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The first of Ohio’s fall hunting seasons opens August 19 (statewide squirrel) and several others begin September 1. For many hunters, it’s back to the same old fields and woodlands they hunted in previous years, but for other hunters, now is the time to secure permission to hunt on private lands.
In an effort to improve the relationship among hunters and the agricultural community, the Division of Wildlife suggests Ohio sportsmen give landowners more than a pair of helping hands this summer. The wheat harvest and haying activities are taking up large blocks of time on some Ohio farms this time of year. Along with other chores, many farm families can use extra time for participation in county agricultural fairs and the state fair.
A message to hunters wanting access to private lands this fall is to volunteer now to help farmers and livestock producers with their summer work, says the Division of Wildlife.
"Where many hunters make a mistake in planning a fall hunt is they don’t plan far enough in advance, then face lost hunting opportunities because of limited access to private lands," said Dave Graham, supervisor of the wildlife agency’s southwest Ohio district office in Xenia.
Graham also was the wildlife management supervisor for central Ohio and area manager at Deer Creek Wildlife Area, so he knows well of the importance of sportsmen-landowner relations. "Of Ohio’s total land base, only five percent is publicly owned. Taking into account changing attitudes about hunting or giving permission to hunt, some landowners prefer to just say no when asked for permission to hunt on their property," said Graham.
Part of the planning process for seeking permission to hunt on private lands should include a sincere offer of assistance to a farmer or private landowner. That may include helping with a crop harvest, mending fences and farm equipment, helping to process firewood, and offering to reduce a population of nuisance animals such as the groundhog. There are no closed hunting seasons or bag limits for groundhogs and coyotes.
By volunteering now, hunters stand an improved chance of establishing a good relationship with a landowner who might be a little more willing to grant special hunting privileges. But unfortunately, this message appears to become lost with many hunters who wait until just a few days before opening day of a favorite hunting season to seek permission to hunt. Sometimes they wait until opening day, which is almost a guarantee not to receive permission to hunt.
"Hunting is a privilege that must be earned in farm country and throughout rural Ohio," said Mike Budzik, Division of Wildlife chief. "If landowners have a chance to get to know someone first, it’s possible they may look more favorably about granting some hunting access to their lands. There are some landowners, however, who have simply lost trust with hunters and trappers and that also is unfortunate, but a reality of life."
Regardless the outcome of a conversation with a landowner, always be polite, courteous, and understanding. Keep trying to seek permission and offer to become a steward of the landowner’s property by following the landowner’s rules for hunting. An unexpected group of hunting buddies or a farm gate left open has erased many hunting opportunities on private lands.
Here’s another good tip: the Division of Wildlife sponsors a Cooperative Hunting Program in which landowners have agreed to provide some public hunting access to their land in exchange for wildlife management assistance. Program participants post their lands with yellow signs furnished by the state wildlife agency which read "Hunting By permission Only". These are good places to consider now for securing hunting privileges on private land.
"The Division of Wildlife knows this remains a large issue among sportsmen who cite a lack of access to good hunting areas as a reason that limits their participation in hunting," said Budzik. "To be fair, we feel hunters and trappers can and should do more, individually and as a group, to help their own cause by seeking ways to sincerely establish positive relationships with farmers, livestock producers, and other private landowners."
Uploaded: 7/19/2000
Uploaded: 7/19/2000