While doing some pre-season scouting, I found a couple of smaller (30 acres or less) public properties. There appears to be a great deal of deer sign and upon review of the topographic data appears to have some textbook funnel/ridge crossings. However, I admit I am hesitant about bow hunting these properties due to the fact when a shot is taken the deer would only need to travel a couple hundred yards it will be off of the public property and on private land. Most of the owners nearby are homeowners that live in the country and probably don’t hunt their land or very small hobby farms. This is not in the northwoods if you know what I mean. In one case there is a spot I would love to hunt that is ~30 yards from private lands if the deer would run that way. This area has a lot of smaller pieces of property so tracking the deer through multiple different properties would be a real possibility. What would (do) you do? #1 Ask all the adjacent landowners for permission in advance? Which I admit would be difficult and very time consuming. #2 Wait until the time comes and get permission then? #3 Not hunt the property? I assume those of you that “urban hunt” probably have these type of issues. What do you do to mitigate these concerns? Lastly, I realize good marksmanship is important so the deer beds close by and doesn’t travel far. I also know the importance of waiting out the shot as to not jump the deer. I get all that. But as the old saying goes, plan for the worst and hope for the best!
I hunt some small pieces of land and my plan is to ask about retrieving the animal only if needed. In both TN and GA we have to have permission to cross onto private land to retrieve a wounded animal.
If you keep your stands a couple hundred yards from the property lines you shouldn't have much to worry about assuming you make a good shot on the animal. I hunt a smaller piece of woods (about 25 acres) and every deer I have killed on it dropped dead before making it to the neighbors. I would think most people would also allow you to retrieve a deer on their property as well if you asked them. So my advice is to just keep your stands about 200 yards from the property lines and make good double lung shots.
To clarify. In Wisconsin, you are required by law to obtain permission before retrieving game on private property.
I spoke to our DNR guys about this very scenario. They said just give them a call, wait for them to arrive and they will talk to the landowner about retrieving the deer. With that said, if I thought I was going to need them I would try to speak with the landowner's first and try to gain permission to get deer off of their property.
I have spoken to GA DNR and TWRA officers about this as well and they gave the same advice. If a wounded deer traveled onto property and permission could not be gained from the landowner to retrieve it, then to call them and they would come out and talk with the landowner.
In Pa you need permission, and the landowner doesn't have to give it to you. So far in my case, my neighbors are cool with it and used to it from other people hunting back there as well. All I can say is take "even more of a slam dunk shot" than you normally may under other circumstances.
30 acres is a lot bigger than some of the places I hunt. I hunt in my subdivision which is all 3-5 acre lots. Like Rybo says limit your shots to nothing but perfect broadside or quartering away and keep it under 20 yards. Mine average 15 and under. I use a big mechanical for fast blood loss. I have had 3 deer die on the same 3 acre lot they were shot on. I use high poundage to slip the arrow thru so fast they don't realize they have been shot. They just trot off a little ways and look back to see what spooked em. Then they start to wobble and game over. That is the coolest feeling in the world to see them actually tip over.
Agree with GAbowhunter. I wouldn't 'stir the pot' by asking beforehand. It could raise a lot friction. Pick your shots carefully: avoid long shots or steep angles. Shoot relaxed animnals and try to deflate both lungs.
