Since its densely populated here on Cape Cod, I do much of my wildlife calling in areas where hunting is not allowed because of firearm discharge setbacks or other local regulations. My truck is often parked along the side of a road, or in a parking lot somewhere while I’m out calling. I am also seen going to and from the vehicle dressed in camo and carrying a bunch of gear. In these “no hunting” areas, I only carry camera/video equipment and my calling gear, no guns.

The problem is, someone who may see me entering the woods dressed in full camo carrying a backpack full of gear doesn’t know what I am up to. Especially at night, when they see colored lights and hear the sounds of the caller.

A Predator Hunter’s Clever Dashboard Note

I found that some predator hunters had left notes on their vehicles to avoid problems with the police and game wardens who may not be familiar with all the hunting laws and are responding to calls from concerned citizens about suspicious persons, vehicles, lights and/or gunshots at night.

Another predator hunter leaves a note or permission form when predator hunting at night in a plastic document sleeve and attaches it to his vehicle with magnets. Here’s an excerpt:

I HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER OF THIS IMMEDIATE PROPERTY TO HUNT PREDATORS (FOX, COYOTE, ETC.) AT NIGHT. I AM NOT POACHING! IF YOU SEE A RED SPOTLIGHT IN THE FIELD IT WILL BE ME IDENTIFYING THOSE MENTIONED ANIMALS.

DO NOT COME OUT ONTO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT NOTICE OR WARNING, AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF!

What I came up with, was to order a couple cheap magnetic signs that I can stick to the back or side of my truck while out calling in these “no hunting” areas day or night.

Letting ’em know what I am up to