BobCo19-65

Currently I am looking to purchase a small piece of land (80 acres). The land is fully woded and is prime hunting land. I don't even own the land yet, however I have already had request from people to hunt it. It's kind of funny how people come out of the wood work.

I have read through quite a few post here concerning liablity issues of land owners. From what I have been taught is that a landowner could be liable for something only if there is some type of negligence involved on their behalf.

However, from what I have read here, that does not seem to be the case. And many have stated that it isn't always the hunter that they are concerned about suing them, it is sometimes other family members of the hunter.

I want to be real cautious about giving permision to other hunters to hunt the land, and plan on asking my atterney the same question, but I would really like to hear form other land owners who have the same dilema facing them.

I am not against giving permission to others to hunt the land, I know how hard it is to find land to hunt. But, I am also concerned about protecting my family. And I don't want to just brush it off and say my insurance will cover it.

Thanks.

Orion in IL

Bobco...

I think you already know the answer.
It is sad to realize what has become of our legal system.

Just recently the US has some guy suing the 4 major fast food chains due to him becoming FAT from eating their food.

Now I heard that 3 kids aged 13-19 are suing McDonalds for the same thing.

You need to protect yourself and your family, first.
So please get your attorney involved.

raceman30

BobCo, as Orion said you already know the answer. Just as a thief broke into YOUR house to steal from YOU and he gets hurt while doing these things in YOUR home he can sue YOU... It just doesn't make any sense to me anymore...... The thief would not get out ALIVE.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Strut&Rut

In CT the DEP has eliminated much of the problem. People hunting on private land must carry a signed permission slip from the actual landowner/s. The slip also carries terms, basically that landowners are not liable unless there is a pre-existing dangerous condition which was undisclosed to the hunters (ie, an old well or mine shaft resulting in a hunter breaking a leg, etc.)

Some friends of mine in NY are writing similar letters to sign and give to those hunters who they let hunt their property. By hunting the property, the hunters relieve the landowner of all negligence & liability.

Go the route of having something in writing---but it really doesn't matter until you own the property. Then the fun will begin...you won't have to worry about the guys you give permission too, it will be the trespasser who falls out of one your trees that sues. Be sure to post your land, that takes care of the trespassing issue.

Good luck,

S&R

BobCo19-65

I guess that I should have explained that the land is in our family, and all that needs to be done is closing. So I am assuming that unless something outrageous turns up in the search and survey, the land will be mine.

WV Hunter

Bob, yes unfortunately it a pathetic time we live in <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
What we do is, on our hunt clubs leased land, no guests at all, and on the land I own, I only let a few (real good) friends, and ONLY if I invite them, and ONLY when I am hunting also. (and I hear ya about them coming out of the wood work)

The sad thing is, with the mentality of folks today, and the slick, sharp tongued lawyers out there, they could probably sue you no matter what you did, or had them sign.

amosgreg

Bob,
Here is a link to the permission slip that State of Ohio is providing

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/pdf/permission.pdf

I too am thinking about aquiring some land soon and it is a thought of mine as the the legalities and my responsibilities such as posting the land and such.
Let us know what you finaly figure you are going to do.




Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!