Ok deer hunters...fess up!

[Richard]

Fred..

No one has in fact been physically harmed. I don't really care to wait until someone HAS been to be concerned though.

There HAS been some physical damage (fence destroyed as noted) AND theft. The destruction is only implicitly known/suspected to be hunters via said deduction. The theft was in FACT during hunting season, near TVA border. The only way to this location is driving by the 3 houses OR, travel the hunters path. Since it was discovered at say dinner time and the area was swarming with hunters that morning, the "reasonable" conclusion is that the hunters had a thief in their ranks. (not suggesting ALL were/are bad apples)

Also, the hunters park next to our dock, trashing the area with said beer cans & other general paper trash. Then some decide to play 4 wheeler and drive up grass slope to pavement rather than just drive around the curved pavement thereby tearing up the grass by the dock and creating ruts. You know...we DO have some of those thorny locust trees though. I COULD take the backhoe, drag some branches to the hunters parking areas.....(fading off into deep thought) /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

To reiterate to general readers...I again don't know the actual size of this plot of land. I've seen it on a map and therefore deduce it to be essentially the same to smaller than the farm. Now, to clarify something else, since TVA owns all of the lakeside land, this land is kinda shaped more like a bananna than a box. Though it might in fact be, say 500 acres for conversation, it is more length than width. We are on one side of the width and the lake/village are on the other side, thereby giving any hunter this said "hallway" of safety to shoot down. If anyone shoots down this hallway I agree that the odds of anything happening to anyone is remote to zilch. I just don't happen to trust that ALL of these hunters have the spatial presence to know/think/care if/when they might be pointing their gun several degrees to the side which then means an errant bullet has less TVA land to traverse until it starts to treaspass elsewhere.

Richard

 

[fishman]

Richard,

I agree that you should talk to the TVA and request that the land be designated bow hunting only, if you are concerned about your safety.

I understand your issue regarding the "eminent domain" aquisition of your land by the government. Have known people that it has happened to, and it is not a good thing.

However, about your question about being concerned if people were hunting within 1000 feet of my home. Where I live there are several that do. I am surrounded by 5-15 acre tracts of brushy country. Everyone feeds the deer, and many harvest a couple every year. Accross the street (about 1000 feet), lives a fella that shoots competitively. Down the way on the other side is another guy who likes to shoot and has his own target range. I could go on, but the point is that I don't have a problem with any of this. I try and trust that people to do the right thing. As you may have guessed from some of my other posts, freedom/liberty is more important to me than absolute safety.

Of course, your problem is a bit different. If there is no lottery or drawing for hunters to use that area, then the hunter you see today, might not be there next weekend. Therefore, they have no stake in making sure they are polite and safe.

I am a hunter and in a situation like that, I definitely think that some sort of seasonal permit should be required. That is the way most of the quality hunts that I have participated in (on small plots of ground) were run. A couple of months before season, prospective hunters would have to apply to hunt on a particular area. Generally, they are required to have passed a hunter safety course (the Corps of Engineers ALWAYS requires this). Then, a limited number of permits are issued. This would be better for you, because the same hunters will be hunting there all year. The hunters will presumeably be a little more professional, because they will have planned to hunt on that land. It will be better for the hunters, because there won't be a horde of wannabe's charging through the woods every weekend scaring the deer.

One thing, this will only work if the TVA posts the land to indicate that a permit is required, and is diligent about patrolling the area (parking lot).

Unfortunately, many homeowners assume the worst about hunters. I hunt ducks on a local corps of engineer lake. I attended a meeting where landowners complained of hunters firing MACHINE GUNS on the lake. Keep in mind, the homes in question are at least a half a mile from the lake. Point is, you get three guys unloading their shotguns on a flock of ducks landing in the decoys (9 shots total), it can sound like a machine gun, I guess. However, the shot won't travel more than about 500 feet, even if you hold the gun at a 45 degree angle. A little misinformation, with no verification, and suddenly the whole community has visions of camo-clad hunters mowing down deer in their backyard with an M-16.

