Hunting rights for private waterways

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Radio interview source: John Morgan, small game program coordinator, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

As more hunting lands become private property, hunters and fishermen are less welcome. No trespassing signs are common. Some landowners only allow family and friends to hunt, as they fear damage to their property by strangers, or have concerns about liability issues.

We've had a few problems with uninvited guests to our pond. One town kid went out on the pond in a raft. Other folks have left beer bottles down there. But, most people ask our permission to fish first.

John Morgan is a small game coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, and says water-based hunting regulations can be downright confusing. Each state has its own rules. For example, maybe the land is off limits, or maybe only the water.

"Around bigger bodies of water, like rivers and streams, in many cases the duck or whatever may fall right in the water," Morgan says. "There may not be much a landowner can do, and they should take that into consideration when they buy their land."