Best way to keep poachers off my property (Keep this HighRoad please)

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

allank

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
129
(Please keep this thread HighRoad and legal. Thanks!)

Like a previous poster I have similar issues in Kansas, although perhaps not quite as severe. It seems to be worse the last few years. I have not resolved my issues yet (maybe I never will), but the steps I've taken so far are listed below.

Ensure all your property boundaries are posted with frequent visible written permission only signs and/or purple paint (if your state has a purple paint trespassing law). That helps ensure that trespassers and poachers can be immediately charged with criminal trespass. Take regular dated photos of the signs in case they are removed (that was a suggestion of my local sheriff). That is also why purple paint works better in conjunction with the signs.

Talk with your neighbors and explain that you intend to enforce your property rights. That did not help me because the poachers were from further away.

Call your local Natural Resources Officer (aka wildlife sheriff!) and explain the situation. I've found them to be responsive to poaching, and even more responsive where the poaching might lead to unsafe situations e.g. shooting towards your neighbors house. Allow them to setup 'stings' on your property to catch poachers in action. Since the poachers are probably locals, even one prosecution can have a significant impact. That helped me for a few years, but the problem came back and seems to be worse right now.

I'm now wondering what my next steps are. I'm looking into technology (cameras etc) but unless they help with legal warnings or prosecutions I'm not sure I'll bother since I don't need the cameras just to tell me this is happening.

Does anyone else have other HighRoad suggestions for this type of problem?
 
An older friend of mine and I used to go hunting on his land once or twice a year. He had a poaching problem and one time he said the best way to prevent it was to be on the land frequently. Just as he said, we ran across a poacher on his land later that morning. We told the guy politely that the land was private and that he needed to find somewhere else to hunt or we would call the cops. He left, but, just to be sure he wasn't going to take any of my friends well managed deer, we went about 50 yards away from this guy's setup and emptied our shotguns into the ground.

The moral of the story is: 1) poachers won't come around to land that they know the owner will often be on and might catch them. 2)Poachers aren't going to see anything to shoot at when they think your trigger happy "rabbit hunting" has scared off everything within a 2 mile radius.
 
Last edited:
We suffer from the same type of problems here. The atv/utv riders particularly get under my skin. We own good hunting property in a small river bottom, the atv riders will ride right in during deer season!! ##$#^%^%$!!
I think you should be required to show property tax stamp of 40 acres or more to buy a atv.
 
State laws are quite variable. I had problems with trespassers when I ownen property in PA. In PA, you have to have signs every so many feet and, of course, people tore down signs. If the person was told to leave and then came back it was then criminal trespassing. Also, if one cut a gate to access the property if was more than simple trespassing. I told quite a few people to leave and also informed the police about trespassers and, with time, trespassing diminished a lot.

In Ohio, the law is a bit different. Anyone hunting on another's property without WRITTEN permission is in violation of the law and it doesn't matter whether or not the property is posted. Also, if you wound game, unlike some states, you have no right to go on another's property to retrieve it without permission. After owning property in Ohio for a number of years, thus far I've had no issues with trespassers but if it were to happen, the sheriff would be called immediately to deal with the problem.
 
Some years back, we were allowed to hunt an older gentleman's land, written permission was given, and an explanation given that we had to cross another guys property to get to his land. An easement had been in place for 50 years, this other guy couldn't keep us from crossing. Opening morning, we arrived and proceeded to traverse across the stated property, the guy's property we were crossing was there, with about 5 -6 other guys, he wanted to know, "Where the hell you guys going?" When stated where we were headed, and with written permission, he got all huffy and stated he was going to get the sheriff and a game warden up there and have us thrown out for hunting on his property. Well, we'd already figured this clown was going to be a problem, so before entering onto his property, we'd pulled the bolts from our rifles and no cartridges in firearms, so legally not hunting! We went on about our business and hunted all day, sadly no deer were taken. That evening when leaving, the guy and his clan were there again, this time a game warden was parked on the road waiting for us. The warden was a gentleman about the whole thing, we had the written permission, told the guy the deeded right of way gave us exclusive permission, and no bolts or ammo in guns, "We weren't hunting"! We'd heard shooting on the hill above us that morning, while we were leaving, we'd found 2 dead does partially hidden under some pine boughs, just off the trail, neither of them were gutted, just left there. When the warden was told about this, the guy who owned the property came un-glued! Warden saw the 2 dead deer, wrote every one of those clowns a citation for non appropriate license, wanton killing and leaving of an animal, confiscated all firearms, and had the county sheriff haul them all off to jail that afternoon. We eventually got 2 deer out of there, but were never bothered again. Might be a little off thread request, sorry.
 
BEWARE OF BULL signs? :D

I also note that Kansas University has a "snake farm" near here where they study copperheads and rattlesnakes in native habitat.

They have it posted all the way around with "Caution - Poisonous Reptiles - No Trespassing" or some such signs, and I don't think they have much trouble with poachers there either! :what:

rc
 
How much land are we talking here? And, how many points of access??

