All property in Al. is considered "posted" by law. "Posted" signs are not required. If I could not entice the buck to cross onto the property I have permission to hunt or won, it's a pass ... no questions asked.

Nice to see that my thread has stirred some controversy and heated debate.

I disagree that with the comment that I should not have even posed this question. Some folks have been very forth right and honest with their replies. That is exactly why I asked this question in the first place. If nothing else, we all learned a little about our fellow hunter.

No way for you to know that. You are simply projecting your ethics on others to justify your actions.

Not really, just basing it on my experience of watching other deer hunters for the last 35 years. Especially deer hunters that have never killed a Booner buck, or any buck of any significant size. Odds are, they would shoot it, and have a " perfectly legal" story to go along with it.They " obviously" wouldn't admit it on a public forum though.

Not sure about the laws in other states, but in my home state, if the land is not fenced, not posted, and there is not a house on the property, you can legally hunt without permission. If that was the situation, I'd be out butchering a deer instead of sittin' here typing. If not, I'd just be patient. Sooner or later he'll either trail a doe over there or someone on other side will chase him over to ya.

You already have the makings
 

you just go on and tell stories.

What state is that?

Are you refering to the people that said they'd poach? You're saying they're being "honest" about being "dishonest". How commendable! And the actual "honest" folks that said they wouldn't shoot are being "dishonest"? They're liars and hypocrites? No wonder this country is going to ****!

Go figure!! The poachers are honest and the honest are liars??

Like I said, some seeking justification for their actions - nothing more.

No we would not shoot. I say we because I always hunt with my husband. Shooting an animal on someone else's property would be wrong. I'm not necessarily taking any moral high ground here. I don't think we can always be sure in our own minds if we are behaving ethically because it's the "RIGHT THING TO DO," or if we fear the consequences if we get caught.

:sheep: Yes, what if someone whose respect you value is watching, like your neighbor, your kid, your best buddy, your father-in-law?

Where i live if your property is not posted its fair game-so if this scenario is where i am living not only would i shoot the deer i would probably be sitting on the other side of the creek if it looked good. I know it sounds horrible but where i live you hunt where you can and keep your mouth shut-so as to telling anyone where i shot it-that would be a big negative. Sorry if i offended anyone by my answer but i am being honest. Maybe sumday i will have my own piece of paradise to hunt but until then i go where i can.

And I hope someday when you have your "own piece of paradise", some a-hole poaches and trespasses on YOUR land. You didn't mention the state you hunt? Why?

Man, you are a piece of work. Troll

I was thanking folks for their input and you turn it into something malicious. You are one of those folks that is taking this country in the direction you indicated. Go **** in someone else's cereal.

For clarification to everyone else: Thank you for all your answers, whether they were 'Yes' or 'No'. I appreciate your response. And ASSUMING that all the answers were truthful, these replies prove that we are divided on this issue.

Im not going to lie like everyone else on here. I would take the shot. Im not a poacher...........im just human. By nature we are hunters and Im providing food on the table. Who says the property line is correct without it being surveyed. In my mind that deer is on my property.

This from the guy who tells me on another thread not to put out my legal feeder!!:hit:

I honestly can't believe how many would be douche bag poachers are on this site. I know most of the guys on here are ethical hunters but damn, there's a lot of guys on here that would poach in a New York second. I'm glad you guys answered honestly, it makes me appreciate the guys I hunt with even more. The ones of you that said you would take the shot, makes me want to puke. Very pathetic.

You guys can justify it with all the bull chit you want. It's poaching and you know it.

WOW.........The IQ level on this forum is pretty high. If you have a tag your not poaching.

Hey smart guy when did I ever say "don't put out your legal feeder" I just said I don't believe in them, that's all. In my eyes there is no sport in hunting an animal that comes to an 5x5 area because he knows there is food. The key words are 5X5 area.

Here you go dumbass.


Poaching is the illegal hunting, fishing, or eating of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.
It may be illegal and in violation because:

• The game or fish is not in season; usually the breeding season is declared as the closed season when wildlife species are protected by law.
• The poacher does not possess a license.
• The poacher is illegally selling the animal or animal parts or plant for a profit.
• The animal is being hunted outside of legal hours.
• The hunter used an illegal weapon for that animal.
• The animal or plant is on restricted land.
• The right to hunt this animal is claimed by somebody.
• The means used are illegal (for example, baiting a field while hunting quail or other animals, using spotlights to stun or paralyze deer, or hunting from a moving vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft).
• The animal or plant is protected by law or that it has been listed as extinct or endangered (see for example the Endangered Species Act for the USA or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and similar laws/treaties.
• The animal or plant has been tagged by a researcher.

And how am I poaching again. I have a tag, its in season and there is no property line. Thanks though for the information, it will be very useful...........oh yeah, get a hold of your emotions boy

You don't believe in legal feeders but you will poach a deer?? The key word is POACH!!! LMAO!:hit:

Omg............nobody shoot the damn deer. Its the wrong answear.

Oklahoma. The "underdog" of big deer. I hope people keep thinkung that. That'll leave more for me to hunt! On my lil ol 100 acre spot, anything under 130" gets passed. My wife got a 155" 8pt last year with a 23 1/4" spread. Just in case you're wondering, it was on our side of the fence.

