I am closing on my new house and 30 acres in mid November. My ground joins my familys ground on one side and the other side has 10 acres that I can't hunt (posted). I bought the ground to hunt on for my sons and I.....the house was just a bonus lol. Some guy lives down the road, has hunted the ground that I am buying for the past 10 years. Seemed like a nice guy when I stopped to talk to him...but when he asked me if I hunted, he became very odd, asked when he had to pull his stands, etc. I didn't tell him he couldn't hunt on the ground, he assumed that on his own. Should I let him finish hunting on the property this season, or should I just post it when I take possesion of the ground? I am going to post the ground, due to a large number of ATV traffic and tresspassers that have hunted it w/o permission for years. I don't want to seem like a jerk neighbor....but then again, I am the one who bought the ground. I was going to take a wait and see approach with him....who knows, we could become friends, but he seems kinda ticked off that I bought the ground. Suggestions???

Access is a problem that will only continue to grow as the #1 issue facing hunters today.

How would you feel on the other shoe? Yeah, I bet you would understand the same as him about not being able to hunt newly purchased property that was previously hunted for years. I hate to lose access, and I bet he felt terrible when that moment came.

That said, you own it, and it is yours. Do as you see fit. 30 acres is not much for one hunter for a full season, let alone you and your son, and a neighbor...I'd get him on your good side for many reasons. Pissing him off will only cause you problems during the season you really don't want to have to deal with.

Hell, I'd let him hunt it, if you can spare the ground and deer (seeing as you have family property next door as well). Maybe trade him some help in labor around the woods, or even have him serve as caretaker...keeping the ATV's out. I do this for a farm, and got access to a nice woodlot, but also keep a bunch of wheelers and snowmobiles from tearing up his crops/fields. It's a win/win.

If you like him, and don't mind one additional hunter. Then just let him hunt.

Cast your bread on the water... I'd let him hunt it through the rest of the season. Seems the decent thing to do. Next year he'll have time to find a new spot. You've got your family property next door to hunt as well. After this year I'd tell him to find a new place to hunt, just for safety sake.

I don't want to piss him off.....hunting or not. I bought 30 acres, my family has 110 that borders what I bought. I went down to his house to introduce myself to him, not run him off my ground. I am trying to be fair, he assumes he is going to get kicked off the ground, and got kinda pi$$y about it, even though I never even mentioned posting the ground. Like I said earlier, I don't want a neighbor ticked at me before I even move in.

He probably thinks that you're gonna kick him out permanently , it may have happened to him before . Locals get very sensitive if you buy a parcel that they may have hunted since childhood and then lock them out . Reassure him that this is not the case and that you're open to discussion . Huntable land may be at a premium where you are now .

I'd at least let him finish the season with written permisson in case the game warden stops him since you plan to post it , then discuss options for next season . Why make an enemy now ? He may have something you want or need to trade for permission next year . You may need bushhogging or other ground prep that he has the equipment for . You can always work out a schedule of use too , maybe he has more time to hunt during the week than you do , or vice versa . He could also help you watch for trespassers , and may even be able to get you permission for the 10 acres as well as other spots .