trespassers and what should we do about it
 

after reading "ruined my hunt"

i am really concerned about all the trespassing and storys i have been hearing so i want to bounce this idea off everybody!!:eek:
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if you are caught trespassing and convicted or fail to show in court-- you lose your hunting privilages not only in the state you got caught in but all states for 5 years????
a kind of "black list" so to speak of law breakers,
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chi vang was charged with trespassing and did not appear in court, he simply bought an out of state lisc. for Wisc. to get around the law

this situation with trespassing has got to be addressed soon before more cr-p like this happens
and gives the anti's more fuel[:@]

please respond is this a good or bad idea?
thanks onebullet

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I don't believe it would stop tresspassing anymore that game laws stop poachers to be honest with you . Just make life more difficult for someone that normally obeys the laws if they happened to make a mistake ,but people that tresspass don't much care what the law says anyway .

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

A lot of land in MT is not marked so it is eazy to get on the roung land for out of state people most. I do how ever think that there is some people move here and think they are free to do as will.I have saw more than one time people act like they cannot comunicate with gamewordens.

eye for an eye right?

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Trespass is not necessarily only hunting related, if the trespass occured in relation to something other than hunting, then denying hunting priveleges would be a bit far fetched. There are currently, I believe, 37 states that observe the violators compact or whatever it is called in which those convicted of game law violations in one of the participating states is barred from hunting in the others. If the trespass were to occur during a hunting related incident, then it would be reasonable to not allow that individual to buy a license in those other states. Is Wisconsin a participant? I don't know.

As for places like Montana where, as elkinmtcwb states, there is a lot of unposted land, I would suggest that concerned property owners get off their backsides and do some posting if they are truly concerned with acts of trespass. This does work two ways though in that it would force those property owners to recognise the actual limits of their property and stop trying to keep people off land they should have legitimate access to. I know that there are millions of acres of public land in the west that ranchers use for grazing purposes that they treat as if they owned it, that is not right in my belief. We have similar situations here in Georgia where individuals have bought up the available land around sections of National Forest and then denied access to those wishing to hunt, hike or fish the National forest adjacent to their private property. They have in effect stolen huge tracts of land that they now have sole access to while denying the rest of us access to what rightfully belongs to us.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

First you have to catch them then you go to court it's then your word against theirs.
99% of the time they get off unless it includes a game violation.
So how do you prove that you caught them in the act ?
Here in NY pics. are a joke in court.
The only way we seem to be able to make it stick is by getting the state police or DEC there while the crime is still in progress.
PS: Don't say to get their hunting lic# or plate # as the judge will say you could have gotten the # any where Kmart,wally world Just because you don't like the guy or gal for some reason.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

In WV, if your land is not posted...then someone is not trespassing.

What a freakin joke.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Roundup all the rope in Texas and a tall oak tree, roundup all of them bad boys hang'em high in the streets.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I will repeat my question a little clearer

"if you are caught and convicted of tresspassing- WHILE HUNTING- should you lose the privilages"??

thanks to all who have responded so far

to pro line--same here in Mn. and must be posted every 500 feet-- i think thats the distance anyway

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I spent alot of money to own my own land and it is properly posted, if i catch them trespassing and they have a weapon with them ie: hunting, if they do not surrender their weapon or argue while I call authorities I will drop them and sort it out in court. I have no respect for trespassers and if other owners protected their property in this manner we would have alot less trespassing (criminals). It is very sad what happened to the landowners at the hands of a trespasser Chi Vang, but what comes out of this is at least this landowners belief that I have to protect myself and my property at all costs. Trespassers be warned!

