Trespassers

[m1garand762]

I've mentioned before that when I had to deal with deer stands on our property, I'd take them down and leave a note in a zip lock bag on the tree that it could be picked up at the county sherif's office. Never had a complaint.

Now, I let the neighbor hunt it. He has a few stands on our place, and keeps an eye out for trespassers. win win.

I wrote in paint pen on sheet metal and nailed it to the tree a nasty gram to them little do tue know that 2 of my friends that have permission are retired county Mounties and both plan on hunting all week mainly for them

 

[m1garand762]

Depending on the state law, one might have to post signs or paint to make sure that the trespass laws are in force.

Decades ago on TBN, one of the vocal TBNers talked of a case in SC where people rode onto someone else's land, a horse stumbled into a stump hole, which threw the rider who was injured. They sued the land owner.

Years ago when I looked into land owner liability, the NC extension office had a paper on the issue. Basically, posting the land minimizes land owner liability because a person would be trespassing and those committing an illegal act.

Later,
Dan

It’s posted I added to it yesterday with more sign even on there dads gate in my fence

 

[oosik]

I have a mile long gravel driveway. It gives access to the back side of my neighbors property. I don't mind the hunters using it. Easier access to a downed animal.

It's when they drive off my driveway and "go exploring". They get stuck - expect me to drag them out - tear up the neighbors range land - tear up my driveway.

Driveway gate signs are ignored - I end up chaining and padlocking the outer gate.

 

[Wakey]

Your insurance agent would. Your lawyer is more apt to know the laws in your state.



Many states have some type of protection such as this for landowners. If you were to take a hacksaw to one of the legs, or exert some other type of malicious action the laws won't protect you. Yet simply having somebody on your land, whether they have permission or not doesn't open you to liability.


Still, it takes a pretty big set to place a tree stand that close to your house.

I understand what the law is trying to accomplish but that doesn’t stop someone from suing me and me having to pay an attorney.

I think I told the story before but three years ago my neighbors boyfriend’s nephew came over introduced himself and asked if he could hunt on the land. I politely told him no for liability reasons and if I let one person hunt I would feel obligated to let all comers.

He had a pronounced limp and I asked him what happened. His answer, a football accident. I said, a what?

Later that week another neighbor told me they saw on Facebook the kid had fallen from a stand.

As for my neighbor, she did also later that season. It took 2 surgeries on her leg to sort that one out.

 

[Jstpssng]

I understand what the law is trying to accomplish but that doesn’t stop someone from suing me and me having to pay an attorney

I understand your concerns. That’s why my state holds the person suing liable for costs if when they lose.

Maine is the most permissive state in the nation- possibly on the globe- when it comes to public access to private land, and our officials are trying to keep it that way.

 

[JethroB]

My issue is with the abandoned stands in my trees from the days my dad let a family member hunt here. Crap in the trees and ratchet straps laying on the ground that my rotary cutter can find. I warned him last year that I would be doing a controlled burn of the pines soon, he shrugged and said not to worry about His stands. Still there like faded old Christmas ornaments.

 

[ruffdog]

In Wisconsin, if private land is in the Woodland Tax Law (MFL) system, people can hunt, hike, fish, etc on it. Forest Crop Law (FCL) property allows hunting too. Basically, if a land owner is getting a tax break being in a program, you better know all the rules. If you buy land, you need to know if it is in these programs too.

DNR site:
Can you hunt MFL land in Wisconsin?


The public may use Managed Forest Law– Open (MFL‐Open) lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight‐seeing and cross‐country skiing. Only hunting and fishing are allowed on Forest Crop Law (FCL) lands.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

In Washington state, hunters must have permission from the land owner to be on private property. If they are there without permission the legislation defines it as "poaching". Same as hunting out of season.
Since this law went into effect we have not had any hunters trespass.

 

[Jchonline]

While standing at the back door drinking coffee this morning I noticed something odd. A trespasser had erected a deer feeder and tree stand 100 yards from my back door overnight. Needless to say I have a stand and feeder for sale now

Hey in some parts its a way to make some nice income in the Fall! Craigslist hunting equipment! I don't hunt anyway, so maybe I would sell and give to a charity.

 

[Jchonline]

In Wisconsin, if private land is in the Woodland Tax Law (MFL) system, people can hunt, hike, fish, etc on it. Forest Crop Law (FCL) property allows hunting too. Basically, if a land owner is getting a tax break being in a program, you better know all the rules. If you buy land, you need to know if it is in these programs too.

DNR site:
Can you hunt MFL land in Wisconsin?


The public may use Managed Forest Law– Open (MFL‐Open) lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight‐seeing and cross‐country skiing. Only hunting and fishing are allowed on Forest Crop Law (FCL) lands.

None of that stuff in CO. Private is private. In fact you can't even pursue a wounded animal onto private land unless you notify (or make a serious attempt to notify) the land owner and they give permission.