I'm wore out! - fencing

Soundguy · Oct 4, 2004

I\'m wore out! - fencing

Yesterday me and the wife went out for lunch, and on the way home stopped by down the road to look at the pasture I'm renovating. I had just mowed it friday, and it has been really looking good lately.. grass is overtaking the weeds by leaps and bounds.

When we pulled up we discovered that some ?kids? with ATV's had spun out all over the front of the property.

I've had the occasional car or truck get stuck and then spinout in the road and drive up on the grass now and then.. but this was way too much.

The pasture is side fenced curtesy of the neighbors, but has no front fence. I had been planning on fencing it after I got it ready for cows.. which it may be next year... leaving the fence down lets me mow it a tad easier.

Well.. as the ?parents? can't seem to take care of thier kids down that road, I was left with no choice but to 'emergency' fence it.

At 2pm yesterday I grabbed the survey and estimated my fencing needs, hitched the flatbed trailer and made haste to tractor supply. Bought about 300$ worth of twine, t-posts, corner and brace posts, brace wire, u-nails, and some 4" 20d nails, a 80rod roll of gaucho barbed wire, a wire roll holder tool, and a post pounder and 14' tube gate with support wheel.

I already had the usual gear.. fence pliers, PHD, and my tractor jack, which can be re-assembled specifically as a fence puller. I also brought a small power drill and an inverter.

I got to the 'jobsite' at about 3:30 dropped in my 2 farthest corner and brace posts, and my gate side posts and braces. Pulled my string, and then marked off my tposts with orange paint sprays on the ground. Layed out my posts on the ground from the trailer and then started pounding posts. Boy.. after sinking those posts and the corner posts and braces.. I was slam wore out.

Pulle dmy first strand of wire, fiddled with the jack to figure out how to pull wire with it.. found out it works great!. Pulled my other 2 strands. Clipped the wire to the t-posts, and then hooked up the inverter and drill. By this time it was dark and I was working by headlights. Inverter was a tad undersized.. but did the job for the 2 gate bolts. Got the gate hung and balanced.. slapped the support wheel on, added a masterlock and masterlock steel cable with eye loops to the gate.
I drove the fence and collected my extr tposts and tools and checked my wire clips.. left.. and got home and the trailer unloaded by 9pm.. again.. let me state I was wore out. 333' of fencing kicked my but. Honestly though.. I didn't think I was gonna be able to do it in one day... Hopefully this will keep the atv's off my pasture.

Soundguy

Bird · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

( I was wore out )

I can imagine. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif That's quite a job for one day.

Varmintmist · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

You might want to get out there TODAY and hang some red flags off it, one inch red marking tape every 5 or 6 feet. Somthing to mark the fence. Little Johnny doesnt see the fence while trespassing (stealing) where he has trespassed before, you could be in doo doo.

I hate trespassers and as far as I am concerned if they DIE while screwing up my property, fine. However the law, read trial lawyers, have this all @#$%$# up. You are liable in most states for the theif's (tresspassers) well being. Unless they are hunting. If they are hunting they are engaged in a hazerdous sport and take their own chances. Tresspassing with a 4 wheeler apparently isnt dangerous. Dont know the exact law in your state, but I bet its as screwed up as here.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

 ATV's had spun out all over the front of the property. 
ATV's are a real problem everywhere it seems. We abut a state park with signs saying "stay on the trail or stay home" but, the ATV'ers seem to think all property, public or private, is their playground. Extremely frustrating. I'd like to see greater enforcment but, there isn't much of a penalty so it most likely woundn't amount to much. They sure can do some damage though.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

You would think it would occur to the creeps, that if it's not their own property, they are most likely not welcome with their loud, destructive toys & are definitely trespassing.

Gatorboy · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

I know the feeling of seeing your hard work pooped on. Early this spring I had several doughnuts spun on my front section from Jeeps and Pickup trucks (as witnessed by neighbor across the street), and now it seems as though every kid within 2 miles has a 4-wheeler and was using my property as their personal playground.

So, in June I put up a 2-wire high tensile fence -- not to keep any animals in, but just to keep the joy-riders at bay. You can see from my picture the 4-wheeler tracks as well as a well-traveled route up/down the hill.

This fence has done an excellent job keeping the kids and teens from entering in through the main road.

ByronBob · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

I belong to a snowmobile club. It's hard to look good in a recreational sport when it takes 1 bad apple to ruin it for others. We've now got the DEC in N.Y taking a much more proactive approach to checking for I/D ect... on the trails. This is starting to spill over to ATV's.
Being a land owner it's hard to like activities like mine when stuff like this happens and I'd do the same. Some people are trying to make a difference so maybe someday they will in your area too.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

I wonder if requiring membership in a club to ride on public land would help? It may be a little too invasive, but it's a thought.

pekabu · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

I belong to a Snowmobile club in NH also. There is a law that has been used a couple of times that if caught, you can get damages I think times X. Problem is catching, and usually 1 ATV isn't the issue, it's repeated use that wears things done. ATV usage in NH is an issue.

ATV's are fun and can be very helpful. There are several problems.

1st. They are not babysitters. Parents need to be involved and ensure proper usage!!!!