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Yea you drop them in their tracks Tember. Good answer. You will start regretting that decision about the time you start spending time in prison. Onebullet I think you are on the right track. If the penelty is severe enough people might think twice before entering posted property. I would add taking a couple of thousand from their pocket book too.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

my 2-cents - YES YES and YES absolutely! The law has been broken, an important law I might add, and as such, one should most definitely lose their privledges. And together you can make it happen be taking an active role and letting the "powers that be" know your feelings (respectfully, of course). The more the better!! They HAVE to listen if enough of their constituents show a sincere, fact-based concern about any issue. If no one says anything, they have an excuse to do NOTHING. Which is precisely what they hope for. They don't want "joe-American" paying attention, speaking up/out, standing up for his/her rights -- they want the silent to remain silent so they can force their destructive agendas down our throats when our backs are turned.

Look, I saw this with such conviction only because I've had to fight the gov't twice in my life - once for a medication that took me off disability and was then taken off the market by anti-capitalist socialist nazi's, and again for my job, which those same socialists wanted Federal Unions to have - not someone like myself who, at that time, was deadbeat poor, alone, and in desperate need of that job. Both cases were won ... after much time and angst, but you see, what is good and right is slowly starting to prevail, but the "silent majority" can be silent no more. That's a sure fire way to not only see things continue as they are, but continue to get worse.

By the way, I just felt compelled to add that Im' not a fighter by nature. Quite the contrary; I hate having to fight for everything, but when my medication was taken away by those who knew nothing but that they wanted to bring a drug company to financial ruin and within 2 weeks I was flattened again, lost two jobs and knew what the future held once again, I reached the point where it was either cave in to depression and illness, or fight. So I fought. I hated every minute of it, but victory truly is sweet; made it worth the agony.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Well many years ago, well before I got into law enforcement my father, and other family members had a 500 acre lease. We always knew tresspassers hunted it, just never saw them. One day we did, we called the state police not the local police nor the game warden cause they both may know the tresspasser. The tresspasser was the mayor of the town we hunted in, we pressed charges went to court and we won, and the tresspassers never did come back as far as we knew, cause they knew these city boys werent playing games.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I think YES & a big FINE to go right along with it.
Also some community service.

:D With a sign board front & back that says I'm a trespasser

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Post your property that there is no entry area where a person can enter without seeing a poster. When someone is found on the area, inform your local police and prosecute the trespassers. They will enjoy this and the fines will help their kitty. Quite often they will watch the area when on patrol. It doesn't take long for the word to get out.
;)

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Motown Honkey, great name? The missouri state statutes allow for using deadly force in certain circumstances against trespassers section 536 & 569. By these statutes, I don't believe my word against a dead mans will put me in jail. I fought in Iraq and I just want to wander around on my land and be at piece without some a hole breaking the law and bothering me. I fought for this country and my right to purchase a little piece of heaven. I also fought for that trespassers right to break the law and face the consequeces for doing so. I am concerned though that you would even think about cornholeing. What you do in you're own privacy is up to you but I do not want to be included. As I stated before trespassers be warned.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Go ahead kill a trespasser on your piece of heaven, but you better start posting your ass. Your going to need it when you get to the big house!

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I think to shoot some one for crosing your land is nuts.There could be many reasons thay may be there.What if there dog gets away and you are not home ? Should they just leave a dog and go home? call the law?
I know when we coon hunted this was a problem.

I do not think they should have free rein of your land but shooting them or taking there hunting license?

Hope they dont start taking my car for driving where I do not belong. This would be like driving down the roung street in LA.Roung turn BOOM BOOM.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

WHOA HERE GUYS THIS IS A SIMPLE QUESTION SEARCHING FOR AN ANSWER-space saver reply

Timber== thanks for serving-yes a piece of peace on this earth we all deserve
problem is its not split up equal enough -(bible says we should all have 7 acres but thats another topic)
do me a favor tho
give me a warnin shot over my head first to get my attention, first -cause if that don't get my attn. I bet your gonna guarentee the 2nd one will- THAT anyone could understand

post your land clearly befer some cluts like me to stumbles thru without askins first, and if ya saya no then ya kin tell me where's not ta hunt---:Djust ribbin ya alittle
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BOWHUNTERCOP==gets award of the day for his reply - good sense in your approach with the state police[8D]that "good ole boy" syndrome its here in Mn. too
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SNIPER==???-should landowners that post their land be reimburst by the state?- or given signs by the state funded from:
hunting liscence fees ------------------------------------yea or nay-dont care?
IMO that dont seem to help WMA's anyway!!

