How Close?/How Far?
Wisconsin
Opinions being sought.....
Here's a fictitious situation - A deer hunter in a rural area owns 40 acres of prime and vacant hunting property that is surrounded by lands owned by other deerhunters. This man, a bowhunter and a rifle hunter, sets up a series of permanent tree stands on his property. Some of the stands are within 10 yards of the property boundary fence line, others are 100 yards plus away from the fence.
The neighbors complain. They accuse him of shooting over the fence line without ever having seen him do this. Their criticisms are strictly conjecture and lack proof.
Should he move his stands? Why? Should he stay - why cannot he use every square inch of his land - he paid for it? How close is too close? Is there a TOO close? Why should the neighbors complain - they ground hunt within feet of the fence line. Do the neighbors have the right to dictate where an adjacent landowner should put his stands?
What is your opinion? Anyone right here? Anyone wrong here?
He should not need to move his stand. I have some right on the fence because it is a good spot and funnels the deer however they are setup that there is no way to shoot across the fence. My opinion is that is the key so I can't have issues with shooting across the fence. If I can't setup that way then we find another spot.
I had some land owners set up, their stands all along their fence line, next to public property, national forest. that is their right, they were on there property,,,,, but just for fun, and following he law, I set up a ladder stand, on the public side of that fence line,,,,,,,,, they went nuts, and all I heard them do is complain, at the local water hole,
I never hunted the stand, just wanted to see the reaction,,,,,, I certainly would not shoot into private property, of course not, but what these guys want is complete control of the whole area, there private, and the public within the reach of their rifles......
I even heard them say, well we will just take that stand,,,,,,,, the point is there are a lot of selfish people out there,,,,,,, they did not steal it, I went in during ml and pulled it,,,,
to direct an answer to your situation, you should be able to put a stand on any inch of property you own, but you can only shoot on your property, so what is the point if it causes conflct,,,,,, you are in your rights....
why hunters can not get along, just is silly,,,,,, I really saw the ugly side of hunting, visiting a friend in Buffalo Co, talk about problems,,,,, man he has it tough,,,, everyone is so paranoid someone is going to shoot "their " deer,,,,,,,,,
hunters like that should get a griip
If you buy forty acres it is your to use, all of it. If you are logging do you leave the harvestable timber standing within such a distance of the fence. Had a neighbor tell us we can't set stands within 80 yards of the fence line. That's a lot of land. All I want is what we bought.
Put your stand wherever you want on your land. Don't shoot across the fence line and don't set foot on the neighbor's land without permission.
I'm as easy going as they come. BUT you set up on the property line and a deer you shoot ends up on my side you will need to do some serious butt kissing to get permission to retrieve it. Not giving yourself a buffer for the deer to run is your fault not mine.
My neighbor put a tripod stand up in some pines on our line. Not only on the line but on my side and cut the top out of one of the pines to see further into my land. I put up a no trespassing sign on the line between his house and the stand. He'll have to walk past it to get to the stand. I'm going to look tomorrow before the snow.
Drop Tine, how is a buffer determined? If you shot a deer 300 yards from his property and it died over there, would you go with the " I know it died on YOUR land, but I set up a buffer" approach? I don't know the chemistry between you and your neighbor, but won't a visit and a chat solve most of these issues?
Nothing wrong with hunting the fence line, but no hunter has the right to go on my land for any reason, including trailing wounded game. I do not allow it with fence sitters.
Wow so much hostilities among neighbors. Legally shot something on your land and it dies on my side please come get and if I'm around ill give you a hand. We solved this by speaking before the season. Heck I rather not be bothered around dinner time with a phonecall....just go get it. Its not that big of a deal. If a kid throws a ball in my yard its the same thing. Its not that big of a deal.
Don't have to move stands. They are on the land legally. How close is too close? I guess it depends on the relationship with the neighbors and the surrounding terrain. On my 75 acres it is a big enough property that the neighbors like to keep the ability to track one on my land. I like to keep the ability to track one on their land its big enough no one has to set up on the edge, and if they do it really isn't a big deal because it isn't all that edgy in the woods. Easy enough. On my 10 acres, keep good relationships with the neighbors, and have one kind of close to the edge, hard not to on that small of a property, but they know I am not out slaughtering the herd on my 10 and just hunt it for fun and in time pressured situations where I can't get to my other property sits and am trying to get it set up to teach the kids at or take a meat deer once in a blue moon. On that stand though I do try and make sure the deer are facing a good recovery direction when I shoot at them. Because I am trying to make it so the kids are able to hunt it, I probably attract more deer to their lands through the apple trees and plot plantings then they would have otherwise.
