Trespasser.....what would you do?

[SgtSluggo]

Not really. We have vast areas of Michigan that are state forest and national forest interspersed with private properties. You don't post your land, then it's actually rather reasonable to assume that the piece of unfenced, un-posted land you're hiking on is open for public use.

The thing is, in TN many people live far from those state and national forests but still have a decent amount of property. Unless you live near one of those, it is actually very unreasonable to assume any tract of land is anything but private property. If you border one of those forests then you probably need to at least do a bunch of purple painting.

And even if it is untouched property, that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't have a right for it to remain untouched.

 

[Fixastuff]

I've found stands on my property and called the game Warden, he told me"I guess you have a new tree stand" lol. I did put up a note telling them not to hunt there with my phone number but I've never gotten a call. It's probably people who know me and know they're not supposed to be there and try anyway....

 

[Jstpssng]

The thing is, in TN many people live far from those state and national forests but still have a decent amount of property. Unless you live near one of those, it is actually very unreasonable to assume any tract of land is anything but private property. If you border one of those forests then you probably need to at least do a bunch of purple painting.

And even if it is untouched property, that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't have a right for it to remain untouched.

Most people would allow it to remain untouched... they are who you are excluding. The remaining 10% are the people who don't give a rat's tail if you allow access or not.

 

[Jstpssng]

What always get's me is the number of times I have walked a client's property line which is lined with the abutter's no trespassing signs... inevitably their tree stands are just inside their line, looking out over their neighbors land. It's ok to for me to use somebody else's land but don't use mine. Or they nail their signs to the power company's poles... again, somebody else's property. (Also illegal and a safety hazard for climbers, although most have bucket trucks now.)

 

[Jstpssng]

I sure wish my state did. I am currently paying additional insurance just to protect me from just such an incident.

it is weird though…it’s like having to pay for “uninsured drivers” thing on your auto insurance when it’s illegal to drive without insurance.

Missouri does offer you limited protection;

All states have insurance laws, but they vary by state. Plus, details of insurance policies vary by company. About 25 years ago, at the urging of state fish and wildlife agencies, legislatures enacted laws intended to limit the liability of landowners who allow free public hunting, fishing, and recreation on their private land. Missouri enacted such a law back in 1983. But that protection does not apply if you charge a fee.

The enactment of landowner liability limitation laws persuaded many landowners to open their lands, some with the belief that they are exempt from liability. The truth is their liability may be limited, but they are never exempt.

Reduce your risk: Landowner liability

Most woodland owners believe that any liabilities arising from a lawsuit by someone injured while on their property are covered by their homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s a nice thought, but the truth is a lot of homeowner’s insurance does not cover your woodlands at all.Common misconceptions...

extension.missouri.edu

I don't know exactly how yours works but here if you are sued and the plaintiff loses, he can be held liable for your expenses including but not limited to attorney fees. That seems to weed out the ambulance chasers. Since the law was passed 40 years ago there has never been a successful lawsuit. I guess that we told Joe Bornstein that we mean business.

 

[PILOON]

LOL, practice "3 S" rules!

A poster I liked:

"Be sure you are wearing the clothing you wished to be burryed in"

 

[Doughknob]

Why? I wouldn't go on someone's land without permission. .....

Hahahahah, you are a funny guy!

 

[newbury]

If you sell it or destroy don't say anything about it to anyone.

Backhoes are not just for burying bodies.

 

[MossRoad]

Backhoes are not just for burying bodies.

Yeah, they're for digging them up, too.

 

[MossRoad]

Missouri does offer you limited protection;

Reduce your risk: Landowner liability

Most woodland owners believe that any liabilities arising from a lawsuit by someone injured while on their property are covered by their homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s a nice thought, but the truth is a lot of homeowner’s insurance does not cover your woodlands at all.Common misconceptions...

extension.missouri.edu

I don't know exactly how yours works but here if you are sued and the plaintiff loses, he can be held liable for your expenses including but not limited to attorney fees. That seems to weed out the ambulance chasers. Since the law was passed 40 years ago there has never been a successful lawsuit. I guess that we told Joe Bornstein that we mean business.

I had to google that Joe Bornstein comment.