Hunters (neighbors) Trespassing - Dilemna

[JimR]

Jerk + Alcohol = Instant ******. Pull the stands and feeder down. Leave them on his property with a big note saying that you removed these from your property. Any such violation of your property again will be handled by the Sheriff's office. Post your property every 25 feet in the woods so the jerk can't say he missed a sign. Run a single strand of wire around your back property at waste height with ribbons on it so he will know where your property line is. Be careful, a drunk with a gun is a loaded cannon. I had one shoot my dog years ago when I was a kid. He paid the price for that and died a slow painful death from cancer.

 

[ByronBob]

You can't prove beyond a doubt the neighbor did it. I think he did and so does the rest of the world. However this is America where your supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. If relations with the guy are horrible get the GW involved. If you need to ask him to help you talk to the neighbor then you go there with him as a witness. Hopefully as you say he'll either cooperate or get the hint that you mean business and he'll leave you alone.

 

[Dargo]

jinman has the right idea with calling the game warden. I just found out how much power they have. I had some people hunting on some of my property without permission. They claimed that they were in the easement under some power lines and that there was nothing I could do about it.

Well, that was a new one on me. I knew that on my deed there was an easement for the utility company to maintain their transmission lines, but I didn't recall it mentioning that area being open to the general public for whatever they wanted. I told the three jerks (drunk, rude, and aggressive) that I didn't think that they were right, but I'd let the game warden tell me. They literally told me to f*** off while I phoned for the game warden from my cell phone.

About a half an hour later the game warden arrived. In the interim, a fellow who owns property that adjoins mine had stopped by to chat with me as I sat in my truck on the road. We explained the situation to the game warden and I showed the warden where their 4X4 truck was parked on my property, leaving deep ruts.

Okay, now you have the picture. Here is what happened. First the game warden called for backup. Second he called for a tow truck to come get the hunter's 4X4. About the time the tow truck got there, the drunk and rude hunters popped out of the woods. The wardens (there were a few of them there now along with the state police) began to question the hunters. After a brief quite discussion, the hunters began shouting, pointing at the power lines and moving about aggressively.

That was it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The next thing I saw was the three hunters being cuffed, their truck being towed away, and the state police taking their weapons and logging them in his book. Apparently they went to jail, lost their truck, lost their firearms, and, as far as I know, still haven't posted bail and are still in jail. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I guess you don't screw with the game warden! I was told little of the details except that I did the right thing; I didn't confront them and I called the game warden and let him do his job. The warden told me that he doubted that they would be back. Somehow I believe him.

I don't live at that property, and it is about 40 minutes from my house. Fortunately I do not now have anything there for them to steal or tear up besides my property itself. Some people are just jerks. It still ticks me off that every time I go to my property I have to bring several trash bags that I fill with trash that has been tossed from the road by motorists along the edge of my property. I must be the only person who doesn't throw anything out my window. I don't smoke, and I always take my food wrappers etc. home with me and put them in my trash can. It really isn't that hard to do! Oh well, off the subject. Good luck. The game warden would definitely be a place to start!

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a big believer in covering your tracks. Document and photograph everything. Take notes of your conversations with your neighbor and what he said along with the date and time.

You haven't posted your land and only had one general conversation about property boundries with your neighbor. Step one is to aproach him and mention that you found those feeders on your land and that you don't allow hunting, tresspassing and recreational drinking on your property.

You must mark your boundries!!!!!!!!

You have to post your boundries with no hunting signs and paint the trees purple!!!!!

After you have done the basics and can document it, then you go to the authorities when he violates the law.

I think it would be premature to call in the Game Warden or Sherif right now.

 

[DocHeb]

To-do list:

1. Take two hours and read the entire thread Help! I need legal advice re: easements . This will educate you in the fact that even though you are right, you may not win in the end.

2. Contact a surveyor and have the entire property lines staked, and have irons placed in the corners. Have the surveyors shoot lines to the tree stands and record them on the on the survey. Place a fence six feet in from the property line (to allow for maintainance), and have the surveyor record the fence line on the paper survey in relation to the property line. Mail a copy to the dufus neighbor.

3. Call the sheriff and report trespassing - insist that a report be written and obtain the report number from the sheriff. Often the police will try to get out of making a report, but insist on it being done. Document that the tree stands are indeed on your property.

4. Call the Game Warden/DNR as described in other posts.

5. Take pictures of everything. Start a log of dates/time/person containing every interaction and conversation you have regarding this matter. Keep copies of all letters, reports, surveys, etc.

6. Make sure that your property/fire insurance is up-to-date and is either a "replacement" policy, or the insured amount is adequate to rebuild.

7. The next time you're alone and talking to the neighbor, tell him your worried that, since you don't live there, things can happen to your property - but (with a true stare-into-his-eyes-non-blinking-make-no-mistakes-about-it manner) tell him that if something does happen it is amazing how similiar events seem to happen in groups. He'll know exactly what you're referring to.

8. Never make a threat that you're not ready to implement. People like your neighbor are bullies and are used to people being afraid of them and giving in without a fight.

 

[GrayBeard]

It's a touchy situation but it sounds like you must make a stand or this clown is going to take over.
Not sure of Tx. law but where I am It's a good idea to have all your boundries clearly marked. 'Not likely, but if the guy sees the "posted" signs he may think better of it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
In Pa. the trespass laws are enforced by the police not the game wardens.
In addition to posting the land, send the guy a "registered letter"(possibly from your attorney? ) so there's no confusion that he's aware of your position.
Again in my state the initial (no warning) trespass fine is rather "nominal"
but if there is official notification involved , that becomes a whole different "ball game".
Good luck.
GrayBeard