and what about lottery sales profits going back into the state to help the enviroment
as Minn. advertises in TV commercials-this would be a good thing to fund it would sure make things a lot clearer for everyone-at least up here

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fastfiremaybe some community service like posting no trespassing signs thanks for the chuckle-the scarlet letter" the big T" on front and back
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def thats 25 cents
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RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

you DONT agree with taking the liscence? correct ?(just to clarify)

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

If the land is properly posted heck yes! Here public lands end and private lands begin and no postings so if your 300 yard in on public land and crossover to private if it isnt posted or fenced how in the hell are you gonna know! I hope no one shoots me in a situation like that cause if they dont kill me I will return fire I was shot at enough in Nam. Jimmy

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I just returned from a pheasant hunt from Kansas. I must say that if there was a strip of milo that looked awfully good and the land was not posted with any sort of sign or marking that we hunted it. I did not feel that we in anyway were harming the property and we were in and out in a matter of minutes. If it was posted we did not enter the property. I feel that if they really did care whether or not they wanted someone on their property than they would have posted it and many did. Do you in this message board feel that I was breaking the law or for that matter do you know if I was breaking the law? This is an honest question, I would like some feedback. Thanks.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Interesting point on just exactly what constitutes trespassing-I do not have no trespassing signs on my house yet if you enter without my permission then you are trespassing. Therefore why do I have to put a no trespassing sign on my property? I own it and you don't for what ever reason. Therefore I would consider going on somebody's property posted or not to be trespassing if I don't have permission. There is not a state in the union, including Texas that permits the deadly use of force in a trespassing case unless you can prove you are in danger! I have researched this and believe it to be true. In Smith versus State of Texas on appeal this was held up where an individual was found not guilty of using deadly force when an individual was shot on private property. The reason was that there was a reasonable history between the two parties and that fear of life and limb was reasonable based on that history.-best case scenario-fine them, lose the license for 5 years or so, and community service from my standpoint.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Do you know how many signs it takes to post 2000 acres of land with multiple entry points off public and private land? Man, I buy 30 or so a year to put up and they get destroyed by weathering, tresspassers and other things. I wish the law could be inforced without the darn signs and people would no assume that if it isn't posted than hey, who cares. It might have been posted 2 weeks earlier until Joe Tresspasser came and ripped it down because it bothered him that he couldn't hunt mushrooms on your ground. Thank god we still have fences everywhere so the bounderies are easily marked.

As far as if you were breaking the law or not I would bet it depends on the state. I got to go put up more signs, first snow = snowmobiliers in mass. Used to not bother me until I caught them cutting a fence. Sons of @#@#$%

Anthony

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

If a fence is crossed with out permission posted or not you are tresspassing. . .sorry. DUCKSTAMPEDE pretty much got it right in my mind. The fence did not grow there. . .

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I appreciate your replies. I also want to post and let you know, it may not matter but we never crossed fences as well. In western Kansas there are few fences. In fact, I was hunting a walk in hunting property and did not even realize that I crossed over to private until I got back to the road. Many of the spots that we hunted were tailwater pits, field corners or large CRP grasses we never hunted anywhere near a homestead, this was rural farmland. I only hunted property that was easily accessible from the road and there was no need to drive into the property. Now however I have a better perspective from a landowner and I appreciate your candidness.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

sorry, but duck was wrong. so what about the fences, or size of your property. if you don't want someone on it, POST IT! i know here in vt, and nh, and me, if you don't see signs, go for it. that's the way hunting is conducted here, where everyone benefits from the wildlife, not just those that can afford to own/lease a piece of land. just think how less crowded/ and less dangerous hunting might be in your state's public lands if you were allowed to hunt as we do here. also, if you were to spread the hunter's out more, wouldn't this help to improve the quality, and perhaps quantity of animals by not having everyone concentrated in those few general areas? by the way, check it out, all 3 states have a very, very low incidence rate of hunters shooting hunters. can the same be said in those states that have restrictions like you guys have brought up?

