Landowner Permission During Hunting Season

Maine’s hunting season can change how private land is used, even when an ATV trail is normally open. A route you rode earlier in the year may cross land being actively hunted, or a landowner may have changed access for the season. Here’s how to check what permission covers, avoid unsafe assumptions, and handle a temporary closure.

What landowner permission means during hunting season

Many Maine ATV trails cross private land. Access may be arranged by a landowner, an ATV club, or another party, and the route can depend on landowner permission. That permission is about access under particular conditions; it is not necessarily a promise that every trail stays open all year. Maine’s private-land access rules and practical trail arrangements are worth understanding before you ride. See Maine Landowner Permission Rules and Maine Trails That Cross Private Land for more background.

Hunting season does not automatically close every private trail. But a landowner may restrict access, close a trail, or set conditions for riding at any time. A route that remains open may still pass close to hunting areas, active logging, or a camp where people are coming and going. Treat current landowner and club notices as more useful than what was true on your last visit.

Permission also has a scope. Permission to ride an established trail does not automatically include permission to:

• Leave the marked route to reach a hunting stand, camp, or clearing.
• Ride on a side road or across a field that is not part of the authorized route.
• Park, unload, or turn around on private property outside an approved staging area.
• Bring additional riders or machines if access was granted to a specific group.
• Hunt, carry out game, or use the property for another purpose.
• Ride at a time that the landowner has restricted.

The same distinction applies when a club maintains a route. A club’s permission to use a trail does not give each rider unrestricted access to the surrounding property. Stay on the designated route, follow posted conditions, and respect gates and barriers. For a more specific overview, see Landowner Permission on Maine ATV Trails.

A trail’s normal status is not a guarantee

Trail access can change during a season. A landowner may close a section because of hunting activity, weather, road damage, forestry work, or another concern. A club may post a detour or ask riders to avoid a section temporarily. A trail shown on an older map or remembered from a previous trip is not proof that it is open today.

This matters especially during hunting season because conditions can change without a trail being permanently closed. A landowner might allow riding on a certain road but ask riders to avoid a neighboring parcel or a specific time of day. If you cannot confirm that the route is open, do not treat silence as permission. Check the current status with the local club or the person who controls access.

How to check permission before riding

Before heading out, check more than one source when possible. Current club notices can identify a closure or detour, while the landowner or club contact may be able to clarify a condition that is not shown on a map. A general trail map is useful for planning, but it may not capture a recent change.

Use this process:

1. Confirm the route and its current status. Check the local club’s latest notices and trail information. If the route crosses private land and the status is unclear, ask the club or landowner rather than relying on an old map.
2. Ask who has authority to grant access. If you are contacting someone directly, make sure that person owns or manages the relevant property or is authorized to speak for the owner.
3. Describe your plan clearly. Give the date, approximate time, number of riders and machines, and the route or parcel you want to use. Mention whether you will be riding through, stopping, or parking.
4. Ask whether hunting activity changes access. A landowner may want the trail avoided during certain hours, on particular days, or near a specific area. Ask about detours and where not to ride.
5. Keep the answer narrow. Permission for one route, date, and group does not necessarily apply to another route or a later visit. If plans change, check again.
6. Follow the conditions exactly. Stay on the authorized path, obey signs and barriers, and turn around if a closure or restriction makes the route uncertain.

If permission is granted directly, getting the details in writing can prevent misunderstandings. A text or email can record the route, date, group, and conditions. Written permission is not a substitute for following posted restrictions or getting permission from the right person, but it gives both sides a clearer record. See Asking a Landowner for Permission to Ride and Getting Written Permission to Ride Private Land for practical guidance on making a clear request.

