How do you approach tespassers?

[dukenyc]

I am curious as to how people handle hunters/trepassers on their land. I have a small farm (70acres) and there is a large wooded portion where I am always finding hunters, atv'ers and dirtbikes. It is very clearly posted with no trespassing signs. The atver's and dirtbikes have been easy. They just take off when they see me coming, lol.

The hunters have been more difficult. I have had several who wouldn't leave the tree stand, and one who was vaguely threatening, saying maybe I shouldn't be bothering someone who is armed in the woods with no else around.

That got me thinking, should I call the police before I go back and ask them to leave? Is there another, better way? I know you get more flies with honey than vinegar, but I dont want flies, I just want to be able to protect my land without being shot!

 

[bczoom]

First, in all cases, I make the playing field either even or in my favor. For ATVs, I have my pistol in my pocket (not visible). For hunters, I have something bigger. My AR-15 is preferred as they then know I have the favor due to capacity.

Second, have a cell phone with you. If I expect or encounter any type of confrontation, I pull the cell and either make (or pretend to) a call. I don't let them hear any of the conversation. If I do make a call, it's normally to the police chief.

OK... Now I'm going to talk to the person. That conversation varies greatly depending on whether it's hunters, ATV'ers...

For hunters, I do start out friendly with things like "ya see anything?". Get a conversation going then start asking about how did you get here, did you know it's posted... Then let them know that you don't want them there. Whether true or not, I let them know that I plan on hunting there or will have friends over in that same area.

For ATVers, they generally are a timid bunch. If they don't run, I take the same approach. Start out friendly then tell them they're not welcome.

Brian

 

[Junkman]

If they are armed, I never approach them. If I think that they are going to be violent, I always back off. I give a total of 10 minutes before I am back at the house, or the wife calls the State Police. I never get into an argument with them. I have always politely asked them to leave and not return. The one time that I was threatened, the State Police arrived and took control of the situation. There is nothing that I own on my land that is so valuable that I am willing to give up my life for it. Once the police arrive, that usually eliminates the problem for the future. Just the thought that the police are in the area is enough deterrent. That is where my 12 volt siren comes in handy. I just give that a blast when I know there is a trespasser on a ATV near by in the woods, and they turn and run back in the opposite direction. It has worked for me that way several times. They don't know if it is actually the police arriving or not, and don't want to take the chance of finding out ....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Talk about some bad apples!

I don't know a good solution, but if you have some friends that you wouldn't mind hunting your land, their presence may deter intruders.

Only for humor's sake: my Grandpa lived across from some state property that for some reason brought out all the crazy "wanna-be-hunters". Invariably, he'd get a bullet whizzing by him or hitting the house, at which point he'd unload a .222 clip in the general direction of the earlier shots. Never had much trouble with tresspassers, I'm guessing they realized he was crazier than them!

I'd be tempted to plant some nails or string some barbed wire for the dirt bikers, but with stupid lawsuits, I'd be afraid. Maybe a really mean dog would help, but same problem with the lawsuits.

Could try putting up a fence around the property and hiding some hunting camera's in places likely for people to cut the fence. It'd take some luck, but a good picture may gain you some legal recourse.

Good Luck

 

[RedRocker]

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The hunters have been more difficult. I have had several who wouldn't leave the tree stand, and one who was vaguely threatening, saying maybe I shouldn't be bothering someone who is armed in the woods with no else around.
)</font>

That works both ways.

 

[ByronBob]

I remember you talking about this a few months back (buying the property). It's turkey season this month (until noon). I would imagine after this month things will slow down until the fall as far as trespassers are concerned.
If you block the property access the ATV's might find another opening or get the idea. It's worth a try but the odds are 50/50.
A property owner I know has been harsh on the hunters when they kill a deer and it runs onto his property. He has the right to tell them no and does. A particular guy I know waited until after dark, got his deer and then promptly stuffed the guts in the guys mailbox. Next the carcass was left on his porch.
Extreme story but true. Threats go as far as people take them. Don't bother going that route because it might not work very well.
I hunt, don't have property, but try to show respect for the owners any way I can. Cooperation or courtesy goes both ways. That joker gives guys like myself a bad reputation. Sorry to hear you need to deal with this. Get the local DEC wardens number, keep it available and call them if you need to. Mention you don't want to do this but will if they can't understand you mean business.
If someone actually did approach you first and ask, I'd only offer you might consider it on a trial basis to see how it goes. There are (hard to believe) good people in this world.

 

[Dargo]

You know, I have to ask one more question to yours; why is it that all of my "no trespassing" signs seem to have a bullseye on them?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I feel like I'm supplying targets. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

It's interesting that you post this. I bought nearly a couple hundred acres of mostly wooded property just over 6 months ago. Up until this month, I've probably been guilty of being too nice. Whether it has been a hunter, someone fishing, someone on a 4 wheeler, on an ATV, or just on foot, I've generally just engauged them in conversation. During the conversation I always bring up that I realize that they are likely not aware that I have purchased the land and that they haven't seen (the dozens) of no trespassing signs posted. I tell them that I'm sorry, but I don't allow whatever they are doing on my property.

