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Absent landowner access? #6714693
01/02/20 10:51 PM
01/02/20 10:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 191
Michigan
T
Thumbian Offline OP
trapper
Thumbian  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 191
Michigan
In my area there is quite a bunch of ground owned by folks who live >2 hours away. I知 struggling contacting these folks as I don稚 have phone numbers and it seems neighboring resident owners do not either. But, I do have their home addresses through the counties tax mapping site. I知 thinking of writing form letters explaining that I am seeking access to their land for trapping coons & coyotes and providing a return letter with stamped envelop for their replies. I知 hesitant to provide my number but maybe I should?

Anybody try this tactic with success? Any tips? I知 thinking of sending letters this month.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714715
01/02/20 11:03 PM
01/02/20 11:03 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 15,540
Champaign County, Ohio.
K
KeithC Offline
trapper
KeithC  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 15,540
Champaign County, Ohio.
It sounds like a good idea to me. If you don't ask, you won't get permission and asking does not cost much in this case.

Keith

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714734
01/02/20 11:16 PM
01/02/20 11:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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Boco  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
Is the property fenced and maintained?


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714736
01/02/20 11:18 PM
01/02/20 11:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
I'd add your #
If you dont trust them with your # why should they trust you on their land

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Yes sir] #6714753
01/02/20 11:31 PM
01/02/20 11:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 191
Michigan
T
Thumbian Offline OP
trapper
Thumbian  Offline OP
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T

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 191
Michigan
Some is fenced and posted but others are not. In Michigan it does not matter, still need permission from the land owner.

Good point about adding my phone number and I would then also have theirs.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714756
01/02/20 11:34 PM
01/02/20 11:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,236
West Michigan
G
Getting There Offline
trapper
Getting There  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,236
West Michigan
You are doing the right thing.


To Old
U.S. Army 60-63 SGT.
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714776
01/02/20 11:54 PM
01/02/20 11:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,112
Three Lakes,WI 72
C
corky Offline
trapper
corky  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,112
Three Lakes,WI 72
I wrote a letter to an absentee owner. They wrote back thanking me for respecting their property. Nobody had ever contacted them before and they had lots of littering from trespassers. I have had exclusive rights to trap and hunt that property now for the last 15 years. I'd say a personal letter is worth the effort. I don't think a one size fits all form letter would be as effective.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714783
01/02/20 11:58 PM
01/02/20 11:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 645
Southern Indiana
H
Hoosier71 Offline
trapper
Hoosier71  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 645
Southern Indiana
My favorite trapping ground that I have permission on was acquired by letter with stamped self addressed envelope for return. I did include my phone number. In the letter I tell them about myself, why trapping is important, and what I would like to do, without sounding rigid - meaning if they want to change the terms I have suggested to feel free and do so. Good puncuation and manners can also go a long way.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Yes sir] #6714784
01/02/20 11:59 PM
01/02/20 11:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
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Calvin  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Originally Posted by Yes sir
I'd add your #
If you dont trust them with your # why should they trust you on their land


Yep!

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714856
01/03/20 01:27 AM
01/03/20 01:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,664
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,664
Minnesota
What Corky said


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6714863
01/03/20 01:33 AM
01/03/20 01:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
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charles Offline
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charles  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
You might ask who holds the farming lease, and meet with him also. He is probably going to be the decision maker.and the one to befriend.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715215
01/03/20 12:20 PM
01/03/20 12:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,966
St. Louis Co, Mo
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BigBob Offline
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BigBob  Offline
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Posts: 20,966
St. Louis Co, Mo
Might want to include a permission form they can sign and send back so you have written permission on hand.


Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.

Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.

Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715219
01/03/20 12:29 PM
01/03/20 12:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,852
meadowview, Virginia
E
EdP Offline
trapper
EdP  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,852
meadowview, Virginia
If the land is farmed is it highly likely the person leasing it has the right to grant or deny access. It depends on the terms of the lease but with an absent landowner who does not hunt the land, it seems likely the farmer is who you need to talk to. I have trapped farmed land in both situations. If the land is NOT farmed, I think you are on the right track. You might be able to find a phone number via the internet if you would prefer to call but your letter method lets you make your case for trapping better than a call I think.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715253
01/03/20 01:22 PM
01/03/20 01:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,388
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Online content
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Online Content
trapper
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,388
Green County Wisconsin
absolutely write up a nice letter explaining yourself proof read it have others read it so that you can tell if your knowledge of trapping has you saying things that may not be clear to others who are not trappers , it has worked for me . put a cell phone number on it so they can call you with questions.

