If you can't get permission, call the GW, they do not need permission to recover wounded game.

How bout a little "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

I would welcome any of my neighbors to come onto my property to recover there animal and will assist in the search if I can. Blows my mind that anyone out there would not give permission to recover a downed animal no matter how much you dislike your neighbor. Anyone that would not let someone recover an animal on there property have a reason why? If so I am curious on why you would not.

Obviously, based on the above, the answer is to keep a fake game warden's uniform and badge on your place and slip it on if you need to go onto your neighbor's place!

After reading this thread, it occurred to me that in the 20 years since Granddad passed, no one had really spoken to the adjacent landowners around our property. No one in the family hunts with anything less powerful than a .270, and we've never had an issue with any crossing a fence, so it never occurred to us. But for the first time in 30 years, I will be using a bow. So I just called both landowners whose property a wounded animal might go on to from ours.

Both of them appreciated the call very much and said I am welcome to retrieve any wounded game on their place as long as I call first. They both mentioned that it was just as likely that one of their hunters could have a deer come onto our property, so they were glad I called and we agreed to a simple phone call before crossing fences.

I can't count the hours per year I spend practicing, gearing up, at the range, caring for equipment, scouting, etc., nor the dollars I spend each year to make sure my hunt goes just right and that I'm prepared for every possible situation. So this 5 minutes and a couple cell-phone calls just made all the sense in the world.

Come Friday I intend to see if the rest of the preparation has paid off...:)