link provided by Div of Wildlife
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/hunting/permission.html
You will need a Adobe Acrobat reader to open and print the permission slip. Go to the following link to download one free
http://www.adobe.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL :D
Be safe and watch for the other guy:eek:

[george tinkham]

I think this matter should be left up to the landowner.If he gives permission to hunt and the officer asks if this is the case and the landowner says yes I said old george can hunt my land ,then that should be good enough.The landowner should at least have this right.

[Stacker]

I'm with you George. I still live where I was born and raised, every farmer I worked for growing up would let just about anyone who took the time to ask full permission and back it up if ever questioned. But, today their sons and daughters don't possess that same integrity and willingness to be a "neighbor". I'm glad most of mine still are!

[george tinkham]

yep stacker i sure done lot of tossing hay in the old days for the farmers woods or ponds.

[MadCatter]

I look at it this way ... I own some land small but huntable .. now if I tell someone he can hunt .. and he calls me from jail and they tell me that there is nothing I can do ... we have a big problem ... first ... this is my land, it is mine to decide how I give permission, it is me who decides who hunts it. If I am uncomfortable giving written permission, does this mean that I am not alowed to let anyone hunt my land. If I need some coyotes removed, does this mean that I am now being blackmailed by the state into signing something that I don't want to just because they passed a law.. I as a landowner decide who is treaspassing on my property not the state of ohio. If I am getting this thread right, then it has been said that for someone to legally hunt my land I MUST give them written permission. I do not know the law so I can't argue all I can say is it is a sad day when the goverment dictates to you just who is allowed on your property ... this is the same bureaucratic BS that will keep me from giving written permission to anyone .. because you never know just how far something that you are signing can be taken .... The liberals that make the laws are under a false illusion that everone is like them ... Most country people are people of their word and asking for something in writing is an insult to their integrity. I am going to pose a few hypothetical questions.

1. What if I give a person written permission to hunt, he shows up late at night snooping around my property ... I say he is going to rob or vandalize my home ... he says I have written permission to hunt .. here it is officer, I am hunting coons or coyotes or foxes .. he now has my written permission to be on my land

2. What if I give written person to someone that asks to hunt, he turns out to be a slop hunter .. very dangerous .... can I revoke it .. he might make copies .. he has my signature what can I do about it..

I will never sign anything

I think the law is a good law, but should only be enforced on property that has problems with treaspassers or the landowner has requested that he requires written permission

[Nut]

I remember a time where I went to Williams County to hunt on some private land where I had the permission slips signed and everything.
Well I did not check my wallet before I left the house. Yep I left it at home. Did I hunt the private land? NOPE! It is the law and I won't do it. I have 3 sons that I hunt with and I have to set an example for them. I want it ingrained in them that they must follow the laws regardless on the way they feel about it.

[Aimrite]

Madcatter I posted this because i run Into landowners just like yourself.
Anybody you dont give written permission to hunt can be procecuted under tresspassing laws even if you say it was ok and gave verbal permission.

You have the right to revoke written permission anytime.


GUYS Is there anyway to improve this law to help landowners and hunters and still maintain private property rights?

[MadCatter]

I would say that the treaspassing law can be challenged in court ... They might be able to site you for alot of things, but only the landowner can decide who is treaspassing and who isn't. The only thing I can see getting sited for is a violation of the hunting without written permission law ... Not treaspassing .. I don't know which is worse. I would also say that this law has closed a lot more land to hunting than it has opened. If it is written like that it is indeed a bad law that could only be conjured up by a do gooding, good for nothing, I have no life so I am going to interfere in someone elses liberal. I am sure that the written permission law was not intended to take rights away from landowners. I still contend that in a court of law .. you are not treaspassing until the landowner says you are treaspassing... Where is Johnny Cochran when you need him:D :D :D :D

[Craig Fletcher]

Hi All. Happy New Year.

Very interesting discussion.

Let me start by saying, I am a land owner of 15 acres. I hunt my own land as well as the lands adjacent mine. I get written permission because I can't afford not to!!! The penalty for the first offense for hunting without written permission is a maximum of 60 days in jail and a $500 dollar fine. Second offense is a maximum of 90 days in jail and $750 fine. I know the chances of the maximum penalties EVER being given to anyone is very slim. Especially if you tell the judge that you were allowed to hunt there, you just don't have it in writing. This is also assuming that the landowner that gave oral permission is willing to go to court on your behalf to explain he just isn't comfortable giving written permission, for what ever reason he may have. But that still DOES NOT guarentee you'll get off. The law VERY CLEARLY states that written permission must be obtained and carried while hunting on any land that is not your own. So even if charges weren't pressed for trespassing, it could still be a costly trip to court. Plus many of us would have to take a day off of work to go to court.

