I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I sat this past Sat morning and when I got out I decided to take a walk down a hedrow that is just on the inside of our property. Well I see these red splotches on a tree from about 50yds away. When I walk up to the tree I see they are the stickers that come on Ameristep screw in tree steps. I look up and about 35ft up is a tree stand overlooking an overgrown field on our property. Here is the million dollar question: Do I cut the stand down and run the risk that this JO will retalliate and start stealing our stands, or call the CO? I'm pretty sure I know who he is. He was kicked off the property that borders us this year for not having permission by the owner. CO's never got involved that time. There are houses behind the hedrow and I'm guessing he knows the person that lives in the house behind the hedrow and is parking there and entering through they're backyard. What would you do?

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If it were me, and it were my tree, I'd cut it down, or climb up and take it down. Either way, if I find a treestand on my property, it belongs to me.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I would take the treestand down and then place a few game cameras around the area so you have proof who it is.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Tough call, Take the stand down and leave a note to contact you give him a warning and hope he doesn't come back. If he contacts you then give him the stand back, He may become a pain if you just take it and keep it. However you do have that right!

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Take it down and use it. It's on your property, it's yours.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I'm trying to be cool about it. What I really want to do is rip his head off and crap down is neck! I think I might stop by his house and tell him to take it down and if he doesn't, I am just going to drop the whole tree.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I'd take the stand down.Then I'dset upa cheap trail cam where he will not be able to see it nearthe tree. I'd leave a note on the tree and politely state that you'd like to talk to him to arrange giving him back his stand.

Make sure you let him know that he was tresspassing and tell him not to return to your property. I'd also let him know that the land is under surveillance.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Gee willikers, Beav.

Why don't youkill him??

Eddie

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I take it down and leave a note to come and retrieve it.

Tom

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Id do what you said,but you still have to get it documented.The guy is obviously a turd and dont feel bad about getting him in trouble.He is doing it to him self.Dont play cop,they get paid for it,let them handle it.Just make sure its more than your word against his.Dont have any contact with this guy till its handled,things can get said and people can get hurt.I hope this helps,good luck!

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

So, is the treestand actually ON your property, or is it overlooking a field that is on your property? The difference between the two is massive!

If the stand is on you property, take the stand, and leave the tree. If the stand is NOT on your property and is only overlooking your field....suck it up and learn that people can do with their property as they wish. As long as there isnt any shooting over a property line and he is on his land, he/she has broken no law.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I would go talk to the guy in the house. Then if they did not move there stands, cut his stand to the ground.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If the stand is actually on your property, then it is now YOUR stand. Take it down and leave a note warning him. He knows he doesn't have permission there and yet he has no problem hunting there anyway. However, you own what's on your property and this time, it's the stand.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I personally feel that it is a pretty touchy situation. Is it your property on each side of the hedge row? If it is not, it is hard to say he is trespassing, escpecially if he is coming in on some other property. If it is not your property, contact that land owner on the other side and ask if anybody has permission to be there. If he says no, well then the both of you should take action. If he has permission, go and talk to him and remind him that if he shoots on your property he is trespassing.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

The tree that his stand is in is on my property and is overlooking my field. If it was on the other guys property I wouldn't care. I'm not really worried about this guy shooting deer cause he sucks as a hunter, besides there are plenty of deer around the property,its more aboutthe liability. IF he falls he could sue, if he mistaked me or one of my friends for a deer that could be a problem..

I take part of that back. I can't call him a hunter because he's not hunting he is poaching!

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Pull the bolts on the stands cable supports and put in a twig. That will give him just enough time to get into the stand before it gives way, Not really

Get a camera and go out and wait, take your cell phone, contact your local DNR and let them know whats going on. They will most likely give you a hotline or cell number. Go out and wait in a hidden area, when you see him come out call the DNR and take some pictures.

I have also heard where some DNR will come out , take down the stand and put up a note on the tree saying " hey this is Dan, I have your treestand and steps at my house, call me at 555-5555 to get it back"

then when the dirtball shows up and identifies his stand they will write him a ticket.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Take the stand and leave him a note to come get it. You don't want to start a range war. That can get ugly. Because I do belive you can rip his head off and crap down his neck.Heprobably can't handle the TRUTH!!:D

Hatchet Jack

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

1) Find the phone number of the CO in your area.

2) Take the stand.

3) Leave a note telling him that you have the stand, except put the CO's number on the note and tell him to call if he wants it back.

