BT
Ever consider taking them to court for your stress and losses? My lawyer says I have a good case. I save all my receipts waiting for my next trespasser. The problem is $267 isn't enough money to change some peoples behaviors. $10,000 might? Adds up quickly food plot expense and taxes. Since they are using the land, they may as we pay.
Something to think about
Way to go!
I run reconyx all year for ass clown moves like, a) turkey hunting, b) Shed hunting C) morel hunting d) Fornicating d) Bow/gun hunting e) Hound training/hunting/, f) Ect. I have a ZERO tolerance policy so both are getting a $276 trespass ticket. As a side note, our bear baits were hit 48 hours after first installing ever! Sweet.
So reasons 1 thru 19 for trailcams are the "entitled" local assclowns who feel they own this dirt cuz his granpappy and first cuzin bred here.Locals who feel entitled can kiss my a$$ after I blow their MCL out.
I don't like trespassers either,,,, but after you """ blow their MCL out. """ for trespassing they will own your land and you with a good attorney. Its called reasonable force/action. Think before you act!
Let them make 5 years payments for their theft. Small claims court can go I think to $25K
This way they learn a lesson they will not forget - land is expensive, don't steal it
Trespassers take the fun out of owning land. I've got my place wired to catch them like November. Thankfully I have a caretaker who lives on the place with a reputation of catching and holding people accountable for trespassing. It has been about 4 years since my last incident, so I haven't been able to try my idea -which is great
I have to say the law enforcement I have dealt with in the past has been awesome as well
The fine needs to have more teeth - like $1000 and loss of hunting rights for 1 year.
I had one neighbor who would brag about paying trespassing fines are so much cheaper than leasing and buying land. Got the lawyers involved ahead of this - has not messed with me since.
Don't get me wrong - trespassing is violation of privacy and against the law. They should be punished to its fullest extent but I read all the time about 5,6,7 time convicted DWI,DUI who continue to drink, drive even after their stay in the iron bar hotel. People are stupid regardless if you take away hunting rights etc. Some will still do it.
When I lived in Upstate NY there was a land owner who patrolled his property utilizing a helicopter! He meant business so you high rollers might consider it!
I am willing to wager that all 72 counties in this State have an ordinance violation for trespassing. Any citation written is on an ordinance citation and is a simple civil forfiture - pay your fine and move on.
Only cases with multiple offense or aggravated circumstances would see a criminal prosecution and I am willing to be the "trespassing" would be dropped in a plea agreement-
So, that's the best anyone can hope for, a fine and if you pay it - never see the inside of a courtroom!
Simple stated, there are not enough prosecutors or time to deal with it. I dont like it anymore than anyone else, but that's the way it goes!
At the end of the day, it's about making the situation painful financially. Even if I don't win, so what, the likelihood of a repeat goes down. Even just having them get a lawyer will be more than the $276 fine and long term for me the expense is a good investment
Trespassing is against the law but showing your(not literally you) stuff off, talking about and showing jumbos whether on a bow/gun site or sitting at a restaurant, planting corn roadside to prevent shining are all stimulants to the less than desirables. I work for a pharmaceutical company and our tractor trailers are plain wrapped for the most part on purpose.
Our trailers still get broken in because we use a "super" seal/lock like no other on our trailers mandated by Canadian Gov. That lock is nothing more than a enticement for thieves and they just "know" there is more value in them or gotta be some good stuff.
I don't know where you live but I am sure there have been many on this site alone that took the time to find out. Your neighbors may be jealous etc. When I put some new expensive rims and tires on my vehicle I got many inquiries on to cost etc. People noticed and I felt like I should be watching it at all times so it didn't end on blocks cause it could have. But that's the risk I took. Sue for "stealing your time and resources" - yes maybe... BUT "Put human scent in a sanctuary, the stress of the situation ???" ... I would like a picture of the judges face if you would please.
Blowing out MCL's or crushing skulls probably isn't the way to go either so prosecute to the fullest and enjoy your enhanced land. The more and more people around you fix up their places may ease the trespassers on your acreage.
All this for bone on the head...sad to me. I wish they never grew antlers bigger than spikes.
We have interesting people here in bowsite. Some want to shoot people's dogs because they run in their property and others want to trash people's legs for walking in their property. I am glad there are laws that prevent this behavior.
If you're Catholic or Jewish, it's the thought that counts.
Someone else shot one of those dogs later, so I got the hairy eyeball from the neighbor even though I was nowhere around there when it happened. I was 350 miles away.
I feel bad for the aggravation that my buddies put up with from trespassing neighbors.
You have to take resposibility of your own property.
Posting is ffective and telegraphs the appropriate mesaage.
