CONCORD, NH -- With over 70% of New Hampshire's land in private ownership, private lands are an important part of our outdoor recreation community. Without these generous landowners, we would all find it hard to hunt, fish, snowmobile, hike, watch wildlife, and geocache!

Many New Hampshire landowners want to allow others on their land, but they also want users to remember to respect the land. As a recreational community, we can all do our part by respecting signs and being good stewards of the land. Treat the landowner as you would like to be treated and treat their land as you would like yours to be treated.

The holiday season is a great time to thank these generous landowners for allowing you to play your favorite outdoor sport on their property. A sincere thanks, handshake, or small gift will go a long way in keeping positive relations and open communication.

Last month, Fish and Game held a Facebook contest and received some great ideas and stories from hunters, anglers and other participants in outdoor recreation who thank landowners for allowing access to their land:

• Bobby of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, won the contest (and a subscription to NH Wildlife Journal magazine), by telling us how he offers to help landowners with things that need to get done around the property and offering fresh meat to them, too.
  
• Emily says she thanks a landowner by sharing the love of outdoors with their kids.
  
• Wyatt says he and his kids ask the land owner for permission to fish from their land as an example for his kids to see courtesy and kindness.
  
• Jeff not only offers to help split wood or lend a helping hand as needed, he also asks for permission annually, and doesn't assume that their land is always available to him for hunting.

"Thanks to everyone who joined the Facebook discussion," said Fish and Game Landowner Relations Coordinator Lindsay Webb. "Having access to private land is a privilege, one we all hope to maintain for future generations to come. I hope many of you will take time to thank New Hampshire landowners during the holiday season and throughout the year."

New Hampshire Fish and Game's Landowner Relations Program works in partnership with landowners, hunters, and anglers by proactively addressing problems landowners experience while providing access to others. To learn more about the program, including Operation Land Share, please go to www.wildnh.com/landshare.