We take a moment before each post to acknowledge that the land we learn from, responsibly take from, and generously give back to, is the traditional and contemporary homeland of the Anishinaabe peoples, specifically the Council of Three Fires (the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations), among others.
We pay respect to their ancient stewardship, ecological wisdom, and continued presence here in the Great Lakes region, committing ourselves to learning and practicing the ethics of stewardship and harvesting that they pioneered.
Land is not property, land is a relation.
(I’ve written about getting consent for foraging on private property before, so some of this is a rehash of what I spoke about prior. Although what I don’t mention in this post is how I reached out to the r/foraging community for insight on this and wrote about what I was told.)
Accidentally breaking the law is a universal fear, and when it happens in the context of foraging—an activity meant to connect us respectfully with nature—the embarrassment can be intense.
One viral Reddit post, “Thought I was foraging on public land for years turns out it was private property,” perfectly encapsulates this modern foraging dilemma, generating a detailed discussion on ethics, technology, and landowner relationships.
This post, detailing a forager’s three-year trespass and the surprising resolution, offers valuable lessons on why consent matters and how technology is changing the way we approach wild harvesting.
The original poster describes foraging successfully for over three years in a quiet patch of woods, harvesting wild garlic, berries, and occasional mushroom jackpots, all while assuming the land was unused public property.
They never encountered a fence or signs.
The shock came when the owners finally showed up, revealing they had been monitoring the forager using security cameras.
The OP was ready to apologize and “get chewed out,” but the outcome was “super chill,” resulting in an invitation to keep foraging.
Why the generosity? The owners specifically noted two things:
- The forager always practiced Leave No Trace ethics.
- The forager didn’t take too much.
The owners contrasted this behavior with typical trespassers who they noted usually “just hunt or litter” and don’t even know what plants are edible.
This anecdote highlights how establishing a reputation for stewardship—even unintentionally—can mitigate the consequences of illegal trespassing.
The OP reflected that they “lucked out” because not every owner would be so understanding, concluding that land isn’t always what it seems and that permission should be sought when possible.
The Reddit Community’s Response
The community response swiftly shifted from shared embarrassment to practical advice on how to prevent accidental trespassing.
Multiple commenters emphasized the crucial preparation step of researching the property boundaries and ownership before setting foot on the land.
Commenters recommended several high-tech and governmental resources used to determine land status:
- Hunting Apps: Several users pointed out that hunting apps are some of the best tools, particularly in the US, for determining the status of land.
- OnX Hunt: This app was specifically lauded as being “very good for tracking routes and points of interest” and for showing property lines and ownership. Although pricey, it is considered the easiest and best answer by some users.
- OnX Backcountry: This related app uses the same underlying data and can be used for scouting to ensure one remains on public land.
- Governmental Resources: Readers noted that public land records are often available through county resources.
- GIS Data: The Geographic Information System (GIS) provided by County Assessors can display boundary lines and ownership information.
- Property Appraiser Websites: The local property appraiser’s website often features a map application that allows users to view boundaries and ownership.
- Other Apps: The app “regrid” was also suggested for checking land ownership and property lines, with free basic features available.
Using these tools is paramount because, as one user pointed out, sometimes there is no fence between private land and public forests.
The thread spurred several deeper discussions regarding global land ethics and liability:
1. Land as Relation vs. Property
The entire incident underscores the reality that entering property without consent constitutes trespassing, which can lead to legal challenges like criminal charges.
This contrasts with the philosophy that “land is not property, land is a relation”. In the context of the Great Lakes region, respect is paid to the ancient stewardship and ecological wisdom of the Anishinaabe peoples (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations) who pioneered ethical harvesting.
2. Right to Roam
Several international users highlighted their confusion regarding strict US trespassing laws.
In contrast to the US, countries like the UK have had people fight for “Right to Roam” laws that guarantee certain foraging rights even on private lands.
Nordic countries, for example, have Everyman’s Rights, allowing movement in non-cultivated areas for foraging purposes.
However, even in places with expansive public land, some users maintain the controversial view that if land is not posted, it is “free game,” putting the onus on the owner to properly post the property.
However, the sources remind us that even if land is posted as open, you should always ask permission to enter private land.
3. Landowner Liability and Safety
A Canadian landowner commenting on the thread emphasized that liability is a key concern, noting that having trespassers get injured on the property poses an insurance risk.
They also noted that knowing who is roaming their woods is essential for safety, in case the individual “don’t make it out” and needs to be located.
If approaching a landowner, liability concerns are critical and can be addressed upfront; for example, by offering to sign a written waiver, show proof of existing liability coverage (such as homeowners/renters insurance), or even pay for a low-cost, special land liability policy that covers the landowner.
Conclusion
The OP’s successful outcome—receiving an invitation to return—shows the power of positive behavior.
The community echoed the importance of giving before receiving and maintaining the relationship, specifically by showing gratitude.
Multiple commenters advised the OP to offer a “return gesture”, such as dropping off some of the forage haul.
This practice aligns with the strategy of sharing part of the harvest as a gesture of gratitude.
Maintaining a good reputation and demonstrating respect are essential for any hopeful forager looking to transition from a “hopeful trespasser to a welcome guest”.
The key takeaway from this Reddit post is that while foraging is exciting, it must be grounded in respect for the law and private ownership.
The incident, though resolved happily, serves as a sharp reminder: preparation is necessary to know the boundaries, and gracious conduct, whether observed through security cameras or earned through upfront communication, is the currency of access.
If you view the process of gaining access to private land like approaching a new friend: you must first prepare yourself, introduce yourself honestly, offer a mutual benefit, and then maintain that relationship with respect and gratitude.
In this case, the forager inadvertently completed the first few steps by proving their trustworthiness before the formal introduction.
Get eaten by the wild things (but not literally),
Trevor.
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