Wild Turkey Hunting private land...pressure due to Covid-19 restrictions

There will be a lot of pressure on privately owned property will the closures of many public properties.
The information below is from the MNR Ontario hunting regulations. It is worth noting that it is up to the hunter or fisherman to ask for permission prior to entering private property.
note: any land under cultivation is deemed private property and does not need to be posted.
Land under cultivation would be any land that has been ploughed or is planted. This would include fields planted with winter wheat or a cover crop.
As a rural property owner I am aware that it will be difficult to find places to hunt. This does not give anyone permission to trespass even if the property is not posted. My family made a decision to buy a rural property over 30 years ago and after retirement almost 8 years ago, we are now living here full time. Over the 30 years we made sacrifices and financial decisions to keep the property. We did not go on vacations with our children, etc and at times had to really scrape to afford the property. We have also made numerous improvements to our property and house and we are at the point where our land supports a wide variety of wildlife. It is my right to use my property and to decide who can or cannot hunt or fish on my property. Others who own rural properties are in the same situation. There are a number of people on this forum who have been to my property to hunt or to hunt on neighbour’s property where I have permission.
please keep in mind that the owner of the property decides who can or cannot have access.
Trespassing
It is unlawful to enter private property
once notice has been given that entry
is prohibited, or that certain activities
like hunting are prohibited. Notice of no trespassing may be given in a variety of ways, including verbally, signs, symbols (for example a red circle 4 inches in diameter), coloured markings or fences.

Lands under cultivation are also considered to be notice against entry.
ALWAYS ask for permission and obey posted signs.



Not all land is signed. Unsigned lands
may be private land as well. It is your responsibility to find out who owns the land you wish to hunt on and to determine if entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting are prohibited. If unsure, stay out. If a wounded animal runs onto private property where notice has been given that entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting have been prohibited, you must seek permission to retrieve the animal. Positive landowner or occupier/hunter relationships are important to the future of hunting in Ontario.



You may not enter private land in a party of more than 12 persons without the express permission of the occupier if any member of the party possesses a firearm or other hunting device.
Help Protect Our Natural Resources
Solve a Natural Resource Case

Great post

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

There will be a lot of pressure on privately owned property will the closures of many public properties.
The information below is from the MNR Ontario hunting regulations. It is worth noting that it is up to the hunter or fisherman to ask for permission prior to entering private property.
note: any land under cultivation is deemed private property and does not need to be posted.
Land under cultivation would be any land that has been ploughed or is planted. This would include fields planted with winter wheat or a cover crop.
As a rural property owner I am aware that it will be difficult to find places to hunt. This does not give anyone permission to trespass even if the property is not posted. My family made a decision to buy a rural property over 30 years ago and after retirement almost 8 years ago, we are now living here full time. Over the 30 years we made sacrifices and financial decisions to keep the property. We did not go on vacations with our children, etc and at times had to really scrape to afford the property. We have also made numerous improvements to our property and house and we are at the point where our land supports a wide variety of wildlife. It is my right to use my property and to decide who can or cannot hunt or fish on my property. Others who own rural properties are in the same situation. There are a number of people on this forum who have been to my property to hunt or to hunt on neighbour’s property where I have permission.
please keep in mind that the owner of the property decides who can or cannot have access.
Trespassing
It is unlawful to enter private property
once notice has been given that entry
is prohibited, or that certain activities
like hunting are prohibited. Notice of no trespassing may be given in a variety of ways, including verbally, signs, symbols (for example a red circle 4 inches in diameter), coloured markings or fences.

Lands under cultivation are also considered to be notice against entry.
ALWAYS ask for permission and obey posted signs.



Not all land is signed. Unsigned lands
may be private land as well. It is your responsibility to find out who owns the land you wish to hunt on and to determine if entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting are prohibited. If unsure, stay out. If a wounded animal runs onto private property where notice has been given that entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting have been prohibited, you must seek permission to retrieve the animal. Positive landowner or occupier/hunter relationships are important to the future of hunting in Ontario.



