purchasing land that is next to a preserve that allows seasonal hunting?

[Lizrd]

I am starting a new thread so that my one on acreage doesn’t get jumbled up with this question. We found a nice place that is next to a conservation area. We’d have 10 acres that runs the long side along 20 acres of conservation land - prairie in the front and the back half is wooded. The online information explains that the wooded section is closed Oct-January for hunting. I have already looked up the IL hunting information and it is open season during that time on lots of little critters and a few weekends for deer (bow and gun).

I don’t hunt and don’t come from a family of hunters nor does SO. I don’t want this thread to be about the pros and cons of hunting/conservation. My question is: Would you feel safe sharing a property line with public lands that can be used for hunting? Do I need to worry that my dogs (fawn colored) or I would get shot when out walking through the woods on my side? Does this mean I can’t be out wandering around and working on my land Oct-January? Are wounded deer going to go bounding through my property to get away (ugh!)? Do I need to worry that stray bullets might make it to my house? These are legitimate questions from a non-hunter so please don’t light me up. If we added livestock (goats, chickens, and sheep) they’d be out front in the grassy area (and I’d find little blaze orange jackets for the goats to wear).

Thank you for any thoughtful responses you can provide.

[trubandloki]

I do not even walk on the street during hunting season without wearing blaze orange, and all the hunters I know are very responsible people.

That is my way of saying that if you buy next to this land or any other land you should take measures during hunting season to make sure you and your animals are safe.

[Lizrd]

@trubandloki

I do not even walk on the street during hunting season without wearing blaze orange, and all the hunters I know are very responsible people.

That is my way of saying that if you buy next to this land or any other land you should take measures during hunting season to make sure you and your animals are safe.

Yikes. Yes, hunters don’t want to hurt anyone and don’t intend to miss their prey but… yikes.

[wsmoak]

We back up to a field that the owner allows hunting on. We don’t hunt so my 20 acres is basically a deer sanctuary. I wear blaze orange any time I’m away from the house on my own property during deer hunting season. Just in case. I also avoid anything that could look like a flash of white. Luckily the current horse has no chrome!

So, no issues buying the property because of the preserve – this is something you’ll deal with on any property really.

[wildlifer]

Well, pretty much anywhere in the south, if you didn’t want to have hunting on adjacent property, you couldn’t buy land anywhere. I say this in all seriousness, both as a farm owner, as an employee of our state wildlife agency & as someone who doesn’t hunt but has many many friends & co-workers who do. Don’t feel bad at all about asking questions, that’s how we all learn things & I’m happy to answer whatever I can. My input:

It partly depends on how hunting on adjacent properties is managed & enforced. Is this state land or is it private property?

A few general rule comments, with the caveat that each state makes its own regs & while there are many commonalities, you should check the details specific to your state. We have boundary & structure setbacks, i.e. you are not supposed to shoot within so many feet of any buildings or property lines, to account for concerns about stray bullets. Again, depends on enforcement, but getting to know your local officer can be helpful with this.

How I exist with it: most of the year, I am not concerned. I am in the middle of 3 horse properties in a row & we know the neighbours (all private property) at least at acquaintance level such that they don’t shoot in the direction of any of our pastures. Squirrel/rabbit hunters don’t bother me, they are generally not hunting with rifles & even if they miss, they are generally aiming at ground or sky (bullet unlikely to end up on me & small game loads don’t generally travel that far anyway).

Deer season is when I take extra precautions. I wish all hunters were like my friends who only pull the trigger when they are 100% certain of target ID & always think through sightlines, topography, etc. Sadly, they are not. So I have to plan for idiots, better safe than sorry.

I don’t worry too much about bow hunters, we don’t tend to have too many yahoo issues there, but it’s not impossible. Once rifle season starts, though, I generally stay out of the woods (my property is almost all pasture). It’s only a handful weeks in the middle of winter, so it’s not a huge deal. I DO still wear an orange vest, even on my own property, on the tractor, or when riding in my fields. The idiots that cause problems are the ones who shoot at sounds or a flash of white that they can’t really see, so I’m giving them no excuses.