Someone made the comment to the affect that if it's their land they can give permission how they chose. This is true, You may, but that doesn't circumvent what the law says the hunter must have.

The written permission protects BOTH the landowner and the hunter. The hunter by signing releases the landowner for liability to himself(the hunter) for injury, property damage, or the loss of life or property resulting from or in any way connected to him giving permission for the hunter to hunt. The landowner by signing gives the hunter what he needs to abide by the law.

Written permission may be revoked at anytime.

When written permission is given, the land owner may put any restrictions on it that he may care to. For example no hunting on Sunday, no coon hunting, No hunting between the hours of noon and 3 because it disturbs his soap opera's. You get the point. If he is asked to leave at anytime for any reason and he refuses he may be charged with trespassing.

In conclusion, if you add a fine and court costs to a missed days wages, plus depending on another person to miss a day of work to come tell a judge that it really was okay for you to be where to were, even though you knew better, it's not worth it. At least not to ME!

As a land owner, I'd hate to feel responsible for getting somebody's rear in a sling because of my own unfounded fears.
Somebody stated that needing the written permission has probably hurt more hunters that it has helped and that is probably true. It's just sad that the reason it has, is because the landowner often doesn't understand the law that is meant to protect them.

Sorry about being so long winded.

Good Luck and Safe Hunting, Craig

[CritterGitter]

I think Thunderflight makes a good point. Many of the Regs in our state promote "spending" or generate "funds." It's more about managing a budget then managing the game.

[vc1111]

The process of obtaining written permission is the best system, imo, although it is not without its flaws as others have stated.

It can work for you at times. One of the best properties I hunt is closely watched by the landowner. She wants nobody, and she means nobody but myself and one other guy on her property. She has advised the cops and the game warden that if anyone on that property is without written permission, she wants them immediately prosecuted. Nice for us...to bad for the trespasser/poacher that gets caught.

The problem with people that are truly afraid to sign the slip (as opposed to using as an excuse to say "no.") is that a lot of them are afraid of lawsuits. Some think that if they don't sign they cannot be liable, although we know that the opposite is what happens when they do sign.

Thank the next attorney you meet for their fears.

There is no ideal situation, at least not from the landownder's perspective.

I have hunted for years. I think there was more trespassing when it was done on a "yes" and handshake. It wound up that a friend of a friend of a friend would say, "Uh, yea, my friend Ernie got permission and he gave me permission."

[Craig Fletcher]

Hi all. Here is the Text from the Ohio revised code pertaining to liability of landowners.

[§ 1533.18.1] § 1533.181 Immunity from liability to recreational users.
Text of Statute

(A) No owner, lessee, or occupant of premises:

(1) Owes any duty to a recreational user to keep the premises safe for entry or use;

(2) Extends any assurance to a recreational user, through the act of giving permission, that the premises are safe for entry or use;

(3) Assumes responsibility for or incurs liability for any injury to person or property caused by any act of a recreational user.

(B) Division (A) of this section applies to the owner, lessee, or occupant of privately owned, nonresidential premises, whether or not the premises are kept open for public use and whether or not the owner, lessee, or occupant denies entry to certain individuals.

[Stacker]

Keep in mind everyone, whether we like it or not, the Gov't. is a business, decisions are based on feasibility and time tested directives.

[dtabor]

Not sure how this got to the top as the last post was in 2003 but I just wanted to put in my 2 cents. Ive been hunting in Ohio for the past 5 years. Getting used to the written permission thing was a major thing as in VT we dont require it. If it isnt posted, we can hunt on it.

I think we'll see something like your law here eventually due to all the abuse of private land.

My question is, when Im out there I see a ton of posted land. What is the purpose of posting land there, if a person cannot be on it anyway if he/she doesnt have written permission? If the wardens are so strict that no matter what the landowner says, they will issue tickets to someone without written permission, Putting up a bunch of yellow posters is just a waste of time and money. Do the signs tell a person anything different than the statute?

D

[Aimrite]

Mostly just letting people know not to tresspass or a deterrent

[geezer]

Well ya might hunt with just verbal permission and think thats ok but the game animals are the property of the state (i think) and that might figure into court proceedings - been hunting oh for over 50 years and have only been stopped by a warden 2 x by the same guy 2 days in a row - both times when i was parking my car - wanted to see my tags - lucky i guess - would be interested to know how many times you have had encounters with a DOW officer?

take care

[10Gauge]

Dtabor,

Regarding your question on "why post your land in Ohio?", basically the signs are required by law if you intend to prosecute someone for a crime. Believe it or not without posted signs on your property in Ohio a good lawyer can get you out of the fine if the land was not clearly marked.