Hey mccraddock, you might "appreciate" folks admitting they'd break the law, and trying to justify it. I don't. Like others, I find it demoralizing. I think I'll start a thread, "would you cheat with your best friends wife/girlfriend because she's hot". I'd love to know how many guys are BFs as well as poachers!

no. id do everything i could to get him to come across. i would never shoot across a property line even if you think no one is there you never know. Plus its poaching

If you do and climb the fence, you're Trespassing..........Here if you shoot outside the boundary lines, it's illegal.........but, than again, how many do it every year? :confused0024:

I live/hunt in NY. I based my answer to the original post that stated the land was not posted. I hunt with plenty of cops here and have had lengthy discussions with them about hunting land that is not posted. If there are no posted signs its pretty much fair game here, and you can bet you wont be the only one thats in there either. No posted signs is pretty much an invitation to hunt there around here. People that dont want people on their property should make it clear there is no trespassing-otherwise you mite as well put up a welcome sign. Again i am referring to where i live and the perception of unposted property by people that live here. Every place is different. And as for having people trespass where i hunt-it happens all the time. Countless times ive had people in my stands when i arrive, gut piles from other hunters, stolen stands and trail cams, deer shot by road hunters right underneath my stand, and the list goes on and on. All on "private" property where i had sole permission. It sucks but its unfortunately part of the game.

Thanks for the explanation rh160kid. Problem is, the cops your hunting with appear to be oblivious to the very law they are suppose to uphold. Not a good example. The below quote is from the NY State Department of Enviormental Conservation.

Your post is well taken though. It seems there is this prevalence by way too many hunters who show blatent disregard and disrespect for the rights and property of others. I recon its hard for a lot of folks to abide by the law, when so many refuse to. Good luck this year. Still don't make it right.

Valor beat me to it about NYS.
Just because something is accepted locally by those who want to justify trespassing, does not make it right or legal - just another justification. Bottom line is, unless your laws say differently (and even then its common courtesy), if you don't have permission, you don't go OR shoot over the line etc.

Steve

Your post is accurate and i have read it many times and debated its very words with those that enforce those laws-but applied to the "hypothetical" place in the original post there was no mention of fences, land improvements, etc. From that very quote you posted it plainly says if unimproved, or and here is the key phrase, "apparently unused" it is not trespassing!! You cannot be arrested or charged with trespassing under these circumstances-thats my point. Asked to leave yes-charged with a crime-no!! Trust me-they can do nothing but ask you to leave. Now if you want to say there is a house there, posted signs, road-driveways etc and you go on it you might have a problem-and i stress might. Everyone needs to take into account there are things that are commonplace and for a better word "accepted" in certain areas. Thats my point-everyone grows up in different areas and by different standards for those areas-thats all. I dont necessarilly like the way things are but it is what it is and if you want to hunt you do what you have to do where i live unfortuneately. I paid 5000 bucks to lease property in illinois last year for sole hunting rights and i had people there too that were not suppose to be-like i said unfortuneately its part of the game and its never goin to change so i play by those rules-sorry if that rubs you the wrong way!!

It only took me about 2 seconds to see that exemption from NY tresspass laws.

i know here in IL its illegal to shoot over a body of water. wether it a creek river or pond/ lake, and i have ground in a bottom and theres a small creek that winds through it and some of the places i have stands on the property if you have deer in range more than likely you will be shooting across it...Now since i shoot across it and its illegal is that poaching? But its my property so i must be ok right?

Thats my point-you find a piece of property in NY that is not posted and appears unused you can hunt it and you are NOT legally trespassing. Sorry do not want to hijack thread with NYS environmental law. It reads very simple.

Here in Florida it's simple,if you are on someone else's property you have to have written permission.Period.

If sum1 calls you a poacher for that they need their head examined. But it seems to be the general consensus on here that "rules are rules" and not to be interpreted so i guess i wont be surprised.

Well, I'm surprised more folks in NY haven't gotten on the state for their verbage. But, lets not get carried away. "Unimproved" and "unused"? If I have a storage building on my property, gravel the entrance road, then its improved. Let alone if my house is on my acrage. If I hunt the land, becuase I own it, have atv trails on it that I ride, it's not "unused" now is it? This is the kind of crap folks will interpret their own way to trespass. Like you said, its the game you play in NY. If you did that in Virginia, it would end badly, for you.

I agree with you-if it has a building, driveway or signs of improvement it is trespassing with or without a posted sign. I didnt read anything in the hypothetical scenario that said the area had any of these-it said you could hear an occasional 4 wheeler-thats all. And when i said you might get in trouble if there are signs, house etc. in my other post, i meant that unless the landowner demands to press charges you are more than likely just goin to be asked to leave and NOT return. Every state is different as you said thats why i dont necessarily think this is a black and white legal issue imo.

I would not shoot. I want to answer my boys honestly if the question ever arose about doing something illegal when hunting.

Except he says he's from South Carolina, and their DNR is pretty specific. Don't you think?

You can keep coming up with reasons to justify criminal behavior. Still doesn't make it right, or legal. It is black and white. Really, it is. I've never claimed to be perfect. Difference is, when I've broken the law (and it ain't weekly, sorry), I know I've done it, and not tried to justify it. The people in this thread that said they'd take the shot, are poachers. Some would accept the consequences for their actions because they know its wrong, but they'd do it anyway. Others, well, they just continue the justification routine.

His profile info says hes from south carolina-the scenario doesnt say you are hunting in S.C.-and as to how specific their rules are in S.C. I honestly dont know or care. I dont live or hunt there. I based my answer to where i live/hunt. Period!! BTW the scenario also said i was shooting a rifle-well rifles are not permitted to hunt deer in my county so i guess that makes me 2x the poacher. It was a hypothetical scenario bro- you want to call me a poacher-fine. Guys like you always need to be reassured they're right. Funny thing is i didnt think there was a correct answer for a hypothetical question-its make believe!!!

But your poaching in NY is reality, now isn't it? Everybody else does it, so why should you be singled out, right? Shoe fits, wear it. Be a man, and admit you poach. Does that make me better than you? You bet your ass it does. Sorry it hurts your feelings. Lets leave it at this. I'm a self righteous prick, and your a poacher? Deal?