Thursday, September 03, 2009
Card-carrying hunters
Bill Cochran
Recent mail
BILL: It used to be you could get a billfold-size card where a hunter could sign an agreement with a landowner saying that for the right to hunt the hunters would agree to respect the farmer’s property. As I recall, these cards were orange in color. Are they still available?
D.K.
D.K.: Yes, although in a bit different format. You can find them on page 15 of the “Hunting & Trapping in Virginia” handbook (available at license agents). On one side of the card, the landowner signs his name granting permission to hunt and on the other side the hunters signs an agreement to respect the landowner’s property, obey hunting laws, guard against fire and littering and observe safety precautions and good sportsmanship.
I have been on both sides of these cards, as a landowner and as a hunter, and they are a neat idea. They can give the hunter a feeling of belonging and they can give the landowner the assurance that his or her property will be treated with respect. I have found that they can be the beginning of great friendships.
BILL