Second, the trespassing laws are not enforced in Ohio like they should be, in my opinion. County Sherrifs, police and DOW officers are spread thin enough and in most cases will not respond to a trespassing call. If they do and the trespasser goes to court the fine is typically $25 plus court cost! When it should be a mandatory $500 or higher (in my opinion).

Written permission is a good thing (again, my opinion) and I have never been turned down by a landowner when I ask them to sign my pre-printed slips. These permission slips state the Ohio Revised code which says the landowner is not liable for injury and that I can not sue....this is Ohio state law, guys. So tell the landowner this up front, it will make getting a signature so much easier.

Having written permission has saven my butt on two occassions in the last 2 years, the very first question the DOW officer asked was not to see my license but for my written permission! In my 37+ years of hunting I have had more than a dozen random encounters with DOW officers, typically they occur at or near my vehicle but sometimes have actually been in the field or on the water. These guys are doing the best they can with limited resources, I wouldn't want their jobs!

[Redhunter1012]

Around my area there are so many small 30-40 acre fields and pieces of property That I hunt it would be nearly impossible to go to all the landowners for written permission. But we have platte books that list all the landowners around our area.We pretty much know where we can and can't hunt. Our local game warden said that law is pretty hard to enforce in our area because of so many different landowners. He said the only way somebody gets in trouble is if the landowner or agent wants to press charges. He said it's mostly where there are large tracts of land that they enforce and check for permission slips. We always get checked for licenses and plugs every year but have never been checked for permission slips.

[atrkyhntr]

If your from Ohio that game warden is full of crap... :rolleyes:
I'd like to have his name :mad:

[Redhunter1012]

Marty Baer..Wood County Game Warden

[atrkyhntr]

Just left a message for him to return my call...
his number is 419-429-8397
Want to see why he thinks he does not have to enforce the game laws...

[Redhunter1012]

Geez, I think he does a pretty good job enforcing the laws around our area. He has a large area to cover during gun season and there are alot of herding citations he issues around our area. He just said it's really hard because all the different landowners around our area. If he knows somebody does not allow hunting then he'll issue a warrant if there is trespassing. Do you have a vendetta against the DNR officers? If we are the only ones allowed to hunt a certain piece of property then we'll carry our permission slips for that property. But alot of the landowners in our area let just about anybody who'll ask hunt their land. I wouldn't sit by the phone waiting for him to call back because he's putting in long days at the Maumee River spotting and ticketing snaggers. I think he does pretty good enforcing the laws. IMO

[atrkyhntr]

Key word pretty good job doesn't cut it when game laws are concerned... I don't have to wait for his reply I have already called div 4 district and talked to my contacts who will reply to me when they have rec'd a reply from him and look over this thread :mad:

[Redhunter1012]

OK, I think he does an EXCELLENT job. There's not alot of hunters around our area and we don't generally have any trespassing problems that I'm aware of. Most hunters in our area hunt in larger groups and he knows most of the groups pretty well and where they can hunt. If anything I think the wardens need more help during the gun season trying to report to calls. He's a friendly officer who does his job with alot of pride and conviction I'm sure. It seems to me like your trying to get him in trouble or someting. I'm sure he has a great record of enforcing the law. He's been a warden for a very long time around our area and has a reputation of being tough on violaters, but very friendly to all sportsmen. I'm sure he knows who owns every bit of land in our county and he patrols them regularly. I just posted a reply cause I think it's a tough job to do and I wouldn't want to have the responsibility. It seems like you have a different agenda.

[geezer]

Redhunter 1012 - i agree that the wildlife workers are doing an excellent job and are well respected by most sportsman - although i have only been checked 2x by a warden i talk to the DOW officers and the men who run the target range at grand river and maintain the berlin archery range in district 3 when every i get a chance and thank them for their efforts - they are doing a great job even though they have a larger area to take care of -

stay safe

[atrkyhntr]

He is not commenting on one all he is commenting on is one who does not do his job correctly accourding to him :mad:

He is not commenting on one all he is commenting on is one who does not do his job correctly... according to him :mad:

[geezer]

well - i know that all law enforcement officers have to use DISCRETION in their judgements and it sounds to me like the warden in wood county is doing just that because of the problems patroling many 30-40 acre plots. it sounds like he is well liked and respected by landowners and sportsman alike

stay safe

[atrkyhntr]

When I was in training, ended up choosing another field, they NEVER said use DISCRETION they simly said impose a field violation accourding to the state game laws at the present time...
I have been contacted by a DNR Officer who has looked over this thread and in his judgement, not mine, he will take further action as required and follow up by letting me know the outcome...
These are officers of the ODNR and all are bound by their sworn duties to uphold the law PERIOD...