On the rare occasions I might venture into the woods during gun season if it’s just a beautiful day, I time it carefully. I’ll go between about 12-2 pm on Sundays – deer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active in mornings & evenings, so most people aren’t hunting midday & in my case, my neighbours are experienced deer hunters who wouldn’t waste their time with that.

As for dogs, I would put a vest on them as well or at least an orange bandanna. It’s cheap & easy. Definitely wear a vest yourself (or a hat works too).

Wounded deer can happen, but then again, they could also be a result of car strikes, dog attacks or fence entanglements. I’ve only ever seen one deer anywhere that I was certain was a gun injury (leg wound). I suspect my coyote pack took care of that - I don’t like to see anything in pain, but everyone has to eat. If you do find a deer that is mortally wounded & are unable to dispatch it yourself, you can call enforcement to come finish it off.

I think that hits your questions, but again, I’m happy to answer others that you may have.

[HungarianHippo]

I would be very, very leery of this. While vast majority of hunters are very responsible and safety-minded, all it takes is one yahoo to make a mistake. And there are yahoos out there, especially on public hunting grounds. And especially ESPECIALLY on unattractive hunting grounds, such as a tiny 20ac area, only half of which is wooded. I feel it would be more likely to attract the inexperienced or less serious hunters. All this componded by the fact that Illinois allows rifle hunting for deer, because rifle bullets will travel a mile or more. Your fields and house would easily be within range of a wayward shot.

I’d a bit less concerned if it’s only shotgun hunting-- the main issue would probably be annoyance due to the noise.But that’s not trivial: since neither of you are hunters and you’re already nervous about the proximity, the noise annoyance could really impact your quality of life there. Those of us who have hunting nearby or on our land tend to be more sanguine about it. (I allow a trusted neighbor to hunt our 17 acre timber, and when I hear a shot I think: “Awesome, hope he gives us the tenderloin this year.” :lol: )

I checked IL hunting regs, and rifle hunting is disallowed in counties with population of 500k or more-- but there are only 5 counties in IL that meet that. And regardless of county, there are distance setback requirements: no hunting within 100yds of a house if shotgun or archery, and 300yds if rifle. So, on the map, mark these 100 & 300yd radii to see how much of the conservation area near you can actually be hunted. (Offer: I’ve got mapping software and this would take like 10 seconds for me to do it. I’d be happy to do that for you if you want to send me a PM with the address). But even if you could exclude parts of that conservation land from hunting, how would you go about enforcing that? You could ask the conservation manager to blaze trees or something to mark the exclusion area, but that’s not much protection.

I think, in your shoes, I’d probably pass.

[Simkie]

You might also check into if trapping is allowed on that property, particularly if you’re not going to perimeter fence your place to keep your dogs from wandering over.

Yeah, everything is going to need to wear orange during hunting season.

[Lizrd]

@Simkie

You might also check into if trapping is allowed on that property, particularly if you’re not going to perimeter fence your place to keep your dogs from wandering over.

Yeah, everything is going to need to wear orange during hunting season.

Dogs would certainly have a play yard that was fenced and secure. I mean not bullet proof, but it would be up by the house in the cleared area. You are right though, if I have this space I would intend to go walking on the cleared path that goes through the woods. Previewing it yesterday there is a 4 strand barbed wire fence that runs the length of the property line. It is a visual clue when you are right up on it but A) would only hurt the dogs and B) isn’t visible in the woods.

I don’t think trapping is allowed. This is rural fringe, collar county of Chicago.

[Simkie]

@Lizrd

I don’t think trapping is allowed. This is rural fringe, collar county of Chicago.

I’ve known several people that have lost dogs or have come very close to losing dogs because they thought trapping wasn’t allowed in their suburbanish area.

Sometimes it’s unlicensed, illegal trapping. Often it’s not, though.

It really is worth looking in to, rather than making assumptions.

[Lizrd]

@wsmoak

I also avoid anything that could look like a flash of white. Luckily the current horse has no chrome!

So, no issues buying the property because of the preserve – this is something you’ll deal with on any property really.