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Here in Missouri purple paint (on trees) constitutes posting (same as signs), perhaps lobby to your representatives to embrace a similar policy. Of course, this will do little to help areas devoid of trees but would surely reduce the number of signs necessary to post one's property...fences/fields notwithstanding.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

First off, it is less the hunters that cause me problems than it is the snowmobilers and dirtbikers. This has more to do with the damage that they cause more than anything else. Nothing like seeing places were they went though alfalfa fields while they were wet to make you not feel to found of people on your property in general.

Secondly, the law around here does not protect the landowner very well if injury was to befall the trespasser regardless of what level of permission they have. This land is not hunting ground or recreation ground. This ground is my job. When damage is done to my crops, my fences and my equipment, forgive me if I think it is ridiculous that I have to post ever 50-75 yards for legality's sake. When I drive into a drive and watch a truck go speeding across a field, don't tell me they don't know they are tresspassing because there wasn't a sign on the gate. People know but they choose to ignore.

As far as the tresspassers not having access to land, well, around here at least, that is not true because most of them have plenty of land but they have removed every fence line, tree, and plant up to the roads now so there is almost no wildlife. Than in turn, they plow their fields under in the fall as soon as they combines are done rolling and they wonder why they have no deer or wildlife in their fields...

There is almost ZERO public land open to hunting in this county. There are a couple of Soil Conservation areas that are off limits and than there is the Henepin Canal area that is public, I think some areas are huntable but I have never looked into it. We used to give permission to people who asked to small game hunt becasue it was not big deal, but with the state's law protecting landowners being nullified by that judge my family and I are more than a little alarmed at the ramifications of letting even one person on if that leaves us open to lawsuits by dozens. The way the law is written is so vague that it can be interpretted any way one would please. Signs or no signs.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

First , I like the idea of losing hunting priveleges when convicted.

Around here your land does not need to be posted to warrant a tresspass violation unless it borders public hunting land. Why should we have to post our OWN land? If it's not public land and you dont have permission STAY THE HELL OFF!!! Somebody owns it! I personally think that states who force their landowners to post their land or it becomes free passage to anyone are violating your constitutional rights.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Sorry I don't agree. It took my wife and I alot of money to purchase are slice of heaven. I'll be damned if someone will hunt on my land for free and reap the benefits of my hard work. I post my property for this very reason. I know it sucks to have to put up signs every year to show people you mean buisness but it's better than someone saying I didn't know I couldn't hunt here. I try and hang my signs about 9 feet high so Idiots can't just tear them down without alittle effort. Just my 2 cents.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Not in Pa... You can not get anything done...The Game wardens say trespassing is a police matter and if they did not break a game law no harm no foul...Police take forever to get to my rural farm and by that time they are gone....I now hold my fellow farmers accountable... When I get slid by someone I go talk to the neighbor...I have been told well I can't control them when they are out there..And my response is that is why I tell anyone on my place if the neighbor complains your gone...Even if I don't like the SOB... It is called respect..

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Interesting debate...and I sort of see both sides, but I'm not a landowner so there is a lot I don't understand on this issue. But, one thing that crossed my mind in regards to having to have signs posted is, what about language barriers? If you're against doing it, you could tell your lawmakers signs are ridiculous because you need to post them in at least four or five languages to cover everyone and that's asking way too much

Or wait, I just thought of something! (duh) Are the signs just symbols? (yes, I'm ignorant on this one! sorry, but trying to learn)

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

The law in all states should go something like this......

If the land is not public, then nobody can step foot on it with out the landowners permission. NO exceptions!!

