New Sask land access rules

[Peace River]

Back to the op. Road hunting has been an accepted, if not preferred, method of hunting on the Great Plains since well before rifles and vehicles were invented. It is an efficient way of harvesting animals. Generally, it’s the dumb ones that get culled! In these days of monster corporate farms, I don’t think it’s “slob hunting” either. For those with limited time, it pretty much guarantees a kill given enough road miles. With high game populations, it’s easy and quick, and manages populations without a lot of hunter/farmer interaction on non posted land. Given a knowledge of firearms safety, it’s perfectly safe. At least in the plains country...
Eliminating this hunting technique will result in less hunters, more deer, more winter kill, and less firearms owners.
I’ll put up with the odd idiot, if it means hunting continues to be a sport in Canada, rather than a pastime for a few rich landowners and f.n.

 

[trevj]

Back to the op. Road hunting has been an accepted, if not preferred, method of hunting on the Great Plains since well before rifles and vehicles were invented. It is an efficient way of harvesting animals. Generally, it’s the dumb ones that get culled! In these days of monster corporate farms, I don’t think it’s “slob hunting” either. For those with limited time, it pretty much guarantees a kill given enough road miles. With high game populations, it’s easy and quick, and manages populations without a lot of hunter/farmer interaction on non posted land. Given a knowledge of firearms safety, it’s perfectly safe. At least in the plains country...
Eliminating this hunting technique will result in less hunters, more deer, more winter kill, and less firearms owners.
I’ll put up with the odd idiot, if it means hunting continues to be a sport in Canada, rather than a pastime for a few rich landowners and f.n.

My experiences with road hunters was that they tended to not have near the success rate that we who were willing to walk over the first or second set of hills back from the road did.
It was so bad around Coderre, in Southern Sk., that you almost had to run a deer over to bust it loose from its bed. The deer had that figured out too, and bedded in the river valleys, and similar landscape that was hard to drive through.
Nothing to make you shake yer head, like seeing some slob standing on the running board on the drivers side of a camper van, with a rifle in one hand, while his 'hunting buddy' is doing 40-50kmh across a frozen field chasing after some poor scrawn of a Whitetail doe!
Went hunting there twice, it was an idiot show both times, road hunters and guys pushing bush with their vehicles. Had better hunting grounds available to me closer to home (Moose Jaw) at the time.

 

[fingers284]

Back to the op. Road hunting has been an accepted, if not preferred, method of hunting on the Great Plains since well before rifles and vehicles were invented. It is an efficient way of harvesting animals. Generally, it’s the dumb ones that get culled! In these days of monster corporate farms, I don’t think it’s “slob hunting” either. For those with limited time, it pretty much guarantees a kill given enough road miles. With high game populations, it’s easy and quick, and manages populations without a lot of hunter/farmer interaction on non posted land. Given a knowledge of firearms safety, it’s perfectly safe. At least in the plains country...
Eliminating this hunting technique will result in less hunters, more deer, more winter kill, and less firearms owners.
I’ll put up with the odd idiot, if it means hunting continues to be a sport in Canada, rather than a pastime for a few rich landowners and f.n.

I agree with this.

 

[the spank]

Yes, but it is a collective effect on the land owners.

And asking permission doesn't mean that the hunter will respect the land.Many land owners I know have granted permission only to find that it winds up being not as noble individuals you expected.Goose dugouts left unfilled, garbage all over hell's half acre and the worst wanting granting permission to an individual for him so he could teach his kid and experience hunting, well six buddies and multiple trucks and trailers later they were asked to leave."but you gave me permission!" ,"yes, for you and your kid not a guiding expedition"

Been a while since I looked at this thread. The landowners whose land I hunt usually phone me or text me when they see game, especially coyotes and waterfowl as they want them dealt with. They also express to me how much they appreciate having the extra set of eyes on the land as most times they can't always be there watching and by my being there either travelling through, scouting or hunting they have a presence available to watch out for them. You make me shake my head. You truly are in a league of your own, it's best you stay in your own lane as you put it.

 

[Dogleg]

No need to make things up; SERM does that enough on their own.

The Trespass act was changed, the Wildlife Act and Snowmobile Act were not. Both specifically exclude hunting and snowmobiling from the Trespass act when land isn't posted. SERM in their gleeful desire to charge people has chosen to ignore this and make up their own version.

 

[Peace River]

News to me! I understood it is not in effect yet, but can you point to those details? Kind of a big deal if true... thanks

No need to make things up; SERM does that enough on their own.

The Trespass act was changed, the Wildlife Act and Snowmobile Act were not. Both specifically exclude hunting and snowmobiling from the Trespass act when land isn't posted. SERM in their gleeful desire to charge people has chosen to ignore this and make up their own version.

 

[coyoteking]

News to me! I understood it is not in effect yet, but can you point to those details? Kind of a big deal if true... thanks

I think he’s referring to when the trespass act was amended in 2010(I might have the year wrong). The new amendments to the trespass act will require permission for hunting and snowmobiling access regardless of posting. This hasn’t been enacted as of yet.

