Trespassers (hunting on property)

[Justincase]

Was out in my property hunting this morning and heard a gunshot much closer than I would have expected or liked. After waiting a while I approached a group just off of my property and asked what they got. Nothing they said. We exchanged names talked about where they live and I informed them of where my property was (which is clearly posted) and my neighbors property which they were on when they fired. I’m regretting being so nice now even though they weren’t on my property when I saw them, one of them clearly was upon further investigation. What would you guys have done or what have you done in the past if you’ve encountered this. I’ve also noticed someone has actually used my ground blind which totally boggles my mind and pisses me off. I need to learn to be an asshole I think. Next time.

 

[tc556guy]

Talk to your neighbor and confirm the hunters had permission to be on their property.
If you can ID the hunters, time to have a more than casual conversation with them about their practices, including the use of your blind without your consent. These guys are ruining it for any other hunters who may want to use your property or your neighbor's property in the future.
Start writing everything down so you can document events and behaviors without relying on memory alone.

 

[SomeSoldier]

Put hunting cameras up, watch your blind and the property line. Next time you catch them, because there will be a next time. Inform them that you have pictures of them on your property and ask them nicely not to do it again unless they wish to involve the police.

Or you can be a real dick and put a trap at the entrance of your blind.

 

[meketrefe]

 

[livingston]

I have mixed feelings. . I have a neighbor that does encroach on our property line . To have it surveyed would be a lot of money. 20 years ago it was $1.00 / ft He leases his land to hunters .. We don't ... However the same hunters hunt our land also. I have talked to them but don't know their names . Right now at this point in my life (I don't hunt ) As long as there is no damage I am fine with it. Over the years we have had many people hunt without permission. .. Sometimes they are asked to leave others as long as it is not a problem there is no issue.
This saying I did have someone put slugs into a snow bucket for my tractor. ..5 holes . Was it someone I asked to leave and later came back ?
I have noticed that some folks hunt others people's property for years and when they buy 10-25 acres or so it is posted tight .. Their view of using other peoples property suddenly changes.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Everybody wants land to hunt, nobody wants to pay the purchase price, school and property taxes.

Politely but firmly inform them that any trespassers will have the law called on them.

Post your property legally. That means all inside and outside corners to define boundaries, and on straight runs you need a posted sign at least every 660' (one furlong).

Trespassing on legally posted property carries a bigger legal penalty than being on unposted property.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have mixed feelings. . I have a neighbor that does encroach on our property line . To have it surveyed would be a lot of money. 20 years ago it was $1.00 / ft He leases his land to hunters .. We don't ... However the same hunters hunt our land also. I have talked to them but don't know their names . Right now at this point in my life (I don't hunt ) As long as there is no damage I am fine with it. Over the years we have had many people hunt without permission. .. Sometimes they are asked to leave others as long as it is not a problem there is no issue.
This saying I did have someone put slugs into a snow bucket for my tractor. ..5 holes . Was it someone I asked to leave and later came back ?
I have noticed that some folks hunt others people's property for years and when they buy 10-25 acres or so it is posted tight .. Their view of using other peoples property suddenly changes.

Post no trespassing signs near or on the property line. If your neighbor objects to where they are posted he will have to have it surveyed.

 

[Saltwater60]

I’d have started off nice and got as much information as you could have then just said I don’t allow others to hunt on my property because blah, blah, blah like I have other that hunt it or we share it with my BIL. I wouldn’t have been a dick too bad since it sounds like you were out numbered. I would definitely talk with your neighbor about it. I would also add cameras.

There were trespassers on my parents land at night the one night I was on there, but I ignored them because I was outnumbered and if there was trouble most of my ammo was in my truck and I had no cell phone service. I was alone and there was 2-3 of them.

 

[dean3690]

Definitely let your neighbor know the goings on. Document like tc556guy said. Consider getting some friends to hunt with you or without you on your land so there is a presence there during the season. Barb wire is easy to install on a property line (especially if there are sufficient trees) and fairly cheap (approx. $120.00 for 1,300 lineal feet), but it also makes one think a little more before crossing a boundary than a sign alone. Some trail cams with cable locks would help too. There are some you can network to a base unit, so put the base near home and the other units can interconnect or you can get an internet compatible wireless if you are willing to pay the subscription fee for the wireless service.