After all this rambling, I return to my first statement. Call the TVA biologist responsible for the adjacent public land and voice your concerns rationally. Be polite, and don't be afraid to ask some pointed questions. Many times these guys have a lot of ground to cover and may simply have overlooked a problem situation. They are just trying to do their job the best they can.

That reminds me . . . back to work!/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[patrickg]

Richard, I both sympathize and empathize with/for you. Your situation has elements of mine and distinct differences as well. You should be lauded for your attempt to stay fairly level headed. There just aren't any good answers. It shouldn't be dangerous for you to make a bit of noise or whatever from your property to reduce the number of game animals along the border but who knows what some hunter might do if he thought you were a PETA nut.

You wanted some sugestions. Here goes. There are rounds available for the 12 ga shotgun that launch explosive charges. They are designed for pest control, to scare off birds like crows and seaguls. I have seen them used at a sanitary landfill (seaguls) and at an airport (to lessen odds of ingesting a bird in a jet engine or getting a bird through the canopy, was replaced by a border collie trained to chase birds). They are legal to buy and use. I have seen them in shooting supply catalogs but would check via agricultural suppliers as well. In theory, you shoot at a high angle and the exploding projectile explodes harmlessly in the air, frightening the birds. If your aim were bad you might come close to the cover where deer were hanging out. Given their range, be careful, you might "accidently" lob a few over the border. Be mindful of the fire starting potential if yo have high fire danger and low trajectories.

There is a sprayable repellant that is safe to use on plants and tastes trully awful to deer. If this were applied to your browse, deer wouldn't eat it. If there isn't suitable food the number of deer hanging out will be reduced. This is a commercial product that you mix and spray over a fairly large area not a cutesy floral scented aerosol for potted plants.

(I can enjoy this. I can't bring myself to direct any overt or covert action toward my neighbors except legal proceedings but your situation is different in many regards.)

If there is any tresspass involved, I would bobby trap a lot of the border. Nothing lethal or even likely to cause direct physical harm but something that would thwart tresspassers. I assume you have access to a lot of water. If yes consider setting up long range rainbird type sprinklers along the border. Run them in advance, some big tough woodsmen don't want to get their cuffs wet. Run them when activity is detected. A lot of big tough woodsmen hate getting rained on. It is just my perverse sense of humor but as I have made infrared motion detecting sprinkler systems before I would be tempted to do something like that. I would consider alternatives in place of plain water to dispense as well.

I found some 130 dB 12vdc air horns with their own mini-compressor (no tank needed) in a catalog for under $20 and bought a few sets to augment my security system. Intended for automobile enthusiasts but noise is noise. These would be easy to trigger off an infrared motion detector and would scare the antlers off Mr. Deer or his would be harvestor. There are 12vdc infrared motion detector lights and solar powered infrared motion detector lights. You need to place them in "TEST" position to defeat the photocell operated work-only-at-night mode. Otherwise you have to render the photocell inop with paint or a cover (the day/night photocell not the solar panel that charges the battery.)

Amplified wolf calls would be better than coyote and should be available on CD or cassette tape along side of the cry of the loon sounds of a babbling brook etc.

Psy-war: Signs near favored parking areas of tresspassers could say things like: "This trail will take you to a hunting area, but it might not bring you back" or Caution, severe tire damage possible, your tire, my knife, park at your own risk. Caution, this area known for accidental automotive fires. Caution, this area under investigation by X-files for spontaneous automotive combustion. Caution, extreme tick infestation area, known to spread lyme disease and spotted fever. Caution, deer in this area contaminated with industrial waste materials, meat not fit for human consumption, know to cause birth defects and loss of reproductive capacity.

Well, use your imagination regarding sinage. If there is a bend in the road try a bridge out sign. That might stop a few.

Comments regarding moving into an area and expecting all practices that you don't like to stop at your convenience are not really too far from the mark. This in no way is meant to detract from your need to provide a safe environment for you and yours. We, my neighbor and I, live in a rural area and both have the right to fire weapons on our respective properties. I am very careful to NEVER shoot in a manner that would endanger anyone or intimidate them. I certainly stay within the law but my concern is for realistic safety (usually much more restrictive than the law). My neighbor is pretty loose with safety and is a clear and present danger to anyone and everyone within range of his high powered rifles.

