Harassed by the Police tonight...

[nforest]

I make sure that when someone at a school asks what I'm doing, that I always explain to them all of the dangerous items that i have found in said school.

Once I found a sharpened piece of copper pipe, a sharpened shank made out of a stainless pipe and a hunting arrow at a school. I was Confronted and I showed them the dangerous items that i had recovered, their tone went from suspicious to thankful.

ALWAYS start a conversation with a police officer, "how can I help you today officer?"
ALWAYS walk over to the police car and ask the previous question if the car is close, if the car is driving by slowly, wave and smile in a friendly manner.
Officers are looking for suspicious people, do the opposite of someone that has something to hide would do.

Schools in my area are closed to the public during school hours and 11pm-6am.
hunt on weekends if possible and if you see a grounds keeper, make sure that he knows that you will leave no trace behind and that you pick up all trash that you see.

Another tip: Recently i was going to another town to hunt, small town. I had permission to hunt an old church that was no longer in use, there were NO TRESPASSING signs up all over. I first stopped into the local Police Department and let them know who I was and what I would be doing, that way when some nosy neighbor called the PD, they would know not to send someone out and harass me.

Be Upfront, Proactive and Cordial with the Police and it will get you a long way...

 

[jbow]

It is because any playing field was being abused every afternoon and weekend by "immigrants" or "invaders" playing soccer and adding a lot of wear and tear to the fields...

J

 

[jbow]

the only church I have permission to hunt is an old church.. it is within walking distance from my house. I stopped by one afternoon when I saw the pastor struggling to put a VBS banner up. He didn't have what he needed to do it with.I went to the house and grabbed some old metal fence posts and a big hammer, went back and helped him get the sign up good (the fence posts are still up and they still use them).

Then I asked him about permission,He said sure... but I wouldn't hunt until he also ran it by the elders or deacons.. they also gave permission. Now usually when I hunt there someone will drive up and turn around and leave. They see my truck and know who I am and I never leave a mess.

There are always more than one person involved at a church and it is always good to head them all off because members will call and they wont always call the pastor... even written permission may not be enough if the wrong person gets a bur about it, but if the elders have given permission... well, that is better, IMO, than a note from the pastor.. he may be new and not yet respected or liked by all... churches can be tricky.

I get permission for parkd and ballfields from whoever is in charge of parks and rec.. but I know them and they know who I am. As for schools, i've never asked for permission, been challenged once but then given the OK. If I were to ask for permission to hunt schools I would go to whoever is the elected schoolboard member for my district... it never hurts to look ahead and help them get re-elected before asking for a favor. That helps with any local elected official, meet them, donate, and visibly help them... then they will help you. It may seem a little corrupt, and it may be... but it is how politics works in this world. You want a favor... do a favor, just be sure it is for the right person... laff.

J