[geezer]

I think i hear the sound of an ax being ground -


stay safe

[WVcat]

sound like ATRKYHNTR is a wildlife god. or just being a jack*** about this.

[atrkyhntr]

No comments from the inbreeds :rolleyes:


Just confirmed ... That warden will be addressed :D

I'll now leave this thread never to return JOB WELL DONE ;)

[10Gauge]

I have to agree with "atrkyhntr" on this one! Game Wardens should not pick and choose which laws they will or will not enforce but I'm sure it happens.

I would NOT be surprised to hear a game officer say this sort of thing Redhunter1012 claims. I have talked to game officers in many of the counties I hunt, own or lease land in. One of the officers told me he would not ticket a trespasser on the land our hunt club leased! He acknowledged we were legally considered "private land owners" but claimed he and other DOW officers would not enforce trespassing laws nor would they stop and check on any vehicles or people parked along the roads adjoining our property! He claimed he and other DOW officers are so busy on "state owned" land they did not have the time or resources to help "private land owners".

Like I said in my previous post, the DOW officers have a lot of area to cover and perhaps too much work for one person to handle in their perspective counties. We even have concerns with the county sherrif's in the counties we lease land, they have never responded to a single phone call made regarding thefts, vandalism or trespassing. Part of the problem here is "protection" of their own, these deputies might have to arrest one of their own family members if they come to a call regarding theft, vandalism or trespassing!

[Redhunter1012]

HERE'S MY POINT!

He meant that he wouldn't have the time to stop and check every hunter he saw on every piece of land for a permission slip unless he knew there was specifically NO HUNTING! It would be impossible to actually check all these hunters. If he has a complaint I'm sure he always follows up on them. You guys remind me of the kids in school who reminded the teacher that they were supposed to give homework. This is like a witchhunt or something! I'm through with this thread it's really gotten out of hand. I didn't know people were using this site to report and tattle on people.

[10Gauge]

Red,

I GOT YOUR POINT........you don't bother getting written permission to hunt because the game warden doesn't care if you have it!

Sounds like your getting a little defensive now that names have been mentioned. One never knows who is reading these posts, even police officers are hunters and fishermen too!

The law is the law and you obviously feel it does not apply when it comes to "written permission or perhaps trespassing" issues.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are the things YOU stated in this thread. Now your blaming others for their opinions and actions?!?!

[Redhunter1012]

We're all sportsman here and I agree on the law and I do get written permission because I take my young nephews out hunting because their deadbeat drunk dad wouldn't think about it. I want nothing more than for those kids to follow the law. I shouldn't have gotten so perturbed about it. I have the upmost respect for officers of the law and the job they do. I also sign up at the DNR offices for the list of landowners who allow hunting with permission only. I hope I didn't offend you guys and I'm sorry if I did. I'm not here to bicker so I'll end my part on this thread.

[geezer]

Geeze - did any of you guys ever get a break from a cop or state trooper? - i did - stopped twice by the state troopers for speeding and was not ticketed and once by the police for a red light - again no ticket - what they told me about my driving and how it could effect my family did me more good that going to court - i hope nobody squeels on them - stay safe

semper fi

[beaverstalker]

I hunt on private land in Holmes County. It is a hunting camp and everyone is freinds, but we all (even the family members) have signed slips stating that we have permission to hunt on said land from start date to end date. It benifits the landowner and the hunter to have written permission and its not that big of a deal.

[atrkyhntr]

AMEN to all of those who follow the game laws to the "T"...
They are on the books for a reason simple as that...

[geezer]

I'll now leave this thread never to return..............

Huh?

stay safe

[beaverstalker]

Please don't get him started, leave well enough alone.

[atrkyhntr]

...too much for ya :rolleyes:

[beaverstalker]

I'll now leave this thread never to return... sound familiar?

[Hoytme2]

Wow, what one person with an attitude can do to a thread. I just read through this whole arguement and to be honest, I think it has been blown way out of proportion. I can see both sides of the arguement.

I follow the laws very strictly when it comes to hunting but I also drive 60 mph in a 55 mph zone. I have been ticketed by DOW hunting my families land during gun season for not wearing enough orange. Not once was I asked for a permission slip. You want to turn this Officer in too TRKYHUNTER. You can't because he got fired for harrassing hunters.

