Thanks, Lowell. Deer hunters here must have a deer license, currently limited to one buck. Hunters may hunt on any non-posted private forest land without permission of the owner beyond prescribed distances from dwellings (not their own), schools or public places. Forest land means a wooded area, forest stand, tract covered by underbrush, barren ground, marsh or bog.
No one can be prosecuted if they're hunting lawfully on land where the occupier has not put up signs or refused consent. Hunters may not hunt without permission on lands fenced to keep animals in or people out, managed for agricultural crops or berry-picking , tree plantations, vineyards, orchards, golf courses, etc. It works fairly well for landowners and hunters. Trespass cases are rare.
Most rural people are respectful of others' property. Many wouldn't enter forest lands without the owner's permission. My 93-year-old hunting buddy remembers a time when no one would think of letting their dog run on a neighbour's land. That has changed, of course, but there's enough private and public land to hunt on to keep owner-hunter relations generally harmonious.