 

[the spank]

I think he’s referring to when the trespass act was amended in 2010(I might have the year wrong). The new amendments to the trespass act will require permission for hunting and snowmobiling access regardless of posting. This hasn’t been enacted as of yet.

You are correct sir! Personally I have always asked permission and sometimes locating a landowner is not an easy task. It's amazing how many acreages are owned by folks from other provinces and other countries. And LOTS of land whether locally owned or not is leased out to other farmers. Lots of landowners leave the access option to the lessee's and some do not. I always contact both and if one says yes and the other no I just run with the no and avoid any issues. There is lots of private land to access if youre willing to put in the time and effort to contact those in charge of it. A little respect and courtesy goes a long way.

 

[scruffee]

I know many farmers who post their land and have never been refused compensation. I have never been asked if I allow hunting when making a claim.

The guidelines also say they "MAY" refuse payment not payment "WILL" be refused if hunting is not allowed.

I'm a firm believer that if you claim crop damage from public funds but DO NOT allow the public to hunt and reduce game on your properties, that you should not be compensated at all.

 

[Peace River]

Yes, I always find it incredibly easy to find out how to contact “sk1278654 corporation “ to ask for hunting permission. And seeing as leased land does not list the leasee, always good to try to contact some random name, who lives in another province or country, to find out who is leasing the land... yeah, I’ve got a problem with this. This year I saw the least hunters out ever, might have been the snow, but I worry for our hunting future. And that means firearms owners. From what I hear, everybody thought the new law was in effect, and lots of people just said screw it. Not everyone has the time or knowledge to get permission from some random corporation for permission to hunt on unposted land. Rah rah, my land, stay the f off. Post it then. Let dad and the kids chicken hunt on the Hutterites unposted townships. Or watch our firearms community shrink to a bunch of fuds.
No offense intended, I just think long term, this will not end well...

You are correct sir! Personally I have always asked permission and sometimes locating a landowner is not an easy task. It's amazing how many acreages are owned by folks from other provinces and other countries. And LOTS of land whether locally owned or not is leased out to other farmers. Lots of landowners leave the access option to the lessee's and some do not. I always contact both and if one says yes and the other no I just run with the no and avoid any issues. There is lots of private land to access if youre willing to put in the time and effort to contact those in charge of it. A little respect and courtesy goes a long way.

 

[the spank]

Yes, I always find it incredibly easy to find out how to contact “sk1278654 corporation “ to ask for hunting permission. And seeing as leased land does not list the leasee, always good to try to contact some random name, who lives in another province or country, to find out who is leasing the land... yeah, I’ve got a problem with this. This year I saw the least hunters out ever, might have been the snow, but I worry for our hunting future. And that means firearms owners. From what I hear, everybody thought the new law was in effect, and lots of people just said screw it. Not everyone has the time or knowledge to get permission from some random corporation for permission to hunt on unposted land. Rah rah, my land, stay the f off. Post it then. Let dad and the kids chicken hunt on the Hutterites unposted townships. Or watch our firearms community shrink to a bunch of fuds.
No offense intended, I just think long term, this will not end well...

Yes finding out who is a corporation number can be a daunting task at times. There is a couple brothers in our area that own so much land it's incredible and they have at least 6 different farm and or corporation names and likely I'll discover more as I continue scouting and hunting.

 

[skhunter]

I'm a firm believer that if you claim crop damage from public funds but DO NOT allow the public to hunt and reduce game on your properties, that you should not be compensated at all.

If your dog gets loose and damages my property, you are responsible for the damage. If the publics animals do damage to my property, the public is responsible.

Should someone be allowed to kill your dog in order for me to receive compensation?

 

[trevj]

If your dog gets loose and damages my property, you are responsible for the damage. If the publics animals do damage to my property, the public is responsible.

Should someone be allowed to kill your dog in order for me to receive compensation?

Last I looked, there were several laws on the books that allowed property owners to shoot free running dogs, under specific conditions. It's sort of a bad example to be bringing up, really.

If you refuse to take advantage of, or even more particularly, actively prevent, access to Hunters who could otherwise contribute to solving the crop damage problem, either by population control or by the deterrent effect of their presence, I figure you should be a lot lower of a priority as far as getting public monies for the resultant damage. Sorta like a lot of other things in life. You should be required to demonstrate due diligence, if you wish to get compensation.

 

[coyoteking]

Yes, I always find it incredibly easy to find out how to contact “sk1278654 corporation “ to ask for hunting permission. And seeing as leased land does not list the leasee, always good to try to contact some random name, who lives in another province or country, to find out who is leasing the land... yeah, I’ve got a problem with this. This year I saw the least hunters out ever, might have been the snow, but I worry for our hunting future. And that means firearms owners. From what I hear, everybody thought the new law was in effect, and lots of people just said screw it. Not everyone has the time or knowledge to get permission from some random corporation for permission to hunt on unposted land. Rah rah, my land, stay the f off. Post it then. Let dad and the kids chicken hunt on the Hutterites unposted townships. Or watch our firearms community shrink to a bunch of fuds.
No offense intended, I just think long term, this will not end well...

