The way to handle this is to record the license of the ATV/Boat/or description of property. If it is a vehicle then write the Vehicle Identification Number a.k.a. VIN# down. On boats they are on the back transom usually on a small plate attached to the boat. On an ATV they might be found on the front forks of the ATV near the handle bars or along the frame near the engine mounts. Usually these are engraved right into the metal of the bike.

After you have a detailed description of the property then contact the local authority. If the trespasser returns before the law arrives, they will need to explain later to the law enforcment officer why theywere on your property, it is hard to dispute how you got all that information off their vehicle out of the blue.

Photographs are also a great thing. Mark on a tree with something so when you take the photo you can take the officer back to the same spot. It will help should the photo be used in any court, although some courts do not allow photographs to be used in them. You might also wish to leave a note on the property questioning its reason for being on your private property and informing them that they will need to contact the local law enforcment agency to explain their actions...

The problem with confiscation of property or damage to property is you are opening yourself up to civil and possible criminal liability. Not to mention, you are dealing with people willing to break the law, many people such as these will do things they feel is their right, to get even for you causing them trouble with the police.

Even though these people have no business being where they are. The law enforcement officers will need to prove that they knew they where they were, whether it was private or not mightdepending on the state you live in. You can always claim in your defence that you found this property on your land and was concerned over the owneship and that was the reason you contacted the law. Again, hard for the law breaker to then claim you made these claims to cause them harm or harass them.

Also if there is a way you can block their exit without doing damage to their vehicle this is a good idea. Again it gives the police extra time to get to the property and take actions against the trespassers. Police will normally in a case like this remove the property at the owner's expense (which can be costly) at your request besides citing them for their crime. It is kind of a double slap in their face.