The other year the orange army posted hunters on every corner of my 1/4 acre plot back there so the neighbors seem to like it... I make sure not to trespass the rest of the year and keep good relationships with those neighbors though so they will be understanding the few times once in a decade I call and say I would like to track something. On that lot it is a series of broken up 40's that a abut a 120 so only the 120 has enough land to bully people, and they don't. The rest may need recovery access in the future because their lots aren't that big.
In building the relationships I just offer up the ability to track a wounded deer on my land up front and ask that they are respectful when tracking, and careful to let us know so we can help and not accidentally shoot them... Some say thanks, and don't offer it back, but most say same to you. Now that we know most of them better, if we swing by the cabin and nobody's home, we go get them or vice versa.
"Nothing wrong with hunting the fence line, but no hunter has the right to go on my land for any reason, including trailing wounded game. I do not allow it with fence sitters" Just curious and this goes to others. When you deny access and find that deer, do you tag it?
It's all about the relationship with the neighbors. I try to keep peace because I know I need their approval to track a deer if needed on their land. If you know their will be a problem then why put yourself in that position?
RJN....There are instances when a owners land does not borders a neighbors, just public. Your right when it does though, keep the peace and work together.
Reggie
I set up my closest stand to the line about 80 years off of it. Giving an animal space to run after the shot. He, on the other hand put a stand not only in the line but on my side. What's the odds that animal ends up going my way. Pretty good I say.
I didn't get over to where the stand was today. Getting the ground blind out about kicked my butt. But I will say that I would never keep someone from getting their deer. But I would make it damn uncomfortable for them asking being they are right on the line.
There is no set rule on a buffer but at least be neighborly and make an attempt is all I ask.
All the deer I've firearm shot turn and went back to where they were coming from. Unless something is different when bowhunting it doesn't seem much of a problem if you shot near property line because chances are greater they'll just run further back into your property. I could be wrong though.
Let em track on your land, you might end up with a case of free beer like I did. And the deer was only about 5 yards onto my land. This is all reinforces why bow hunting is so much better than the 9 day gun season.
Mutual respect goes a long way between neighbors or anyone else. That said, a land owner owns the property right up to the lot line. It boils down to ethics and intent. I do have a couple stands along one border but I have permission to hunt that neighbors property so not an issue with me. I would be upset if a neighbor put a stand up in a spot where it was obvious that they were attempting to cut normal deer movement off. Touchy subject and no hard and fast set of rules for this one.
Capt- is that the main hunting strategy to cut off the seers movement? That would probably frustrate me too but it is what it is but wouldn't let it anger me.
Thanks for the reply, Drop. Completely agree with you.
"Put your stand wherever you want on your land. Don't shoot across the fence line and don't set foot on the neighbor's land without permission." I second this.
I too have stands (as my neighbors do) near our property lines. In a couple of spots, due to the available trees, they are within feet of the lines. BUT, we always face them AWAY from the property line, thus looking into our own land. Sure, I stand up and look the other way from time to time, but this makes it so much easier to resist "shooting across the line".
Also, if I head to a stand, and see the neighbors sitting in one of their stands near the line, then I just change course and go to a different stand.
On my land they are not private land hunters or neighbors, they are hunting public lands and have 1000's and 1000's of acres to choose from. I think they like to encroach on my farm fields and eye candy . No permission for encroachers, not going to happen.
MF, no I do not tag rotted animals I find. I let the eagles have the meal, never goes to waste. Eagles and other animals need the meat far more than any hunter. I tag animals I shoot.
So Missouri is in Montana but telling Wisconsinites how he does. Maybe were more neighborly here?
Property lines are property lines. It appears most of you are fence line hunters, good for you and glad all of you get along fantastic with your neighbors. Must be fun "hunting", lol!
