I belong to a Fish and Game club that recently had land that borders the clubs property opened to Bow Hunting. The club allows only bow hunting on the property (we have to work extra hours and also qualify to hunt it). Other members of the club want to access the state property through the club property they do not have signed permission slips to be on the property with hunting equipment even though they are members. They can access the state property from state property but it is a lot longer walk up hill. Where one person wants to walk to access the property is right by my stand and where all the deer go through. Do you need a signed permission slip (consent) to walk through private property with hunting equipment to get to state land?

Thanks for your help.

A club not letting club members walk through their own club property...

Maybe try to work out something with the one member that wants to hike through your spot.

Mike that is a tough one for sure and something in my opinion the club should address regardless of the law. They have permission to use the club land, the question is can they carry a bow across it to access the state land. i guess the club could NOT allow it, but is that a fight you want to start. Might be better off reminding members about those hunting and not disrupting them as much as possible. I know what part of that SL I would access through the club...oh and BTW, I have no problem with the long walk up hill - probably see you out there.

As far as the law, Capt will have to join in on that one.

Sounds like you have an internal club issue.

You cannot utilize private property in Connecticut without permission of the property owner. You wouldn't need written permission to traverse private property to get to state land but you would at least need verbal permission.

You are required by regulation to have written permission to deer hunt and turkey hunt, small game and waterfowl hunting only require verbal permission of the property owner.

Legal definition of hunting:
"Hunting" means pursuing, shooting, killing and capturing any bird, quadruped or reptile and attempting to pursue, shoot, kill and capture any bird, quadruped or reptile, whether such act results in taking or not, including any act of assistance to any other person in taking or attempting to take any such animal.

If you are simply walking across a piece of property, carrying your equipment and you are not stalking with a knocked arrow, you are not pursuing, shooting, killing, capturing or attempting to pursue, shoot, kill, capture, then you not actively engaged in hunting....you are simply trespassing if you don't have permission to be there.

If an officer comes across you walking on a piece of property as you describe they can simply call the landowner and see if you have permission to be on their property. If you do then you go on your way, if you don't...well, things would head in another direction.

Bottom line is that you cannot go on anyone else's property without their permission (verbal is sufficient unless you are deer/turkey hunting on their property). Other states allow you to access and hunt any land not specifically posted prohibiting trespassing or hunting. Connecticut law does not work that way, our law defaults back that private property is private property and you cannot gain access to it without the owner's permission.