Trespassing signs

[Idahoguy]

I'm not sure that it works like this. That is, I'm not sure if there are guys with guns on your property, that you can arm yourself, go out there after them, shoot them or even point a gun at them, and then claim it was self defense. Some states require you to run from intruders even in your own home - and if your state has castle doctrine(stand your ground laws), that usually only applies to a home and curtiledge (like a garage, fenced in yard, etc).

Hopefully law enforcement will support a property owner in an obvious situation of self defense, even if they approached the trespassers. I suppose everyone knows to consult your own state laws and maybe ask an attorney before deciding how to handle those situations.

In Idaho you have to fire a warning shot......doesn't have to be the first shot.

 

[grsthegreat]

In Idaho you have to fire a warning shot......doesn't have to be the first shot.

ah heck.. i have a front end loader and 20 acres...who needs a warning shot.... that cost money.

 

[Short Game]

The man who gave me my first tractor was once given a shotgun for home protection. Now, he really didn't like, or even want, guns. He asked the guy who gave it to him, "where's the other half?"

"What other half," the guy asked him?

"The shovel," he said.

I can't believe he forgot about the FEL.

 

[cowpatty]

Get a sign that says, "Attack dog with AIDS". Problem solved

 

[Trails2004]

Don't forget the ......... 3 -S's


Shoot
Shovel
Shut-up

 

[David P]

A friend of ours had a cabin and a few acres they stayed at several times each year. There must have been a problem with trespassers as the owner mounded up some dirt a foot or so off the ground and about six feet long and put a headstone on it that read, "Tomb of the unknown trespasser." I'm not sure how well it worked but I laugh every time I remember it.

In Michigan a landowner has protection against lawsuits stemming from dog bites to trespassers. I've given some thought lately to simply posting a couple of signs. One that reads, "Beware of dog," and the other simply a printout of the law.

 

[corey9212]

A friend of ours had a cabin and a few acres they stayed at several times each year. There must have been a problem with trespassers as the owner mounded up some dirt a foot or so off the ground and about six feet long and put a headstone on it that read, "Tomb of the unknown trespasser." I'm not sure how well it worked but I laugh every time I remember it.

In Michigan a landowner has protection against lawsuits stemming from dog bites to trespassers. I've given some thought lately to simply posting a couple of signs. One that reads, "Beware of dog," and the other simply a printout of the law.

I was told by a couple officers here the only way to have a guard dog and not get sued when it bites is you have to have both a "Beware of dog" sign and a "guard dog on duty sign" put up and clearly posted.

They said it was because all the beware of dog sign says is beware there is a dog here and doesn't imply that the dog bites or guards the place, so that doesn't protect you if your dog bites. I can't fully remember what they said about the guard dog on duty but both signs need to be together to fully cover your @$$.

 

[David P]

I was told by a couple officers here the only way to have a guard dog and not get sued when it bites is you have to have both a "Beware of dog" sign and a "guard dog on duty sign" put up and clearly posted.

They said it was because all the beware of dog sign says is beware there is a dog here and doesn't imply that the dog bites or guards the place, so that doesn't protect you if your dog bites. I can't fully remember what they said about the guard dog on duty but both signs need to be together to fully cover your @$$.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

 

[rkeith]

Signs only keep out the honest people. Just last week the neighbor called at at about 10:00 pm. He said some jerks were riding around in one of our fields on quads and shooting at deer with pistols while moving. This is not the first time this has happened. Any ideas how to stop this? And no, the game commission is not any help.

Put out spike strips where they enter your property! Small price but they won't return again and it'll cost them $$$ if they do.

 

[corey9212]

Michigan Dog Bite Law

Just goes to show how different laws are in each area. Here criminals have more rights than victims. I know there are a few cases where the criminal broke into a persons house and was stealing items while the victim was home and the criminal attacked the victim and the victim defended his/her self and the criminal sued for assult and actually won even though there was evidence that the criminal did the attacking. But yet here if you have those signs you are safe if your dog does the defending for you, the judge says you should have read both signs before you chose to enter the property.

 

[David P]

corey-I agree tis a sad day for sure when criminals have more rights or when law enforcement turns a blind eye.

 

[corey9212]

corey-I agree tis a sad day for sure when criminals have more rights or when law enforcement turns a blind eye.

bring back the good ole days where if someone broke into your house or property and you defended it, the police came along and arrested the guy and took him away no questions asked cause they knew he deserved it.

 

[Mousefield]

Just goes to show how different laws are in each area. Here criminals have more rights than victims. I know there are a few cases where the criminal broke into a persons house and was stealing items while the victim was home and the criminal attacked the victim and the victim defended his/her self and the criminal sued for assult and actually won even though there was evidence that the criminal did the attacking. But yet here if you have those signs you are safe if your dog does the defending for you, the judge says you should have read both signs before you chose to enter the property.