Missourbreaks.... a hunter shoots a deer that crosses onto your property, hunter does the right thing and contacts you first to get permission to retrieve the deer, according to you, you will not let hunter onto your property. Do you go look for that animal? if found, do you tag it or let it rot or contact the right authorities and tell them you will not let the hunter retrieve the deer and ask conservation officer for a tag and donate deer to a food shelf?
If they line hunt, they must call a warden to help them and enter my lands. They cannot enter my lands unassisted, the ball is in their court. The hunters have left some animals for the eagles, unethical hunters IMO.
They're unethical because they didn't want to deal with your insecure dirt hungry butt? How about just be a neighbor or and not view it as the end of the world when they retrieve their game.
I'd hate to play baseball by your yard...
Everyone battling it out on there little 40's is why I now go up north most the time. All the wanna be biologists with the one acre food plots that will save the deer herd in that county are unable to comprehend hunting in the real world. Travel if you can,there is much better hunting and better memories to be made over the horizon. If you can't walk 20 minutes in a straight line for fear of being on the neighbors, everyone risks a wounded animal crossing lines. If everyone wants to be a pick about it, hunting gets pretty short sighted. Try and enjoy it. The years go fast.
I totally understand why Missouribreaks will not allow recovery, he is trying to train the public land hunters to hunt farther from private land boundaries. It probably won't work with most of them but certainly his choice. If the hunter goes to the warden for help he is probably going to be too busy to mess with something that is not a game violation but he too is likely to educate the hunter on line hunting side effects.
There is no such thing as too close to the line. You own the whole thing and should be able to hunt every inch. Just don't shoot over the line.
Missouri, I know a guy who talks like you. He's a crotchety old bastard who thinks he owns the deer. If someone shoots a deer and they can prove they didn't take the shot on your land but the deer ended up there you should help them get it. Enjoy their happiness with them. If they shoot over your line you have a right to be pissed but if they took a fair shot I encourage you to be a decent human being. The deed is already done so it makes no sense not to 1-help them 2-let them get it themselves. Or 3-you track it, drag it to the line and give it back to the shooter.
Many are shot over the property line, especially with rifles. Elk are not simply pulled back under the fence. The Wardens know the gig and calling them to enter private land is common in the west.
That's why I like WI law regarding this issue. It puts the landowner in control Instead of the same yahoo who hits a deer and runs on your land every yr. Our #1 rule is just call. If you don't and go ahead and trespass then the next time you will not be retrieving your deer.
Amazing how many hunters do not respect personal property rights, especially in the quest for horn porn. Probably the most trespassing group of any, no wonder they are losing support in many areas. You can see it right here in this thread, blame the landowner for being absurd, not the trespassing hunter seeking horn porn.
We have never denied anyone that has had the courtesy to get ahold of us to track a wounded animal on our properties. We deal with trespassers as deemed by the situation. we have the ability to hunt off fence lines but do in some situations as we own to the fence. The newest neighbor we have told us when he bought it he was going to log right to the line so there was no confusion as where the line is. But in the next sentence states he wants no deer stands within 80 yards of the fence. Doesn't exactly make sense to me. If I bought, pay taxes for it, it is mine to use. Now we and the neighbor get along fine. If a deer goes in we call or they call then we say go get it no issue. They say we'll meet you there to help track it. We hope our good offer helps with relations. If not so be it.
I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't let someone recovery a legally killed deer that happened to die on my land. Honestly, I can't imagine a scenario where I wouldn't drop what I was doing and help them. Maybe I was raised differently...thank God.
"Amazing how many hunters do not respect personal property rights, especially in the quest for horn porn." If not because of your own quest for "horn porn," what reasons do you have to not allow them to recover a legally shot animal? If you don't suffer from "horn porn," why care how close to your fence they are hunting? Reeks of hypocrisy...
JRW- it's more a matter of respect. If I was caught on my neighbors for whatever reason, I would not expect them to be happy. If a person burns their bridges, they can only blame themselves.
Never bait when a tree falls what's in my property is mine. What's in you're is yours.
If I put a food plot in a fence line and it needs more sun. Or there is stuff blocking the use of equipment. I can legally trim any tree/branch that overhangs my property.
