Ways to Be a Good Land User
Landowners who permit you to use their land for outdoor recreational activities, including trapping, are not only doing you a favor, they are placing their trust in you.
Remember when trapping or using bait to hunt bears, you are required to have landowner permission. For other outdoor activities, always ask for permission, whether or not there are signs on the property requesting that you do so, and regardless of who owns it (a private individual or a business). If you don’t know who the landowner is, use your resources and you will be surprised at how easy it is to find out:
- Contact the town office to determine the name of the landowner(s).
- Look up the person or business's contact information online and give them a call.
When mapping out where you'd like to go, keep in mind that railroad and utility corridors are not public rights of way and still require landowner permission. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to landowners who have posted their land. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many of them will allow access to someone who has the courtesy to ask first. Once a landowner has granted you permission, be sure to check in with them every year before the start of the season. Don't assume permission is indefinite.