Invasion of the City Folk

[Chuck52]

I know what you are talking about Robert. I grew up in a small town surrounded by farm land and just vacant land. As kids, we could go just about anywhere without asking permission. As long as we closed any gates, we could walk for miles across other folk's land and no one cared. If we ran into anyone, we'd usually figure out relationships....who's cousin was who's, etc. If we wanted to hunt, we did have to ask permission, but it was always granted. If any land owners ever objected to that arrangement, I never heard of it. I wonder if that's possible anywhere now. I personally wouldn't care if my neighbors walked across my land, but that never happens. I live on ten acres, and haven't even met the folks in the property just west of mine. I've met their dogs, and even drove my mower (poor man's 4-wheeler) over to their house one evening to tell them their dogs were in danger of being run over on the road adjoining my place. I talked to a girl who was visiting, and she said she'd tell them, but they didn't come out to speak to me. Since then, they keep their dogs caged most of the time, and I think they might believe I was complaining about them crossing my property, but I was just worried about the dog's safety. Ah well. Times change.

Chuck

 

[skent]

Same here in central maryland. I'm due for re-assessment (tax man was out a few weeks ago - I'll get the bad news Jan 2nd). Values have been going up X2 for those in my county that were re-assessed last year. I rent out my tillable farmland and it won't even cover the property taxes on the land. Tenant can't afford another rent increase, fuel prices are killing the farmers.

A bunch of ATV'ers were drag racing across my newly planted (3 week old) barley. By the time the police arrived, they were long gone.

People routinly trash my woodlot. I have two bullet holes in my pole barn. tresspassers don't fear anyone.

 

[YanmarFever]

Chuck,Your story is a familiar one with us too.
HOWEVER back then the lawyers were respectable people.. Now they have claws & shark fins prowling around for deep pockets, because someone fell or got hurt on your property.
Or their atv flipped in your ditch while they were drunk or crossing your land without permission.
Thats why I only let my trusted neighbors, and no strangers hunt or ride on my tax lot!

I call it a "tax lot" because no one really owns their property.
Its owned by the state. just forget to pay the tax on it, and see how long you really own it ! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Things are not how they used to be, thats for sure

 

[JRobyn]

This thread has me feeling very blessed! We have about 200 acres, almost all of which is nearly vertical ravines (hollows). The road and the "habitable" property occupies the ridgetops. Only about 25 acres of pasture. With this lay-of-the-land, it is nearly impossible for anyone to come on the property except by going down the road, which is easy to observe and to restrict! Meanwhile, with few exceptions, the "neighbors" are friendly and respectful with good old rural values.

 

[Jstpssng]

Well, I read this, and it got me thinking... then I read Another post in Rural Living , now I'm back here again. The above thread is just one reason so many large parcels are getting smaller; another reason is because fulltime farmers bust their tails all their lives to eke out a living, so as they reach retirement age they would like (and deserve) some of the comforts that other retirees enjoy. Their greatest asset is the land, and often their kids have moved on to easier lifestyles; hence subdivisions are born.

 

[DannyD]

Not held as of yet, but yes the bridge will be built there.

 

[deere755]

With all the silly lawsuits these days people are afraid to let anyone on their land. If they fall or get hurt they want to sue the land owner. It use to be that if you were clumsy and fell and hurt yourself you were embarrassed. Now you figure a way to blame the land owner and make him pay.

 

[rcaretti]

I can relate to a lot of whats in this thread. I grew up in a rural area, and live in a somewhat rural area now. When it comes to problems, I only have a few pet peeves.

ATV's
While I see their utility, too many ATV owners seem to think it's their right to ride on my property. I've been pretty agressive about telling them (when I'm able to) to find somewhere else to ride. The end result is they just destoy too much. Too many people these days never heard of walking.

Lights
To me, light is just another form of pollution. Several of my neighbors must be afraid of the dark, they leave their lights on all night. If they wanted a lot of light they could have stayed in town. I can understand the use of motion detection lights for security, but that's about it unless they have some overiding reason (there probably are a few I can't think of)

Trespassing
If someone wants to hunt my place all they have to do is ask. People just ignore the blue strips and walk right in. If they would just stop by and introduce themselves, and seem pretty straight and have a decent head on their shoulders - no problem. I'm not asking for the world, just a little courtesy. When I hunt someone elses property, I try to treat it with the same respect I treat my own place. Pickup trash, make sure gates are closed, don't mess with trees, just normal stuff. Where I grew up, everyone pretty much knew everyone and it wasn't a big deal to hunt someones elses property - but things have changed.

Trash
I have to admit I threw a little trash when I was younger, so picking up trash on my and some of my neghbors road frontage seems like reasonable punishment for me and I'm OK with it. But, I just don't understand the types and amounts of trash I see. We are not talking about just the lone beer can or coffee cup, I get shingles, tree limbs, and a lot of other misc stuff. If I ever find something with a name I will be willing to testify...

Just my .02

 

[hudr]

I feel your pain. We have neighbors w/horses that know they have the run of some our hay meadows when they want. That's OK. I don't even have a problem w/ people crossing my land to get somewhere. But then the ATVs show up and rip it up. Then the trash gets dumped in any field where there isn't a locked gate.
Get this, we have a creek that runs across our place. After some heavy rains, some ATVers "forded" it. Being mindful of water getting in their engines (the water was pretty deep) they decided to change their oil right there. Yep, you guessed it, dumped the oil on the ground and left the empty oil jugs for me to pick up. That is wrong on numerous levels. People have no respect anymore for property or any common courtesy.

 

[RedRocker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Get this, we have a creek that runs across our place. After some heavy rains, some ATVers "forded" it. Being mindful of water getting in their engines (the water was pretty deep) they decided to change their oil right there. Yep, you guessed it, dumped the oil on the ground and left the empty oil jugs for me to pick up. )</font>

Hanging is too good for em! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif