NH Current Use Recreation Land - List or Map?

[MaverickNH]

Landowners can apply for a 20% tax reduction for land over 10 acres not in current use if they allow open access for recreation (hunting, fishing, hiking, etc.) The land cannot be posted with exception of local tax commission approval for special purposes (Spring grazing, etc.) nor is permission expected for public access and use.

Does anyone know if there is a statewide list or map of such property? I’ll check with the NH Dept Taxation and local county as well, but thought I’d ask too.

 

[KBCraig]

What are you seeking? If you want a map of land that you can use for non-motorized recreation, it's simple: anywhere that isn't posted.

 

[whacko]

What are you seeking? If you want a map of land that you can use for non-motorized recreation, it's simple: anywhere that isn't posted.

This!

NH makes it pretty darned easy for hunters.

 

[MaverickNH]

Apps like OnX show land ownership but it would be handy to know which unposted lands are claiming Current Use Recreation status. Where there are no buildings on the parcel, if it’s not posted and claiming Current Use Recreation status, I don’t feel obligated to contact the owner, as they have taken the 20% tax reduction to open the parcel for recreational use.

I’ve seen a lot of odd stories about neighbors posting somebody else’s land or even renting it out to others, so tax map confirmation would be useful.

 

[whacko]

Apps like OnX show land ownership but it would be handy to know which unposted lands are claiming Current Use Recreation status. Where there are no buildings on the parcel, if it’s not posted and claiming Current Use Recreation status, I don’t feel obligated to contact the owner, as they have taken the 20% tax reduction to open the parcel for recreational use.

I’ve seen a lot of odd stories about neighbors posting somebody else’s land or even renting it out to others, so tax map confirmation would be useful.

In NH you don't have to contact any other as long as the property is not posted. Has nothing to do with owner claiming any type of use that I'm aware of. Unposted can be hunted......as long as your far enough away from a dwelling and a road. I also use onx app but mainly to see where I am in relation to homes and buildings.

 

[garandman]

The BPO of our place bought 12 acres, but appears to have developed just over two, so we haven’t applied for current use. We only allow neighbors to hunt here due to the actions of a few dickwads.

 

[smokey-seven]

My memory is going. In NH, can you post your property for hunting by written land owner permission only?

 

[SpaceCritter]

I’ve seen a lot of odd stories about neighbors posting somebody else’s land or even renting it out to others, so tax map confirmation would be useful.

Funny you should mention it: while walking our property perimeter with the logger and surveyor, we found a fairly-new NO TRESPASSING sign.

 

[Mark from MA]

Funny you should mention it: while walking our property perimeter with the logger and surveyor, we found a fairly-new NO TRESPASSING sign.

I hunt in Rindge once and a while. I took a walk down the main sled trail. Both sides were posted for two miles. This is extremely hard to believe that someone owns that much land, or if they do, does not take advantage of current use.

Which leads me to the question maybe they do post, yet still take advantage of current use.

Or....all the posted signs are bullshit placed by idiots. But they look similar.

Im assuming I could go to the town and find out correct? So what happens if they are in current use and yet posting the property?

 

[Mark from MA]

Funny you should mention it: while walking our property perimeter with the logger and surveyor, we found a fairly-new NO TRESPASSING sign.

Guys in MA do this all the time out by me. They find a good hunting spot the post it with bullshit signs. I generally find out because I go to the town, find out the landowner and contact them before I hunt bto get permission. Posted or not. I dont walk on anyones land without peoples permission.

Over the years ive run across many situations where some hunter has posted the land and the landowner who was out of state or something didnt know about it.

One time I got a note left on my truck while hunting “posted” land, which I had written permission on. The guy who had fake posted it had the audacity to leave me his name and number and a nasty WTF was I doing here note. Normally I would have crumpled it up, but there was some foul language and threats that pissed me off.

Wasnt he surprised when I gave that to the landowner and he called him and chewed his ass for illegally posting his land. He also told him that it would be posted when he got back from Florida and I would be the only one hunting on it. And if I or the landowner saw him on the land again he would be tresspassing and prosecuted.

 

[SpaceCritter]

Which leads me to the question maybe they do post, yet still take advantage of current use.

You CAN post land in CU:
https://newenglandforestry.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CurrentUseLaypersonsGuide.pdf

Can land in current use be
posted against trespassing?
Yes, although very little actually is. Owners receive
additional tax savings if they keep their land open and
without fee all year for hunting, fishing, snowshoeing,
hiking, skiing and nature observation. Please ask your
town officials about filing for a recreational discount.

