New Hunter
 

I went hunting for the first time this weekend with my boyfreind. What an experince that was. I was wondering if all areas are being taken over by outfiters that are rude, irrational people? I recived a criminal tresspassing ticket for crossing over into unmarked land. I have to say the Game Warden and the Sheriff were very nice and curtiouse carring people that felt horrible for sitting us? Is this becoming a common thing to have outfiters take over the area? It realy has given me a bad taste for outfiters.

RE: New Hunter
 

Welcome to the board and to deer hunting Laura. I wouldn' t let one bad expeirence spoil your whole thought on deer hunting or outfitters. As alsways just be careful and ask for references. Did the guide put you in the wrong location or did you cross over onto the outfitters land by accident? Good Luck!! -- CDH

RE: New Hunter
 

Unfortunitly we crossed over to outfiter land. Truely it was a mistake and the outfitter was very hosstile and provcing. So now I have to go to court and try to explain to a judge why I do not think I should be branded a criminal the rest of my life.

RE: New Hunter
 

Well just keep a cool head and I wish you lots of luck. Keep us posted. Good Luck!! -- CDH

RE: New Hunter
 

I am not the type of person to let that stop me. I plan on haven a big Trophy buck on the wall to look at and laugh about my first experiance. What a mess though.

RE: New Hunter
 

Laura you have to remember that the outfitters are probably paying for their leases and that it is their income. They are just protecting their investment just like I would protect my investments on my leases. Maybe they should have been nicer, but they may have a problem with tresspassers.

RE: New Hunter
 

That realy stinks that they have to take it that far for an incidental trespassing. That would realy burn my hide. I wish you luck with talking to the judge or district attorney. Like you said it would be a shame to have criminal trespassing on your record. Maybe try to find some web sites that talk about the various trespassing laws for your area or since the game wardens where nice, try talking to them and see if they have any thoughts.

Hunting is really a beutiful thing, I hope it does not turn you away from hunting.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

RE: New Hunter
 

I' m not sure how the laws work where you' re at but around here the land has to be posted before you can be prosecuted for trespassing. I know we get very irate when we catch someone trespassing on our lease. Our lease has a posted sign every 10 to 15 feet so in our case it would be impossible for someone to " unknowingly" cross over on to our property.

I would recommend that you check into the laws in your area concerning how property should be marked. It sounds to me like the outfitters have not properly marked the property line. Depending on the area you are hunting it could be nearly impossible to know when you cross over to another persons land if it is not marked. Another thing to keep in mind is that game wardens and sherrifs deputies do not always know the laws like they should so definately check into it. Good luck.

RE: New Hunter
 

Point well taken thank you for the advice. It was not posted. We went in on Corps land and some were we crossed over into there leased land. If at any time we would have known we would not have been there. The gentle man was on a power trip and was very hostile and degrading. He didnt have enough guts to face us and left as soon as we were called down to the Sheriff and the Game warden. They were very cordial and apoliging for haveing to write us the ticket but he was forcing it and they had to comply. It was the outfitters attitude that botherd me the most he did not have to be so degrading and try to provoke a fight. That is what I do not understand. I come from a farming family about 150 miles away so I do have respect and an understanding. Oh well all I can do is let people know what type of outfitter Deadmen Creek is. Not very good and hostile people on a power trip. That is what is the sadest. He was not happy to see two women out enjoying a sport he felt was a man' s sport.

RE: New Hunter
 

If the land was not posted then in my opinion you were definately not at fault. The way I see it, if this outfitter does not want people on his land then it should be properly marked. He had no right to get hostile with you. He should have told you nicely that you were on his land and asked you to leave nicely. Now if he caught you back a second time it would be different. Hopefully things will work out for you. Let us know what happens.

Shane

RE: New Hunter
 

i would take a couple pictures showing the area, or property line, and prove to the judge,DA that there is no posted signs and you did not know that you were crossing into hostile territory...

RE: New Hunter
 

As with everyone else, I too agree that you should do a little research before going before the judge. Pictures can say a thousand words. I once was hired to take pictures for a lawyer regarding a DWI case and the judge threw out the case based on seeing the area. Unfortunately that may not be enough. I believe here in Wisconsin you no longer have to post your land, it' s up to the individual to know the area they hunt and where the boundaries are. I just wish the people that sometimes hassel us hunting would take more time in knowing where they are. I' ve been stopped numerous times by " leftist tree huggers" telling me I was on private property when I was actually a half mile into a county forest. Just remember to be polite, state only facts and keep your cool. Good Luck and don' t let one yahoo spoil what is one of the greatest sports around.

RE: New Hunter
 

sorry to hear what happened to you ! If i where you i would get back in the woods and get some pictures before he gets a chance to put up posted signs . Good luck with the courts !!

RE: New Hunter
 

Laura ,
if you have access to the property on the upwind side of the outfitter this would be the perfect time to hang some " freshly used" tampons and dirty underwear on the bushes . They won' t see another deer for awhile ... [>:]

RE: New Hunter
 

Around here people are good about just giving a warning. Though I can remember when I was younger and we were chased off an area by an angry farmer with a shot gun. :)

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RE: New Hunter
 

[>:] Thank you for the idea I love it. That sure made me laugh about something that has me so irrate. This site is awesome and I look foward to comming back and learning some great tips. I have allready learnd that the hunter out there are great people. Thankyou for all your help and support.

RE: New Hunter
 

Thank' s to your recomendtions I found the Law and attached it to my letter to the Court. Finaly I found the Law we did not knowingly enter his land. I am so excited :)......................





RCW 9A.52.080
Criminal trespass in the second degree.

(1) A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the second degree if he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises of another under circumstances not constituting criminal trespass in the first degree.

(2) Criminal trespass in the second degree is a misdemeanor.

[1979 ex.s. c 244 § 13; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 § 9A.52.080.]

NOTES:

Effective date -- 1979 ex.s. c 244: See RCW 9A.44.902.

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RE: New Hunter
 

Went to court yesterday over the Trespassing issue. The Code violation we were charged with states RCW 9A.52.090 Criminal Trespassing The law for Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree reads: A person is guilty of trespassing in the second degree " if he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon the premise of another under circumstances not constituting criminal trespass in the first degree" .
We are what I feel beeing railroaded. We are setting up a date for a jury trial. Yuk back to court now I have to find the money to pay for a Lawyer and I am single with 3 kids all for what. Going on a hunting trip to see if I liked it. I wasnt even hunting and I am still charged. Small towns suck.
The four of us were the only ones recested to go down to the sherrifes office to be fingerprinted and have a mug shot taken I thought you only had to do that if you were convicited. What a mess.

RE: New Hunter
 

When I took my bowhunting course,they had a NY game warden come in to teach us some things and answer questions.I asked about posted land because around deer hunting season alot of posted signs go up.The warden said the signs have to be at least 320' apart and every other sign needs a signature.They need to be signed by the owner or the person leasing the property along with his address.I see many,many area' s posted with no signatures.I still hunt on land that isn' t posted.Thank God for the lumber companies around here,they like to have hunters.
Good luck Laura!Keep us up to date on how things are going for you.