You may not enter private land in a party of more than 12 persons without the express permission of the occupier if any member of the party possesses a firearm or other hunting device.
Help Protect Our Natural Resources
Solve a Natural Resource Case

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The name of the game for rural landowners is to CYA. Properly post the property and ensure all gates and fences are locked and in good repair. Never rely on regulations to cover your liabilities because sure as God made little green apples,there'll be some ambulance-chasing lawyer to convince some "entitled" trespasser to sue because you failed to dot the i's and cross the t's.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

The name of the game for rural landowners is to CYA. Properly post the property and ensure all gates and fences are locked and in good repair. Never rely on regulations to cover your liabilities because sure as God made little green apples,there'll be some ambulance-chasing lawyer to convince some "entitled" trespasser to sue because you failed to dot the i's and cross the t's.

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Pretty much every insurance policy for rural properties has coverage for this sort of thing. My policy even has coverage for accidental manure spills, even though I have no barn or animals. $5 million in coverage with my policy.

I doubt you will find your target audience on this forum . . . .

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Pretty much every insurance policy for rural properties has coverage for this sort of thing. My policy even has coverage for accidental manure spills, even though I have no barn or animals. $5 million in coverage with my policy.

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Pretty much every insurance policy for rural properties has coverage for this sort of thing. My policy even has coverage for accidental manure spills, even though I have no barn or animals. $5 million in coverage with my policy.

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And do you feel safe with 5mil. I have the same my sister who was in insurance before retiring says it’s not courts are crazy

I believe woodlots are automatically considered posted under the Trespass to Property Act as well. This would be one of the most important thing I think for turkey hunting.

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Originally Posted by KennyT

I believe woodlots are automatically considered posted under the Trespass to Property Act as well.

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What is your definition of a "woodlot"?

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Originally Posted by KennyT

I believe woodlots are automatically considered posted under the Trespass to Property Act as well. This would be one of the most important thing I think for turkey hunting.

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They are, providing the wood lot is on land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes. A southern Ontario thing mostly....Posting them properly removes all doubt though ..

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Pretty much every insurance policy for rural properties has coverage for this sort of thing. My policy even has coverage for accidental manure spills, even though I have no barn or animals. $5 million in coverage with my policy.

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I would never trust an insurance to pay out on any claim just because you paid the premium,especially,if you've left something to chance like deliberately not taking every opportunity to mitigate all eventualities. They're notorious for that crap. Any "out" you leave them and they'll deny the claim out-of-hand leaving you no choice,but,to sue them. Now,do you really want to pay $50K in legal fees to settle for $50K with no guarantee you'll ever collect?

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Originally Posted by KennyT

I believe woodlots are automatically considered posted under the Trespass to Property Act as well. This would be one of the most important thing I think for turkey hunting.

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That's actually not entirely true. The restriction for treed lots is the height of the tree, as in a nursery.

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Originally Posted by smokin'stoegie

That's actually not entirely true. The restriction for treed lots is the height of the tree, as in a nursery.

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That’s only one circumstance. The bush lot is mentioned separately....
From the TPA...

Prohibition of entry

[COLOR=#505050]3 (1) Entry on premises may be prohibited by notice to that effect and entry is prohibited without any notice on premises,
[COLOR=#505050](a) that is a garden, field or other land that is under cultivation, including a lawn, orchard, vineyard and premises on which trees have been planted and have not attained an average height of more than two metres and woodlots on land used primarily for agricultural purposes; or
[COLOR=#505050](b) that is enclosed in a manner that indicates the occupier’s intention to keep persons off the premises or to keep animals on the premises. R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21, s. 3 (1).

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Originally Posted by js4fn

And do you feel safe with 5mil. I have the same my sister who was in insurance before retiring says it’s not courts are crazy

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5mil.......I would only feel safe with my 9mm......oh wait

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

I would never trust an insurance to pay out on any claim just because you paid the premium,especially,if you've left something to chance like deliberately not taking every opportunity to mitigate all eventualities. They're notorious for that crap. Any "out" you leave them and they'll deny the claim out-of-hand leaving you no choice,but,to sue them. Now,do you really want to pay $50K in legal fees to settle for $50K with no guarantee you'll ever collect?

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Great point and soooooo true

Interesting how some people are looking for loopholes. It’s very simple, don’t go on land that you do not own or have permission from the owner to use. If this isn’t the case, you are trespassing. Simple!

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Interesting how some people are looking for loopholes. It’s very simple, don’t go on land that you do not own or have permission from the owner to use. If this isn’t the case, you are trespassing. Simple!

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That is my fav line when I run into trespassers.......if you do not know where you are then you are trespassing.....and if you are not trespassing then I must be trespassing now what one is it. Maybe I'll call the land owner to come over to talk to you about it - he is hunting one farm over.

