Ran into one of my territorial neighbor's posts

[lilranch2001]

First I have heard it, I havent noticed any purple either......

Have to keep a eye out

Do you have a link to the law?

 

[lilranch2001]

The one thing I do tend to get very territorial about is the local village that its boundaries terminates half way across from my property, uses my driveway as a turn around for their snow plows, and the plow drivers do not seem to be able to hit the driveway any better than a 4 year old boy can hit the terlet when peeing, I usually have to call and remind them 2-3 times throughout the winter to cease and desist.

I end up needing to rebuild my driveway edge every spring.

 

[lilranch2001]

I just found this

MARTINO: Indiana adds 'Purple Paint' law for private property owners | Sports | kokomotribune.com

 

[Jstpssng]

I find this kind of stuff fascinating.

Just goes to show you that you shouldn't start an argument with someone if you don't know the rules they have to abide by. They might be different than the rules you have to abide by.

Here on TBN many years ago I learned about differences among the different states' fencing laws, trespass laws, etc... when I got into an argument about trespassing. Yes, an argument, VS a discussion. It's very easy to do.

For example, here, it's assumed all land is closed and you need permission to enter it, while in some other states, all land is considered open unless otherwise posted. I did not know that until the argument turned back to a discussion and some links to laws were posted, read, and understood, and then you get that "A ha!" moment that things might not be the same for everyone.

This seems like a good time to interject this from our Fisheries and Wildlife Department, to show why I get testy when people start saying that things should be done everywhere because that's the way that it is in their state.

Roughly 94% of Maine's forest land is privately owned, and more than half of that land area is open to the public. In total, landowners voluntarily open up more than 10 million acres of working farms and forests.

This access is an incredible gift, and in order to preserve it, everyone who ventures outdoors needs to understand the contribution that landowners make.

When it comes to accessing private land, there's the law, and then there's the unwritten rule:

The law - Unlike most other states, Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning that if land is not posted, it is legal to use the land.

The unwritten rule - Always ask permission. Hunting, fishing, or otherwise using private land without the owner's permission is a careless move that puts everyone's future access at risk.

When venturing into the Maine woods, follow the unwritten rule.

I actually left TBN for several years because of a discussion on the now defunct (?) "Front Porch", where I was called everything except my sister's father, because I didn't feel we should follow do things just because that's how it is in Texas or Oklahoma.

 

[lilranch2001]

When in Maine, do as Mainers do!

 

[Jstpssng]

When in Maine, do as Mainers do!

And when in Indiana, do as the (Indianians?) do. We were working in New York where much of the land is in hunting leases. I had the pickup, and the other two guys were using an ATV to get around. When an irate lessee flagged them down and asked what they were doing, he told them that if they hadn't stopped he would have shot them.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Had meetings with my potential grow-op neighbors. Tough call. They seem nice. Everyone is nice when they want something. Later if they get approval and there is a dispute, they may just tell me where to go.

Sometimes best maybe to be an A-Hole if you have to and nip things in the bud (no pun intended) from the beginning.

 

[jaxs]

In states where property is open to the public unless fenced or posted,could someone camp,hold a geathering or set up a lawn chair to drink beer and look at the stars in a stranger's front yard?

 

[shaeff]

I've got 4.5 acres, several sections of it are overgrown and I don't use it. Might clear it eventually as it's all just overgrowth. Years ago there used to be a house on my property, it was torn down before we purchased the vacant land (with an old shed on it). The original driveway for that old house still exists, I cleared the lower section of it and we use it as a walking path to get to a better spot to cross the main road onto another back road.

A few weeks ago, we were finishing up our walk when I noticed through the brush what appeared to be remnants of old building materials dumped on our land. The property line is probably 20-30ft from where I found this stuff. Neighbor lady is in her late 60s, early 70s. I saw someone driving a Kubota around her property a few weeks ago. After further investigation, I found tire tracks, then an undisturbed area, then all the debris. (think, dumped by a front end loader...)

So I've never spoken with this lady before, we all kindof keep our distance around here. Friendly waves here and there. Since she's a senior and there's a pandemic, I didn't want to risk knocking on her door, mainly for her safety just in case... I looked up her phone number, tried to call, call wouldn't go through. I was filtered out as spam. I found her on Facebook, contacted her.

Now, I knew full well that this debris had come from her property, however I'm not about to go accusing her of dumping it there. So I started with a simple "Hi neighbor! I noticed a bunch of old construction debris dumped at the southern edge of my property in the weeds near the road, did you happen to see anyone dumping there?" I also know that she's probably unaware of the property line between us, meaning that she may have thought she owned more than she does. The steel pins are very close to her driveway.

She replied that she'd not seen anyone dumping there. I simply asked her to keep an eye out just in case they came back. In the meantime, I went down there and piled it all up about 5' off the property line, obviously still on my own land. (This was literally the only place to put it, FYI) She messaged me back saying that she assumed I left it there because I think it's hers, and that she now thinks I'm correct and that it is hers.

Again, I know it came from her property, but I didn't think that SHE dumped it there. I figured whomever she hired to work for her dumped it. I simply let her know that I didn't leave it there for that reason, but rather left it on my property there until I can throw it in my truck and dispose of it. I let her know the line is at the center of the big maple tree there.

She walked down to look at it, realized it indeed was hers, contacted the guy that worked for her to confirm that he dumped it there, reamed him out for it and told me it'll NEVER happen again. I told her it's no problem, I have no issue getting rid of it, but I appreciate her looking further into it. I just didn't want this fella to continue dumping debris on my land, especially stuff with nails sticking out of it. I run my flail mower through that section once a year, or every other year. That would have sucked! We have plans to meet up in the near future, me, her, my wife and our pup. Sometimes it's just how you go about an issue that gets to a better outcome. She's a sweet lady, but even if she was a grumpy old guy I still would approach the situation similarly. I'm always up for helping people, so if she ever needs a hand I'm here.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^^

You should have handled it the way that many of us would... ranting and screaming until she told you where to go.

Oh, wait a minute. It sounds like your way worked out better for you.

In states where property is open to the public unless fenced or posted,could someone camp,hold a geathering or set up a lawn chair to drink beer and look at the stars in a stranger's front yard?

Only until they are asked to leave. That's the part of trespass law which people seem to miss. If you tell somebody they aren't welcome... they aren't welcome.
Generally here, access applies to unimproved property only.