Edit: Also:
https://www.revenue.nh.gov/current-use/documents/2015-booklet.pdf

D. Posting of Current Use Land
.
Land assessed under current use may be posted. Receiving current use assessment does not require alandowner to open the property to public use.

E. 20% Recreational Adjustment
.
If a landowner decides not to post, and opens the property to public use without an entrance fee for 12months a year, the land is entitled to a 20% reduction in the current use assessment of the acres opened to public recreational use. To receive the 20% recreation adjustment, the landowner must allow all of the following activities:
Hunting
Skiing
Fishing
Snowshoeing
Hiking
Nature Observation
If any of these activities are detrimental to a specific agricultural or forest crop, that activity may be prohibited. If the 20% recreational adjustment has been granted, posting to prohibit any activity listed above requires approval of the local assessing officials. See Cub 305.03 for further explanation.
The la ndowner may prohibit trespass upon his property for all other activities, including use of mechanized and off-highway vehicles (such as snowmobiles and three
-wheelers), camping, cutting down trees, etc. Posting land to prohibit these activities will not affect the 20% recreation adjustment.

 

[SpaceCritter]

Over the years ive run across many situations where some hunter has posted the land and the landowner who was out of state or something didnt know about it.

In our case, though we can't prove it, we have a pretty good idea who it was.

 

[whacko]

My memory is going. In NH, can you post your property for hunting by written land owner permission only?

If you post your property it is telling general public that the land is not huntable. That does not mean your buddies can't come hunt it if you want them to......and you can surely provide written permission to anyone you want. Pretty simple regs in NH.

 

[Vermonster]

I hunt in Rindge once and a while. I took a walk down the main sled trail. Both sides were posted for two miles. This is extremely hard to believe that someone owns that much land, or if they do, does not take advantage of current use.

There is at least one non-profit (school) that owns over 1,000 acres in Rindge. Unsure of Current use benefits for that type of organization.

 

[Mark from MA]

There is at least one non-profit (school) that owns over 1,000 acres in Rindge. Unsure of Current use benefits for that type of organization.

That may be it...I know which one your talking about. I have other spots so I haven't been inclined to look. But likely they get some tax benefits already.

 

[Mark from MA]

You CAN post land in CU:
https://newenglandforestry.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CurrentUseLaypersonsGuide.pdf



Edit: Also:
https://www.revenue.nh.gov/current-use/documents/2015-booklet.pdf

Thanks...didn't know this.

 

[Mark from MA]

If you post your property it is telling general public that the land is not huntable. That does not mean your buddies can't come hunt it if you want them to......and you can surely provide written permission to anyone you want. Pretty simple regs in NH.

Yeah...I ask people with Posted land all the time, Postings do not deter me, unless I haven't asked for permission yet, then I stay off......in NH, VT and parts of Central MA more than half say sure, and I'm glad you asked first. Most are decent people. I treat any state like I would CT......need permission whether the land is posted or not. That's as it should be IMHO. I don't understand the laws of MA, NH, ME and VT where if it's not posted you can just walk on. That to me is BS unless it's state land. I wouldn't want someone walking all over my land without asking first, so why would I do that to someone else. Yet I ask a lot of guys from around here they don't care, if its not posted they walk all over it. We should have rules like most other states where you need written or at least verbal permission. It keeps lazy people out, it keeps the deer herd more protected, and it keeps people honest, plus the landowner knows who's on their land which is really the most important thing.

Some spots are honey holes worth getting some grief over, thats kinda my approach in CT. You might get some strange looks because hunting is not all that common in Southern CT , or you might get a great spot, you might get a bunch of spots from people looking for a hunter that know other people. I've gotten lots of spots on references.

In a weird case, I got permission from a crazy lady that was so overbearing, I had to quit because she wanted me there every time she saw a deer in the yard. She litterly acted like I was working for her or something. Nutty as a fruitcake.

 

[smokey-seven]

In a weird case, I got permission from a crazy lady that was so overbearing, I had to quit because she wanted me there every time she saw a deer in her yard.

Heard a good line today. "Yea, they call those Macadamias." Re... nuts.

