Landowner Says Hunters Left Trash All Over His Land After Being Given Access
He gave a group of hunters permission to use his 300-acre property for the entire season. What they left behind after just two weekends made him regret ever opening the gate.
Trash bags, empty shell casings, food wrappers, beer cans, and even a discarded hunting seat were scattered across his fields and woods.
“I let them hunt and they treated it like a landfill”
The landowner, who prefers to stay anonymous, said he had a good relationship with the hunters for several years. This season he noticed a change. After the second weekend he drove out to check the property and was shocked by what he found.
“They left fast-food bags, cigarette butts, spent shotgun shells, and even dirty paper towels where they field dressed a deer,” he said. “One guy just left his old tree stand seat rotting against a tree.”
When he contacted the hunters about it, their response was weak — “We’ll clean it up next time.” That was the last time he allowed them on his land.
One bad group ruins it for everyone
This is a story repeating itself on private land across the country. Landowners who once welcomed hunters are locking gates and posting “No Hunting” signs after repeated cases of trash, damage, and disrespect.
A clean, respectful hunter is a landowner’s best friend. A sloppy one can shut down access for miles around. Many landowners talk to each other. Word spreads fast when a group leaves a mess.
Why it matters more than most hunters realize
Private land is becoming harder to find every year. When hunters abuse the privilege, responsible hunters pay the price. Properties that used to welcome guests now stay closed. The “we’ll pick it up later” attitude is one of the fastest ways to lose hunting spots forever.
Responsible hunters know the rule is simple: Leave the land better than you found it. Pack out everything you pack in — and then some.
How to keep landowners happy
- Bring a trash bag and haul out everything (including shells and orange tape)
- Field dress animals in a way that doesn’t leave a mess
- Pick up any trash you find — even if it’s not yours
- Ask the landowner if there’s anything specific he wants done (closing gates, parking in certain spots, etc.)
- Thank him with a gift of meat or help with property work
The landowner in this story now requires every hunter to sign a simple permission form that includes a “leave no trace” clause. He also does random checks during the season.
The bottom line
Giving hunters access is an act of trust. Leaving trash behind is a betrayal of that trust. It doesn’t just hurt the landowner — it hurts every ethical hunter who comes after you.
If you want continued access to private land, treat it like it’s your own. Pack out your trash, respect the property, and leave it looking untouched.
The hunters who left the mess lost their spot for good. The landowner lost faith in people he once trusted.
Have you ever seen hunters trash a landowner’s property, or been asked to clean up after others? How strict are you about leaving land better than you found it?
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.