Someone posted the section of the Trespass to Property Act on the next pages. My personal definition is not really relevant. Ultimately, the person that said something similar to "if you are looking for loopholes, then you know you are trespassing" hit the nail on the head.

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Originally Posted by KennyT

Someone posted the section of the Trespass to Property Act on the next pages. My personal definition is not really relevant. Ultimately, the person that said something similar to "if you are looking for loopholes, then you know you are trespassing" hit the nail on the head.

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How do you guys deal with crown land that is being cultivated?

Not every one that is caught trespassing means to trespass. Im guilty but my intent was not to trespass. I was hunting a bush lot that joins into another bush lot, that is owned by someone else. There is know boundary lines or stakes out, theres no trees cut down or signage. I got turned around in the forest and walked to far onto another property, when I got cell service I checked my map and realized I was a property over from where I was supposed to be. Was it my fault yes, did I mean to do it know. Now if someone found me and I said sorry i'm lost does that make me what everyone here is portraying as this evil trespasser .

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

Not every one that is caught trespassing means to trespass. Im guilty but my intent was not to trespass. I was hunting a bush lot that joins into another bush lot, that is owned by someone else. There is know boundary lines or stakes out, theres no trees cut down or signage. I got turned around in the forest and walked to far onto another property, when I got cell service I checked my map and realized I was a property over from where I was supposed to be. Was it my fault yes, did I mean to do it know. Now if someone found me and I said sorry i'm lost does that make me what everyone here is portraying as this evil trespasser .

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Short answer......No !

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

Now if someone found me and I said sorry i'm lost does that make me what everyone here is portraying as this evil trespasser .

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No and the law will protect you...if the land is not clearly defined or signed, it is up to the occupier to prove you're trespassing and ask you to leave.

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It is an offence to trespass on public and private property in Ontario. Under the Trespass to Property Act, you commit trespassing when you:

go onto another person’s property where it is prohibited with notice in writing (can be a sign stating ‘NO ENTRY’);

do something on another person’s property that is prohibited. Things that are prohibited are listed on a sign; or

do not leave the property immediately after being told to do so by the owner or a person authorized by the owner.

If you can show that you thought that you had permission to be on the property, then you have a defence to a trespassing charge. It is up to you to convince the court that your belief was reasonable. Permission can be withdrawn at any time and it would be trespassing if you were asked to leave the premises and refused to do so.

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Entry on to Private Property

In general, terms anyone may enter onto private property to do anything, which is lawful without occupier permission unless the entrant has been given notice that entry is prohibited. Therefore, a private owned bush lot is available to the public until the occupier notifies otherwise. The occupier has a number of options when it comes to letting people know that entry is prohibited or that activities are restricted.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

No and the law will protect you...if the land is not clearly defined or signed, it is up to the occupier to prove you're trespassing and ask you to leave.

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Correct me if I am wrong. But a fence means no trespassing. A cropped field means no entry. Red dots and signs as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

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Originally Posted by MikePal

No and the law will protect you...if the land is not clearly defined or signed, it is up to the occupier to prove you're trespassing and ask you to leave.

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Read what I posted and it will tell you that you are incorrect. For example any cultivated land as deemed private property.
Sounds like someone making excuses and looking for loopholes so they can trespass. People like this definitely need to stay home. Read the information again and it states very clearly if you don’t have permission, you are trespassing.

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Originally Posted by Ontariofarmer

Correct me if I am wrong. But a fence means no trespassing. A cropped field means no entry. Red dots and signs as well.

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I agree...but as I said...

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"if the land is not clearly defined or signed

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..in response to Tom Goggle situation.,:

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There is know boundary lines or stakes out, theres no trees cut down or signage. I got turned around in the forest and walked to far onto another property,

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Read what I posted and it will tell you that you are incorrect. .

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Ditto....

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

Not every one that is caught trespassing means to trespass. Im guilty but my intent was not to trespass. I was hunting a bush lot that joins into another bush lot, that is owned by someone else. There is know boundary lines or stakes out, theres no trees cut down or signage. I got turned around in the forest and walked to far onto another property, when I got cell service I checked my map and realized I was a property over from where I was supposed to be. Was it my fault yes, did I mean to do it know. Now if someone found me and I said sorry i'm lost does that make me what everyone here is portraying as this evil trespasser .