 

[Bt74]

Yeah...I ask people with Posted land all the time, Postings do not deter me, unless I haven't asked for permission yet, then I stay off......in NH, VT and parts of Central MA more than half say sure, and I'm glad you asked first. Most are decent people. I treat any state like I would CT......need permission whether the land is posted or not. That's as it should be IMHO. I don't understand the laws of MA, NH, ME and VT where if it's not posted you can just walk on. That to me is BS unless it's state land. I wouldn't want someone walking all over my land without asking first, so why would I do that to someone else. Yet I ask a lot of guys from around here they don't care, if its not posted they walk all over it. We should have rules like most other states where you need written or at least verbal permission. It keeps lazy people out, it keeps the deer herd more protected, and it keeps people honest, plus the landowner knows who's on their land which is really the most important thing.

Some spots are honey holes worth getting some grief over, thats kinda my approach in CT. You might get some strange looks because hunting is not all that common in Southern CT , or you might get a great spot, you might get a bunch of spots from people looking for a hunter that know other people. I've gotten lots of spots on references.

In a weird case, I got permission from a crazy lady that was so overbearing, I had to quit because she wanted me there every time she saw a deer in the yard. She litterly acted like I was working for her or something. Nutty as a fruitcake.

Soooooo...you want NH to be like mASS. with reverse posting?????? If you don't want people on your land, POST IT! If you're too lazy to post it, tough chit. As for Current Use, you can post land in CU, unless you apply for the ADDITIONAL recreational tax break. My land in Salem is posted on every tree that can hold a sign, around the perimeter, due to the jerkoffs that used to do drives thru it.

 

[Mark from MA]

Soooooo...you want NH to be like mass with revert postingit.

WTF are you talking about? If laws were like CT ( written permission) you wouldnt need to post your land. There would be no reverse posting?? Posting would be irrelevant because without a permission slip you are in violation. That is what I want. Because that is how I operate, because it gives utmost respect to the landowner who pays the taxes. As a landowner who has to post, I would think you would enjoy protection without having to post.

Tell me why you should have or want to mark your land with all sorts of ugly posters. When you could just do nothing and be protected by law against trespassing? Drive thru these states, there are no ugly posted signs everywhere because they dont need them.

In my opinion if someone wants to hunt your land then that person should do the work to obtain permission not you do all sorts of stuff to post. The tough chit should be on them not the landowner. The Hunter is the one who is lazy if the dont obtain permission.

In 90 percent of the country you need landowner permission to hunt or walk on posted or not. This whole “legally” posted thing is northeast only and its dumb for landowners.

 

[Bt74]

obviously you're from Ma.

 

[Kevin_NH]

I've had a few conversations with Fish & Game about "Operation Land Share", posting, and "legally posted".

The official stance (see below) is that "legally posted" isn't what people like to make it out to be; trespass is still trespass even if the land is only posted in a half-ass manner. Unofficially, the difference between "legally posted" and "stuck a self-designed paper sign to a tree" is whether they'll just give a warning (and an escort to their vehicle), versus writing up a violation, stripping their hunting license.

Can I hunt on land that's not posted under the legal manner of posting?

No.

Even if a landowner doesn't meet the letter of the law in RSA 635:4 (see above, legal manner of posting), a hunter or hiker cannot use land where the landowner has made a reasonable effort to post it against trespassing.

Let's say a landowner long ago put two or three aging "No Trespassing" signs where his land abuts a town road. But he didn't put up signs all the way around his property, as the law requires. Now let's say some hunters see the signs, but decide to reach the man's land from another direction. Those hunters could be charged with criminal trespass.

Here's what the law says (RSA 635:2): "Criminal trespass is a misdemeanor if … the person knowingly enters or remains … in any secured premises. … Secured premises means any place which is posted in a manner prescribed by law or in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, or which is fenced or otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders."​

​

 

[Winchester73]

WTF are you talking about? If laws were like CT ( written permission) you wouldnt need to post your land. There would be no reverse posting?? Posting would be irrelevant because without a permission slip you are in violation. That is what I want. Because that is how I operate, because it gives utmost respect to the landowner who pays the taxes. As a landowner who has to post, I would think you would enjoy protection without having to post.

Tell me why you should have or want to mark your land with all sorts of ugly posters. When you could just do nothing and be protected by law against trespassing? Drive thru these states, there are no ugly posted signs everywhere because they dont need them.

In my opinion if someone wants to hunt your land then that person should do the work to obtain permission not you do all sorts of stuff to post. The tough chit should be on them not the landowner. The Hunter is the one who is lazy if the dont obtain permission.