That's thanks to the left wing Liberal government that foisted on the Canadian people "The Charter of Rights and Freedoms". Only people that seem to use it are one's in front of a judge and looking for a loophole. Not to many honest people are using it . Think the Liberals forgot to add "Responsibility" to the "Charter".

 

[corey9212]

That's thanks to the left wing Liberal government that foisted on the Canadian people "The Charter of Rights and Freedoms". Only people that seem to use it are one's in front of a judge and looking for a loophole. Not to many honest people are using it . Think the Liberals forgot to add "Responsibility" to the "Charter".

Can't forget that criminals go to jail and get better health care and an education to "make them better people" person breaks in, did a sloppy job goes to jail gets an education in home security or locksmithing and leaves a better criminal not leaving any evidence or trail the next time they break in.

I've even seen atv riders pulling a drag harrow to cover up their tracks and it actually worked talk to one of them and they say their buddy was in jail and learned through their education program what police and people look for, for evidence.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

what a weird state you reside in :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Yes it is. But that law actually derives from old English laws permitting anyone to traverse through your property as long as they aren't causing damage. And it is one of the origins of the Constitutional guarrantees permitting free travel between states.

One additional benefit. It allows you to place your property "in current use" which greatly reduces the tax burden on the land owner. And New Hampshire property taxes are horrendous as is. I have my property posted no hunting, logging, trapping, fishing, ORV, or camping without written permission from me. And I'm a real nice fellow as long as they aren't a$$holes. They can walk, or horse, mule, llama, camel, or elephant ride all they want. The only No Tresspassing at all is within 300 feet of my house. 22 years of USAF bases and I kind of value my peace and quiet.

 

[FrogLick]

I think that set up is more common than you think. Posting generally does NOT affect your level of liability, and in some cases makes it worse. The posting/liability myth is far-reaching.

20 years ago, I could ride the woods from MA to Canada and not see a single No Trespassing sign. Now there is more land posted than not. Laws haven't changed, people have just become more selfish and greedy. I, for one, am disgusted. I am also performing a public service and making the world a better place by providing almost a square mile of recreational terrain for public use on my dime.

JayC

Jay I have to agree that people have become more selfish and greedy, but it's not usually the landowners. It's those trespassers who have little respect for others and a sense of entitlement. Many landowners will allow access to those who actually bother to ask for permission.

 

[FrogLick]

I would make a sign that said, "TRESPASSERS SHOT ! SURVIVORS, PROSICUTED! Then go out at different times of the day or evening and waste some rounds of ammo. This worked great for me. Its kinda funny to hear stories people make up about you after hearing a lot of gun shots at different times of the day or evening. . . John

This kind of reminds me of a Posted sign I saw on a fence post around the King Ranch in S. Texas quite a few years ago. Under Posted it said, "Survivors will be Persecuted". Don't know if they still have those signs up, but if they do their lawyers may have made them change the wording.

 

[davethegundoctor]

I have found that No Trespassing Signs get more people come in that out. I went to this sign from the NRA.

 

[dmccarty]

In NC, putting up trespass signs is the best thing a landowner can do to reduce liability. Since a person trespassing would be committing a crime, it would be very hard to win a lawsuit. The trespasser would be hard pressed to find a lawyer willing to take the case.

People who are pay to be on the land put the landowner at a higher liability risk.

General information on trespass and landowner liability in NC.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/pdf/WON/won21.pdf

The information is out of date since on 12/1/2011 a new law went into effect that allows the use of purple paint as a trespass sign.

In NC the sign has to be 120 inches square and posted every 200 yards aka 600 feet. The corners need to be posted as well.

The new trespass law went into effect 10/1/2011 but the NC Statues have not been updated yet. The bill is http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H762v6.pdf. The first link does not have the updated statutes but other wise has good information.

The purple paint has to start 3-5 feet from the base of the tree/post and at least 8 inches long. The stripes have to be every 100 yards aka 300 feet.

The summary of the doc in the first link is:

For North Carolina landowners, the best protection against liability is appropriate posting of lands, exercise of reasonable precautions in allowing land use, fencing or removing attractive nuisances, warning users about dangers, carrying appropriate and adequate liability insurance, and seeking competent legal advice before entering into any written agreements.

Later,
Dan

 

[minutemanken]

Here in Texas I'm told we can paint post or the trees with a splash of Purple Paint at a visible hieght to mark private property. This tells all who see it that tresspassing is not allowed. Now I dont have this done on my property I use a registered sign from national association of property owners. plus a signs that states Nothing Inside Worth Dieing For! and ...You Are In Range!