Let him get an attitude with the CO.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If it's your property and no one is allowed I'd call the guy and tell him to cease and desist. I'd do it politely and give him a time limit, like a day and no hunting when he comes to get it. Tell him you're sorry but you don't allow hunting. If he doesn't come and get it within the alloted time, tear it down and leave a note telling him where he can pick it up. If you know who's yard he's parking in I'd contact them and tell them your land is off limits too. Be polite the first time to avoid paybacks. Then get nasty if you have to.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If you plan to pursue trespass charges you'll need evidence , stake out the stand in full cammies until you can take pics of the guy entering and leaving your property . If it's the guy you think it is turn the pics over to the local police and press charges , if it's someone you don't recognize call in a CO and let him trap the numbnuts for a poaching charge . Don't take his stand , it isn't yours and the owner may press charges against you for stealing it .

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I would take the stand. If it were me, I wouldn't bother to leave a note. If he puts up another one, I'd have two stands.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

You have your answer right there! ;)

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I left a note with my number to call if you want your stand back. The moron called I had him come to the farm to pick it up. Mr. law was there to give him a ticket also:D

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I'd go with the camera. They work good for surveilence.;)

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Put a big NO TRESPASSING sign right on his stand. Someone did it to me whenI unintentionally set a stand on private land. It works!!! Just be polite. You don't know for sure who it is. It could just be a misunderstanding. I'm guessing it's not though. I would say to warn the guy and if he doesn't get off take his stand. It's legally yours.

Give the man warning though. I had a misunderstanding with land boundaries and ended up getting people ticked off at me.I had one stand stolen and got a guy pissed off at me. It was all one big mess of different people thinking different ways. My uncle told meI could hunt anywhere because that was the agreement and it turned out to be the wrong move. I'm just telling you that not everyone has ill intentions. Be polite to him until he won't bereasonable.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

way to go germ....suckin poachers....should be tried and hung in my opinion....nice picture GregH..that is too funny...was that on your property?

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I would leave it and set up surveillance. Then find out who it is and take it, put a note up, and see if he calls.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Unless hedge rows are different in your areas, the stand is technically on the line. Hedge rows in my parts are right on the property line, which makes it pretty hard to prove which property they are hunting on. That is why I think you should talk to the property owner on the other side before you do anything. Just because the stand may be facing your property don't necisarily mean he is hunting your property. Some people like to face the tree and use it to block their profile.

You just don't want to jump the gun and make somebody mad over a simple misunderstanding. Know all the facts before taking action.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

can you guys work this out without cutting down trees and taking stands? Do you guys not get along?

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

do this - take the stand and steps down, and leave a nice note on the tree (tied to the tree, in a ziplock bag) to come to your house, or call you to recover them and you'll be glad to do so. Or, give them to a Game Warden and have the guy contact the GM to get them back.

DO NOT do anything that would risk the guy getting hurt - thats a liability to you. Be nice about it all, thats the way to be.

What MIGHT happen in the future you don't know, you can only take certain measures and go from there.

Contact a GM, explain it to him, maybe he'll come out and witness the stand and the removal ? Video tape it even. Get the evidence, leave the note. Its about all you can do other than a stake out

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

FInders keepers, espically on your property, if you give it back he will no doubt set it up some where esle on yours or your neighbours land.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I hunt on one of my buddies land and last year we found two $200 ladder stands and a pile of deer guts. So we took the stands and kept them ourselves. We eventualy found out who it was and told them to never step foot on our land and we gave them there stands back. We have never had a problem since.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If you are worried about him retalliating then i would just take it down and set it at the bottom of the tree with a note.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

I'd leave the stand but take all the steps out;), make him work for it.lol, I'd talk to the guy and if that dosnt work call the law.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Chain it to the tree and give the CO's the key. Leave a note on how he can retrieve his property. In the mean time, use it if you'd like.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Get a two-way radio and hide it around the tree, when you know he's there yell at himand make spooky noises, maybe he will check himself into an institute were he needs to be. Sounds like a crackhead to me,s eeing as how he's already been in trouble for it once before (If it's the same guy)

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

Were I hunt the land owner had some what the same problem. Write a letter have it noterized. Make a few copies if you know were he lives send it certified. Take stand down post one of the copies on the tree. Offer the stand back but let a++hole know the law is on yourside.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

wow nice pic.....what was he doin?

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

cameras and take off the steps so he will get mad and wont be able to get in it and you should photograph him and approach him while hes there. but i mean thats just me.

RE: I think I found a poachers' set!
 

If he was kicked off the neighbors property, RAP!