By Deputy Executive Director Bill Williams

I’m a landowner and I’m a user of private lands as well. I think many sportsmen and women are in the same boat, and those who are recognize and understand the relationship between landowners and land users. There are others, however, who treat public access as a right and not the privilege it truly is.

I became a landowner about 20 years ago. I’ve been hunting on private land as long as I can remember. Frankly, I was probably one of those land users that took access to private land for granted, because I grew up in Greenville and had access to major landowner’s land who believed in public access. Major landowners at the time, like Scott Paper Company, had an open access policy on their property. It was easy to find good hunting areas. As I moved around the state, I became more and more aware that access to private land was not a right but a privilege that could easily be taken away. As I moved from the familiar surroundings of my home town and vast acres of open access, I saw more land being posted as no hunting or trespassing, leaving less open land on which I could hunt. I spent more time determining who owned the property where I wanted to hunt and began making contact with landowners for permission to hunt on their property. At first, this felt like a chore for me, and I felt uneasy about going to someone’s house to ask permission to use their land. However, the more time I’ve spent with landowners over the years, the easier it has become to engage landowners. What has impressed me most is the attitudes of these landowners. Most have been very gracious in allowing access, asking only that I treat the land with care and respect the privacy of the owner and any special conditions that come with their permission.

As a landowner, I do not post my property. I have asked some land users to leave and not come back in the future, given their careless attitudes towards me and my property. For the most part, people who use and enjoy my property do so respectfully. I have been fortunate as a landowner in this regard. Ultimately though, I have the greatest respect for those who take the extra time to ask permission first, rather than just assume that, since my property is not posted, they can use it as they wish.

So, speaking as both a landowner and a land user, I’ve outlined a few steps below that will improve relations between landowners and land users and help to continue Maine’s tradition of public access to private land.

• Just because land is not posted, don’t assume that you can use it without first asking permission

• Do some research. Meet the landowner and ask for permission to use his/her land. Establish a relationship with the landowner, recognizing the generosity they are showing in allowing public access

• Be specific in your request to use the land. Be sure to include all that you wish to do. A good example is the use of temporary tree stands. Don’t assume that because the landowner grants permission, he or she knows specifically how you will be using the property. Some landowners also appreciate knowing when you will be using the property, such as weekends only or during the week.
• Leave your business card or a note with contact information in case the landowner wants to reach you.
• Treat the property with respect. Leave the land in the same condition or better. Don’t be shy about cleaning up litter found on the property. A little trash collection is a small price to pay for access.
• Finally, let landowners know how much you have appreciated the use of their land. Stop by in person or send a quick note to thank a landowner for the privilege of using their land. This is also an opportunity to let them know what you did to help out on the property, who you met, etc.

Following these simple steps can lead to years of good relations between land users and landowners.

Maine Woodland Owners owns over 4000 acres of forestland that it keeps open to the public. Remember to not only thank individual landowners for access, but thank organizations that also make their property available as well.

The Necessary Balance Between Land Users and Landowners