Deer hunters aren't all genetically deficient knuckle draggers although many seem to be. I would be concerned if I were in your circumstances. You may be waging an unwinable battle. I understand what emminent domain or equivalent has done around there but it is done and past, right or wrong and little chance to reverse it. the answer may be to move. That isn't my choice. My neighbor comes along and buys an acre nibble surounded by my 160+ acres that was available due to previous owners divorce (same woman and man, three marriages) and then acts like he owns it all. My thoughts were, of course, why buy the place if it wasn't big enough (didn't suit your needs). Well, they are not always acting too bright. They are indignant that, in his words, "you have so much land, you should sell me a little." My situation is a bit more clear cut than your's. The Gov in one form or another has done it to you bud. Try to change it to a safe environment and failing that I'd be looking for an alternate location. No sense of pride, regret over the past, or any other emotional reason will ever, E V E R make you feel it was worth it if one of your family is injured by an errant shot. Fired legally but not safely, safely but a fluke, or fired in your direction for the hell of it or maliciously, it doesn't matter. You will not feel good knowing that in your heart you were right but a child or your wife is blinded by a shotgun pellet or worse yet killed.

I have some fairly straight forward legal options including some discussed today with a Sheriffs deputy that will begin to ratchet down on my neighbors behavior. Think about what you are doing, the odds of your success, and how your life would proceed if your fears were realized.

Let us know how it goes. I sure am pulling for you. If you need specifics on infrared motion detector operated sprinklers or whatever, email me through the "private" channel here on TBN and I would be glad to help. I made a living as an electronic design engineer for a few years and although am obsolete regarding the latest chips, you don't need high tech.

Patrick

 

[Richard]

(back from weekend) Thanks Patrick for your thoughts & time.

Can we all say in unison.. "locals 2 1/2, Hunters ZERO!!!)

As I know I probably can't change gun laws blah blah...and don't really care too, I CAN persue other venues for my task at hand.

The ENTIRE road has been marked by the county as a no parking road. (where do I send donations ??)

Anyway, Saturday morning I get up, low & behold we have 3 trucks. One by dock, on by driveway and another with 2 wheels ON the farm, other wheels on side of road right of way.

Drove out to run an errand, on way back decided to call Sheriff & see what happens. Stopped by the "3rd" truck mentioned, later Sheriff arrives.

As we are out by truck discussing signage etc... I notice in the woods, maybe 40 feet from the road, the hunters stand. Now this is bow season and all, but sitting in a tree stand 40 feet from the road???????????????

Come on hunters, get some exercise /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

This guy was "hiding" behind some tree watching us, I told the officer who didn't seem to happy of being "watched", so I waived at hunter & invited him over.

Von really described him. Slob hunter. I think this guy was as smelly & dirty as anyone (maybe that has to do with the hunt though??) unkempt looking and when he spoke, simply DUMB. "Uh...ah didn't know, besides, aint this land owned by Bowater??" Also, "I didn't see no sign" (that was approximately 30 feet behind his truck).

Upshot, (and I have no problem with this) he was given a warning IF he was to move his truck NOW.

Sheriff went down got the other two, including the one by the dock. Maybe 10/15 minutes later I went to the dock to cut the grass which was WAYYYYYYYY to dewey and wet (Sorry Mr. Truck that I got that wet grass alllll over your pretty truck, but my Wife says I had to cut the grass /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif)

None the less, he was gone. Had he cut his hunting short by said 15 minutes or so, he would have missed the ticket.

I sure do hate that.

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'm being very sure to inform these hunters that I get a chance to speak with that I don't have a problem with them as a SINGLE entitiy parking in our area, or a no parking zone. That my problem is when then come enmass and flood our area that I care, hence, it is THEIR problem that THEY created and now THEY can't park there AT ALL anymore. They ruined it for each other

Yeah, I sure hate that too.

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif