Tresspassing neighbors

[KennyG]

Interesting range of responses here. I generally take a positive approach to things so I would introduce myself and explain that it's my land and I don't want any shooting or unexpected access and see how it goes from there.

I have 4 acres that sits between farm fields and subdevelopments. Once in a while people are walking in the power line right of way and fields and inadvertently end up at my bridge across the creek and realize if they keep going they will end up in my yard with no way out. I find it amusing.

 

[Terry1040]

Lots of property owners face the trespassing concern. Our family owns several farms, scattered around & we do not live on any of them. Most of them do not really have something (like tree areas) to attract people to those areas. However, many years ago, I drove a quarter mile into a property of mine in the trees & found about 20 people there. I was a little stunned & had no choice but to approach. It was an innocent situation, whereby a scout leader has his group of youngsters gathering pine branches which they distributed and place on all neighboring property entrances for Christmas season ! He felt bad that they had not gotten permission. I am told many times by neighbors of hunters entering our properties. I have reacted by installing wire gates to deter the entry of proper people. Neither gates or signs will deter the ones that you would really like to keep off. I do not use law enforcement, unless the call that I get IS law enforcement. A friendly attitude goes a long way. The reality is that since I don't live there, I really cannot keep people off my private property, so I want to be friendly. I do appreciate getting a phone call PRIOR to entry onto my property. I have never had a "bad" situation, but I do know of cases in our area where a gun has been pointed at a neighbor with instructions to STAY OFF MY PROPERTY. Those are situations where the owner is likely a little extreme or unstable. Good luck. Merry Christmas from Nebraska !

 

[rhunt]

Hickok45 lives in Tennessee, pretty far to Virginia. Just saying. Best regards, Bob

 

[phiferpharm]

I feel your pain as to what to do. I told my closest neighbor that "No, I am not a hunter and do not want hunting on my property", told his son and high school buddy several times when I caught them that " No, you are not just crossing my property to go to the acreage behind mine, if that absentee owner has given you permission, go through his gate", and finally called the Sheriff out after I saw them shoot over the top of my mini-horses and try to hide in my woods after I saw them. The Deputy's first comment when he saw the two teenagers, says" Not you two again, didn't that other time I was called about you two sink in?"

Now at least when I'm home, I either get a call or direct contact prior to them entering my property. They have continued to ask to hunt,"sight their weapons (the property the boys each live on is very limited), and go look for missing dogs. My answer has been consistent - no to weapons and no weapons if looking for dogs. I have heard from other folks in the area that they have sighted them wandering on their property, but as the original neighbor sadly passed away, they don't want to get the son in trouble.

I don't know that my way was the best, but I am sure that things would not have changed if I had not called the Sheriff. It's not that the boys are bad eggs - they are not as far as I can tell. It is more the loss of what they see as an entitlement. In your case, once it becomes clear that it is not, perhaps your boundaries will be honored.

 

[CCWKen]

Just had a "neighbor" show up here the other day. I didn't even recognize him. The last time I saw him was about five years ago when he was caring for my dad (now deceased). He turned into a drug addict after his wife left him; or before, I don't know. I couldn't believe what drugs will do to a person in five years. He was stoned.

The thing is, he was over here when he though no one was home. He was looking in vehicles and a storage shed near the house. My brother-in-law asked him to leave and called the sheriff. It wasn't until a deputy found him and reported back to us that we realized who it was. The deputy knew him from previous contacts related to drugs. It's pretty bad when your neighbor is casing your property.

 

[Garandman]

This may well be it.. City dwellers don't know the laws of the country. They think "wow I'm out here where there isn't anyone else I can do what I want". My father in law always cringes when he finds out he has city people moving to a house next to a property he farms... farmers know everyone so they usually find out. They know it will be them going and telling them to keep off their planted fields with their ATVs etc.

I had a neighbor who came from a big city and he bought a piece of land which had wheat on it about two weeks from harvest. He got on his craftsman lawn mower and mowed the area he wanted his house. I talked to the farmer who also had wheat on my property I just bought which I waited for him to take off... Nicest guy in the world and offered to leave me bales of wheat and work up some of my property but he wanted to shoot that city guy for mowing his wheat.

... moving from the city?.... better do some asking before you do anything.

"City people" can't read FIVE no trespassing signs?

Get real. Inconsiderate twerps are inconsiderate twerps no matter where they are from.

 

[Sodo]

It will take awhile before the locals get used to you posting signs that keep them off "their land". As you meet each one face to face (in a respectful way) they will give up "their land" quicker.

Not saying it should be like that, it just is. Sheriff knows it works like that too, probably has a feeling which guys are OK and just taking time to let it go. The scumbags though, can burn in h***, they deserve anything that comes to them.

 

[kcflhrc]

Wow, just Wow. I cant believe the guy did this. But, idiots are a dime a dozen nowadays. If you come up on my property with a weapon you better be ready to use it. I would post this

 

[Texas Dawg]

If you let people use your property, just make sure that your insurance coverage is up to date. If they are injured on your property, in many cases you will wind up responsible for some or all the liability. If it is posted and they trespass, they may still try to come after you, but you will be in a much better position. It is sad that this what has become of the world, but this day and age, everything has become someone else's responsibility rather than the party that should be responsible.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you let people use your property, just make sure that your insurance coverage is up to date. If they are injured on your property, in many cases you will wind up responsible for some or all the liability. If it is posted and they trespass, they may still try to come after you, but you will be in a much better position. It is sad that this what has become of the world, but this day and age, everything has become someone else's responsibility rather than the party that should be responsible.

That varies by state. In many places a landowner isn't liable unless he's charging for access.