 

[Justincase]

Everybody wants land to hunt, nobody wants to pay the purchase price, school and property taxes.

Politely but firmly inform them that any trespassers will have the law called on them.

Post your property legally. That means all inside and outside corners to define boundaries, and on straight runs you need a posted sign at least every 660' (one furlong).

Trespassing on legally posted property carries a bigger legal penalty than being on unposted property.

That’s what I started dwelling on afterwards. I’m paying a ton a year to have the land back there. I could’ve foregone the land and had a nicer kitchen and bigger garage but I put a priority on the land and they want to use it for free?! Plus depending on what direction they’re shooting it could be quite dangerous.

I have my property sufficiently posted. Probably every 50’. Neighbor, not so much. I went back out and did see tracks where one of them did go on my property and there’s no way they didn’t see the signs. Next time I’m approaching phone in hand recording. I can’t believe the balls some people have.

 

[Acer-m14]

if only Trespassing signs really ment

pew ..

 

[GOPerfect]

A few years ago, similar situation with some guys from out of State that have a small plot of land a cabin down the road from my place. I was not hunting then.
I noticed signs that they had been hunting on my land. They killed a couple of deer on my property, gutted (left all the shit in a pile), and dragged the deer back to their place.
My land is fully posted. I jumped on the ATV, went to their place to have a conversation. I told them where the lines were and asked they not hunt my property. They replied with, they had been hinting there for years, prior to me buying the land, they didn't see an issue due to me not being a hunter.
I told them, all good in the past, but, it is mine now and I would appreciate it greatly if they would not trespass in the future. They agreed. At least I thought.

The following year, same thing occurred. This conversation was not as nice. I will not go into detail the exact words I used. I will say, they were near petrified of me after my talk.
They have not hunted on my land since.

 

[tc556guy]

Next time I’m approaching phone in hand recording. I can’t believe the balls some people have.

I've always thought that the people who whip out a cell phone to openly record are on one hand perhaps deterring some negative interaction because the other person knows that they're being recorded. At the same time, depending on who you're dealing with, it might be like waving a red flag at them. NYS is a single party state, so only one of you needs to know the recording is taking place.

I would rather go in with a more discreet recording device such as a Go Pro or even a small BWC like a Scorpion. Or even just the cell phone sticking out of aa pocket with the lens exposed. They may not pick up on the fact they're being recorded. I do believe in video though, since it documents what happened during your interaction. Save the video for the future.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

That’s what I started dwelling on afterwards. I’m paying a ton a year to have the land back there. I could’ve foregone the land and had a nicer kitchen and bigger garage but I put a priority on the land and they want to use it for free?! Plus depending on what direction they’re shooting it could be quite dangerous.

I have my property sufficiently posted. Probably every 50’. Neighbor, not so much. I went back out and did see tracks where one of them did go on my property and there’s no way they didn’t see the signs. Next time I’m approaching phone in hand recording. I can’t believe the balls some people have.

Exactly. We had a tidy sum set aside for renovations/updates when we purchased our current home. Very shortly after this property came up for sale very near by, and my wife was actually the one who wanted to purchase the land (cash outright) versus home projects.

PLUS, paying out $1100-1200 in school and property taxes each year. Not to mention power equipment including tractor to establish and maintain trails etc.

Have a little respect.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

A few years ago, similar situation with some guys from out of State that have a small plot of land a cabin down the road from my place. I was not hunting then.
I noticed signs that they had been hunting on my land. They killed a couple of deer on my property, gutted (left all the shit in a pile), and dragged the deer back to their place.
My land is fully posted. I jumped on the ATV, went to their place to have a conversation. I told them where the lines were and asked they not hunt my property. They replied with, they had been hinting there for years, prior to me buying the land, they didn't see an issue due to me not being a hunter.
I told them, all good in the past, but, it is mine now and I would appreciate it greatly if they would not trespass in the future. They agreed. At least I thought.

The following year, same thing occurred. This conversation was not as nice. I will not go into detail the exact words I used. I will say, they were near petrified of me after my talk.
They have not hunted on my land since.

Shame you had to go to that extent. Nobody wants to be an a-hole, but some people will just push you to that point, then badmouth you.