When a neighbor is line sitting he is keeping me from using "all my land" because I'm not sitting in his lap. It's called mutual respect. Get off the property lines and we can all hunt the way we want and not interfere with each other.
That I'm not sure. I have delt with the others I brought up.
The insurance pays for it. Whose? Depends in who has the better laywers.
When a neighbor is line sitting he is keeping me from using "all my land" because I'm not sitting in his lap. It's called mutual respect. Get off the property lines and we can all hunt the way we want and not interfere with each other. "How far off the property line do I need to be to make this respect thing happen?"
A square 40 acres is 440 yards wide. I used to run the 400 meter in just under 60 seconds. If you get as far as possible from the fence lines, your 220 yards from the nearest fence. An Olympic runner can do that in 20 seconds. A deer can do that easily in 1/2 the time - about 10 seconds. My average well shot deer runs 60-100 yards. Lets double that for a safety factor. So that is 120-200 yards a deer may run. Lets use the larger number (again for a safety factor). So 220 yard wide property - 200 yards a deer may run if well hit. Leaves 20 yards. So I can hunt within a 20 yard radius of the center of my 40 acres.
Oops I forgot to add, I consider a 20 yard shot an very doable shot. So my 20 yard radius now drops to 0 yards. So I have to hunt the exact center of my 40 acre property.
As one of the client of my niece, who works with challenged kids likes to say - "Ain't gonna happen". I am not going to limit my hunting to one tree on the property I spent $120,00 to buy and $1,800 a year on taxes to keep.
Now, let me ask this question. If your neighbor shot a deer which he tracked to the edge of your property. Would he attempt to pursue it? Would he get a hold of you and ask permission to continue? If you said "NO" would he be upset. Is it fair to expect him to be a better man than your are?
"When a neighbor is line sitting he's keeping me from using "all my land". MF, how far from his line would be acceptable to you? Couldn't you simply go down the line 100 yds or so? If that guy is playing the wind and sitting on the edge of his property because the wind is blowing his scent onto your land than it makes sense to me that you wouldn't want to be on that side of your land anyway because it would be a bad wind for you. Say that same neighbor gives you a 30 yd buffer zone from the line. Then a deer comes in between him and the property line. Is he not supposed to shoot it just because it's in the "buffer" zone? Is a hunter legally hunting not supposed to shoot any deer that he thinks "might" run onto the neighbors property? Imho, there is no such thing as too close to the line, if the guy is right on the fence line shooting onto his land then there is a better chance that the deer he shoots will stay on his land. Now, all of this goes out the window when someone shoots over the fence or goes onto the other property to get a deer without permission.
Per48R-Good points about how "small" a 40 hunts.
I don't miss those days in Waupaca County where neighbors seemed to think all the deer were on our property and all the good set ups were 20 yards from the property line. If you "only" have a 40, there's bound to be conflicts and hard feelings. Not that public land hunting up north doesn't have those types of issues, but I've got section after section to find my own little honey hole with a reasonable expectation of getting away from most of the hunting pressure.
So would it be crappy on my part to put up a shooting house right next to where his stand was on my land? In front of there is the best spot for me to place my food plot.
I think it makes a difference if you're talking bowhunting or gun hunting. If I'm limited to a small acre parcel and a neighbor hunts within 20 yrds of the property line, during gun hunting I would be perfectly fine hunting on my side of the line directly across from another hunter. This way he knows where I am and I know where he or she is. Then each can keep the shots limited on their own property. Much safer in my opinion. However in a bowhunting situation the only way I would place a stand that close to someone is if it was the best spot / location. Then whether I hunt it or not would depend on whether the neighbor was there first. If they were already in their stand I would move to "plan B" stand. Kind of a mutual respect. Recovery of an animal is another matter altogether that should be addressed prior to the hunting season if at all possible.
Just posted in WON: Warden William Hankee, of Fond du Lac, responded with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department to a call of a hunter dispute in which an owner of a hunting property near Waupun trespassed, climbed up his neighbor’s newly installed treestand, cut the straps, and ripped the stand down, partially breaking the stand in the process. The stand was located near the property line and within 40 yards of the offender’s stand, but clearly on the correct property. Hankee informed the offender that the victim’s treestand was legal and removing a legally placed treestand is considered hunter harassment. Enforcement action was taken.