If your not around all the time - try leaving a "decoy" car on the property that is visable. Security lighting "makes" a place look lived in or occupied.
We all know how to use trail camera's - hide them and watch the action when you get back. If vehicles are involved get the video going to tape license plates and faces.
Get all the evidence you can collect and notify the Sheriff's Office!
Trespassing in our County has gone way down - during the gun season we used to have a "trespasss patrol" car with two deputies. That car would just answer trespass calls.
The car is no longer needed and the few calls we get are handled by regular patrol.
Plate numbers/backtag numbers are huge!!
After 2 years I took matters into my on hands. Lets just say it cost the poachers a lot more than $ 276 . Never had another problem. I was not happy that I was forced to take care of the problem, thats not the right way to go.
I told the old battle axe that did most of the talking, that had they simply stopped and asked. They would be free to pick as many berries as they wanted. I then told them to leave, I let them take the berries they had already picked. As they were leaving one of the group told me my type, is what's wrong with america today. I told him I think he's a bit confused. Sheesh, some people, I have never caught a trespasser that didn't have entitlement issues. They must all be Liberals.
Fines are sufficient for most but some properties seem to funnel the crowds of unwanted hunters. I do my best to assist these landowners but you cant seem to please everyone and they expect you to lock everyone up.
Outside that particular case, (homicide), I really wonder how much they help statewide.
I strongly suggest not taking action yourself - leave it to the folks that are trained to deal with it. Some folks dont have a sense of humor and can be very dangerous.
Your best defense is to be a good witness, jot down time/date - location - plate numbers, backtags, names if mentioned and help the deputy help you!
Remember Ruger and Rut - the WDNR does not enforce trespassing laws. Trespass is handled by local law enforcement, most often Sheriff's deputies.
Sign postage is huge - I like the "camera surveillance - video" signs the best! Keeps honest folks honest and makes the bad guys think twice - crook dont like pictures/video. It doesnt matter if you have em or not - they dont know and few if any will take the chance!
You may also want to check with your local warden, he/she as well may have a different opinion -
Are they a pain - yep!
Zinger - Wow!! It's not all about trespassing!
LE use it to check who has a license, who doesnt. In cases of poaching people may be able to catch a number to help in the investigation. They have proven to help in at least one homicide!
There are many different reason we wear them - yes, I agree they are a pain.
I would like to see an amendment to the rule that would allow folks to wear them on back packs and once in the tree be displayed on the back pack. They (tags)scrape against the tree and are noisy, plus a warden couldn't read them if they wanted to.
Wearing one on a backpack is perfectly legal because they require it to be on the outermost garment so it's visible. But technically it can't be on the backpack if you're not wearing it in the tree. So to be perfectly legal you need to wear it on your backpack, then when you get to your tree you need to take off your safety vest, take the tag off your backpack, and put it on your safety vest then when you're done hunting you need to take it off your vest and back onto your backpack. Although technically I guess you would be violating the law because it's not on your back while your switching it from your backpack to your vest.
As for the Vang reference I'm so sick of that, he would have been caught without it. It's again just like the logic used by the anti-gunners. If the shooter at Sandy Hook wouldn't have had XYZ gun then the kids wouldn't have been shot. Yes they would have! If they didn't scribble down the tag number Vang would still have been caught. Even if it did help it's not a reason to inconvenience everyone else.
Granted there was eye witnesses, and ya can be sick all ya want - it was one more huge nail in Vang's coffin!
Yes, I wear my tag on my backpack. Wouldn't it be nice to keep it on your back pack when hung in the tree as well? I think so!
Do you have any idea what optics/equipment are available to our wardens. You would be surprised just how far they are able to see. Observation is a key element to their jobs - dont think for a second they can't see your tag if they want too.
I think most folks in the LE community side with keeping them.
I find it a mild and somewhat annoying inconvenience, apparently others are a tad more put out I guess!
Shoplifters...that's a good one - but dont quit your day job! :^)
Good Hunting!
Would you be in favor of stricter gun control because it MIGHT, and key word MIGHT, have stopped a killing 20 years ago?
Do I have any idea what optics/equipment are available to our wardens? Pretty much yes I do considering I sell the DNR, and other LE departments, night vision, thermal imaging and lighting products! I've been to their trainings and put on trainings for them and seen the optics and other equipment they use.
Actually one place they are lacking is in their optics. Mid-range binoculars in the 8x and 10x range with objectives and glass quality not good enough to read numbers in low light. If you want to read a little number at 100yds a $500 10x40 aint going to do it! Spotting scopes the same thing because the powers that be won't justify $6000 for image stabilizing spotting scopes with 85mm objectives for lower light. Not that I think they need that kind of spotting scope but that's the only way they're going to read the numbers on a back tag and if the person is moving forget about it.
