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5 Ways to Thank a Landowner

If you are receiving this email you are most likely thankful for Maine's woods and waters that make hunting, fishing, and recreating outside possible. But if it wasn't for generous private landowners, these opportunities would not exist as they do today. After all, more than 94% of Maine's forest land is privately owned

If you hunted on private land this fall, show your appreciation for Maine's generous landowners:

1. Thank them at the end of the season and share how your hunting season went. Landowners especially enjoy seeing photos of youth hunters, or neat photos you may have captured on your game cameras (remember, you must have written permission to place a game camera on private land). 
2. Volunteer to help the landowner with spring clean up or a task they need help with to prepare for winter. Owning land can be a lot of work!
3. Offer to teach the landowner how to hunt if they are interested. They may be interested, but don't know where to start or feel uncomfortable asking for help. 
4. Share some of your harvest. Offer to share some sausage, steak, or burger for them to enjoy if you harvested a deer (or other species) on their land.
5. Respect their land. The best way to thank a landowner is to show your appreciation by being a good land user, ALWAYS asking for permission, and being the eyes and ears to ensure others are doing the same.

Become and Outdoor Partner The Outdoor Partners Program, MDIFW's landowner relations program, provides funding to protect Maine's longstanding tradition of public access to privately owned land. Funds from the Outdoor Partners Program go to: Enhanced law enforcement in areas where problems occur The landowner sign program, which offers an alternative to No Trespassing signs and aids landowners in managing access to their land Equipment to investigate and prosecute landowner abuse and criminal trespass complaints Promotional and educational programs designed to promote and maintain access Becoming a member of the Outdoor Partners Program is simple! Membership can be purchased with your hunting or fishing license online or at any licensing agent for $15.00 or purchase a membership through our online store! Outdoor Partners receive discounts at various outdoor recreation stores, a free day pass to the North Maine Woods, one year subscription for $20 to the The Maine Sportsman, one year subscription for $25 to the North Woods Sporting Journal, free admission to the Maine Wildlife Park, and more!