Hunting Issues

[3fingervic]

I had a real problem the last couple of days. I went to my usual hunting spot to try my hand at turkey hunting. As my buddy and I were walking out to the field, a local guy confronted us and asked where we were going to hunt. I explained where we were going to hunt and the owners names. He didn't believe me and said he was going to call the Sheriff. I said you have to do what you think is right. We had an uneventful hunt. On our way back to my truck we spotted a State Trooper parked behind me. We put our gear in the truck, and I walked over to talk to the Trooper. He said a complaint had been made, and he was obligated to check it out. It was a minor hassle, he was very nice and let us go. The next day went off without a hitch, we didn't get a turkey, but it was a good day in the field. Thursday upon getting to my parking spot, we were greeted by a C.O. He asked about the property owners, and if I had permission to hunt these areas. I explained, my Uncle was on a first name basis with the land owners of the two properties, and we were given full permission to hunt these properties. The C.O. said that the one owner, which happened to be the one who's property we were on, said permission had to be in writing. I explained that this was the first I had heard of this, and I told him I would move my truck and hunt the other property. He was agreeable, and we did so. We were hunting for about two hours, and I saw the C.O.'s truck pull up to mine in the new parking spot. The C.O. started to walk out into the field, so I met him half way. He said that the owner of this property also is saying we don't have permission to be there. The C.O. was very nice and let us go, and said we need to contact these owners if we wanted to try to hunt there again.

First of all, I would like to say I hate trespassers, and I don't want to be known as one. Do you think it is possible that the local guy called these land owners, and got them to change their minds? Also, I want to go back up there next week to try to get permission from these guy's in writing. Any suggestions? I want to have letters prepared if they agree, so they just have to sign them. I thought they would be more likely to do so if they didn't have to write out a letter themselves. Have any of you prepared such a letter? If so, I would like to see one or two to help me on mine. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

[duxdog]

go talk to the landowners first and find out what is going on.

[3fingervic]

That's the plan. I was going to have those letters ready if everything was cool. I wouldn't even bring it up if they said they didn't want me on their property any more. I think this local guy made such a fuss that the owners got fed up with the phone calls from him and the law. I hope this isn't permanent. We'll see.

[sourdough44]

One problem I see is you say 'my Uncle is on a 1st name basis with the landowner'. Have YOU talked to the landowner, asked permission for you to hunt without the uncle & does he know who you are? Also even if you had permission in the past I would refresh that permission once in a while & let him(or her) know when you will be there & what you drive.

I will say I had the Sheriff meet us once coming of a brother's vacant land. I had WI plates in MI & the neighbor called.

[3fingervic]

In hindsight you are correct. I called my uncle after the run in with the state trooper. I asked him if everything was on the up and up. He assured me that everything was fine. He said both guys said that he (my uncle) and his family could hunt on the property. I'm now trying to rectify the situation. I'm trying to get some advise on how to smooth this over. I'm trying to ask people for help on drafting a letter on the chance that these guys let me back on the their property.

[ramitupurs84]

I agree. I like to hear it out of people's mouth. Paper is better. I don't think I would go in with a paper. I would have him write something up simple and in his witting. After all he knows his own witting and his intent on what he wants you to do.

[bigrackmack]

In hindsight you are correct. I called my uncle after the run in with the state trooper. I asked him if everything was on the up and up. He assured me that everything was fine. He said both guys said that he (my uncle) and his family could hunt on the property. I'm now trying to rectify the situation. I'm trying to get some advise on how to smooth this over. I'm trying to ask people for help on drafting a letter on the chance that these guys let me back on the their property.
I would go get this straighten out as soon as possible.......I also would take your uncle with you.....(and a permission slip for him to sign).....Have you ever even meet either one of these land owners?.......I would have went and met them to make sure I had permission and he knew who I was.......JMO.....And yes I wouldn't put it pass the neighbor to try to get you kicked off....could be a hunter that hunts that area or a anti.....who knows?.....Good luck.........Mack

[3fingervic]

Thanks Mack. No I haven't met the owners yet. My uncle and I are going up Tues. to get this straitened out. I'm drafting a letter now, and i'll take a few copies with me for them to sign. That is, if they will let us hunt on the property after all this drama. Okay here is the letter that I was going to go up there with. Let me know what you think.


I, (blank for name), give Vic Krese permission to hunt on my property in Forestville. This letter of permission allows Vic Krese to hunt deer and turkey only. The landowner will not be responsible for accidents or injuries to Vic Krese or his hunting party on said property. This letter is good for the year of 2009 only, and can be revoked at any time.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

i think you pissed in your own soup here on this one. you should always and i mean always have a face to face with a property owner before you hunt THEIR LAND! they deserve to know what you look like and its good sportsman/woman ETHICS TO SAY THE VERY LEAST. the he said they said don't get it as you found out. now you have to make an apology to the land owner for tresspassing. yes tresspassing because you and your bud had absolutely no right on the land. your uncle and his family did not all his kin folk. i hope you get it corrected because if you don't chances are pretty good your uncle will be looking at the land and not hunting it. all the country folk and farmers i know really get pi**** off about things like this. i know one farm down in branch county got so pissed off about the same deal they shut down hunting to everyone and they had 1600 acres.
as far as going there with a prepared statement throw that idea right out the window, let the owner do it if things are smoothed over. you may wish to have a pocket pad and a pen at the ready so he or she doesn't have to find some though.
you are very lucky you didn't get a written warning from the C.O. for tresspassing.
now as far as the locals go, you bet ya they are out watching for this stuff and may even get to take uncles hunting spot for this. not all locals own land to hunt on and are looking for hunting rights too!