My dogs are Boxers - so fawn colored with white chests. I may have to spray paint them…Let’s just say they would not be out of my sight during deer season. They aren’t out of my sight now anyways.

[Marla_100]

NO WAY, NO HOW would I pursue buying next to an open hunting preserve. Know folks who’ve lived next to yahoos who

practice shooting whenever. She was petrified for her horses. A BIG PASS on this property.

[js]

Our experience was hunters don’t always look at what direction they are shooting. We had a few stray rounds hit close to our house, the pasture with the horses and myself were rained on by buck shot during dove season, we were in plain site of the hunters but they didn’t care. I always wore bright orange when dumping manure etc. it was something we lived with you just need to be vigilant.

[lenapesadie]

I’d be much less inclined to purchase public property open for hunting than private property hunted by owners. But that’s just me

[GoodTimes]

SO hunts so what you describe would be perfect property for us.

My parents own 200 acres that back on to 50 acres of crown land. They’ve never had issues with the public. But they frequently have issues with the neighbours on one side who “accidentally” trespass every year.

Clearly mark your property line with No Trespassing and No Hunting signs, along with flagging tape.

Wear orange during hunting season, especially if you’re out around dawn or dusk.

Bow hunters shouldn’t present any danger. Most won’t take a shot that’s more than 40 yards.
While Rifle and shotgun do have longer ranges, hunting in a wooded area still means a deer would have to be fairly close to get a shot.

With a small tract of land like you describe, most are probably hunting from tree stands or blinds. They’ll find an active trail and sit and wait. Walking through the bush will just scare the deer on to neighbouring properties where they can’t take a shot.

Is there any water or ponds in that tract? We live on the water and our current dog doesn’t like loud noises. On the weekends during the fall I let her out before dawn and then keep her inside until noon. The noise from hunting waterfowl is significant compared to game.

I can’t complain though. It’s tradition when my cousins visit for either Thanksgiving or Christmas that we all get together at my parents farm and shoot clays. Nonstop shooting from multiple guns for an hour or so.

That’s life in most rural areas.

[cayuse]

I personally would not consider the property. I have had hunters hop my fence and walk right on through our back yard to track deer. And that is with ordinances against hunting in my part of town. Good thing my chestnut with chrome welsh pony was stalled that afternoon or he woulda been on a plate.

[cloudyandcallie]

Do not buy there. They will shoot your horses and dogs and cats and YOU. I’ve known hunters in GA and SC all my life.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Nope.

[Texarkana]

How do people buy in the country without sharing property lines with hunters? I’m not even sure you could find such a place around here. Every farm I have ever lived on in three states has had neighboring hunting activity at least part of the year. I hate it, but thankfully not had major issues. Coexisting with other outdoor recreational activities is part of rural life unfortunately.

[Lizrd]

@wildlifer

Well, pretty much anywhere in the south, if you didn’t want to have hunting on adjacent property, you couldn’t buy land anywhere. I say this in all seriousness, both as a farm owner, as an employee of our state wildlife agency & as someone who doesn’t hunt but has many many friends & co-workers who do. Don’t feel bad at all about asking questions, that’s how we all learn things & I’m happy to answer whatever I can. My input:

It partly depends on how hunting on adjacent properties is managed & enforced. Is this state land or is it private property?

I think that hits your questions, but again, I’m happy to answer others that you may have.

Thank you, Wildlifer. It is nice to hear from your experience. We do have rifle season and bow hunting I understand. While I am a suburban girl we live on the rural fringe and right near Wisconsin where hunting is a way of life. I appreciate you and everyone else here chiming in.

[HungarianHippo]

I totally agree with co-existing, and don’t have any real alarm about the hunting that takes place on 3 sides of my property. We take common sense precautions-- don’t walk out back by my woods without blaze, keep the horses in the paddock close to the barn, and most importantly, get to know the neighbors so you know who’s out there with a gun. It’s as much a service to them-- they appreciate knowing that we’d recognize if a poacher was taking advantage of people being at work or whatever. But hunting on private property where there are limited #s of people involved is a completely different situation vs public hunting land, where you have daytrippers with no connection to / sense of responsibility to the neighbors.