What would you do?

[cgode]

Here's the deal, there is a field next to a stream about 3 miles from my house. It is plowed every spring and fall and is owned by a large commercial nursery which has property all over the area. The field sits in a residential neighborhood and happens to be a field that I've heard from two different sources that has artifacts in it. As a matter of fact, I found a copy of an archeological report of my area and this field is an old Indian campsite and the State Archeological a
Association spent a summer there a few years back......I couldn't find out what their findings were of course.

I intended to go to the main office of the nursery and inquire if it would be ok if I wander around on their property looking for arrowheads with my 8 year old son. Today, I happened to run into a gentleman that works for the nursery in the hardware store so I asked him. He said the owners don't like people on their property and would likely say no, but IF....I was to wander out there, no one from the nursery would know as it's not a place frequented often by the staff......Then he ended the conversation with the statement of "you didn't hear that from me though".......


What would you guys do?.....this guy left me with the impression that he didn't care and wouldn't send me packing if he saw me.

[james b]

Whats the worst that can happen? If someone sees you they prob. won't shoot you. Maybe you could offer to do some work for them in exchange for hunting rights? I don't know how trespass laws work in your area so I can't really say if I would trespass or not.

[rock hound taylor]

well the negative by far outweighs the positive. not only is it private property but its registerd w/ the state. Until you have written permission i would refrain from gambling.

[lance b]

I would go. Worse they can do is walk over and tell you to leave. And by then ,hell ,maybe a Clovis. I mean,there just Layin there and not getting picked up.I was out walkin a creek once and heard a lot of honking and walked over to my car and some dude had a gun at me and was red in the face. Were friends now. Haha. So go figure.

[Scotto]

It's a matter of opinion I guess, but I would go. I did something similar a year ago, at a local airport. Had a couple employees pretty much say the same thing that the guy told you at the store.
So I walked it, probably 5 or 6 times, then one day here comes the security guard driving up. He asked what I was doing and seemed sort of upset, but I was real nice and then he loosened up. Before he left he wished me good luck, told me to stay clear of the runways and be careful. After that day when he saw me he just waved, and all was good.
You never know.

[Cluton]

Get there! I have a few spots like that myself! Be a gentlemen, and if they tell you to leave, apologize and roll!!

[Chad Gilbert]

I would go ahead and ask first. If the main office says OK then the dilemma is over. Tell them you plan on taking the 8 year old and you odds of a yes increase.

If they say no then you have to decide if you want to go anyway. They have a big liability issue if either of you are injured on their private property. Offer to sign a waiver against holding them responsible and they might change their mind.

I would be pretty upset if some stranger violated my private property rights and would call the law to deal with them. Being macho and running them off could get me in more trouble than it's worth.

[cachefind09]

First of all, I would ask the owner directly and not take the opinion of an employee as to getting permission to hunt. You never know, they might open up to you and let you in. It is disrespectful to trespass and even worse to knowingly trespass. In the worst case you could get arrested. One time a land owner had the sheriff called on someone I know who was hunting without permission. He wasn't arrested because no signs were posted which was the law at the time. If you decide to go, make sure you have a good excuse to be there, like looking for your dog or something. Personally it wouldn't make for a relaxing hunt because you would always be worried about being spotted by someone.

[joshuaream]

Originally Posted by cgode

He said the owners don't like people on their property and would likely say no.

Since he told you the above mentioned quote, I'd say you would be trespassing. You know who the owners are and that they don't like people out there.

[Gibby]

Sounds like a good way to get shot at around here. I personally would not be able to enjoy it. I hunt arrowheads because I love the rocks and I enjoy the peaceful time to myself. I cannot see it being enjoyable to have to look over your shoulder every noise or anything you heard. No rock is worth spending time in the clink.