How do you approach tespassers?

riptides · May 6, 2005

I have nothing constructive to add, only a short story that still chuckles me to this day.

We have had our issues with tresspassing, especially interesting are the kids on ATVs. When confronted they usually seem to thing we don't understand, they have been riding there all the time. Maybe we should talk with their parents.
So you do, you try and be nice. Hey, sure would be nice if your kids stayed off my property. Wrong, says the parent, and proceeds to tell me to get the **** off his property or some physical action will occur. This is in front of their kid.

What message does that send?

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

beenthere · May 6, 2005

As was pointed out, the 'massacre' in Wisconsin last fall left a lot of lonely people because of one nut that lost his head. He will likely get off with a slap on the hands, but many family's will be without loved ones forever.
If the police will handle it, or at least confront the person when they return to their vehicle, I think that would be the safest. But prior to last fall, I would have gone along with most replies here. Become armed, walk to the stand. Tell them to leave.

An alternative, is to just go near their stand and park yourself near it. Don't talk, don't threaten, just stay in one spot and act uncomfortable, with some loud coughing every 3-4 minutes. It will drive a hunter nuts having his stand interrupted. Without threats, I don't think you will get shot. But nowadays, who knows. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Boondox · May 6, 2005

I allow a very select few old timers to hunt my land on the condition they police it and deal with trespassers. If I have to confront someone, I take my shotgun and my Marine Corps ballcap, and am dialing the warden as I approach the trespasser, describing the situation, their vehicle, etc. Generally, poachers have met the warden before, so the moment they realize who I'm on the phone with they lose any attitude they may have had. Though I remain courteous, I take no guff and never take my eyes off of them.

Having been shot once, I have no wish to experience it again...especially at the hands of a countryman. Be careful. Pete

DannyD · May 7, 2005

Dont have much hunting land, but have had people cross to "get a deer" they knew fell close by..............

If I were in your situation, first dont go in hot headed. I would simply get about 100 feet away and start shooting up a storm, that will send any game running the other direction. Next tell the person that you do not want people on your property, get the make of car, gun, description of the person, anything you can, even take a photo of them on the stand, then as the warden shows up (you called him first right), you simply inform him that this $#EW%#^$&%$ up your tree is trespassing and you will be down later to file charges. Now since his gun, car and what ever are evidence, he loses them when convicted.

the other thing to do, when the butt head is not in the stand, cut it down, take down all access, and leave a sign, NO HUNTING.

These jerks should be dealt with firmly, legally, and without backing down. As someone else mentioned with law suits by stupid **** head lawyers being drawn up like cartoon coloring books, you should not harm the person, but after the law takes his car etc, I would buy it at auction. We need firmer laws, stiffer penalties (jail time and monetary), and judges not afraid to pass them out.

Good luck and thanks for the chance to vent. When I hunted it was hard to get land because of these jerks, now that I dont and I live near hunting areas I know why.

Indydirtfarmer · May 7, 2005

I get myself in a calm, rational frame of mind, then never let them out of my sights..... OR should I say, the AR-15's sights.

All my property is posted, fenced, and surrounded by roads or a mile-wide river. They didn't get on it by accident, and they aren't going to have their opportunity to tell me their life history.

GET OUT, STAY OUT, AND TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE NUT WITH THE GUN..........!

Cactus · May 7, 2005

( I would simply get about 100 feet away and start shooting up a storm, )

I would use air horn in a can...Save your ammo for hunting... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

edski · May 7, 2005

I've employed many of the tactics mentioned above (except random shots). Since I hunt, scout and generally spend as much time as I can outdoors, I've had ample opportunities to confront trespassers. Video cameras are effective. Documenting their vehicles (tag #) works well. Collect as much identifing info as possible, and turn it over to game warden and police. No warnings, I already wasted a day posting the property, that's warning enough. It's been many years since I've had any problems.

I used to have hunters who would park in my feed lot area to hunt another property, especialy when it was raining and the access road was sloppy. They never had the courtesy to ask, and they'd block my access to my roads. I mentioned this to a neighbor one morning. He came back about an hour later with his manure spreader, and dosed each side the vehicles about 6 inches thick. You gotta love good neighbors.

InlineDieselFan · May 7, 2005

I have yet to have trespassers on my land, but I figure that the AR-15 is a bit small, but it would be a nice back up to the M1A with 20 round mags.

Cops come out to someone trespassing? Wow you folks live where there are lots of cops, to be able to do that.

When out shooting inthe woods many years ago, we (girlfriend and I) were shooting .22's. three, early 20's guys drove by, I saw them looking at us strangely, so I removed the ear muffs. I heard their car stop and them get out of the car. I grabbed the M1A dumped 20 rounds off at a 45 degree angle from them, slapped in a new mag, and before I could tell them to get the f away, I heard them leaving.

If you are going to approach anyone especially if you know they are armed, keep the tactical advantage, and keep your distance, always have cover, try to have some concealment along with the cover.

steve

slapshot · May 8, 2005

Maybe there could be an upside of having a skunk for a pet!?!!? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-dave

goodoleboy · May 8, 2005

If they have guns and you think they could injure you. Then they are no longer tresspassers but people trying to hurt you. Call the cops , or get megaphone and announce that they need to leave. The best weapon you have against an attacker is distance.

I carry a firearm but i keep it in the trunk, or in the cab and I dont put myself in sitautions where I might have to use.There are many sitatiuons in life these dangerous situation will come to you.

Having a gun out and loaded can escalate a situation faster then anyone cares to imagine since it is "in hand" and ready, since it is in hand it is almost a Reflex to use it in non threatning situaion where as running off would be the better response.

If i feel I need my firearm in hand I wont go confront a person. Call the Sheirff and discuss the situation about the fella in the tree stand.