 

[Justincase]

I've always thought that the people who whip out a cell phone to openly record are on one hand perhaps deterring some negative interaction because the other person knows that they're being recorded. At the same time, depending on who you're dealing with, it might be like waving a red flag at them. NYS is a single party state, so only one of you needs to know the recording is taking place.

I would rather go in with a more discreet recording device such as a Go Pro or even a small BWC like a Scorpion. Or even just the cell phone sticking out of aa pocket with the lens exposed. They may not pick up on the fact they're being recorded. I do believe in video though, since it documents what happened during your interaction. Save the video for the future.

I was thinking about how I would do it surreptitiously too cuz I don’t want to be like those SJW’s with the phone all in people’s faces. Was thinking more just carrying it with the video going.

Has anyone ever called law enforcement in a situation like this? The likelihood of them getting anywhere near the area would take forever. Hunting websites make it sound like you MUST call LE or follow them to their car and get their license plate number and whatnot. Seems a bit overkill but I guess it’s gotta be dealt with properly or you get what happened to GOP.

 

[Saltwater60]

I was thinking about how I would do it surreptitiously too cuz I don’t want to be like those SJW’s with the phone all in people’s faces. Was thinking more just carrying it with the video going.

Has anyone ever called law enforcement in a situation like this? The likelihood of them getting anywhere near the area would take forever. Hunting websites make it sound like you MUST call LE or follow them to their car and get their license plate number and whatnot. Seems a bit overkill but I guess it’s gotta be dealt with properly or you get what happened to GOP.

I have never trespassed on anyones land. The last guy who owned the property across from us didn’t hunt and allowed me to hunt there. That property sold and my dad told the new owner they could hunt our land??? Why I don’t know because I do. He then told me I could hunt their land and I thought it was weird because they have a very expensive raised blind overlooking that area. I said he told you I could hunt his property? My dad replied well no, but I told him he could hunt ours. I said that’s not permission to hunt his place and I won’t unless he specifically says I can.
I don't trespass. I did follow some trails once and they did not go where I thought they did and as soon as I realized that I unloaded my gun to see if they would take me back to the road I was allowed to be on. When I realized this isn’t right I turned around and high tailed it out of there. When I got the where I could hunt again I reloaded my gun to hunt.

 

[Steal2B]

My previous home was in a development of a few dozen homes with pretty much 2 acre zoning. Two assholes from NYC, who figured they could hunt deer anywhere upstate, parked in the residential street across from my home one Saturday morning and set up in my front yard not much more than 100 feet from my house. To top it off they brought a dog to hunt with.

I'm am not gonna post what I said or did to these guys ... but they ran to their car, driving off in haste while leaving their dog and a cooler of beer behind. I called one of their wives (got a name and number after running the car plates and dog license) who came alone to apologetically pick up the dog on Sunday. It was a sweet young purebred bird dog who got along great with our lab. I should have kept her. I still have the cooler but the beer is long gone.

 

[Robin]

Wow! That is one bizzarre occurrence Steal!
Robin

 

[Saltwater60]

My previous home was in a development of a few dozen homes with pretty much 2 acre zoning. Two assholes from NYC, who figured they could hunt deer anywhere upstate, parked in the residential street across from my home one Saturday morning and set up in my front yard not much more than 100 feet from my house. To top it off they brought a dog to hunt with.

I'm am not gonna post what I said or did to these guys ... but they ran to their car, driving off in haste while leaving their dog and a cooler of beer behind. I called one of their wives (got a name and number after running the car plates and dog license) who came alone to apologetically pick up the dog on Sunday. It was a sweet young purebred bird dog who got along great with our lab. I should have kept her. I still have the cooler but the beer is long gone.

Top rate assholes there.

 

[Steal2B]

Wow! That is one bizzarre occurrence Steal!
Robin

It was surreal.

It probably was not a wise move to be that aggressive with 2 armed guys drinking beer.

Police response in the fairly rural area bordered on 20 - 30 minutes, my neighbors were just getting up, I was younger and really pissed off.

Their nice but nervous wife was apologetic said they never hunted before, and they told her she shouldn't drive up to deal with me. Those guys were idiots.

Ironically there was plenty of good public hunting less than a mile away in a different directions.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

It was surreal.

It probably was not a wise move to be that aggressive with 2 armed guys drinking beer.