I suppose you never thought of the prosecutional merits of the back tag in the Vang case before? I guess I cannot blame you for not making mention. It was pretty obvious however!
I guess I would have been in "favor of stricter gun control because it MIGHT, the key word MIGHT, have stopped a killing 20 years ago" - AND IF that "killing" would have involve a loved one!! But it didn't - and your point is? Whatever.....
I find it interesting that you claim to be a salesman of law enforcement products in one breath and then in other you slam law enforcement because "most LE guys" "would like to be able to search your truck and home without a search warrant."
As that violates the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution I disagree with your opinion! It (4th amendment)protects all of us, law enforcement and citizens alike (which law people are as well) from unreasonable search and seizure. I dont know what LE people your selling your wares too, but you may want to ask them if the Fourth Amendment is important to them. Not only as law enforcement officers, but as citizens as well. You may be surprised Zinger!
I could check further but the last pair of binoculars I saw our local warden with was a set of Swarovski. I took a peak through them and the imaging was outstanding. Dont they cost some BIG dollars - I thought so!
"The powers to be" do not always use tax levy dollars in their equipment purchases. As a salesman you should know that much of the more expensive equipment is done with grant dollars on a federal level. Several years back we purchased 5 radars with a price tag of 2500 dollars per unit - awarded by a federal highway safety grant.
With the amount of enforcement activity that the WDNR does on both land and water I would suspect they receive many federal dollars in equipment purchases.
Here's a thought! Maybe their just buying their cheap stuff from you and saving the big sales for salesmen with a more favorable attitude towards law enforcement officers?
Just a thought!
Good Hunting!
Perhaps I should have said it would make the jobs of LE easier if they could search without a warrant because you are correct that most officers, not Sheriffs and Cheifs, are quite conservative in their believes and want the Constitution upheld. But they are also taught how to ask to search in a way that it sounds like they are demanding it.
Most all of the wardens I've been in contact with carry Steiner binoculars, often times local sportsman's clubs will buy stuff for their local wardens such as we bought our's a higher end mountain bike that he uses on patrol. So how far can you read the little numbers on a back tag with an 8 or 10 power binocular in low light? Try it and get back to me, especially if the subject is moving.
Thanks for the lesson on grants and how LE buys some of their equipment - like I didn't know that, who do you think helps in the grant writing? As for my stuff being cheap the optics I sell to LE starts at about $4k and goes up to about $30K per piece.
Sorry for the "dig" on your cheap equipment - I really dont know what the hell your selling! Could be anything from George Foreman grills to Chi pets! :^)
And, no we are not "taught" how to ask to go about searching as if we are demanding it. Your way off base there. With the surge of scenting K-9's an officer can and may say that "a K-9 is on it's way - so I can search now or later, your call."
You would be amazed the amount of folks however that will "consent" to search if asked. Some knowing full well they have illegal items with them. Some folks are hard to figure out!
I'm meeting with our area warden this afternoon - I'll get his spin on backtags and see what he thinks! He might have an interesting spin! He's a great hard working guy!
Ooops, made a mistake our warden has "Steiner" bino's I reported that wrong.
In other news, our local warden is a BIG fan of backtags. He relates to them as a great tool in developing cases. He related that he gets many citizen complaints with the tag numbers as well.
He did add that he suspects they will someday go by the wayside however. So Zinger there is hope for you on the horizon my friend!!
And I bet if you surveyed any number of police officers (many of them hunt) you'd find some that dont like them at all!
As far as license plates, yes a front and a back one works just fine!
The 19-year-old ATV driver said the man confronted him with a .357-caliber pistol and another gun and as the ATV tried to drive way, the teenager heard a shot and then two more which he thought hit the ground near him, the agency said.
The landowner told investigators he fired three shots “to the north,” a lieutenant said.
The incident happened Friday night in the Town of Corning, just west Merrill.
"The landowner told the deputy he knew his actions were wrong but he was frustrated by the ongoing issue of trespassing by the suspect," a police report said.
The landowner was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, investigators said.
The teenager was cited for trespassing, having an expired ATV registration and littering, the sheriff's department said.
Judging from the article posted by Screwball it appears the trespasser was "cited" (citation) and not jailed on a criminal offense of trespassing!
Again, nearly everyone recieves a citation - no criminal charges!
Twenty plus years ago cattle from the same pasture got into my apple trees. At that time the landowner pastured it himself. The incident resulted in the owner offering me the opportunity to hunt all of his land. I shot lots of deer and turkeys on his land over those years.
