to keep people off of my land!

[edkemper]

Country Geek,

> Look back at the NH case that was mentioned earlier in the thread. The trespasser was looking to buy property and was apparently on the wrong property, thinking she was on a for-sale property. That is a case where it's reasonable to think the no-trespassing signs don't apply to you. After all, as far as you know the owner is looking to sell, and a real estate agent has sent you there to look at the property (you don't know you're on the wrong property and the one for sale is actually next door), so why would you consider yourself a trespasser?

You don't need to identify yourself as a trespasser. That is my job in this case.

This is miles out of town. Raw land. Your RE agent sends you to unknown area alone and you made a mistake getting on my property. You are confronted by an armed property owner. Its fair to assume you will be leaving alive and well. Except you are not likely to make the mistake again. Problem solved.

Thankfully, my state is different.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

So if a hunter is trespassing he can be arrested for brandishing?

Good point.

 

[jlgurr]

Look back at the NH case that was mentioned earlier in the thread. The trespasser was looking to buy property and was apparently on the wrong property, thinking she was on a for-sale property. That is a case where it's reasonable to think the no-trespassing signs don't apply to you. After all, as far as you know the owner is looking to sell, and a real estate agent has sent you there to look at the property (you don't know you're on the wrong property and the one for sale is actually next door), so why would you consider yourself a trespasser? In the NH case she even asked the guy if this was the property and was greeted with profanity and, in her opinion agreed to by a jury of locals, being threatened with a gun. I did some research on it and there was one prominent pro-gun site whose commenters concluded that the land owner was dangerous and irresponsible and didn't have much sympathy for him, notwithstanding the political uproar that followed his conviction. Not every situation is a black and white as people like to think and you might be letting yourself into some serious trouble making statements along the lines of "It's my property with no trespassing signs so by definition that makes me in the right."
<snip>

This is where common sense has left a lot of people's brains. Who in their right mind would drive into the boondocks looking for undeveloped land for sale without a "guide" a.k.a. Real Estate agent? There are many parcels in this area that might be for sale but no one in their right mind would go there unannounced or on their own unless they knew the area and the land for sale. Besides, if there is not a for sale sign, with or without a No Trespassing sign, then why would they even think it might be for sale. Heck, there are developed lots and homes for sale in our county that I would not visit or view without a guide.

Being a property owner and tax payer of that property, if I'm not expecting you then you are trespassing until proven otherwise. That's what the sign says and that is what it means. It's really pretty simple but the miscreants of our society don't believe rules apply to them anyway.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Those of you laughing at calling 911 first apparently just proved you're some of the people who can't read and understand signage yourselves, since what I said was "First thing is to call 911 if you can." Y'all ever heard of a gunshot location system? Shoot and shovel don't work real well when the cops know you were shooting right where someone disappeared. Rural places aren't likely to get any of those; but if you live in the exurbs, much less suburbs or urban areas, many of those are sneaking them in; along with cameras at strategic locations.

I live in New Hampshire. It's usually very damp and cool, so forest and brush fires aren't a major problem. I lived many years in northern California, so I know about fire dangers there. I'm an amateur rock hound and rather intimately familiar with trespassing problems; especially as property changes hands over the years. I also know a lot of places you'd want to stay out of because of the illegal drugs being grown there, or folks of neighborhood watch programs that have their dander up. I remember one time heading into Washington State to check out a spot where you used to be able to pickup amber where the normal access point was purchased and then posted so you couldn't get to the property that way. Drove 15 miles around the other side and down through this residential area to see if the other side was open or not, found it posted too and turned around to leave after checking it off as another lost site when I had a whole bunch of really unfriendly types blocking the road out. They didn't know me from Adam, but they knew I wasn't a member of their community. Wasn't until I showed them the books that they believed I was just checking out the geology. Note that I was on a public road and at no point ever trespassed on private property.

 

[gwstang]

"Y'all ever heard of a gunshot location system?"

They installed one of those in the city about 25 miles from me. They can find out really quick where a gun shot comes from. It's on the news just about every day because of a shooting. Really drives the police crazy when fireworks are being set off on 4th of July etc....lol.

 

[kidr]

Some states allow hunters to trespass. VA. has a terrible law that allows hunters to trespass to collect their hunting dogs. They aren't allowed to carry guns while doing so however. They wait at the edge of your property, or on the road and send their hounds in. chasing deer mostly. Coon hunters will take advantage also. If caught they say they're getting their dog.

 

[hunt4570]

Some states allow hunters to trespass. VA. has a terrible law that allows hunters to trespass to collect their hunting dogs. They aren't allowed to carry guns while doing so however. They wait at the edge of your property, or on the road and send their hounds in. chasing deer mostly. Coon hunters will take advantage also. If caught they say they're getting their dog.

I guarantee if I catch hunting hounds on my property, they would never leave my property.. Been there done that!!!!! NOT an option!!! The guy up the road kept wondering where his dogs went...

 

[Sodo]

There's a sign (for the new America) that addresses this problem too.

 

[bcp]

I've seen reports of land owners giving local law officers permission to hunt their land. Word gets out to others that officers may be on the property at any time, so they avoid it.

Found this sign:




Bruce

 

[TomSeller]

I've seen reports of land owners giving local law officers permission to hunt their land. Word gets out to others that officers may be on the property at any time, so they avoid it.

Found this sign:

Bruce

That's a good one!