Snowmachines on Private land

[Sodo]

I see a few people here have no idea about dealing with snowmachines (or ATV's ) that when they see they are being pursued or waved down by a land owner (so he can get identification) again and again... just take take off with a spray of snow or mud , while merrily having fun and doing damage at landowners expense.There is no way you can get the license numbers off a machine going at any speed and distance from you and police are an hour or more to show up if at all. Furthermore no where in the vidieo (which keep in mind is editted by the snowmacine rider that had the video cam) does it show gun is loaded or pointed at anyone. Sad to see the lack of support for valid landowner concerns...

Very good point, its easy to make assumptions. The landowner might have blown his top because he was pushed to the limit by OTHER trespassers (or maybe these same guys). Maybe these guys brought the helmet cam because they've been hassling this guy. Maybe he has talked to some, nicely, years ago, but has since run out of patience (season after season).

Farmer should have walked around the (stopped) machines & take down license numbers, ask their names (or take pictures) and then go home and call it in. Yes its to his credit (or lucky) that even though he was fuming mad and hitting too, he never pointed the gun. Or maybe he's just an azzle but even azzles have rights, they just don't get to enjoy life.

 

[SPIKER]

Very good point, its easy to make assumptions. The landowner might have blown his top because he was pushed to the limit by OTHER trespassers (or maybe these same guys). Maybe these guys brought the helmet cam because they've been hassling this guy. Maybe he has talked to some, nicely, years ago, but has since run out of patience (season after season).

Farmer should have walked around the (stopped) machines & take down license numbers, ask their names (or take pictures) and then go home and call it in. Yes its to his credit (or lucky) that even though he was fuming mad and hitting too, he never pointed the gun. Or maybe he's just an azzle but even azzles have rights, they just don't get to enjoy life.

You and I don't know much of the situation from the clip edited by the trespassers. Yes we see some things but the farmer didn't get the gun because it was the first time ever for trespassers riding snow machines thru HIS property! I'm betting he (farmer) had even called the cops and maybe on multiple occasions if the cops there any anything like the cops in Ohio. On a trespassing case they won't even show up, not enough manpower or just don't think it is worth their time to chase someone trespassing.

Heck the cops in Ohio won't even come to you house anymore when someone breaks in and steals stuff. Unless it is GT (Grand Theft) over $7500.00 (or guns, drugs or automobiles of equal values are taken) so standard theft or petty theft you have to go to the police station and report it... Then there are specific crimes if you steal a police dog or horse (not sure why they had to write in stealing from the cops as specific crimes.) lol

SO I still say the farmer was within his rights and he was within his rights to defend his neighbors property just as if it was his own (cause that is what good neighbors do!) But then again we didn't see what these guys were doing just prior, they may have been stampeding the cows/horses/goats/ what evers of his neighbor?)

Mark

 

[Pixguy]

Very good point, its easy to make assumptions. The landowner might have blown his top because he was pushed to the limit by OTHER trespassers (or maybe these same guys). Maybe these guys brought the helmet cam because they've been hassling this guy. Maybe he has talked to some, nicely, years ago, but has since run out of patience (season after season).

Farmer should have walked around the (stopped) machines & take down license numbers, ask their names (or take pictures) and then go home and call it in. Yes its to his credit (or lucky) that even though he was fuming mad and hitting too, he never pointed the gun. Or maybe he's just an azzle but even azzles have rights, they just don't get to enjoy life.

Good points Sodo, when I sled I see an occasional trail going off where they should not go but by far, the vast majority of us respect the property owners who allow us access and stay on the trail.

We are unaware of many facts that are not shown in this video and shouldn't assume we do and condemn someone on assumptions.
:2cents:

 

[EHR]

When I was growing up my friends and I had dirt bikes. When we rode it was mainly on property that belonged to our families. Now our area over the last 30 years has been built into subdivisions and everyone that has a 1/8 acre lot looks at the larger parcels as theirs to use. They cut tails, ride atv's etc.

 

[rsallen]

Considering snowmobilers and 4wheelers/dirt bikers, the bikers are the most inconsiderate between the two these days. And they'll absolutely ruin any piece of land they decide to ride on.

But I can remember a time though that snowmobile riders felt and acted like they had the right to ride through anywhere they wanted. At one point it got so bad that first laws were passed restricting land owners from blocking passage in certain ways (yeah, use your imagination because it's probably been used), then people started getting their houses burned down.
Thankfully things today aren't so bad, but it can still be a very tricky subject to deal with.