Deer hunting advice.

[da.bees]

Most every day we hear how stupid people are now days and here we are talking about turning them loose on our property with guns. I'd say having them sign a waiver is a small thing to ask.

 

[Buckhammer]

I have been hunting a place for the last two years on just a phone call to the deer manager on the farm I hunt. Pretty good spot. Got 4 deer there last year.. The owner took over managing the hunting and is now wanting me to sign a 4 page letter outlining when, where and etc. And that I wont sue them if I fall out of a tree, slip in the snow and bust a leg etc . Basically I can't sue if I get hurt. I am not the sue type anyways. I get hurt it's my fault. My question to you all is this. Is this the new normal and is it wise to sign the paper just to hunt? I enjoy it but don't "need" to hunt. Should I have them sign something in return that protects myself from some lawsuit from them? I deal with a firm handshake that binds me to my word. This is just all new to me. What do you all advise?

Are you hunting the farm for free or do you pay a lease fee? Or does it even matter. Just be thankful you have a place to hunt that allows you to take the best tasting meat, meat that you know where it comes from, and is good for you. Sign the papers and say thank you and move on to bigger issues in life.

 

[ss55]

I have been hunting a place for the last two years on just a phone call to the deer manager on the farm I hunt. Pretty good spot. Got 4 deer there last year.. The owner took over managing the hunting and is now wanting me to sign a 4 page letter outlining when, where and etc. And that I wont sue them if I fall out of a tree, slip in the snow and bust a leg etc . Basically I can't sue if I get hurt. I am not the sue type anyways. I get hurt it's my fault. My question to you all is this. Is this the new normal and is it wise to sign the paper just to hunt? I enjoy it but don't "need" to hunt. Should I have them sign something in return that protects myself from some lawsuit from them? I deal with a firm handshake that binds me to my word. This is just all new to me. What do you all advise?

That type of paperwork is normal for any lease or rental regardless of the price.

May I ask, how much do people pay for hunting rights or a hunting lease?

Is a verbal agreement enforceable in court or is it worth less.

 

[a49deere]

I'm think a verbal agreement might as well be thrown in the wind! Even a written agreement will probably still be subject to a suit with the lawyers and spineless judges nowadays!! JMHO!

 

[plattman]

Many states explicitly state you cannot sue the property owner when he has given permission to hunt. Look in your state game laws.

Indiana would be one of them. Landowners are held harmless for persons using their lands.

 

[Tony in SD]

I have had hunters on my land for near 40 years. First thing I have them do when they arrive is to sign a waiver that says all parties on my side are not liable for anything. Most of my hunters are city folk and hunt many places besides mine. They all expect to sign a waiver where ever they hunt. My waiver was written by my attorney, who is also a hunter. Conversely, I have hunted at several guided hunts and benifit hunts and have signed waivers my self. Miss Candy and I are both Cowboy Action Shooters and we sign similar waiver at every club we shoot at. It is rare that any kind of shooting sport, entity and or location that does not have a hold harmless waiver of some sort. I would not worry about it and would probably sign it. It is what you probably agreed to with a handshake anyway.

 

[Tony in SD]

Indiana would be one of them. Landowners are held harmless for persons using their lands.

So would South Dakota. Landowners are held harmless for persons using their lands. Although to my knowledge that law has not been tested in court.

 

[john in la]

True story
Land owner owned 50,000 acres
Hunting club leased 1,500 acres
Member took his dad hunting left him in a blind and walked down a logging road to hunt
Member was walking back to dad with lawn chair that had legs sticking in air and rifle over shoulder
Member was wearing orange but it was dim light
Dad shot son and killed him
Wife sued
Loss
Appealed
Loss again

Just the lawyer fees to defend themselves had to be more than the lease money brought in.

Edit to say.....
I wonder if the wife sued the father in law ????