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Offline keith44

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How would you handle this:
« on: November 02, 2011, 02:19:19 PM »
The back side of my property is heavily wooded and meets a field.  I own 10 feet into this field.  I am trying to let that 10 feet grow up into tall standing "clump grasses" and perhaps a few more trees.  Someone, between August, and October cut it all down, removed the no trespassing signs, and cut a path into my woods and put up a deer stand.  They also cut into and broke over two trees, a dogwood that was 3" diameter, and a persimmon tree that was about the same size.

The deer stand and ladder is now in my building, and the signs are back up, so are reacement "T" posts that must have just rusted completely away.

What would you do? This is the second year in a row for this to happen.
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Offline khrhunter

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2011, 02:47:12 PM »
Sounds like tresspassin to me, and they could have to pay for the damaged trees and fence if your locat sheriff will prosecute
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Offline keith44

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2011, 03:35:20 PM »
gotta catch em back there
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Offline 45-70.gov

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2011, 04:12:46 PM »
deer  cam......


might be more than  one party  too
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Offline Land_Owner

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« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2011, 01:28:57 AM »
Someone is "mistaken" about the property line and land ownership back there.  That much is certain.  Maybe a meeting is in order with the adjacent property owner - if you are on speaking terms. 

Contact the Game Warden and local Sheriff.  This isn't the sort of thing that you do by yourself.  Eventually, the Law is going to have to get involved and you want them on your side with your "hands clean" in this.

Ask the neighbor if they have granted access to their land for hunting this season as you are trying to reduce  "misunderstandings".  Ask if it is OK for you to cross the property line to retrieve down deer, should one wander their way.  Grant them the same privilege provided they call you first (and you escort them if desired).  Exchange phone numbers.  That would be a good start.  Be friendly and non-accusatory at this stage as there is no evidence to the contrary that leads you to them - unless they admit something or act strange (to you) in any way.

Maybe put the tree stand back in place along with multiple game cameras to watch the site and several cameras to watch the game cameras watching the site (just in case the first one or two are found and destroyed or stolen).  Game cameras have gotten real cheap (half a dozen for less than $500.00) and do a fine job of taking fine grained pictures from which blow-ups and prosecution can be achieved.  Hunting men with cameras isn't so much different than photographing animals, and in this instance maybe even easier as you know exactly where they will be, just not when. 

Seems to me that you are not an absentee land owner.  Correct me if I am wrong.  Circle the property daily.  Eventually, that will bring you face to face with the trespasser(s).   Look for parked trucks/vehicles that do not belong there.  Snap pics of the license plate(s). 

Find them, contact Law Enforcement immediately by cell phone for backup, take the trespasser's picture if you can with telephoto lens for close-up ID, and wait for the LE to support your approach.

Deer hunting is not something to die for.  It is important, but not like that.  A confrontation won't be good in the woods between a trespasser and an angry land owner, both of whom will be armed.
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Offline keith44

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2011, 05:09:44 AM »
I have spoken with all the surrounding land owners, no one has given any permission to hunt.  I have a couple friends in the sherrifs department but to access this part of the property someone would have to walk in, or use an ATV from one direction only.  Since they are under staffed they cannot help to watch this area.  Yes trail cams will be going up.
 
Yes this is the back side of the property I live on, and NO I have no intentions of entering into an armed confrontation in the woods. 
 
I have told all the neighbors that I confiscated a deer stand and if someone asks send them to me, and I'll return the stand and show whom ever it is the property boundries. 
 
If I do catch someone back there I have instructions on which cell number to call  ;)
 
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Offline jakeemt

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2011, 05:25:48 AM »
I like the trail cam idea. That should work pretty well as you can't keep an eye on your property all the time. Also is your field cut down with like a machette or are we talking lawn mower here? If it's a lawn mower i would be awful suspicious of one of your neighbors.
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Offline keith44

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2011, 06:37:32 AM »
lawn mower looking cuts, except for the trail, looks weedeater like
 
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Offline Rock Home Isle

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2011, 07:41:32 AM »
Quote from: 45-70.gov on November 02, 2011, 04:12:46 PM
deer  cam......


might be more than  one party  too

I like the deer cam idea...get some photos, and then contact authorities. If you catch these guys and contact authorities...little will be done. But every time there is an issue and you contact the authorities there is a record of that contact.
 
Turn over copies of the Deer Cam Photos to authorities. Each time that you contact trespassers, get I.D. and follow up with contact to both local law enforcement and DOW. Then when you finally catch the people that are doing this to your land, there is a trail of evidence and it won't look like a one time first contact issue. Repeated offences carry more weight in the eyes of the law; that advice comes fom our Resource Officer at the school where I teach.
 
I hope that you are able to put an end to this...its no fun.  ???
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Offline Mack in N.C.

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2012, 05:47:51 PM »
this is what I did about 15 years ago on my dads land...
 
I found a ladder stand on our land ....I put a note in a bottle on it telling them to remove it with my name and num...next time i was out there bottle was gone,  stand was still there........left another note asking them to call me....next time out there bottle gone stand still there..i left a 3rd note telling them i would take the stand next time i was out there it it wasnt removed.... guess what....my 4ht time out there the astand was still there....
so I was the proud new owner of a ladder stand,,,,
 
fast foward.....
next year on same tree , new ladder stand....i left a note for them to remove it or it would be removed....next time out there it was gone!......they never did call me for the other stand.....Mack
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Offline keith44

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2012, 06:50:43 PM »
you're nicer than I am, I take the stand and leave a note at the discovery of a stand.  The exception being "permanent" stands nailed into trees.  Those are destroyed when discovered.
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Offline Land_Owner

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2012, 04:17:14 AM »
Also, VERY IMPORTANT, if the LEO catches someone that is trespassing, someone who has been warned through your posted signs, and someone who continues to destroy your land and hunt there (or attempt to) without written permission over your dated signature, you MUST PROSECUTE, or forever lose your standing in the eyes of LE. Once the LEO has done his job of confronting and arresting the trespasser(s), you must follow through with their prosecution.  It is NOT a function of the State to protect our private lands.  I am still battling that mistake from 25 years ago.   LE has a L O N G  memory.
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Offline keith44

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2012, 08:19:46 PM »
Quote from: Land_Owner on September 08, 2012, 04:17:14 AM
I am still battling that mistake from 25 years ago.   LE has a L O N G  memory.


YUP, and the LEO's trainee will also hear about it many many times, good or bad
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Offline Land_Owner

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Re: How would you handle this:
« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2012, 01:45:33 PM »
I have done a lot over the years to befriend the GW(s).  I gave them a key to my gate.  Invited them to park at my place and use that cover for any operations on the State's adjacent property.  I don't know if the Mims LEO ever obliged.  I have kept him foremost on my phone dial in those cases when someone was trespassing on the State's land.  I am his best eyes and ears in that corner of the State.  I am quite a bit older, but like him as a person and that's a plus.  He isn't arrogant or overblown.  Just down to earth.  I would get his back if he ever needed it or asked.
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