This time of year, the road less traveled gets a little more wear and tear.
As fall fades to winter, late season hunters pursuing game will travel many roads. There are those like drivers at Talladega Speedway, who make turn after turn, watching, glassing and speeding up or slowing down based on their observations. Of course, safety should always be the first concern. Seatbelts locked in, firearm chambers cleared and sensible speeds for road conditions are a given. What usually are second thoughts are the acknowledgement of landowner rights and respect for farmers doing their work in the field.
Signs, signs
North Dakota is one of three states that still allow entry to unmarked lands without permission. State law requires landowners to place signs prohibiting trespass, hunting or other activities on their property without their permission. As a result, “No Trespassing,” “Posted” and “No Hunting” signs are common sights this time of year.
The laws surrounding the posting of land are filled with specific requirements such as distance, placement, signatures and dates. Along with those points, comes the misunderstanding by hunters as to what posted land really means during a hunting trip.
If land is posted improperly, that does not deny the landowner or the state the opportunity to pursue trespass actions. It only gives the would-be defendant a defense to be voiced in court. Therefore, the idea that hunters must respect is that a posted sign, even if done improperly, means “KEEP OUT.” The intent of the landowner should be what is taken into consideration first by sportsmen, before proving the land is posted improperly.
Furthermore, understanding about where a shot can be taken is an issue with posted land. If a road has posted signs along both sides, the message is that there can be no hunting along that road. The road isn’t closed to drivers; it means that hunters can not bail out of the truck, load, and fire from the road, ditch or anywhere else in almost all cases. Simply put, a road with both sides posted means “keep driving, you can’t hunt here.”
Rules of the Road
I have had several farmers mention to me the difficulties of the agriculture business this season. With upland and waterfowl seasons in full swing as both beans and corn were coming down, local farmers came to me with the same complaint; “we need more space on the road.”
“A combine is a wide piece of equipment, and using it is part of my daily routine each fall…it is how I make a living,” said one farmer, “is it too much to ask that hunters pull over for five minutes, have a cup of coffee and let us pass,” he questioned.
Many hunters and farmers run into this situation each year. In order for hunters to keep good rapport with area landowners, it is advised they provide ample space for large machinery such as tractors, trucks and combines. This includes on the road and elsewhere.
“When a truck is parked on the side of the road, it needs to be out of the way,” another farmer commented, advising that hunters using any land should account for farm vehicles this time of year. Fear of damaging passenger vehicles or disgust at having to approach a field from another direction are just two of the concerns landowners have during harvest. Most farmers appreciate when hunting trucks are pulled as far off the road as possible, and when on an approach, parked in an area that does not restrict access to a field. “Little things like that make my job easier, and it’s the least sportsmen can do,” a local farmer commented.
Even though most harvesting activities have been completed at this time, there is still some work to be done in the fields. This weekend, and for the rest of the hunting season, be mindful of those landowners and farmers who provide access, habitat and so much more for all of us who enjoy…our outdoors.