I like the permission in writing so I made a simple worksheet up my info is on the letter the worksheet they can circle the species they want trapped and I included a stamped self addressed envelope. you have some time and a stamp lost if you get no response use the parcel number and address if it has one so that you are very specific in what you are asking.

sometimes if you promise no mercy on the raccoon that keep crapping in the shed or porkies chewing up the siding you might well get to trap other species.


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715362
01/03/20 04:40 PM
01/03/20 04:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 829
NE NE
W
Wife Offline
trapper
Wife  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 829
NE NE
EdP, You are both right and slightly off course. In my dealings the tenant has certain responsibilities and limited liberties based on the terms of the lease (hopefully written). However I had a personal experience years ago in Mich. where the landowner said OK but the tenant said no. The Landowner (Deed holder) had the right and was required to sign any and all trespass complaints on that legal described property. So their say is the court's recognized agent. The other states I have trapped in the same holds true "you are assigned the property tax --- you get the state rights by the state constitution". A lot of guys figure they can "use" the high water mark along rivers in a lot of states for their recreation. That is mistaken and until there is a court case establishing Case Law it is kind of foggy on what is allowed. For your case, Check and see if there is a land manager as he/she will be able to steer you to the owner once you explain your request. This area is loaded with land managers. That tenant/manager info can be acquired at the FSA _USDA office in the county where the land is physically located. If it is rec land w/o any farm/forestry production records then your mailer idea is the next route. I always do communications Baby Blue to Baby Blue if possible except this year I placed 1 phone call to a new owner on some land that traded hands and since I live in the area the new owner had heard of me. I trap on 40+ farms and a couple of public areas so communications are essential in this area with all the deer and bird hunting that overlaps fur seasons................. my take...... the mike

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715363
01/03/20 04:42 PM
01/03/20 04:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
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TraderVic Offline
trapper
TraderVic  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
Agree with all above about writing the LO for permission(s). If access is gained, if applicable ask about renters of the cropland......what do the renters control or not have control. Many LO's here in WI have different arrangements for cropland versus "other land", such as woodland, wildland, etc. Sometimes renters think they also have access to everything when they actually don't. Good to get this clearly defined by the LO right away.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715383
01/03/20 05:05 PM
01/03/20 05:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 763
NW Oregon
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remrogers Offline
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remrogers  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 763
NW Oregon
Here in Oregon, one needs permission from the landowner or legal tenant to trespass onto private property for any reason.

Last edited by remrogers; 01/03/20 05:05 PM.
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Hoosier71] #6715395
01/03/20 05:20 PM
01/03/20 05:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 292
SE Iowa
S
seiowatrapper Offline
trapper
seiowatrapper  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 292
SE Iowa
Originally Posted by Hoosier71
My favorite trapping ground that I have permission on was acquired by letter with stamped self addressed envelope for return. I did include my phone number. In the letter I tell them about myself, why trapping is important, and what I would like to do, without sounding rigid - meaning if they want to change the terms I have suggested to feel free and do so. Good puncuation and manners can also go a long way.


If I were to receive a well thought out letter, that also included the bolded items above, even if the answer was "no", I would respect that effort and make a serious effort to reply. Good approach. ^^

Meanwhile...as a landowner who has tried to get people to trap my ground at times, with little success, it is a little funny to me that you are having to do that. Don't get me wrong, I think you are doing the right thing, it's just that it is interesting that there can be such disparity between regions.

Last edited by seiowatrapper; 01/03/20 05:25 PM.
Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: EdP] #6715396
01/03/20 05:23 PM
01/03/20 05:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 292
SE Iowa
S
seiowatrapper Offline
trapper
seiowatrapper  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 292
SE Iowa
Originally Posted by EdP
If the land is farmed is it highly likely the person leasing it has the right to grant or deny access. It depends on the terms of the lease but with an absent landowner who does not hunt the land, it seems likely the farmer is who you need to talk to. I have trapped farmed land in both situations. If the land is NOT farmed, I think you are on the right track. You might be able to find a phone number via the internet if you would prefer to call but your letter method lets you make your case for trapping better than a call I think.


Also, good advice. ^^ In Iowa, where I live, unless a farm land lease agreement specifically reserves the right to hunt/fish/trap for the owner(lessor)...the default is that this right of refusal goes to the lessee/tenant. I suspect that is true in other states too.

Re: Absent landowner access? [Re: Thumbian] #6715398
01/03/20 05:25 PM
01/03/20 05:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
I would get In my truck and make contact with these land owners. The letter thing Is Ok but personal contact Is better.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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