2nd. Trails. There is very little legal riding area in Southern NH, so almost any riding is illegal. It would be great if there were more trails. This would help a lot with the illegal riding.

It would be nice if I could take my ATV out and check the trails. It would be a lot quicker on it than taking out the truck, or riding my bike.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

The state park that we abut is on federal property managed by the Corps Of Engineers. This dike ends at our land. Last winter we had a problem with snowmobiles coming down & around the gate & into our field, then up our driveway. A orange plastic fence put a stop to it & this summer I took more permanent measures.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

Another view.

wroughtn_harv · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

( I hate trespassers and as far as I am concerned if they DIE while screwing up my property, fine. However the law, read trial lawyers, have this all @#$%$# up.)

I understand your position. I don't agree with it on many levels, but I understand it.

My own concern would be that the next errant four wheeler might not be driven be an evil intented heathern but a child just following a path.

So please do mark the new barbwire fence. Explaining a decapitation might be as hard on you emotionally as it would be those who cared about the child.

Wouldn't it be great if the world was simply black and white, good versus evil?

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

Well said.
I get extremely frustrated by the people who ignore property rights & I do feel a certain amount of rage when I witness it. (OK, a LOT of rage) However I would never want to be responsible for ANYONE getting injured or worse. In the first pic I posted you can see the SMV triangle I hung from the iron rail gate the Feds put up. One night I thought I was going to witness a tragedy when some ATV'ers came down the dike at a high rate of speed. They saw the gate at the last second & slid to a stop. I put the sign on it the next day. The park ranger has mentioned that their gate doesn't meet safety standards, but they haven't done anything about it. Proper gates & better signage on the far end would be a help, but I won't hold my breath.

slowrev · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

Why is it that people with no place to ride ATV's buy them ? Sort of like living in a subdivision and buying a cow and expecting to get to graze it on someone elses property.

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

 Why is it that people with no place to ride ATV's buy them ?
Oh, they have a place alright, as long as you don't catch them doing it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rambler · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

( ( I hate trespassers and as far as I am concerned if they DIE while screwing up my property, fine. However the law, read trial lawyers, have this all @#$%$# up.)

I understand your position. I don't agree with it on many levels, but I understand it.

My own concern would be that the next errant four wheeler might not be driven be an evil intented heathern but a child just following a path.

So please do mark the new barbwire fence. Explaining a decapitation might be as hard on you emotionally as it would be those who cared about the child.

Wouldn't it be great if the world was simply black and white, good versus evil? )

There is a problem with that too. The trial lawyers will claim that, if you hang warning flags, you know it is a hazzard, & therefore you are responsible for every hangnail that happens to people passing by.....

The liability laws are truely messed up in this country.

--->Paul

pekabu · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

That's unfortunate. When 1 person passes, it makes it look like it's ok for everyone to go. By NH standards, that gate should have a 6" round plastic tube over it with the Red and White reflective tape on it. Nice job on the fence. The signs have been sending a strong message ("Stay in the trail or Go home!"), but too many people are illiterate.

PhilNH5 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

( I wonder if requiring membership in a club to ride on public land would help? It may be a little too invasive, but it's a thought.
)

Shvl73,
NH has just such a law for snowmobilers. You must be in a club or pay additional money whwn you register. I thought they just passed or are trying to past a similar law for 4 wheelers.

Phil

shvl73 · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

I think the reason the gate is like it is, is the state doesn't deal with this section. The Corps Of Engineers put up that gate long ago & no motorized vehicles are allowed on the dike (part of the flood control from Franklin to Weare). I'm not sure of the states role in managing the park land, must be some agreement with the feds. I don't think the U.S. Government is too worried about liability. I still think better control of the area on the other end where it's accessed along with more signs would aleviate most problems.

Varmintmist · Oct 4, 2004

Re: I\'m wore out! - fencing

Harv, this is a hot button with me and no, I really dont wish harm on people, mostly. Thats why I said put flags on the fence. So some knucklehead doesnt cut his head off and his family takes it to court and steals the land out from underneath the landowner or ruins him financially.

If someone asks for permission, then 99 times out of 100 they will get it. Permission to ride THROUGH, not ride around and rip up 3.00/lb clover, my trees, plus my time. I was a kid once to, and our choice was snowmobiles. Ya know what? We asked permission. If the landowner didnt want us there we found another way. Or talked him into parrelling a woodline or fenceline on a single trail. THEN WE STUCK BY OUR WORD.

You do know that in most states it IS your fault if a trespasser gets hurt right? You are MORE liable if you post because then "you know of an inherent danger". That just tourqes me off. That is what I meant. If they trespass and get hurt, it aint my problem by any law of common sense. Of course common sense and actual law have very little to do with one another. See, I'm really not bloodthirsty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I just think that if you are stealing from me you shouldnt have the right to sue me and take what is mine by time and labor. That make more sense??

The only time you are NOT liable for a trespasser hurting him/herself is if they are hunting. At least in PA.

...............

Rambler,
There is a problem with that too. The trial lawyers will claim that, if you hang warning flags, you know it is a hazzard, & therefore you are responsible for every hangnail that happens to people passing by.....

Yeah, but the flags might stop a injury, if not, you did what you could.

The liability laws are truely messed up in this country.

You aint kidding. Those and private property rights.