Named,
Its got nothing to do with bylaws. Its got to do with state law. Just to clarify, we're talking about CT. There are no FID's in CT. You do not need to do anything to own a long gun in CT.
PDM - re: Sorry, I didn't know there was a house there?? If you shot my kid playing in the back yard because you didn't know there was a house there. I'd find you and kill you. I'm guessing you'd do the same to me if I, through my own negligence shot your kid.
Sorry, no excuses. Guns are serious. Big guns are even more serious. You MUST know what is around you when you are hunting. If you aren't willing to do that, stay out of the woods.
In fact, if you are active military, have a pistol permit,, or have a hunting license, I can sell you a long gun, ANY long gun, even an AR15 with nothing more than a bill of sale.
No approvals, no government forms. Just a bill of sale.
The thing to remember is that in CT you need WRITTEN permission to hunt on any private property that is not yours. The state hunting guide even has the form.
I have no problems with this form because it is also a liability release for the landowner. The release of liability for the landowner in CT is iron clad. If he gets sued, the state will back him.
This is excellent because it removes the liability concerns from landowners. So its worth using the written consent form.
With that said. If you are unknowingly on someone's private property hunting, shame on you. Its your responsibility to know whose property you are on when hunting.
If you were on my property and I heard a shot, we'd have a confrontation on our hands.
Named - re how do I know I'm on 10 acres? Well,, since you've gotten written permission from the land owner, I'd guess he'd know how much land he has.
Just to put a finer point on things. In CT. You can hunt with a rimfire or a shotgun anywhere you are 500 ft from anyone's dwelling (who you don't have permission from. ie. you could shoot off the owner's back porch if he's ok with it)
The 10 acre law only applies to hunting with centerfire rifle HUNTING. It may specifically apply to deer, but I'm not sure.
Don