Land access: would you give permission?

[Harvestman]

I've been thinking about the difficulties some people have in getting permissions to access land for bushcrafty purposes. I got to wondering, what if I did come into enough money to buy that rural property and some land. Would I give permission to others to use that land?

I'd like to think that the answer would be yes, but the downsides are obvious. Damage, insurance liability, disturbance...

So, you have your bit of land, and then along comes someone asking politely if they can use your land for dog-walking/camping/trapping/shooting. Would you say yes? And if so, for one person, or many/all?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who already own some land.

Can we also assume that opinions will differ on this topic, and keep things at the level of a discussion, rather than an argument, please. Thanks.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

If I "owned " some land I doubt I would let others use it & certainly not hunt on it................................however, should the odd person wish to camp for the night, either with or without my consent, I would probably let them.

 

[Toddy]

Right of responsible access up here
http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-recreation-and-access/access-rights/

Respect the curtilege of someone's home and garden, don't destroy crops or disturb farm animals. Be aware around stalking and fishing areas, and that's it, pretty much.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Yes Toddy, but would you let others use your land should you have some.

 

[Mick w.]

I don't think most people would mind sensible people using it, but it's really a question of how you can make people aware that you don't mind occasional bushcrafty overnighters being there, whilst dissuading the 'party animal' campers who may well trash the place.
I don't really like the principle behind 'owning' the land, it was there long before and will be there long after a particular individual. But, if it's being looked after I don't suppose there's much alternative given the way we run our society at the moment!
I think I'd try and get local schools involved, as a sop to my conscience about becoming a 'landowner' and trying to restrict it's use to certain types!

 

[demographic]

I'm not sure I would. I suppose it really depends on who they were and exactly what they intended to do.

 

[mrcairney]

How much land are we talking here? If I couldn't see them from my window I would be none the wiser.

However, I would have to say no to folk bivvying at the bottom of my garden.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Dependant on the person, but I would want prior notice of when and where, I would spend the first few times they came there out with them, this is how I have come to the point of being allowed to sleep on someone else's land unsupervised

 

[kimbo]

In theory I would say 'yes'. In practise, it would absolutely depend on the feeling I got from them, as a person, and what they wanted to do on the land. As long as I felt they were safe and respectful (of the land, not me) then I would err on the side of yes.

 

[Toddy]

Yes Toddy, but would you let others use your land should you have some.

The response indicated that there was no question.

Toddy

 

[Thenihilist]

Yes Toddy, but would you let others use your land should you have some.

She wouldn't have a choice really in Scotland.

 

[Big_bazza99]

I have a 7.5 acre wood and 4 other fields not adjoining which are a further 15 acres. I have had no trouble with the fields even though a footpath goes through one of them. The wood on the other hand has been subjected to "party campers" who left the 70 - 80 empty lager and cider cans/ bottles and several empty vodka and wine (Lambrini - what class) bottles. They and some others cut down trees, sawed branches off others including a beautiful mature oak and started fires. A local Gamekeeper rang me to tell me there were over 30 youths going in to the wood but despite the noise they were making the Police couldn't find anyone!!!! Probably happy they weren't causing a problem in the local town!

On advice of the Police I put up signs, which were removed by someone. So much for private property!

So would I let people use my wood - if they treated it with respect and left it as they found it, in all likelihood yes, but herberts who trash it......most certainly no.

 

[lannyman8]

TBH possibly, but no way would i let them shoot/fish that would be for me..

the odd group of 3 or 4 would be fine if i had met them stayed with them when they camped for a while, and then spied on them hidden in my sniper suit seeing what they where really like...

in theary, yes.

 

[lannyman8]

I have a 7.5 acre wood and 4 other fields not adjoining which are a further 15 acres. I have had no trouble with the fields even though a footpath goes through one of them. The wood on the other hand has been subjected to "party campers" who left the 70 - 80 empty lager and cider cans/ bottles and several empty vodka and wine (Lambrini - what class) bottles. They and some others cut down trees, sawed branches off others including a beautiful mature oak and started fires. A local Gamekeeper rang me to tell me there were over 30 youths going in to the wood but despite the noise they were making the Police couldn't find anyone!!!! Probably happy they weren't causing a problem in the local town!

On advice of the Police I put up signs, which were removed by someone. So much for private property!

So would I let people use my wood - if they treated it with respect and left it as they found it, in all likelihood yes, but herberts who trash it......most certainly no.

thats what rock salt 12g rounds are for, just avoid the faces...

 

[johnboy]

If I had some land then I wouldn't allow free access to it.

I'd want to know who was wanting access their intentions and how long they wanted to access the land for.

I wouldn't allow access with fire arms.. As I would want to be able to go for a bimble without the risk of someone giving me some good news with a .243.

I'd happily set aside an area for folk to camp and would allow fires etc as long as the campers knew what they were doing.

Cheers John

 

[Big_bazza99]

thats what rock salt 12g rounds are for, just avoid the faces...

What are rock salt 12g rounds - assume the 12g is 12 gauge - are they blanks?

I've heard you can rig up trip wires that then fires blank rounds and fright the sh#t out of them. Only problem may be dog walkers (who shouldn't be there either I suppose......!)

 

[Zingmo]

If I owned a wood I think it would be wiser to have it occupied by folk I knew, rather than being trashed by numpties. So there will be a fence around it, but it will also have a small car parking area. To camp there you will first have to register to become a "Friend of the Wood" which will mean meeting me and letting me know who you are and where you live. Pre-booking will be necessary for weekends to avoid overcrowding. Oh and I reserve the right to come and sit by your fire!

Now, how does this lottery thing work?...


Z

 

[lannyman8]

yep a shotgun round loaded with rock salt, non lethal and stings like a bugger, it stopped me poaching when i was youger though...

blanks are pointless, and if its young lads they will just nick the blank gun and use real rounds in it intsead...

the rock salt this is not a good idea though, and i would never do such a thing on people poching deer from the farm where i used to shoot...

put some more signs up saying people will be shot or beware of the bull etc etc, fences with razor wire is the only real way, and even then they will just bring cutters and go through it...

the rozzers are not bothered, and when or if they turn up its a comunity support officer who cant do much appart from turf them of the land....

once young people have found a spot to doss around it will be hard to get rid of them..

 

[jackcbr]

I'm lucky to get access to my mother-in-laws small wood. If I had my own wood I would consider letting a few chosen people to have access, with prior knowledge. No fishing, trapping or hunting. One or two nights only and be prepared for some company (i.e. me).

But firstly I might suggest that they come and help out when we do any work in the wood. Quid pro quo and all that. If they are prepared to work hard for the sake of the wood, then they are likely to respect the wood.

 

[tomongoose]

I let people use my land but only with permission and only people I know, or new people but I like to be there to see what they are like