Permission from Tenant to Hunt Private Land

Go ahead and hunt. A warden is not going to "try" and find the LO if you doing everything like you should be, LEGAL. They protect natural resources and not others land.

If you do a search you will find in information from the US Army Corps of Engineers a list containing specific “navigable waters”. The list have waterways that have been “found” by a court of law to be navigable (the cases are listed where the complete finding can be found with the numerical articulation)

I found this thread while looking for tips on asking a riparian landowner for permission to access a lake for ice fishing.

However,I've had another thought (or question) regarding "navigable waterways" for some time. For me - now that seining wild minnows is no longer legal - it's a moot point. But it's still a nagging question.

There's been three times over the years when a landowner claimed the waterway abutting their property (in these cases,a creek) was exempt. In all three cases,a canoe could be used in portions of that creek(s) even during low water.

In two of the three cases,I was working on a property and mentioned to the landowner that I'd been in the creek in the past,seining minnows. I chose not to argue the point as it's never a good idea to argue with a customer. Besides,I was granted "permission" during those discussions. In the third case,I told him to "call a cop - I'm not leaving 'til I'm done.". Nothing came of it.

But are there any natural,navigable waterways that are "exempt"? (besides a fish refuge,a dangerous area below a dam,or other such places).

What I was saying, is that when in doubt, get the landowners permission. The leasee (as farmer and depending upon terms of lease) usually has no rights but that what he has lease for(inmost cases crop)has no authority giving permission to private land other than helping crop producer harvest or plant. No giving permission or denying permission to hunt. That is left up to the landowner. What are public and navigable waterways? Public lakes, rivers, and streams have a bottom (bed) and side (bank), and enough water to float ANY boat, skiff, or canoe of the shallowest draft on a reoccurring basis. Occasionally, barriers such as wood or plant debris may impede actual navigation, but waters are public even when multiple portages are required to get around obstructions. A waterway does not need to be regularly used for recreational or other general purposes, but is a public waterway based on its capacity to be navigable and public.

lookin 4 pny,

I wasn't talking about your post. Sorry if you thought I was.

WSB

"You guys that say don't worry, "sounds like the owner will never find out" are real class acts. I guess an excuse to trespass no matter how thin is better than no excuse at all."

What?? I guess in my first post I should have specified to have the tennant get you written permission from the landowner.

If you can get the permission in writing from the landowner you willl be good to go. Seems like it should be easy to get the landowners contact information. The more you can cover your butt the better off you will be.

All Wisconsin citizens have the right to boat, fish, hunt, ice skate, and swim on navigable waters,

Navigable waters. Please define the word navigable. If it's just a small creek that could hold no reasonable canoe than I wouldn't push the issue! Unless you are trout fishing. You will loose that battle. I have personally seen that happen more than once.

Also if you drop a deer on someone else's property you also have that to contend with unless you have written permission to be there as well.

Go ahead and hunt. You've got all you need.

You have broached a couple of items here that need to be cleared up.... On a lease, the farmer in this case has use of the land for only the use of the lease, say growing crops. He does not have the right to grant hunting rights to anyone...you, himself or his brother...that rests exclusively with the landowner. Two...all non man made waters are public domain. Access is provided by law. Use by the public cannot be denied. Walking along banks of a stream is also within your rights....

The Public Trust Doctrine Wisconsin's Waters Belong to Everyone

Wisconsin lakes and rivers are public resources, owned in common by all Wisconsin citizens under the state's Public Trust Doctrine. Based on the state constitution, this doctrine has been further defined by case law and statute. It declares that all navigable waters are "common highways and forever free", and held in trust by the Department of Natural Resources. Assures Public Rights in Waters

CanoeingWisconsin citizens have pursued legal and legislative action to clarify or change how this body of law is interpreted and implemented. As a result, the public interest, once primarily interpreted to protect public rights to transportation on navigable waters, has been broadened to include protected public rights to water quality and quantity, recreational activities, and scenic beauty.(1)

All Wisconsin citizens have the right to boat, fish, hunt, ice skate, and swim on navigable waters, as well as enjoy the natural scenic beauty of navigable waters, and enjoy the quality and quantity of water that supports those uses.(2)

Wisconsin law recognizes that owners of lands bordering lakes and rivers - "riparian" owners - hold rights in the water next to their property. These riparian rights include the use of the shoreline, reasonable use of the water, and a right to access the water. However, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court has ruled that when conflicts occur between the rights of riparian owners and public rights, the public's rights are primary and the riparian owner's secondary.(1) What are Wisconsin's stream and lake access laws?

Wisconsin's Public Trust Doctrine requires the state to intervene to protect public rights in the commercial or recreational use of navigable waters. The DNR, as the state agent charged with this responsibility, can do so through permitting requirements for water projects, through court action to stop nuisances in navigable waters, and through statutes authorizing local zoning ordinances that limit development along navigable waterways.

The court has ruled that DNR staff, when they review projects that could impact Wisconsin lakes and rivers, must consider the cumulative impacts of individual projects in their decisions. "A little fill here and there may seem to be nothing to become excited about. But one fill, though comparatively inconsequential, may lead to another, and another, and before long a great body may be eaten away until it may no longer exist. Our navigable waters are a precious natural heritage, once gone, they disappear forever," wrote the Wisconsin State Supreme Court justices in their opinion resolving Hixon v. PSC.(2)

The fact is that you do not need permission in order to use the shoreline, but contacting the landowner always is a good first, and respectful move.

and mentions nothing about hunting then there would be nothing the landlord can do other than tell me to leave and write up a new lease agreement.

That's where you are wrong. If it mentions nothing about hunting than I would have to believe he has no idea about that activity going on there. On the other hand if it mentions you and your guests have the right to hunt it then that is a totally different story and then you have written proof. Just because someone doesn't say no it doesn't give you permission. This is not the way that game is played. Again this is my honest opinion as a land owner. Better to clear the air and remove all doubt with the owner and the caretaker especially for safety's sake.

I am certainly not an advocate of trespassing at any level. I would have no problem keeping my feet wet and not letting it become an issue at all. However, just to be the devils advocate I propose this situation. As a former tenant myself, I was allowed to have guests over on the property I lived in. Legally, however I was responsible for reporting to my landlord any long term guests. Since the tenant allowed my being there on the plot, that would make me a guest. As long as I am not engaged in illegal activities, I don't see why the tenant wouldn't have the right to give permission. They are after all paying for the right to use the property. If in their lease agreement they are allowed to have guests, and mentions nothing about hunting then there would be nothing the landlord can do other than tell me to leave and write up a new lease agreement. I have nothing against contacting the landowner which I will certainly as soon as I can get their contact info from the tenant. I just wanted to show that tenants do have rights over the landlord in some situations.

Smitty, your still amongst the living. Great to hear! How is your quest for the best going so far??? I have only been within striking distance once this year to a keeper unfortunately he was with a lady and they where leaving the party!

You guys that say don't worry, "sounds like the owner will never find out" are real class acts. I guess an excuse to trespass no matter how thin is better than no excuse at all.

The only thing that will hold water in court is written permission by the land owner or verbal or by whom ever is the person in charge or the caretaker of the land.

Unless the tenant has it in his lease that he has the right to allow people on the land the answer is definitely NO. He has no right to give the permission and the landowner may in fact feel VERY differently...might not even allow the tenant hunting rights. Don't mean to rain on the parade but I am sure those are the facts.