Landowner Says a Hunter Damaged His Fence Trying to Retrieve a Deer — and Didn’t Say Anything
The landowner drove along his fence line after the morning hunt and immediately saw the problem — a section of brand-new barbed wire was ripped down, posts pushed over, and the wire tangled in the grass. A clear trail of blood led through the gap.
A hunter had dragged a deer across his fence and never bothered to tell him — much less offer to fix it.
“He just tore it up and left”
The landowner said the damage was obvious. The hunter had forced the deer underneath the wire instead of going to a gate or asking for help. Several strands were broken, and two steel T-posts were bent. When the landowner later contacted the hunter (who had permission to hunt the neighboring property), the man admitted he had crossed the fence but claimed “it wasn’t that bad” and he was “in a hurry.”
That excuse didn’t sit well.
“I don’t mind people retrieving deer,” the landowner said. “But you don’t get to destroy my fence and sneak off like it didn’t happen.”
Property damage + silence is a fast way to lose access
This kind of incident frustrates landowners more than almost anything else. Most are willing to let hunters cross a fence to recover game — if they ask first and fix whatever they damage. Sneaking through and leaving the mess behind is a guaranteed way to get every gate locked.
Repairing fence is expensive and time-consuming. A single careless hunter can cost a landowner hundreds of dollars and hours of work. When the hunter doesn’t even own up to it, trust disappears completely.
How responsible hunters handle fence crossings
- Stop at the fence and contact the landowner before crossing (call or text if you have the number)
- If you can’t reach them, go through a gate or find another route
- If you must cross, minimize damage and repair it immediately — or at least leave a note with your contact info
- Offer to help fix it or pay for the repair
- Never drag a deer under tight wire — it almost always causes damage
Many experienced hunters carry fence repair tools (wire, staples, pliers) in their truck during deer season exactly for this reason.
The bigger picture
Landowners who allow hunting are doing hunters a favor. Every time someone damages property and stays quiet, it makes landowners less likely to grant access to anyone. One bad actor can shut down an entire farm for years.
The hunter in this case not only damaged the fence — he damaged a relationship. The landowner has now revoked permission for that hunter and is reconsidering access for others in the group.
Respecting fence lines isn’t optional. It’s basic courtesy. If you tear something up, own it, fix it, and make it right. That’s how you keep hunting private land season after season.
Have you ever had to cross a fence to retrieve a deer? How did you handle it — and how did the landowner react?
Leo’s been tracking game and tuning gear since he could stand upright. He’s sharp, driven, and knows how to keep things running when conditions turn.
