Property owner etiquette: stealth tree stands

[TheMan419]

First I would make absolutely sure the stand was on my side of the line. If you think it might just be a neighbor that miscalculated where the line was put a note in the stand asking them to come talk to you. That way you are not confrontational in the least. You don't want the hatfields and the mccoys.

Also since deer season is so far away call the neighbor or go see them and ask.

If it is not them then I would call the game warden and ask how you should handle. My gut would be to remove the stand and leave a note as to how to contact me to get the stand back. If deer season comes and goes without contact I would rid my self of the stand (sell it, give it away whatever).

Also if a continuing problem I would post two trail cams. One cheap and fairly easy to see. One better quality one that is well hidden. Hopefully positioned to get a picture of the trespasser stealing your other camera

If you find them on your property just call the authorities. No telling how an armed conflict will turn out. Even if you are right but dead what good that do you?

 

[MossRoad]

In most states that is not true. An object does not change ownership just because it is on someone else's property.

In this case, the property owner should remove the tree stand and call the sheriff or fish and game and file a report. They will take the tree stand.

The property owner should NOT remove the tree stand. He should leave it right where it is and call the Indiana DNR conservation officer district 5, 6, 7 or 8 (depending where he lives in SW Indiana) at one of the numbers listed at this link. Let them see it, and then take it down. If he takes it down, as far as the DNR officer knows, he took it from someone else's property.

DNR: Contact Us

 

[MossRoad]

I've had someone coming through my land during deer season each year, coming within 100 meters of the house and putting reflective tacks in trees to mark game trail.

Haven't been able to catch them yet.

I've had the same thing, only they were marking the path to their illegal deer stand.

 

[MossRoad]

I would attach a very visible note to the stand informing the owner that it needs to be removed by "X" date, or it will be removed by you and they can retrieve it from the local Sheriff.

That's similar to what I did with the very nice deer stand I found on our place. I took it down and left a note in a Ziploc bag tacked to the tree that they could pick it up at the police station. Police advised me to next time leave the stand there and call the DNR to inspect it before moving it.

 

[RandyT]

there can be issue with video camera, and pictures, along with audio recording. Illinois recording police = in jail you go, due to i want to say federal law and wire taping. and there maybe some personal property notation that may be needed "legally" for you to record other folks on your land, prime example is security systems, and security companies you get this many X amount of signs. there be a reason for these stupid signs. i am not sure if it is just "video camera" or if needed for pictures as well.
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Recording of police while performing their duties is legal in Illinois. Can't interfere with what they are doing, but the US supreme court and the Illinois supreme court overturned the law back in 2013. Video recording doesn't require permission from others involved. Audio recording of a conversation that you are not a party of is illegal. Audio recording in public is legal due to no right to privacy.

 

[PJSprog]

Police advised me to next time leave the stand there and call the DNR to inspect it before moving it.

Yeah, that's probably the better approach. I'd still put a note on it, though, and give them the opportunity to do the right thing first (...or second, I guess, as they've already done the wrong thing by erecting it there in the first place).