[3fingervic]

You are obviously right. I'm going up there next week to kiss some serious booty. I think my uncle must have put too much stock in his relationships with these guys. I did call my uncle after the run in with the state trooper. My uncle said I didn't have anything to worry about. It is still my fault, I should have met these guys in person to make sure I had the go ahead. We were very lucky that the C.O. was very understanding, I can't say enough about that. Who knows I may have to put some time in on these farms, which I will be happy to do. As far as the prepared letter, I wasn't going to present that to them right off the bat. I was going to see if they would even entertain the idea of me going on there land before I brought it up. Some people I talked to said it would be a good idea to have one prepared so they wouldn't have to be bothered with writing one out. What do you think about bringing a bottle of whiskey? Too desperate?

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

I WOULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE WHISKEY!. there are some very religous farmers who would take that as an insult. you are much better off with the apology and offer to do some chores for hunting rights. ie.. stringing wire for cattle fences, helping out haying , picking field stone when they plow, if you see they heat with firewood offer to help with the cutting and stacking(thats a lot of work doing firewood and they know it). if its a working farm theres always work to be done and one less thing for that farmer is a big thing. if and after you get some hunting rights then you could make the offer of beer or whiskey if they drink and don't forget to offer up some game. most times farmers won't take any game but they really appreciate that offer. believe me i know frst hand, once i offered a pig farmer a deer that i shot off his land and he told me no thanks and invited me in and i left his house with half a pig( i didn't dare say no, big time insult)
i sure hope you can make ammends.

[Ranger Ray]

I think your uncle needs to kiss some butt with you along of course. If he has the relationship than he needs to be along and introduce you.

[3fingervic]

Thanks for the advise guys. I will have my uncle in tow with me next week, the butt kissing should be 2nd to none.

[3fingervic]

It appears that all is well. My uncle has made some phone calls and both owners said they will give us letters of permission for both of us. My fingers are crossed until I have the letters in my hand. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Whitetail1]

It seems you were not on the list of hunters with permission. Matter of fact, the land owner seemingly didn't even know who you were! NOT GOOD!!! As a land owner I must say that THIS is the very reason many hunters loose their permission to hunt. It seems that when one individual obtains permission, they inevitably give a family member, friend or acquaintance permission to hunt there as well without informing the landowners. No disrespect to you here but if you want to continue hunting in these locations you had better start building a relationship with the land owner yourself. This situation could not be any worse for you. I would get together with your uncle and make a trip to the landowners and do your best to get things straight. Be sure to commend the individual that turned you in to the police and the CO(in front of the land owner) for they were looking out for the landowner. It may be too late for both you and your uncle. Best of luck...

[3fingervic]

My uncle and I are planning on heading back up there in the next few weeks. He smoothed it over with them. I'm not trying to put the blame on my uncle I should have insisted that I meet the owners myself. He (my uncle) said he called them on Mon. and they both had no problem writing both of us permission. But, as I said i'll keep my fingers crossed until that happens.

[Whit1]

My uncle and I are planning on heading back up there in the next few weeks. He smoothed it over with them. I'm not trying to put the blame on my uncle I should have insisted that I meet the owners myself. He (my uncle) said he called them on Mon. and they both had no problem writing both of us permission. But, as I said i'll keep my fingers crossed until that happens.

For the sake of keeping that hunting spot(s) it is imperative that you meet the two landowners, chat with them and get a feel for their likes and dislikes especially in regard to a gift you can give them.

[3fingervic]

For the sake of keeping that hunting spot(s) it is imperative that you meet the two landowners, chat with them and get a feel for their likes and dislikes especially in regard to a gift you can give them.

I agree, I took the spot for granted. That won't happen again if I get my foot in the door.

[micooner]

Glad things have worked out for you, sounds like the problem was an over zealous neighbor looking to score some points with the landowners, we have a few here, the cops come out "oh it's you Mike" well we had to come out we got a call and so it goes, sounds like the unc did have permission so no harm no foul.

[brdhntr]

As my buddy and I were walking out to the field,

Before taking any more friends out, be sure the invite extends to them as well as you. You posted that your uncle had permission for him and his family to hunt. It's a big mistake to assume this means you can bring a friend along.

[3fingervic]

Agreed.

[autumnlovr]

I WOULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE WHISKEY!. there are some very religous farmers who would take that as an insult. you are much better off with the apology and offer to do some chores for hunting rights. ie.. stringing wire for cattle fences, helping out haying , picking field stone when they plow, if you see they heat with firewood offer to help with the cutting and stacking(thats a lot of work doing firewood and they know it). if its a working farm theres always work to be done and one less thing for that farmer is a big thing. if and after you get some hunting rights then you could make the offer of beer or whiskey if they drink and don't forget to offer up some game. most times farmers won't take any game but they really appreciate that offer. believe me i know frst hand, once i offered a pig farmer a deer that i shot off his land and he told me no thanks and invited me in and i left his house with half a pig( i didn't dare say no, big time insult)
i sure hope you can make ammends.

Home cooked treats also are appreciated. The farmer that lets me hunt his land is a bachelor. I send over home-cooked soups or stews or baked goods. A pie always goes over well. If you can't come up with a home-made one, stop at Achatz (in Armada) on the way up. Pick one up for yourself too, they're pretty darned good.

[3fingervic]

My wife bakes like no other. I'm sure she could whip something up in no time. I'm usually pushing 300lbs, it's mostly her fault.:D Thanks for the idea Lauren.