Hunting on private land opens up a wider range of attractive areas for finding big game. If you are hunting in Minnesota and want to pursue your prey on private land, you need to plan ahead well before hunting season.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources noted that more than 75 percent of the state's land is privately-owned, and hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private land, even if no signs restricting access are posted. What should Minnesota hunters do if they want to hunt on private property during an upcoming hunting season? The
state agency offered a few guidelines to help make it a better experience for both hunter and landowner:
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- Contact the landowner early. Mark areas where you want to hunt on a topographic map and find out who owns the property. Request permission to hunt from the landowner several weeks or months ahead of the upcoming hunting season. Be friendly and courteous in your interactions – even if they deny permission.
- Respect private property. Reward a landowner's trust by respecting their property. Do not litter, and remove any visible litter left behind by others. Don't walk through crops or hunt near livestock or buildings. Go on their property only at designated times and in designated locations. Clarify with the landowner where you can drive or park your vehicle, and follow those restrictions to the letter.
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- Respect landowners. Hunters should leave an index card or business card containing their name, address, and phone number – along with make, model and license plate number of their vehicle – with the landowner, so they have a means of reaching you. Make a point to communicate where and when you will be hunting with the landowner. Keep your hunting party small and stay within designated boundaries and agreed upon hunting times.
- Practice safe hunting. A hunter should always think before shooting. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep any hunting dogs in your party under control. Never build or start fires without obtaining permission from the landowner first. Do not mark or cut trees and do not damage gates or fences.
- Obey the law. Hunting on private property is not an excuse to break the law. Hunters should only hunt for game for which they already have a permit. They should also never do anything to put the landowner or innocent bystanders on the property at risk of injury or death.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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