In my experience trespassers will continue to do what they do until they are convinced that coming back to you spot would be a huge mistake. When I bought my land in NY, I gave everyone warnings and asked them not to come back. They kept coming back until I got upset enough to call all the relevant authorities. Since my property borders NYC Watershed and State Park that meant: The county Sheriff, The DEC, The DEP (Watershed conservation officers) and the State Park Police. Once the trespassers realized that I was serious they went elsewhere. One guy gave me a pretty hard time, screaming at me that he'd ridden there his whole life and thought it was fine to come any time he wanted. I reminded him that "I paid the taxes, he's on my land illegally, he's acting aggressively and I have a loaded shotgun in my hand and a dog at my side, so I thought it'd be a really good job if he left immediately." I haven't seen him since.
Trying to be a nice guy will not work. At a minimum call the cops and get the plates. Even if no charges are brought ask that the info is recorded so the next time it will be a more serious charge. And there will be a next time, and you'll wish you were more aggressive the first time.
My family a group of seven others used to own a very large parcel of land in CT which was purchased specifically for hunting. It was sold recently (despite my objections) but we still get to hunt it which is good.
I spent and still do spend a lot of time there trying to improve the habitat. For years the the thought of tresspassers coming on there and hunting and taking advantage of all the work I put in consumed me to the point that hunting it stopped being fun.
Eventually I just learned to put the worries aside as best I could and enjoy the property. If I ever buy land that is lesson I won't forget.
in another post you stated that people who break laws already on the books should be handled by the courts, and not to worry about education classes to teach them right from wrong. Now you're suggesting that when they break the law that you should just ignore it. Your position is confusing for me so help me understand where you draw the line?
My opinion, and it's just my opinion, is I would fight for my rights and pursue these guys as far as the law allows. If you choose to ignore criminals on your property that's your right, and in this case Tpb can do the same. If it were my property, I would be pissed!
All I am saying is that as a recreational property owner you have a choice on how to handle this stuff. Policing the property can become so consuming and worrisome that takes away from enjoyment the property. I remember hearing from other owners that they found evidence of a poacher on our property. It made me nuts for weeks, and I found it just wasn't worth it.
You just need to find balance between worrying about tresspassers and enjoyment. For me, it was just better to let go for the most part, not worry so much about the tresspassers and enjoy the property while I was on it. I am not suggesting that is the right way for everyone to handle it.
I'm truly trying to understand your approach to this issue, I'm not trying to make it a personal issue. I've stated before that I enjoy a good arguement, a healthy exchange of ideas and opinions is the only way to understand each other.
This post is about a poacher who went onto private property that was posted and shot a deer, was caught red handed and we were asked how he should handle it. Your response was learn to live with it or ignore it (not your exact words but what I understood).
In your other post you said let the justice system handle people that break the current laws on the books, that we don't need to take hunter safety courses to learn how to hunt. The person posting this thread caught the law breaker, so why should he ignore the crime?
Here's where I come from - laws are made for all of us to obey. If you don't like the law, whether it's to take a hunter safety course or trespassing, then work towards changing the law, don't ignore it and do whatever you want.
I guess we see things in a different light when it comes to laws and holding poeple accountable, so I'll it at that.
I confess to enjoy tweaking you because you and I have very different views of the world. I would never share a hunting camp with you, but sparring with you here is a fun distraction.
In this case though your just looking for a reason to fight with me. I never said that the poacher should not be prosecuted.
All I was doing is relaying my personal experience on the subject on how easy it is to get so wrapped up in policing property that hunting it is no longer is fun.
I came that realization a few years ago when a buddy texted me that there was a poacher using our family land. At the time I was about a mile into a state forest deer hunting. I got so pissed I almost hiked out and drove to the property. That would have killed the entire day for me and for what? Maybe I happen to catch the guy? On a day when I am away from the office and supposed to relaxing in the woods I was just getting stressed out. I took a deep breath, sat back down and wiped the slate clean. From that point on I don't let that stuff irritate me and I just enjoy what I am doing. I have a job and a life that cause enough irritation. Hunting and the outdoors are supposed to be an escape from that.
I sensed that you like to tweek me and that's fine, like I said, I enjoy hearing someone else's point of view and engage in a healthy exchange of ideas; so don't think I take it personnally. Neither of us are right, we're just cut from different cloth and that's fine.
I understand your point of view on the trespassing issue and agree with it to the degree that I hunt on large tracts of state land to get away from other hunters and hikers so I too can relax and enjoy the outdoors. But I would have walked out of the woods if someone was on my land hunting illegally. Something like that,....I do take personnally.
Good luck this season.
Two weeks ago I dragged scent on the way into my stand on private land in Lyme. While putting a hoist line on my bow and pack I hear voices, here comes some dude with his girlfriend and a dog walking all over my trail. Never said a word, just glared at them. The dude says to me "Oh, is this private land? Sorry, we're leaving now". Bear in mind that you have to drive down a narrow driveway with no trespassing, private drive and posted signs all over to get there. Needless to say I never saw a deer that day.
I agree with you 100%. People today show little respect for authority, rules, regulations, etc.
No distracted driving - RIGHT! No Trespassing - EXCEPT ME when no one is around! No shooting past sunset - unless there's a big buck!
Pick a topic, and you'll find people who think the rules don't apply to them.
Heck the IRS feels the rules don't apply to them, why should we?
Back to tweaking you again BBB. :)
Heck the IRS feels the rules don't apply to them, why should we?
Back to tweaking you again BBB. :)
Come one, do you really believe that or are you looking for a reaction from me?
I'm a conservative republican, hate the social programs and government involvement in my life as well, but this is still the best country in the world. I try to work within the system for change, and not be a renegade.
The cellphone thing really sets me off!! I sold my motorcycle because I was no longer comfortable with Susie Cellphoner driving next to me on I-84 while texting on the phone. I wanted to throw ball-bearings at her window since she would never know it was me,....she's not looking at the road.
Nothing to do with hunting,...but I feel better venting.
If it ain't yours, don't touch it!
I've never done it, but was tempted several time to toss some hardware in their direction. I also was getting stupid after I pulled the motor on me VMAX and had it modified by PCW Racing. Ended up with 161 RWHP and 110 lb/ft of torque. First time on the highway I got into it and found myself floating around at 155 mph when I grabbed the brake. Not good!! Speed is a drug for me, too fun.
I can understand living with people walking on your property, I do the same. I live on a cul du sac and kids would walk through our yard to get to the next block, and I just befriended them and asked that they walk by the fence, not the middle of the yard.
But if someone were to come to my property and steal something of mine, I would be a bit upset. Shooting a deer on my property would fall into that category. I know, the deer doesn't belong to me, but it was on my property when taken, so I would feel the same sense of anger with the person commiting the act.
I gave up my #1 hunting spot to Duncan this year, so tolerance is something I embrace.
Property is sold, not for me to stress over anymore. In that respect it is kind of liberating, although I miss the landowner season.
