Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Well, I've got a 50+ acre of land that my parents own that I'll be bowhunting this season. Do you think it is greedy to post the land hunting by written permission only in an effort to promote QDM and to keep gun hunters from over pressureing the deer on my property?
There is a farm that consist of about 500 acre across the road which is posted and the owners do not allow hunting. With so much land for the deer to live undistrubed in, I feel it is in my best intrest to post my land as well. Ultimately I'd like the deer to move freely from property to property but fear too much pressure on my property will send these deer packing for protected ground.

I feel pretty crapy as I know that people hunt this land. I've seen them other years and I don't mind other hunters if they respect the land and the rules I would like to set forth.

I would like to keep it bow hunting only. This is not negotionable. I feel this is the most effective way to hunt the property with limited pressure on the deer. I'd also like to set some restrictions on the size of harvestable animals. I see real potential for QDM on my property in conjuction with my neighbors.

What are your thoughts?

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

you (or someone in your family) bought it, you own it, you pay taxes on it. I see absolutely nothing wrong with posting it.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I think it's a great idea. We have some 4,000 acres (Private land) that we're allowed to hunt and we've made it hunting by permit only. You want to hunt the land you need to get a permit that I had made from the landowner. Only 10 permits are handed out per year.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Its your Parents Land - Its not for others to use............

Post it and don't feel guilty.

Its great that you would let others hunt on it with permission.

You have EVERY right to Post it.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Ditto to all the responses. I think implementing a QDM program and selecting responsible hunters to bow hunt could be a fun use of your time and help promote safe and productive hunting on YOUR land.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Keep it for yourself. I would try to get access to that 500. Tell them if you are allowed to hunt it you will patrol it for trespassers.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Like krotalus said, it is your land, you own it, and you pay taxes on it. It's no bodies bussiness to be on it, if you dont want them to be. If somebody has a problem with getting written permission from you before they can hunt your land, then they are the type of people who you dont want out there in the first place. They should feel lucky that they get to hunt somebody elses land for free.

The home that you live in, do you think people should be able to come and go, use your bathroom, sleep in your room, and eat your food in the kitchen, without asking?

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I agree with the others, i hunt private land that my grandfather owns and he only lets 3 of us hunt it all year, it's yours so do what u want with it, if your gonna let some others hunt the ground with permission thats pretty cool too. Just make sure that your rules are followed.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Post it!

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Up to you,But I know if it was here in Pa and unposted it would look like a it had money trees on it.You would need a traffic cop and parking attendant

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Post it. We have 80 acres in WI and the laws here do not require us to post it but we do. You are considered to be trespessing unless you have the landowners permission (posted or not). I just found that out last year after we posted the whole property. I still would have posted anyway.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I appreciate you responces. I will go ahead and post it hunting by written permission only.

I just feel a little $#!^^y about it as the aera I live in a developing very rapidly and urban sprawl is eating up all the avaiable hunting land. I hate to kick someone out a piece of land they've hunted for years.
This dose make the most sense though. I'll lay out the rules and they can decide if they want to hunt under the condition I set forth. If not oh well.

Thanks again, as usual you've made the answer very clear!

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Hey Adams, I would definetly post it. 50 acres is barely enough for one person to hunt a year.

About your QDM. 500 acres + 50 acres is not nearly enough property to implement a QDM program. Without more surrounding property involved, your are "pissin in the wind" as they say. Deer will walk off of your property and be shot instantly by other surrounding, or area hunters. You will labor, feed, and pass on nice smaller bucks, for someone else to shoot.

If you are serious about QDM you must get more property owners actively involved. Good luck.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I think its great that u are willing to share only 50 huntable acres!!!

If I were hunting your land I would have absolutely no problem requesting written permission and bowhunting only! I doubt there are many like you left Adams!

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I would definitely post it. If they can't abide by your rules they will just have to find someplace else to hunt.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Following your rules would be no problem for me ,
when can I come up there ? ;) :D

Post it if you want to , it's your business and nobody else's .

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I would post it, and NOT "by written permission only". Put up NO TRESPASSING or NO HUNTING signs and make sure EVERYONE knows they aren't allowed to hunt it. The ones that ARE allowed, will have permission.
If you don't...don't complain when some slob is in your spot, or just killed your buck, or when they stomp all over your property and push everything off.
Even if you do post it...my bet would be you'll still have some problems.

QDM on 50 acres alone would be real tough. But...since you have that 500 there also, if your 50 is treated right can work wonders. Give the deer a Sanctuary area and you'll be suprised what you may be able to do. Yes, you can't control where they go....but you can make it very appealing to them if you do it right. With the 500 acres across the road, you have a very good setup IMO, to do what you can for QDM. You won't be able to keep them all from getting shot...but some will make it every year. :D

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

Post It!!!

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

The fact that you are even questioning whether to post it, tells me you are a good person. As a hunter who has permission for all of his hunting lands thru the good graces of others, I appluad you for feeling sorry about posting your land. I don't feel your requests are unreasonable for those that you choose to let hunt. Best of luck this hunting season.

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I know the QDM thing is a bit of a stretch but you all know as well as I do that deer will seek out land where people are not. By limiting access to my 50 and the neighbors totaly limiting their 500 I see it as an opportunity to make a small 550 acre sanctuary where the deer can escape the pressure of the surronding lands. I know the deer will travel and that is out of my control so I'm not to worry about that. I just want to encourage them to hold up on my land.

The locals I am expecting to have issues with. I know people drive the farm across the street from talking to one of the neighbors. I hope I can discorage this activity on myy side of the street but I'll have to wait and see.

Aren't the deer in Indiana big enough? Maybe we can swap a hunt:)

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

yea i agree with all the others POST IT!........... like my grandmother has done with her land & she dosent let anyone hunt on it except for me thats bout it but POST IT

RE: Posting land: Mixed emotions
 

I WOULD POST IT TO!ITSYOUR FAMILYS, PERMMISON ONLY IS GREAT. I HUNT ONE OF MY FRIENDS LAND AND ALL HE ASK IS TO SHOOT NO DOES, TAKE OUT WHAT I BRING IN THE WOODS (WITCH I DO ALWAYS)AND I GIVE HIM A HAND WHEN NEEDED AROUND HIS LAND.