Four wheelers tresspassing.

[TomSeller]

I would tend to gather as many trail cam pictures as possible clearly showing their faces and drop them by saying the sheriff will be getting the remaining pictures if the "adventures" on your property don't stop.

I have to admit that I liked the tractor in the front yard comment. Very tempting but it would just ramp things up too much. Level head but firm actions are what is needed.

 

[s219]

This would sure make my blood boil. You have been patient and given them plenty of opportunity to straighten up. But it seems like they are not the kind of people who will respect your land or realize you cut them slack. So I'd get the full weight of the law on your side and let them have it. They will have zero defensible position in any court of law.

 

[DT86]

It's a shame you have to do anything than post the property. I'd say it is time to increase the size of the logs to where the trespassers can't move them.

Maybe I missed it, but any idea why they were blazing the trails?

 

[Danno1]

Not arguing, just asking. What are State Forests there for??

In the NE ,unfortunately, we don't have the "large tracts of land" of the western US. State Forests are usually reserved for non-motorized activities. Walking/hiking/canoeing/etc. But I believe USFS land is multi-use. Meaning motorized also.



.

 

[FTG-05]

Why were they painting your trees? The only reason I can think of is that they are marking it for "their" ATV trail.

Did you show the cops the damage they did to your land, did you show them the painted trees?

If it was me: No more Mr. Nice Guy. It hasn't been working for you. And it's not gonna work either. Call the cops and state that you will sign a complaint for trespassing and for destruction of property. Get the cops involved and keep them involved. No else will take care of you land except. The ATVers have already shown they could care less what you want or think.

And there's no way they would have gotten their ATV back except by going to the local sheriff to get it.

 

[ovrszd]

In the NE ,unfortunately, we don't have the "large tracts of land" of the western US. State Forests are usually reserved for non-motorized activities. Walking/hiking/canoeing/etc. But I believe USFS land is multi-use. Meaning motorized also.



.

I didn't realize that. Here there are restrictions, but motorized traffic is generally allowed. I Jeep Colorado a lot. The National Forests there are generally open. Wilderness areas are generally closed.

 

[STx]

we had all kinds of problems with trespassing and theft on our land, so bad that we had to bulldoze down a house that was vandalized beyond repair. They even stole the well pump out of our well. When we started spending time down there again a little over a year ago, after not having been there at all for 3 years because of the problems, we had a guy trespass on our place with his kids days after we had the house dozed. He had a rifle slung over his shoulder and they stole a dog tie out, a cheap item but it was mine. I know this because I had several pictures of them walking off the property with it in one of the kid's hands.

I called the local sheriff but we're in South Texas and we're "outsiders" and Anglo so there was not a lot of interest in doing anything about it so I called the Game Warden. The Monday following, he had identified the kids at the school and from there identified the adult. He went up and down our road and got 3 trespassing affidavits from neighbors, including ours and then discovered that the guy was a convicted felon on probation for a DWI. A felon in possession of a firearm is a 3rd degree felony, punishable by a mandatory 2 - 10 years in state jail. They arrested him on the felony charge and off to jail he went. Our case even made the Game Warden's field notes that month.

Since then, we have not had a single footprint on our place that didn't come from us or someone that had permission to be there. You need to be serious about it now, file a complaint and prosecute. Word needs to get out that you're that kind of guy or you will continue to be taken advantage of and you have strong photographic evidence so your case is a slam dunk. They've had the opportunity to make the right decision already, a conversation with them isn't going to solve the problem.

 

[445A]

I am sure 455a was joking, but don't even think about this. Even as a landowner, you are not allowed to employ booby traps on your own property. If someone gets hurt, you are going to have a huge problem, civilly and criminally. We know that kids are joining in the trespass activity. If they were to get hurt or injured, it would be a lot worse.

sseelhoff: You are correct, sir. 445A

 

[Looking4new]

It's a shame you have to do anything than post the property. I'd say it is time to increase the size of the logs to where the trespassers can't move them.

Maybe I missed it, but any idea why they were blazing the trails?

Looks to me like they were deliberately tagging trees. That ramps the trespassing up to and including vandalism. Now you got two charges for them.

 

[Parkanzky]

This would infuriate me. They showed up again multiple times after you've made it very clear that they are not welcome there. At this point, make sure that there are legal repercussions if they use your land again without your permission.