Permisssion form necessary if employee?

[voidecho]

So I work for a company that owns some agricultural land........2,000-3,000 acres or so and 800 of it is in Monterey County. I called the farm manager today to find out if anyone hunts or can hunt on the property. Right now (recently changed) it's against company policy to allow hunters (mostly because in the past it's been a hassle managing the hunters as there are a lot of fences and gates and they're always asking for the gate codes), but the Farm Manager doesn't care at all if I hunt the land as long as I keep it on the down low. My question is whether I still need a signed permission form if I'm an employee (relatively high up) of the company who's land I'm hunting? The Farm Manager may be reluctant to sign the form in case anything ever happened. I wonder if I ever got stopped by a Warden if showing my Business Card for the company would be sufficient?

Apparently there are quite a few hogs on the property, enough in fact that the company has a guy doing depredation hunts out there at night quite a bit. How he got lucky enough to find that gig I don't know, although I have no desire to hunt at night.

Anyways, at some point, maybe next spring I'll probably head out there to try to get a hog, and who knows, he may sign the form, but I'm just wondering what could happen if he doesn't. As for my work, I'm really not worried that I'd get fired or anything if I was caught.

What do they say......better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

 

[#1Predator]

Yes you need a permission slip. Check out Fish and Game Code section 2016 below.

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml

Unless you are the owner of the land or have the authority to act as the owner's agent (similar to power of attorney), you need a permission slip with you while hunting.

 

[voidecho]

So then the question is, since there's a company policy against allowing hunters now (don't believe it's written anywhere), could the Farm Manager (not an owner) who typically would have authority in this situation even give authority in this case? I'm guessing not, but I'm also guessing if he signed it and a Warden asked to see it he wouldn't know about the company policy anyways and would just assume the Farm Manager had the authority.

Poop.

 

[Marty]

Possibly. It's a legal stretch to rely on the manager's authorization. It could be done as long as the corporate office doesn't catch wind of the extra activity. Best case might be to find out who authorized the depredation work.

 

[voidecho]

I'm fairly certain the Farm Manager did. He's pretty much in charge of everything down there as company headquarters are a few hours away.

I'm guessing if it ever came to it, his permission wouldn't be legally valid since I know he's not supposed to give it, but I also know the owners probably wouldn't care. I should just ask them and then I won't have to worry about it....or get in on the depredation hunting.

 

[#1Predator]

I'm fairly certain the Farm Manager did. He's pretty much in charge of everything down there as company headquarters are a few hours away.

I'm guessing if it ever came to it, his permission wouldn't be legally valid since I know he's not supposed to give it, but I also know the owners probably wouldn't care. I should just ask them and then I won't have to worry about it....or get in on the depredation hunting.

"Probably" is the fly in the oinment here. Without the consent of all of the owners (or "controlling interests"), the permission would not be valid.

I kept a three ringed notebook with signatures of persons authorized to give permission to hunt on those properties that allowed hunting. If a hunter gave me a permission slip, it was easy to compare the signatures in my book with the slip. If I didn't have the property in my book, I would write down the hunter's information, DL info, vehicle license number and weapon serial numbers. I would find out who owned the property and contact them to see if they allowed hunting. If they did allow hunting, I would meet with them and get their signature in my book. If they didn't allow hunting, I would file charges of hunter trespass, forgery, vehicle trespass, etc. At trial, I would ask the judge to suspend all hunting privileges for one year (this would also suspend hunting in all 38 states who signed the Wildlife Violator Compact) in addition to whatever fine the judge deemed fit and a five year summary probation. If the probationer violates any fish and game law within the 5 year period, the violator would be banned from hunting for life (including the 38 states). It's harsh, but poachers need to be punished so that lawful hunters can continue to hunt and the public knows that lawful "hunters" are not "poachers".

 

[voidecho]

I'll talk to the owners.

 

[KTKT70]

how did things work out????

I am looking to get the depredation permit soon. My mom and dad have no want of going after the pigs on our land. I said I would help out but have to get all the rules right b4 I do anything. It seems to not be as clear and dry cut as I was hopping for. We will see. wish me luck.

 

[voidecho]

I haven't brought up the subject much yet as I won't be ready to do any on my own pig hunting for a couple of months. I have talked a little to the VP of Operations who has permission from the family to give out hunting permission and he didn't really say yes or no. We just kind of talked about it, without me really asking for a yes or no answer. I think when I'm ready he'll give me permission, but we'll see.

I would plan on hunting them normally and not under the depredation permit. Apparently the guy who does our depredation hunting goes in there at night and kills them with a knife.

 

[KTKT70]

sweet. good luck to you. hope he gives you the ok. I have no option other than the depredation permit. The valley we are in is a safe no hunt zone. I was thinking maybe we can trap than knife or 22 to the head. I just want to make sure what we do is ok and by the law.

 

[Bubblehide]

I...Apparently the guy who does our depredation hunting goes in there at night and kills them with a knife.

At night is no problem with a depredation permit, but using a knife is not a legal method of take. I have never hunted under a depredation permit, but I'd bet the knife is problematic and could put the depredation permit in jeopardy. But then, I really don't know.

I have hunted private company property in years past, with permission. It was surprisingly easy to get. I'd suggest that you get all your ducks in a row, know who to ask, who to have sign the permission form... and simply ask. The worst that can happen is that say no, and your already not hunting the property, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Best of luck.

 

[Plain ol' Steve]

I wouldn't leave this up to an internet forum to decide. Talk to the local warden and to the farm manager or other executive above him. My guess is that the warden doesn't give a rat's who signs it.

 

[hbsurf]

Method of take for depredation is determined by the officer issuing the permit. I dont believe it is restricted to the same methods allowed for hunting

Exactly, a trap is not a legal method of take for Pig or problem Deer, but can be authorized (live trapping).

 

[Bubblehide]

Exactly, a trap is not a legal method of take for Pig or problem Deer, but can be authorized (live trapping).

Very true. However, it is illegal to possess wild live game. In every case that i am aware of (which is only a few), I have been informed that DFG/DFW takes possession of the animals, for dispatchment and compliance of not wasting the meat. Most live trapping is done in places where hunting is not practical or not legal. Furthermore, DFW is a department that is well aware of public opinion, and prefers to be seen in a favorable light. Considering that legal hunting is not mainstream acceptable (for a lack of a better term), allowing a depredation permit holder to utilize an unauthorized method of take for legal hunting (we are not talking trapping), such as a knife, could easily end up being a career changing authorization. Not that I agree with this, but the world does not work the way things should.

 

[KTKT70]

as far as our land. I have not seen pigs on our side of the valley again. I am told they are not far but just never got to our land. I was also told that I may not b able to get a permit. Some one told my mother that we have to ask the BVPD to help out and that they will come shot the pig. We are looking into that story. Sounds not right to me. The cops need to do cop stuff and leave the pigs up to home owners. time will tell.