I’ve posted my land for years. Almost every year the signs just magically disappear. It would make a lot more sense for those landowners that want to allow full access to their land to post it as such. I guarantee a sign stating “access allowed-permission not required” would never be illegally removed.

As for fewer hunters this year- I noticed a lot more out than usual. We didn’t have near as much snow in our area in November and when word got out there were a lot of hunters showing up here from other areas.

If you want evidence that trespassing laws do not affect hunter numbers, just look at every other jurisdiction in North America that have required permission to hunt on private property for decades. There are a lot more hunters per capita in Alberta where they have had strict access laws for at least 50 years than we have in Saskatchewan. Long term we will be just fine. Don’t forget there’s lots of public land to hunt.

 

[RobbieLaidlaw]

This law will not affect poachers, the same way that gun laws do not affect illegal gun owners.

 

[scruffee]

If your dog gets loose and damages my property, you are responsible for the damage. If the publics animals do damage to my property, the public is responsible.

Should someone be allowed to kill your dog in order for me to receive compensation?

This is an asinine comparison. Go ahead, shoot my dog if it's doing damage to your property. We, the public, are not responsible for damages done by wild animals. If you go on EI, you are expected to make efforts to find work. You can't just get public funds through EI to essentially do sweet #### all and enjoy all the benefits while maintaining EI. Same should go for crop damage compensation, you shouldn't get public funds unless you maintain reasonable access for the public to hunt.

It's either your land and you keep it all to yourself, as is and get nothing. Or you allow reasonable access which works towards solving the issue of extensive crop damage and can get public funds to help you. I don't get public money when gophers destroy my yard.

 

[skhunter]

This is an asinine comparison. Go ahead, shoot my dog if it's doing damage to your property. We, the public, are not responsible for damages done by wild animals. If you go on EI, you are expected to make efforts to find work. You can't just get public funds through EI to essentially do sweet #### all and enjoy all the benefits while maintaining EI. Same should go for crop damage compensation, you shouldn't get public funds unless you maintain reasonable access for the public to hunt.

It's either your land and you keep it all to yourself, as is and get nothing. Or you allow reasonable access which works towards solving the issue of extensive crop damage and can get public funds to help you. I don't get public money when gophers destroy my yard.

As long as the government on behalf of the public makes it illegal for the farmer to reduce the population himself, the government /public is responsible for damages done by those animals.

 

[howard2]

I am sure those of you who are unhappy with the changes to the trespass law understand that slob hunters and a few other inconsiderate people spoiled things for everyone. As a hunter and a land owner I can see both sides. I hunt on my own and other peoples land every year. I have to take the effort and seek permission for land that is not ours. It is respectful to the land owner, full stop. There was a time I was against this but no more. In my own experience I have had too many trespassers doing crop damage. Enough is enough. I have never ever refused hunting permission other than a pasture when there was cattle at large. It was a couple years ago I found a guy had dropped a draw bull moose out in our uncombined soybeans, retrieved it with a quad through the standing crop and left a gut pile out from the slough in the beans that I had to combine around. He freely admitted to me had been watching the bull the previous couple of weeks. If guys like that cant show a little respect then everyone can stay off. Hell I shouldn't have to post no trespassing to keep guys off. The implied consent that existed until now was wrong.

 

[guy329]

I am sure those of you who are unhappy with the changes to the trespass law understand that slob hunters and a few other inconsiderate people spoiled things for everyone. As a hunter and a land owner I can see both sides. I hunt on my own and other peoples land every year. I have to take the effort and seek permission for land that is not ours. It is respectful to the land owner, full stop. There was a time I was against this but no more. In my own experience I have had too many trespassers doing crop damage. Enough is enough. I have never ever refused hunting permission other than a pasture when there was cattle at large. It was a couple years ago I found a guy had dropped a draw bull moose out in our uncombined soybeans, retrieved it with a quad through the standing crop and left a gut pile out from the slough in the beans that I had to combine around. He freely admitted to me had been watching the bull the previous couple of weeks. If guys like that cant show a little respect then everyone can stay off. Hell I shouldn't have to post no trespassing to keep guys off. The implied consent that existed until now was wrong.

I'm pretty much in the same position and share your situation and frustration. Two weeks ago snowmbilers cut a fence to get onto the property. Who pays for that? It just spoiled it for everyone else. The public is no longer welcome here without permission. Why should anyone put up with that kind of behaviour. Ask permission or stay away.

 

[skhunter]

I'm pretty much in the same position and share your situation and frustration. Two weeks ago snowmbilers cut a fence to get onto the property. Who pays for that? It just spoiled it for everyone else. The public is no longer welcome here without permission. Why should anyone put up with that kind of behaviour. Ask permission or stay away.

So how does the new law stop fence cutting snowmobilers?