Police response in the fairly rural area bordered on 20 - 30 minutes, my neighbors were just getting up, I was younger and really pissed off.

Their nice but nervous wife was apologetic said they never hunted before, and they told her she shouldn't drive up to deal with me. Those guys were idiots.

Ironically there was plenty of good public hunting less than a mile away in a different directions.

Instead of manning up, sent the wife. Pathetic.

 

[repete]

Has anyone ever called law enforcement in a situation like this? The likelihood of them getting anywhere near the area would take forever.

I have. A few years back I was sitting at my cabin with my son enjoying a fire when the dogs started barking and running towards the road (private), I called them back and heard a guy yelling and cussing, turns out he's drunk and has 2 acres down the road and say's this is like a campground and he can go wherever he wants. He then made the mistake of saying he was going to go get a gun and kill my dogs! Things went downhill quickly after that; I did call the SP and the did show up about an hour later and I had to go down and meet them at the road and guide them up the log road. The outcome more or less was the drunk has to stay down at the bottom of the hill and mind his own biz. I don't know if it was what I said or what the SP told him but never a problem since.

 

[tc556guy]

My previous home was in a development of a few dozen homes with pretty much 2 acre zoning. Two assholes from NYC, who figured they could hunt deer anywhere upstate, parked in the residential street across from my home one Saturday morning and set up in my front yard not much more than 100 feet from my house. To top it off they brought a dog to hunt with.

I'm am not gonna post what I said or did to these guys ... but they ran to their car, driving off in haste while leaving their dog and a cooler of beer behind. I called one of their wives (got a name and number after running the car plates and dog license) who came alone to apologetically pick up the dog on Sunday. It was a sweet young purebred bird dog who got along great with our lab. I should have kept her. I still have the cooler but the beer is long gone.

Was it at least good beer?

 

[Shadow rider]

I was about to start a new thread, then I saw this one...
I hunt on a friend's property. He is a local dairy farmer and will let just about anyone hunt his properties (he owns a few thousand acres in total on 4 different farms). I have a modest ground blind set up (been in the same spot for 10 yrs now). It consists of 3 metal fence posts and a camo burlap (Walmart $12) in a "V" pattern with a couple cut out "windows" backed up to a sizable Honeysuckle cluster. I keep a camo folding camp chair stashed in the branches so I don't need to hike it in every time I go out. So I hike in this morning, about 30 minutes before sunrise to find someone sitting in my blind and yes, he is in my chair! First thing I said was "What the f@$K are you doing in my blind!" He said "UH...UH. This is a nice spot...you've been hunting here for years haven't you?" At that point he introduced himself and without acknowledging or giving him my name I invited him to "get the hell out and don't let me find you here again!" I think I may have scared him a little. He got all apologetic and left, walking up the hill and crossing onto property that I know is posted! What the f@$k is wrong with these FUDDS? Oh...and no luck this morning!

 

[Celt]

My folks live on one of the most rural roads in Greene county in the foothills of tge catskill mountains. Its beautiful, and the view of tge mountain behind their house is amazing. Last year some rich people from NYC bought up a ton of property to make a bunch of cabins that people rent out. They built these about a mile downbthe road from my folks. 3 times in the past couple weeks there have been trespassers that my pop caught on a trail cam. Fucking city people with no respect for NO TRESPASSING signs. I was hoping to catch some while I was last up there to give them a piece of my mind. Its freaking hunting season and these morons are walking on private property. They are begging for an accident, freaking idiots.

 

[byron]

do like a farmer did here once backed the shit spreader up to their car and unloaded it

 

[Justincase]

I got out there this morning at 6:00 am went in for brunch at 11:30, went back out at 2 and wouldn’t you know it some m f’er was back there in between that time. I so hate people.

 

[Saltwater60]

I got out there this morning at 6:00 am went in for brunch at 11:30, went back out at 2 and wouldn’t you know it some m f’er was back there in between that time. I so hate people.

Sorry, but not surprised.
Where I hiked yesterday boarders private land and they had posted signs about every 20-30 feet.

 

[Celt]

I got out there this morning at 6:00 am went in for brunch at 11:30, went back out at 2 and wouldn’t you know it some m f’er was back there in between that time. I so hate people.

Trail cameras, and additional signage, and bear traps.