I feel DOW Officers are representatives of the DOW. They don't want to be more of a pain in the a$$ than need be for feer of pi$$ing the local hunters off and representing the DOW poorly. Besides, it is their career and many careers are shortened by the consumer (us hunters) complaining about their service. I guess I am just a law breaker like Red because I bend the laws too.

[OHBOW76]

Just a thought as I am new to this particular post, but in PA our wardens can not enforce tresspassing laws. In our state the state police or a sheriff enforce the tresspassing laws.You can report it to a warden but unless a game violation has taken place like hunting within a safety zone, no orange, etc. they wont even show up. Just a thought ........

[Hoytme2]

I aint Skeered

[Hoytme2]

Thats about the same here OHBOW. There are too many other infractions which they have to deal with to be going out to all the trespassing calls. Thats why we just post our land and hopefully that will at least deter a few from interupting my hunts. Which does still happen but i haven't called the DOW yet because I know they won't respond in time.

[OHBOW76]

If I were you I would find out what they are driving or where they are parking and just let the air out of their tires when they call the tow truck have the cops waiting.

[Hoytme2]

That would be vandalism.

[OHBOW76]

I didnt say slash them I siad let the air out of them, One they have to prove its you and second I am sure they wont file charges because they were tresspassing when you did it.

[geezer]

I'll now leave this thread never to return............


Well most BULL $HTRS can't remember what they say from one day to the next

Time to give it a rest and get ready to hunt TURKEYS

stay safe

[Thunderflight]

Seems like someone is taking this game warden discresion thing a bit personnally?

Did you get ticketed for tresspassing once and want to make sure everyone get's theirs too?

TF

[atrkyhntr]

I am a former owner of a guide service who has watched others hunt where they have no permission and "get theirs" when the warden is contacted and the landowner's press charges...
I also worked with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation who also make sure that the laws are followed and it was just that reason that they dropped their fight against Sunday hunting...
(also they wanted a higher deer harvest every year)
Their reason was the ODNR promised that all trespassers would be punished... not some but all and with stiffer fines and penulties not the old slap on the wrist...
Now when a warden does not do his job he jeopardizes the good solid ground that has been established with the OFBF and our(ODNR & hunters) future working relationship...
Next time we need them they may remind us of our past ambitions and how we did not follow through on a promise...
Without their OK there would be NO Sunday hunting...
Anyone willing to risk that?
I should not have to explain why I am doing what I am doing when its for the good of all not those who cannot act within the laws or not enforce same....
I wonder how many farms were closed to hunting because a law was not enforced... hmnmmn

Someone asked if I ever was let go for speeding ... Well I have not but I wonder how many that have ended up killing or mangleing someone because a lesson was not learned :(

[beaverstalker]

There is a job opening at the Vatican, maybe someone should apply.:D

[geezer]

Somebody is right they don't have to explain it. Duh. And I sure don't want them to act on my behalf. I would tell them not to say we unless their pregant of have worms but that would not be nice so i won't.

stay safe

[JRinNY]

While I was in college- i met a good hunting buddy who`s uncle was a game warden. We hunted and fished alot together and eventually did the same with his uncle.(the game warden) We did most of our hunting outside his uncles "area." We followed the law but while hunting with his uncle-he pointed out things that "were not by the book"-but he had never written a ticket for. Does that mean that he needs "a talking to" by his superiors-I do not think so! My friend had shot a deer and tagged it- while dragging it to the camp`s "meatpole"- the wet tag ripped off of the deer. We took the tag and put it inside the deers ear and taped its ear closed so we would not lose it. A game warden stopped by the camp and wanted to know about the tag. After a brief explanation he was OK and commented that he thought that what we did was a good idea. We could of re-applied the tag to where it was supposed to be but we did not want to lose it. Does this game warden nedd to be disciplined because we did not follow the book to the "T"? I know of a game warden who is a fanatic about turkey hunting. He travels to several states each spring and is very successful. I have heard from people in his "area" that he is very strict abou the turkey hunting laws but is a little more laid back about some of the other laws. I think this is human nature and as long as it does not keep him from doing his job properly- he should be left to keep doing his job. He still enforces all the laws but is much more passionate about the turkey regulations. I would almost guarantee that if someone thinks they do everything "by the book"-have someone else follow them around for a while and I think they will be in for a reality check.(as small or as minor of an infraction is made) There will be no names given or areas given for fear of these game wardens being called out of the field(where they should be) and into the office for discipline. I am glad these guys are out there and not somebody that would take that power to thier head - and thier ego replace reality.

[geezer]

Hey JRinNY - WELL SAID

stay safe

ps there is another word for "going by the book" = anal