Now come on, how hard is that?? Plain and simple, the way it should be

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

timber you exspect ppl to give u there wepons lol i would not give you my wepon for 1 you could go oput and kill someone with it 2 u cant drop everyone
but my land is posted 80 ac and a trespasser tryed kicking my grandfather off my land
i am agaist trespassers there is alot of fine print to posting inmy state anyway for it to be legal
so i think u dhould loose hunting privleges for like 5 yrs if caught but
only if it is legaly posted if not and someone on your properyty to bad
post it

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

defend IT IS AMERICA IF YOU CANT READ ENGLISH THEY SHOULD
GO BACK TO WHATEVER COUNTRY THEY CAME FROM
it s that simple i mean why do we have to more b/c ppl want to come here

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

As the owner of 10 newly aquired acres I hope that I never encounter this problem ,
but I know that I will sooner or later since mine abuts a much larger woods where the landowner doesn't allow hunting . All those deer in his cedar thickets are gonna be awfully tempting to somebody sooner or later .

In my state written permission to hunt a given property is required by our game law , and the hunter is legally required to know the boundaries of that property to avoid trespassing on the neighboring parcel . Deadly force is NOT permitted unless the trespasser poses a direct threat to your safety , nor is holding the offender for law enforcement . A game warden may not investigate unless a complaint alledging a game law violation is being made , and even then he must witness it personally . The LEOs won't even come out for a hunting related trespass , so most folks just shoot over their heads or around them to make their point . Trespassing still occurs , but it's usually not the same person twice ... ;)

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

There has been a lot of talk in this thread about firing warning shots and such at tresspassers. I am in no way defending someone tresspassing but to do such a thing to me is very irresponsible and dangerous. Are you not afraid that someone might return fire and do yourself harm or the fact that firing a gun in anyone's direction is illegal and possibly fatal. There is a lot of tough talk in this thread that I feel is exactly what lead to the shootings in in Wisconsin. Why would you want to provoke somone that you do not know when it could lead to a deadly shoot out like what occured in Wisconsin late last year. Too me the fact that someone might be shooting a deer on your property does not permit this kind of illegal activity.

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

NEWSFLASH!! Just because you are a veteran doesn't give you the authority to start your own shoot-on-sight order on your property. Also, you may want to consider leaving law enforcement to ACTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. Your brand of vigilante justice is insane. You've done went and fell out o' yer treestand, young man.

For Christ's sakes, we have trespassers all the time. I get my deer without a problem. Who really cares if somebody gets a deer on your property??? Really, so long as they abide by the laws of the land (littering/hunting/shooting), hunters are always welcome on my ground. Trespassers aren't Al Quaida fighters for goodness sake. Trespassing - Whoopitydoohdah

If you're so worried about another guy stealing your date with destiny on a 180-class P&Y buck, get off your arse and go get your deer before somebody else does.

By the way, you know why it's hard to prosecute trespassers??? Because Normal People DONT CARE!

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

I never realized "normal" people don't care if laws are selectively enforced or not at all. Guess I am not "normal"

Steve

RE: trespassers and what should we do about it
 

Quiksilver:

Thats one of the things that is wrong with this country, we have very few decent people left. Nobody cares or has any respect for other people especially when it comes to somebody elses property. "Normal people" dont care, because the "normal person" does not own land. They live in concrete jungles where they walk around living live like the other million people in the same city. The average person in this country dosent care about much. As long as they have a decent paying job, can afford there mortage, drive a decent car, and can go out and drink and party on the weekends then they are happy. They dont care about anything else, although most people live like robots nowadays.

I do, and thats all that matters. Man I'm glad I live in Texas, one of the last "clear thinking" states left. By the way, down here, if you get caught poaching on somebody elses land or get caught with a gun on somebody elses land (considerd poaching) then your A$$ is going to jail because in Texas its a FELONY. Plus your going to have huge fines and court fees which add up to more then most people can pay. So not only will you be in jail, but you might also have to declare bankruptcy. :D THE WAY IT SHOULD BE...............