Retrieving game on posted private land?

[311Hemi]

This came up in a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago, and wondering what the regs are.

Is it ok to access posted private land to retrieve game (not hunt or take game)?

The DNR regs say: "A person on foot may, without permission, enter land that is not posted to retrieve a wounded animal that was lawfully shot but may not remain on the land after being told to leave".

[c&amagn]

I believe if it's private POSTED land you need to try to contact the owner first to let them know you have a wounded or dead animal/game on their land and would like to retrieve it. If the land owner say's NO you can't you need to then contact a CO or Police and they will then assist you in the retrieval of the game. The land owner can't dispute the retrieval of game when the CO or police are involved. In most times the land owner may even assist you in retrieval.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I could be wrong on this.. but I believe land that is posted you need to stay off...I too would call and get permission... I have had this situation a few times. Each time the guy grabbed a flashlight and got as excited as I was to help me find it. Funny thing was.. each time the animal had doubled back on to my land again.. LOL

[Shack]

To have to go and get permission when tracking game is kind of out of the question!

If you are hunting public or private land close to someone’s private land and retrieving game could be an issue! I would inform the land owner of where you are hunting and the chance of your game going on to his property.

Nine time out of ten, if you a legitimately tracking game and go on to someone’s private property (not posted) to retrieve game, you are not going to encounter any problems. If you do, then go get the Game Warden or CO (hopefully you find one during hunting season) and go in and get your game!

[fivebucks]

I believe the rule is if it is posted you must have permission to go on that property to track an animal. I think the only exception is to retrieve your dog but you cannot carry your firearm with you. That is my interpretation of the trespass rules.

[Shack]

Ya, here it is!

Quote:

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Exceptions

• A person on foot may, without permission, enter land that is not

posted to retrieve a wounded animal that was lawfully shot, but

may not remain on the land after being told to leave.

• A person on foot may, without permission, enter private land

without a firearm to retrieve a hunting dog. After retrieving the

dog, the person

must immediately leave the premises. This exception

does not authorize

the taking of the wild animal.

---

[Piker]

You shouldn't go on private land at all, even if it's not posted. If you can ask permission, you should. If the land owner says "no", then that's it. Private property rights should take precedence over the retrieval of game. If you think that the animal could go on someone else's property after you shoot it, then you probably shouldn't shoot it.

[The Donk]

This is really something you should talk to your neighbors about before the hunting season begins. On our land, the neighbors to the west are very cool with us following a blood trail onto their property and we are with them as well. The neighbor to the east of us, we need to let him know and he wants to be with us on his land. (Hes kinda a hermit and VERY protective of his land) Neighbor to the north, pretty cool about it, we don't worry to the South as there is a lake down there they can't cross. Bottom line is, figure it out and talk to your neighbors! Part of the reason I love it up by the cabin is you can just drive into someones driveway and strike up a conversation and be offered a beer... Not like around the city where you would be looked at crossways if you knock on the neighbors door just to talk

[Shack]

The Donk,

You said it good!

[Kallista]

So should you before you go out, get all the names and numbers of all the land around where you hunt , cause most land there doesn't have any buildings nor any numbers or names on posted land.. How do you know where on ends and another beings, and who to call?

I haven't hunted on public lands here in MN.. so i am asking

thanks

[Shack]

Kallista,

Good point and that is why I think the law is writen the way it is!

Quote:

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• A person on foot may, without permission, enter land that is not

posted to retrieve a wounded animal that was lawfully shot, but

may not remain on the land after being told to leave.

---

[311Hemi]

Thanks guys. I was mainly wondering because of a situation pheasant hunting.

Example: Walking a public area along a road and a rooster gets up and is shot legally on public land but makes it over the road and lands on posted private land.

I didn't think we could send the dog or get it ourselves. I have read the regs but was not 100% sure on the posted/not posted part of it.

[Augusta]

gotta love the no trespass laws....

[Deitz Dittrich]

Quote:

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So should you before you go out, get all the names and numbers of all the land around where you hunt , cause most land there doesn't have any buildings nor any numbers or names on posted land.. How do you know where on ends and another beings, and who to call?

I haven't hunted on public lands here in MN.. so i am asking

thanks

---

Kallista- Yes, that is a very good idea... a platte book will give you the names of all the land owners in your area... a very good thing to have.. It will also show you where all the state land or huntable land is in your area. Usuallly a pretty good idea to talk to them before season starts... you never know, they may invite you on their land to hunt as well.

[analyzer]

[i have read the regs but was not 100$ sure on the posted/not posted part of it.

---

That's a funny way to put it "100$ sure"... I'm sure it was a typo, but funny none-the-less...

I wonder what the actual gamble is for trespassing... isn't it like $500

[vister]

shackbash, you must have the regs out right in front of you! you are right. you do NOT need permission to enter private posted property in search of a wounded animal. however, if asked to leave, you must, so search away!

[Piker]

If the land was posted there would be a name and number, why wouldn't you want to call first? Like Deitz said it could start a relationship.

[311Hemi]

Quote:

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[i have read the regs but was not 100$ sure on the posted/not posted part of it.

---

That's a funny way to put it "100$ sure"... I'm sure it was a typo, but funny none-the-less...

I wonder what the actual gamble is for trespassing... isn't it like $500

---

LOL...I did mean 100%. I usually don't fair very well at the blackjack table if that tells you anything!!

If there was a name and number I would certainly call....but it seems I have seen a lot of signs with no info on them.

[Craig_S]

Quote:

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. you do NOT need permission to enter private posted property in search of a wounded animal.

---

Ah vister, I think you do. Better read the regs.

Craig

[vister]

as long as the land is not posted, you may enter without permission to track a wounded animal. My mistake on whether or not it is posted. trespass laws, Exceptions, page 13 of regs. either way, if possible, i would, and have asked. by asking a neighbor a few years ago to track on their property, i was told "yeah, go ahead, if you want to hunt out there, feel free to, nobody else does." well, that is a productive 70 acre meadow/willows parcel i was glad to ask for permission to enter!

[BKB]

I guess I have to disagree with your post Piker, how much land do you have to have to be sure the deer would not travel to someone else's property? We all know big bucks can and will go a long ways after a well placed shot, as will a doe. I don't recall seeing many posted signs with the name and number of the land owner, very few even have the name so it can be tough to contact them. I would just call the CO and have them there to cover your you know what.

[tunrevir]

Heres my take on this one. I have enough property that is huntable and the neighbors have been hunting around here for longer then I have lived here. I got a call last year and a neighbor whom I don't know called to ask if he could track an animal that went across my property. I said by all means, can I help? I really thpought that was thoughtful. The only issue I had was what time of day it was done in case I wanted to hunt. On the other hand I do not post my land but have had multiple individuals decide to put up a stand without notifying me. That gets old! Just because the land isn't posted doesn't mean it is a free for all. Chances are, if any of these guys asked for permission from they would have gotten it but by just sticking a stand up without asking it kinda peeves me. Just my .02.

Tunrevir~

[vitalshot5]

I belive to be a legally posting...you must have your name and tele # posted with your sign.

[fivebucks]

Legally, I believe you are right vitalshot but you certainly would be putting yourself on a CO's "look at" list if you fought the ticket and won. The intent is still there and who knows how a judge would rule and it is plain wrong.

[jbell1981]

Quote:

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I belive to be a legally posting...you must have your name and tele # posted with your sign.

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Yes you need that to be legally posted, but 9 times out of 10 that info is not there.