In 90 percent of the country you need landowner permission to hunt or walk on posted or not. This whole “legally” posted thing is northeast only and its dumb for landowners.

I've had a lifetime of hunting, fishing and trapping on private and public land. The vast majority of private land that I utilize is unposted and my experience has been that the owners don't mind me (or others) using it for those purposes without asking; in other words they don't care. I've also dealt with permission-in-writing and most landowners don't like it, the typical response was "you go ahead and hunt, trap, fish, etc. but I'm not signing anything". As far as your insistence of written permission to be anywhere but your own yard, Why? It's been my experience that people who don't want people hunting, trapping or fishing on their property will make it obvious via posting and like I've said above, if they don't mind than they don't have to do anything.

Also what "protection" are you talking about? Protection from trespassers? Protection from liability? Both of those already exist for property owners,

 

[Winchester73]

I've had a few conversations with Fish & Game about "Operation Land Share", posting, and "legally posted".

The official stance (see below) is that "legally posted" isn't what people like to make it out to be; trespass is still trespass even if the land is only posted in a half-ass manner. Unofficially, the difference between "legally posted" and "stuck a self-designed paper sign to a tree" is whether they'll just give a warning (and an escort to their vehicle), versus writing up a violation, stripping their hunting license.

A landowner can revoke trespass permission at any time, posted or not. Vermont, however, does have a 'properly posted" rule and requires the landowner to file their posting yearly with the town clerk. This doesn't mean that a landowner can tell you to leave their property at any time, posted or not. I will add from personal experience that Vermont F&G works at keeping access open for sportsmen and encourages landowners to allow access.

What I'm unclear about is when does current use and the significant reduction in property taxes actually require (or allow) trespass for the mentioned activities? I understand that one of the purposes of c.u. is open space protection and maintaining rural character, but can c.u. trespass be restricted if the land is under cultivation or an active wood cutting operation?

​

 

[Kevin_NH]

What I'm unclear about is when does current use and the significant reduction in property taxes actually require (or allow) trespass for the mentioned activities?

In New Hampshire, "Current Use" does not require allowing access.. Owners can get the significant reduction in property taxes while fully posting their land against any and all access.

Landowners who choose not to post can receive the optional add-on "Recreational Discount" (RSA 79-A:4,II) an additional 20% off the current use tax rate. To qualify, must allow hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, nature observation, however can post against mechanized and off-highway vehicles, camping, etc. and still qualify for the recreational discount.

Because the "Recreational Discount" is a % off the already low "current use" tax rate, it rarely adds up to much savings for the landowner.

I understand that one of the purposes of c.u. is open space protection and maintaining rural character, but can c.u. trespass be restricted if the land is under cultivation or an active wood cutting operation?

The "Recreational Discount" allows for temporarily restricting access if it would be detrimental to crops and while actually harvesting timber.

Half the land area of New Hampshire is in Current Use, about half of current use receives the additional recreational discount.

 

[Mark from MA]

I've had a few conversations with Fish & Game about "Operation Land Share", posting, and "legally posted".

The official stance (see below) is that "legally posted" isn't what people like to make it out to be; trespass is still trespass even if the land is only posted in a half-ass manner. Unofficially, the difference between "legally posted" and "stuck a self-designed paper sign to a tree" is whether they'll just give a warning (and an escort to their vehicle), versus writing up a violation, stripping their hunting license.

​

This is the stance in MA as well as I've been told by most game wardens. "Legally posted" gets you a ticket. Half ass posted gets you a warning. No posting gets you a legal way out....as the law says.

Not so most other states....they don't post their land. They don't have to, there is no "law" about it like there is in NE states. If you are tresspassing on any land you get a ticket or arrest.

 

[Mark from MA]

I've had a lifetime of hunting, fishing and trapping on private and public land. The vast majority of private land that I utilize is unposted and my experience has been that the owners don't mind me (or others) using it for those purposes without asking; in other words they don't care. I've also dealt with permission-in-writing and most landowners don't like it, the typical response was "you go ahead and hunt, trap, fish, etc. but I'm not signing anything". As far as your insistence of written permission to be anywhere but your own yard, Why? It's been my experience that people who don't want people hunting, trapping or fishing on their property will make it obvious via posting and like I've said above, if they don't mind than they don't have to do anything.