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I'm one of several rural property owners with adjoining acreages who have an informal "property watch" when douchebags from the city show up during hunting season. "I'm lost" is second only to "I didn't see no signs" as the typical excuse when a trespasser is found. Also heard was "Yeah, well I got permission from (insert imaginary name)" or "I got a right to hunt here" or some other lameass excuse. Say what you want when we catch you. You won't be believed and you will be reported.

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Interesting how some people are looking for loopholes. It’s very simple, don’t go on land that you do not own or have permission from the owner to use. If this isn’t the case, you are trespassing. Simple!

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I don't think posters,here,are looking for loopholes. Trespassing,in and of itself,is not an absolute offense except under only one circumstance and that's specifically defined as "land under cultivation" which includes "woodlots" when crops are under a certain height. In every other circumstance,proper signage must be clearly visible as prescribed. Failure to do so allows the trespasser a defense against a charge. It's also important to note that a landowner or agent must advise a trespasser that they are,in fact,on private property and order them to leave. An offense only occurs if they refuse to do so,forthwith. The set fine is only $250. Is that really worth all the angst against trespassers? Nope,not in my book. Too many bad things can happen when confronting others when you have no idea who or what you're dealing with.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

I'm one of several rural property owners with adjoining acreages who have an informal "property watch" when douchebags from the city show up during hunting season. "I'm lost" is second only to "I didn't see no signs" as the typical excuse when a trespasser is found. Also heard was "Yeah, well I got permission from (insert imaginary name)" or "I got a right to hunt here" or some other lameass excuse. Say what you want when we catch you. You won't be believed and you will be reported.

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Reported and charged are two very different things. If someone mistakenly wonders on to property, the offence occurs only if he/she does not leave when directed by an occupier or owner....unless the property is clearly marked, or is such that signage or marking is not required. ie, fenced, land under cultivation, tree nurseries, wood lots on agricultural land...etc...
Trespassing is the number one complaint COs handle. The TPA needs an overhaul !! I can see a day coming where written permission is mandatory ...

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

Reported and charged are two very different things. If someone mistakenly wonders on to property, the offence occurs only if he/she does not leave when directed by an occupier or owner....unless the property is clearly marked, or is such that signage or marking is not required. ie, fenced, land under cultivation, tree nurseries, wood lots on agricultural land...etc...
Trespassing is the number one complaint COs handle. The TPA needs an overhaul !! I can see a day coming where written permission is mandatory ...

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I absolutely agree. Instead of amendments to the Trespass to Property Act,the re-write should be under the FWCAct to pertain to "trespass to hunt" specifically. Fines should be $2500 instead of $250 and landowner's written permission should be required in every circumstance. Hunters trespassing complaints was the #1 PITA complaint we had to respond to. 95% of the time,the trespassers were gone on arrival and the complainant could give us no information as to description of people or vehicles. It was a huge waste of time and the reason those complaints immediately went to the bottom of the occurrence list if we were busy with more serious incidents.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

I don't think posters,here,are looking for loopholes. Trespassing,in and of itself,is not an absolute offense except under only one circumstance and that's specifically defined as "land under cultivation" which includes "woodlots" when crops are under a certain height. In every other circumstance,proper signage must be clearly visible as prescribed. Failure to do so allows the trespasser a defense against a charge. It's also important to note that a landowner or agent must advise a trespasser that they are,in fact,on private property and order them to leave. An offense only occurs if they refuse to do so,forthwith. The set fine is only $250. Is that really worth all the angst against trespassers? Nope,not in my book. Too many bad things can happen when confronting others when you have no idea who or what you're dealing with.

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This is sort of like saying I slept with your wife because no one told me I couldn’t. Plain and simple, if you own the land or you have permission directly from the owner, you can go on it. If not, you are trespassing.
Anyone without direct permission is not allowed on the property. Why is this so hard to grasp? I don’t give a s*** whether you will be charged or how much, just admit that trespassing is wrong. You can’t argue with facts.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

I'm one of several rural property owners with adjoining acreages who have an informal "property watch" when douchebags from the city show up during hunting season. "I'm lost" is second only to "I didn't see no signs" as the typical excuse when a trespasser is found. Also heard was "Yeah, well I got permission from (insert imaginary name)" or "I got a right to hunt here" or some other lameass excuse. Say what you want when we catch you. You won't be believed and you will be reported.