Most have been courteous and I've had no issue. Some want to tell me how long they have hunted my land, implying they have no intention of no longer hunting there. With those, I have asked them how long they or their family had owned the land when they have been hunting there. Boy, that usually gets an odd look. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif So far, I've only found people who have been trespassing without permission for many years. Some even want to argue with me and tell me that they have permission! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Again, I've been very patient with even those people and simply tell them that they no longer have permission and to please don't come back.

Unfortunately because of a few real trouble makers, I've joined in with some other land owners around me in hiring a security guy. In my case, it costs very little because the guy patrolls over 6000 acres and I own a small percentage of that. This is where I've had pretty good luck. I explain to my trespassers that I'm the nice guy, but the hired security guy gives no warnings and has instructions to prosecute on first violation. Actually, he does have those instructions because of a few "bad apples" really ticking off the land owners.

I know that doesn't really help you in your situation, but you may be able to tell them that you and other land owners may have to hire a security patrol and, if you do, there will be no warnings. In my case, the security patrol guy is an old cuss who has lived in the area his whole life and has long since used up all of his "niceness". He now enjoys hunting the hunters. Last week marked the first time that 3 guys were prosecuted for trespassing in our area and it made the papers. Hopefully that will deter others.

Like bczoom, I am always armed (concealed) but do not intend to use my firearm like I'm sure he doens't either. However, I'll draw my cell phone in a flash. In my area, the game warden seems to be the officer with the biggest chip on his shoulder and the most clout. I'm assuming that game wardens are used to dealing with these "bad apples" and have also had their "give a dam" break long ago, if you know what I mean. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good luck, and I would always avoid confrontation but not be afraid to show that you will be forced to call the proper authorities to enable you to use your own property as you choose. I print this so I can read it and take my own advice. I haven't been in a good fight in a while and my left hook is startin' to itch, if you catch my drift. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Hopefully, I can take my own advice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[slowrev]

I usually go armed and call a cop I know with the info I have at the time and if I do not call him back within an hour a couple of cars full of cops will show up. I usually try to take a video camera with me as well for evidence collection.

I videoed some neighborhood kids ripping around in their 4 wheelers in my garden a couple of years ago. Went to see their parents and they denied everything of course. I showed them a copy of the video and their tune changed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif No more trouble from those boys and they had to repair and weed my garden.

Ben

 

[PitbullMidwest]

We had one mushroom hunter who said he had permission to be on our land. Our conversation went something like this:

ME: Who gave you permission?

Tresspasser: Uh, umm oh it ah was .... "Albert Vaughan".

ME:Oh, well we bought the property from The Vaughans 5 years ago. We prefer to keep the mushrooms for ourselves, you can keep what you've already found but you'll need to leave.

Trespasser: You no good #$%@^ What would it hurt to let me hunt mushrooms on Albert's property? Next time I see him I'm gonna let him know about this and he won't be happy about it!

Me: When did you last talk to Mr. Vaughan?

Trespasser: Last night when I asked him permission to hunt mushroom out here.

ME: First off it's not Mr Vaughan's property it's mine. Second you're a liar, Mr Vaughan died 12 years ago, you need to leave now.

He did leave mumbling and cursing under his breath.

I did wonder how he came up with Albert's name until I turned around and saw the mailbox across the road with his name on it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Like others have already said, engage them in conversation and let them know they shouldn't come back.

 

[DaMadman]

This is just my 2 cents so take it or leave it. We (myself and other Club members) have always confronted people we caught trespassing on our lease with little problem. I would venture to say that 98% of the jerks that are trespassing are just doing it because they figure they won't get caught, once they do get caught they will leave peacably and not come back. The other 2% (remember the big shootout last year in Wisconsin) Link to article Are going to give you a bunch of lip and grief and out of them most of them will leave babbling with their tail between their legs. I however would never confront an armed person that was hunting/trespassing on my property without making it clear that I myself was armed with a firearm AND a Cellphone.
Play it cool and talk to them and ask/tell them to leave nicely (the first time) unless they get a crappy attitude. When and if they get *** pull out the cell phone and inform them that you will call the sheriff or game warden and at that time make sure you watch them like a hawk. All it takes for some jerk to flip out is for you to threaten to call the law and if they have a warrant or been in trouble before or something stupid like that and next thing you know lead if flying. It doesn't happen often but it can happen so be careful.

As to the original question as to how to handle it. Simply put i always just throw on my orange hutning cap, load the shotgun and put in on my shoulder, clip the cellphone to my hip and casually walk up and confront them.

"Hey how's it going? Seen anything? Do you realize you are trespassing? Well consider this your warning, If I catch you again I will prosecute you." Say it as nicely as you can without appearing to be a pushover or appearing to be a jerk and do whatever you can as not to show you are nervous.