Also what "protection" are you talking about? Protection from trespassers? Protection from liability? Both of those already exist for property owners,

Not so in my experience. Maybe landowners don't want to write a slip, but they sure are happy about people asking. Everyone of them I've contacted, said, I know it may not be posted, but thank you very much for asking.

Really.....my neighbor who owns 15 acres doesn't want anyone on his land, but he doesn't want ugly posted signs either. I walk thru his land with his permission, but he doesn't want me shooting anything or hunting on it.

Had to tell him, if you don't put up some signs, people will shoot and hunt on your land, and don't blame me, because it won't be me. I will be just walking thru like we agreed to. So tell me how he's protected? The first guy he catches on his land shooting a deer or whatever will only get a warning, if that, because the landowner will not ugly up his land with signs, nor should he have to.

 

[Mark from MA]

obviously you're from Ma.

What does that have to do with it?

What since your from NH you have better ethics? Bullshit...I've seen lots of hacks from New Hampshire walk on posted private land and hunt.

Im the one who is respecting landowners the most by asking....WTF is your problem with that?

You enjoy having to post every tree on your property line in Salem? Why?

 

[Bt74]

What does that have to do with it?

What since your from NH you have better ethics? Bullshit...I've seen lots of hacks from New Hampshire walk on posted private land and hunt.

Im the one who is respecting landowners the most by asking....WTF is your problem with that?

You enjoy having to post every tree on your property line in Salem? Why?

Yes I do. Stay in Ma.
I also own 10 acres in Chester NH, and 12.55 acres in Deerfield NH that I don't post. Under YOUR Ma and Ct inspired plan, no on could hunt those parcels...when in reality, I welcome anyone to hunt them. Why close up land to hunters or make it so restrictive as to make it unhuntable, unless you love regulation for the sake of regulation. Live Free or Die. Oh...if you want to buy my Deerfield land and annex it to Ma....it's only $25k.

 

[Mark from MA]

OH....I get it, Im a statist from MA looking to make new regulations in NH...that's why you are all butthurt. No worries, I do hunt NH, but I wouldn't be moving there and trying to get any laws changed. I get Live Free or Die....except on your posted land in Salem which is kind of weird, if your so about freedom of everyone walking on your land.

If anything is statist, its a law telling landowners that anyone can walk on their land UNLESS they post it. That to me puts the onus on the landowner, who already pays the taxes, etc.

Honestly, we probably agree on most things....even this, I understand not having to have a regulation, but I do think a simple asking for permission, maybe not written, but at least verbal, without a landowner having to post would be better for landowners. Since I'm not a New Hampshire landowner, I do like the fact that I can be lazy and just walk on your land...even though I generally operate with more courtesy than that, I guess not having to do so and just trespass is a good thing for me.....generally not for you....even though you are paying the taxes and freight.

My plan is not a MA inspired plan or a CT plan... It has nothing to do with statist regulation or something that your thinking I'm talking about. Its something the majority of the nation practices but for some reason we don't. And it's not closing land...its simply needing to ask for permission.You as a landowner can always say YES.....but it gives YOU the option.

Here is an example:

I got back from hunting in Kentucky in November and hunted on about 100 acres with my bow, I was planning on public land, but stopped at a small farm and asked for permission. The guy thought on it a second and said, Don't shoot anything under 8 points and please take only one doe, I said great, we are on the same page. I told him since I flew, Im not looking for a bunch of meat, and I have plenty in the freezer. So does and little bucks will be walking all day long. He said, OK absolutely! ...it wasn't hard or tough, or anything...took about 5 minutes to ask.

He was even nice enough to show me around on his 4 wheeler. He even said....heck...if you shoot one, let me know, I'll come get it with the 4 wheeler. To me...unbelievable, i just knocked on this guys door and don't even know him. He said, honestly, anyone around here would likely do the same for you unless they are on some type of big buck program. Im not....

Nothing was posted. For shits and grins asked the landowner why? He looked at me and said Why would I need to post? I said unposted land in my home state, NH, ME and VT is generally huntable if not posted without asking.

He looked at me like I had 3 heads and said this is not the Northeast, we respect landowner rights around here, if people just walk on without asking, they generally get a gun pointed at them, or worse. Understood. He then reminded me that the neighbors land was unposted, and NOT to walk on it, even if a deer ran onto it that I shot. Call him and he would sort it out as he knew them well, but me walking around would be unwelcome.

We are friends now and I'm welcome back anytime. Nothing about their rules closed land to my being able to hunt it, I simply had to ask.