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We have the same situation in Niagara - I hunt on 3 farms that are all on the same road and all connected and I find that the people that I catch trespassing are not citiots but rather entitled locals that feel they can do whatever the hell they want just because they live in town.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

I'm one of several rural property owners with adjoining acreages who have an informal "property watch" when douchebags from the city show up during hunting season. "I'm lost" is second only to "I didn't see no signs" as the typical excuse when a trespasser is found. Also heard was "Yeah, well I got permission from (insert imaginary name)" or "I got a right to hunt here" or some other lameass excuse. Say what you want when we catch you. You won't be believed and you will be reported.

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First of all I'am not from the city and second just because you live in rural Ontario doesn't make you prone from not getting lost. I used my self as an example to prove a point not everyone is a douchebag like you are portraying. I don't blame you for being upset but it seems like your a typical land owner and that you believe you have some right to be a jerk off. See how easy it is to stereotype.

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

This is sort of like saying I slept with your wife because no one told me I couldn’t. Plain and simple, if you own the land or you have permission directly from the owner, you can go on it. .

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Interesting you equate a wife to property. Wonder how your wife would feel about that. In any case its an example the shows both of you are "right". If she has been properly posted ie wedding band, one should of known or ought to have know she is off limits. If you come across a woman not posted ie wedding band or fenced off ie chastity belt should be good for access. Of course this is tongue in check mostly because going a bit stir crazy and not impressed with the pointless bickering.
Yes trespassing is illegal and inappropriate .
Yes there is a legal definition to what amounts to trespassing.
Yes its the owners responsibility to remove any and all possible avenue for presumed permission.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Interesting you equate a wife to property. Wonder how your wife would feel about that. In any case its an example the shows both of you are "right". If she has been properly posted ie wedding band, one should of known or ought to have know she is off limits. If you come across a woman not posted ie wedding band or fenced off ie chastity belt should be good for access. Of course this is tongue in check mostly because going a bit stir crazy and not impressed with the pointless bickering.
Yes trespassing is illegal and inappropriate .
Yes there is a legal definition to what amounts to trespassing.
Yes its the owners responsibility to remove any and all possible avenue for presumed permission.

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You clearly need to get out and go fishin’ .......

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Why is this so hard to grasp?

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I think a few of us are asking the same thing. It's not that hard to understand....Once you're told you're trespassing the law says you must leave or you will be charged. Until then if you happen to 'trespass' on private land and you don't know it, you haven't broken a law.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

You clearly need to get out and go fishin’ .......

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Best to social distance from him :)

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

First of all I'am not from the city and second just because you live in rural Ontario doesn't make you prone from not getting lost. I used my self as an example to prove a point not everyone is a douchebag like you are portraying. I don't blame you for being upset but it seems like your a typical land owner and that you believe you have some right to be a jerk off. See how easy it is to stereotype.

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My property is signed. So are all the surrounding properties. Nevertheless, we continue to see douchebags who mumble about being "lost" or "not seeing the sign" or want to argue they have a "right" to be there. If you are actually "lost" and apologize when you are discovered, immediately GTFO and are never seen again you won't have a problem.

I have authority over three properties and exclusive access to a neighbours property . Proper signs have been posted ie; Red Dots on white background, Red Dots painted on trees/posts, No Trespassing, No Trespassing without written permission, Private Property. These signs will keep honest people honest. There will always be those whether from the city or locals that don't give a hoot. If I find someone where they shouldn't be I always start off friendly and depending on their attitude determines what happens next. This year I should buy a GoPro and record their excuses as I have heard some doozies ! If possible take a photo of their vehicle because chances are the name they gave you is B S . I have family and close friends that will be given written permission from me just in case they bump into somebody that doesn't and to follow my lead as to dealing with such.

I'm not happy either about the closures as it puts the added worry about having strangers with guns around on property that I think I have all to myself. It becomes a safety issue. I've been hunting since I was 12 and in 50 years of hunting I have never shot anybody and would like to keep my record unblemished.

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

This is sort of like saying I slept with your wife because no one told me I couldn’t. Plain and simple, if you own the land or you have permission directly from the owner, you can go on it. If not, you are trespassing.
Anyone without direct permission is not allowed on the property. Why is this so hard to grasp? I don’t give a s*** whether you will be charged or how much, just admit that trespassing is wrong. You can’t argue with facts.

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Where did anyone say that trespassing was OK? I don't see it,anywhere.