Situation	What to do
A marked club trail is reported open	Stay on the route and follow current club and landowner instructions.
A trail map shows a route, but current status is unclear	Check for recent notices or contact the club before riding.
A landowner has given permission directly	Confirm the route, timing, group, and any seasonal conditions.
A gate, barrier, or closure sign blocks the route	Do not go around it; use a confirmed open route instead.
You have permission to ride but want to stop or leave the trail	Ask first; permission for the route may not cover stopping or off-trail travel.
You encounter active hunting or cannot tell whether riding is welcome	Avoid the area and contact the landowner or club for direction.

For further context, Maine ATV Rules During Hunting Season covers riding considerations specific to that time of year. If a route has been closed after the season began, Trails Closed by a Landowner Mid-Season explains why a familiar trail can become unavailable.

Riding safely around hunting activity

Permission is only one part of the decision. Riding near active hunting can create a safety problem even when a trail is technically open. A hunter may be positioned close to a route, and engine noise can make it harder for people to hear one another. A rider may also surprise someone who is focused on the woods rather than the trail.

When you know hunting may be underway, choose a route with clear, current authorization and make your presence predictable. Ride at a controlled speed, stay on the trail, and avoid stopping in places where you block a road or trail entrance. If you see a hunter, equipment, or a vehicle near the route, give the area space. If the route feels unsafe or the trail’s status is uncertain, turn around rather than trying to negotiate access while people are in the field.

Before setting out, consider these practical precautions:

• Check whether local clubs have posted a seasonal closure or detour.
• Plan a route that does not require crossing unconfirmed private property.
• Tell your group to remain together and keep to the marked trail.
• Avoid unnecessary stops near camps, stands, parked vehicles, or property entrances.
• Do not assume that a lack of signs means the landowner has approved your particular activity.
• If someone asks you to leave or change course, comply calmly and use another route.
• Keep your group’s size and timing within any conditions the landowner or club has set.

A landowner may have granted hunting access to another person without intending to close an ATV trail, or may have given an ATV club permission that remains in place during part of the season. Riders should not guess which arrangement applies. When there is a possible conflict between riding and hunting, the safest response is to avoid the area until the person responsible for access confirms what is allowed.

Permission to ride is also separate from hunting permission. If you intend to hunt, follow the rules that apply to hunting and obtain the required access for that activity. An ATV trail agreement, a landowner’s permission to cross, or a club’s trail access does not authorize hunting on the property. Likewise, permission to hunt does not necessarily authorize ATV use beyond the access the landowner has allowed.

What to do when access is unclear or a trail is closed

If you find a sign, gate, rope, or other clear indication that a route is closed, do not bypass it. A barrier may be there for a seasonal closure, private work, safety concern, or another reason. Do not assume it is acceptable to ride around the edge, cross the property line elsewhere, or continue until you reach the next open section.

If a trail is blocked and no explanation is available, turn around where it is safe to do so. Note the location and contact the local ATV club or the landowner if you have reliable contact information. Avoid confronting someone who is hunting or working on the property. If the landowner or a representative gives you a direct instruction, respect it, even if a map or previous ride suggests the trail was once open.

A temporary closure may affect only one section. Do not create a new route around it unless the club or landowner has confirmed an approved detour. Crossing a nearby field or woods road can create new damage, trespass concerns, and a loss of access for future riders. This is one reason to check Maine ATV Trespass Rules before relying on assumptions about private property.

If you have your own permission but the marked club trail is closed, clarify whether your permission still applies to that land and route. A landowner’s direct approval may be different from the club’s general trail status, but it does not automatically make an otherwise closed route safe or appropriate to use. Ask before proceeding, and be prepared to choose another trail.

Keep the interaction simple and respectful. If you need to contact a landowner, explain where you are, what you were trying to ride, and that you have stopped while checking access. Avoid arguing that the trail “has always been open.” The landowner’s current direction and the conditions attached to the route matter more than past use.

Good communication protects both access and safety. Riders who follow restrictions, leave gates as instructed, avoid disturbing hunting activity, and report trail problems through the appropriate club channel help maintain trust with landowners. If a closure is posted, share the information with your group and do not encourage others to ride around it.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.