I am not trying to hijack the thread, but if the land is not posted would you consider that trespassing.
Depends on the state. In NY, property is considered posted and you need permission except for unimproved vacant (vague description) land.
Other states are different.
1. You have permission to hunt a small piece of property(10 acres)and you are very happy about that and dont want for anything more. This property is adjacent to a much larger unobtainable, uninhabited, landlocked from entry, undeveloped, generally unused piece of property. In the off season while scouting, do you venture on to this property to better hunt your property? Would this be ethical? Is this any better than actually hunting it?
Again, depends on the laws in your state. Intent does not matter. If it is trespassing by law, it is unethical.
2. Same property. During the season you shoot a doe and it runs onto the larger property. Do you, without permission, go and look for your deer? If you do, is this trespassing? Is it ok? What about if it was 160" bruiser?
Again - depends on your laws. In NY, you have no legal right to recover. If it is considered posted, you don't go without permission - which you arrange the rules of BEFORE you need to. And it makes not 1 bit of difference if it is a doe fawn or a 200"" buck - same effort should be made to recover either. This means determining prior to ever loosing an arrow if you will be able to legally recover.
Steve