#1 Reason I love IR Cameras

[2manyrocks]

If it were some kids coming in from someplace else, then the scare methods might work. Scare tactics aren't going to work on the neighbor, who from the photos, appears to be old enough to know better and who has been told to stay off, but keeps coming back, probably for spite.

So I get where this is going: accumulate enough photos and get a restraining order ----assuming that he isn't buddy buddy with the local judge who'd have to enter the order. If you're asking for a court order, then you don't want to give the judge anything to throw back at you.

 

[Redbug]

Interesting thread. After reading more information and replies, I am in a quandry. JohnBud has a real problem on his hands and it's difficult to swim upstream. It's like dealing with an oncoming wall of mud. I don't feel that physical force is the right way to go, either. This is a matter for the law.

Make sure you post your boundries/roads with "No Trespassing" signs. Then, after gating everything up and plugging holes, the cameras will do their job and the law will have to follow up. Too bad you don't have proof on camera about the ruts in the road...you could present them a bill for the dozer cost to repair it, to get the ball rolling. But you can get them with trespassing, illegal hunting and like 2ManyRocks said...a restraining order. (Good point 2Many). You need to be out there as much as possible to confront them and make your presence known.

It's best if you can have someone with you most of the time in case you are threatened...as a witness. These guys could try burning you out, but by then you have motive and a case or two already against them. You need to watch your back...and it's a dangerous situation already, since guns are involved with the illegal hunting. I would always be carrying. I would think the other landowners would be on your side since their land may be threatened as well. A person has a right to be left alone on their property, simple as that. It's like the wild west...

In this state, DNR has a program which authorizes their wardens to stop by and periodically patrol your property at odd times. This is above the normal routine duties they already do...poaching, etc. You fill out some additional paperwork, give them a set of your keys for entry, a boundary map, and you authorize them to arrest anyone without written consent. You also give DNR your list of authorized people and they make it a point to pop in and out when they are in your neck of the woods.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Like others have said, when you put up your gate, put up your cameras too. Catch those dudes if/when they mess up your gate. Go full force in court. If you suspect them being friends with the judge, the judge must recuse him/her self. Make sure your lawyer isn't part of the good ol' boy network too. You'll be able to tell from his demeaner. Don't let up. I wish you luck here. I'm pulling for you. Take the high road, but keep your guns close... just in case. You may be looking at vandalism to your lot, roads, and woods in the future. Don't be tempted to do the same.

 

[john_bud]

The DNR warden advised against any and all direct confrontations. He stated bluntly that is the job of LEO's and to call them to handle it. Since we had a nut job kill 6 hunters that confronted him for hunting out of their stands (on marked private land) the LEO's have been much less laid back about it.

Our state does not require gates or even signs for it to be considered trespass. It does help on both counts. I do have the No Trespass signs etc.


Tororider,

I was thinking of using 4x4 steel tube with cement inside for the posts. Then a couple poles for the gates. Pretty much following the Eddie Walker outline. I want to put them in after the road work and will also build some berms. The reservation is that the ATV riders will then just go thru the trees. I really don't like the sound of the ATV's tearing thru the woods.

 

[aczlan]

I was thinking of using 4x4 steel tube with cement inside for the posts. Then a couple poles for the gates. Pretty much following the Eddie Walker outline. I want to put them in after the road work and will also build some berms. The reservation is that the ATV riders will then just go thru the trees. I really don't like the sound of the ATV's tearing thru the woods.

the only way you will keep the ATV riders out is to dig a moat with 6' of water in it all the way around the property, anything less (fence, etc) and they will cut through if they want to get in. although a fence of multiflora rose might be interesting, but you will NEVER get rid of it afterwards.

Aaron Z

 

[LBrown59]

The DNR warden advised against any and all direct confrontations. He stated bluntly that is the job of LEO's and to call them to handle it. Since we had a nut job kill 6 hunters that confronted him for hunting out of their stands (on marked private land) the LEO's have been much less laid back about it.

Our state does not require gates or even signs for it to be considered trespass. It does help on both counts. I do have the No Trespass signs etc.
Tororider,

I was thinking of using 4x4 steel tube with cement inside for the posts. Then a couple poles for the gates. Pretty much following the Eddie Walker outline. I want to put them in after the road work and will also build some berms. The reservation is that the ATV riders will then just go thru the trees. I really don't like the sound of the ATV's tearing thru the woods.

I remember that.
I've always wonderd how 1 man was abile to gun down 6 armed men with out at lest one of those men taking him out.
I know I wouldn't want to take on 6 armend men.

 

[john_bud]

I remember that.
I've always wonderd how 1 man was abile to gun down 6 armed men with out at lest one of those men taking him out.
I know I wouldn't to take on 6 armend men.

Neither did he. He took on 7 unarmed men, 1 unarmed woman and 1 with a gun hanging from his shoulder. He stopped to take off the scope from his AK-47 style rifle so he could use the open sights as well as turning his blaze orange inside-out to the camo side. He even shot wounded men saying "why don't you die?" as he did so. (that from a survivor and his testimony at trial) He also had to stop and put in a new 20 rnd clip.

Some think he may have been "looking for trouble". He also had a history of trespass and belligerence to getting told to leave private property.

It was a real bad deal.

 

[charlz]

The FS gates work pretty well. The one in the pic looks a little light on the lock end. I have seen them so shot up they look like swiss cheese. The lock usually sits up inside a piece of heavy wall pipe that you can just barely get your hand into to put the key in the lock, this keeps out bolt cutters etc.

 

[KYErik]

How about printing the photos that the game cam has taken of your neighbor (black out his face to make it less personal) and post them as "samples" on a sign that is 100 feet inside your property line that states "No trespassing- This property is monitored by camera and the "grace period" is over. All evidence of trespassing from this time forward will be provided to law enforcement officials".

Being 100 feet inside your property line would keep honest people from noticing the pictures. The "grace period" implies- "Hey, lets start over now, but now I'm gonna get serious if you do it again". And the pics let your neighbor know that you aren't bluffing about having the ability to collect evidence that you can use in court if need be.

 

[2manyrocks]

JOhn Bud has already had a face to face discussion with the guy.

I say keep your cameras and your pictures hidden until you get him in court. Let him tell the judge the whopper that he was never on your land. Then pull out the photos.