If they seem to be coming and going from any one location, game cameras located in such a way as to capture license plates on vehicles is a good way to capture evidence. Then you simply have the conservation officer pay them a courtesy visit if you don't get pictures of them with weapons in hand crossing your fence or loading poached wildlife. If it seems to be daylight only, disconnect the flash on any camera and set it up, buy a few off e-bay for $20 - $30 that the flash doesn't work on. If it's occuring after dark, use a quality IR camera. Pictures of the individual will only help if he's local and someone knows him. License plates lead the law to your trespasser.

If they're coming and going from many locations, crawling your fence from outside lands, far removed from their vehicle, that makes it more difficult. As stated above, presence is a deterrent, find an old retired fart in the neighborhood and give him permission to trap the land. He'll be there regularly checking his traps, probably mess up their hunt on occasion, and presence will be seen while you get rid of a few varmints. You can let him know when you or guests will be hunting and he can plan checking his traps accordingly.

Bascially you are engaged in the ultimate hunt, trying to catch another human being. The first thing you have do is try to pattern their movements. Determine where they are coming and going, when they are coming and going, and how many of them there are. Then you have to try to figure out who they are, so you can suggest they cease or face prosecution.
 
788Ham said:
Some years back, we were allowed to hunt an older gentleman's land, written permission was given, and an explanation given that we had to cross another guys property to get to his land. An easement had been in place for 50 years, this other guy couldn't keep us from crossing. Opening morning, we arrived and proceeded to traverse across the stated property, the guy's property we were crossing was there, with about 5 -6 other guys, he wanted to know, "Where the hell you guys going?" When stated where we were headed, and with written permission, he got all huffy and stated he was going to get the sheriff and a game warden up there and have us thrown out for hunting on his property. Well, we'd already figured this clown was going to be a problem, so before entering onto his property, we'd pulled the bolts from our rifles and no cartridges in firearms, so legally not hunting! We went on about our business and hunted all day, sadly no deer were taken. That evening when leaving, the guy and his clan were there again, this time a game warden was parked on the road waiting for us. The warden was a gentleman about the whole thing, we had the written permission, told the guy the deeded right of way gave us exclusive permission, and no bolts or ammo in guns, "We weren't hunting"! We'd heard shooting on the hill above us that morning, while we were leaving, we'd found 2 dead does partially hidden under some pine boughs, just off the trail, neither of them were gutted, just left there. When the warden was told about this, the guy who owned the property came un-glued! Warden saw the 2 dead deer, wrote every one of those clowns a citation for non appropriate license, wanton killing and leaving of an animal, confiscated all firearms, and had the county sheriff haul them all off to jail that afternoon. We eventually got 2 deer out of there, but were never bothered again. Might be a little off thread request, sorry.
Click to expand...
That's about the funniest thing I've heard of for awhile.

i29zci22.jpg This was a sign posted around some property in South Africa.
 
You are right to stay vigilant. In addition to the above mentioned, you might try to locate where on your property they are hunting. People are creatures of habit, if you find their 'preferred spots' with a bit of scouting, you might have more information on where to tell your conservation officer where to set up. Also, you might find some of their gear that will allow you to better ascertain their identity- maybe a tree stand or ground blind, or something of value that they will miss when it is turned in as evidence.
 
I used to love it when the poachers would come onto properties I managed. They usually left me nice gifts like tree stands and ground blinds :) The rere's would actually feel the need to chain their illegally placed items to my trees! Funny how a set of bolt cutters can be so useful in those instances isn't it! Even had one idiot try to claim theft and sent the sheriff! Needless to say we both had a good giggle with that one! Was a nice Lone Wolf Tree stand he left me. Sheriff told him that was going to be considered "rent" for his illegal trespass or I could return it and he would then be cuffed and criminally charged for trespass onto POSTED property and whatever else he could think up. (Nice to be buds with the county sheriff :) )

As stated above, vigilance is definitely the key to keeping the cruds off of your property. Every state has different laws regarding signs so I can't really say what to do there other than to tell you to familiarize yourself with them and follow them all to the letter. Example: Pa's signs are invalid if they do not contain the posters name and address as well as SIGNED on each sign! With the requirements of close relation to each other, you get some serious writers cramp to post a 250 acre property!

Just keep on top of the situation and you will eventually catch the cruds and word will get out that you or someone in your employ regularly patrols and it would be best for them to find somewhere else to trespass.

Good Luck and stay SAFE!
 
Post these next to your No Trespassing signs.

private-property-if-you-can-read-this-you-are-within-range-500x350.jpg

Make sure there are a few bullet holes in the signs ... from inside your property. :evil:
 
I have had more than a few problems with a 80 acre peice of land. The land is owned by my two brothers and I. The old boy who has the lease from us from Apr 1st to Oct 1st seems to give premission to some folks. Even though he is not a tenate during this time and in my mind has no legal right to do so. Add this to a group of guys from Circleville Ks that think they have legal right to anything and everything posted or not.

My biggest problem is coyote hunters. I have caught a few of them on my land only to be told by them that they were doing me a favor and I should be greatful.:cuss: It has been a hard battle since the ground is 50 miles away from me. I live on another peice of land and do most of my hunting in my back yard. So no reason for me to travel up to the old farm very often. My brothers and I want to build a small hunting lodge but don't want to spend the money when someone else will just break into it. I am fearful of building a nice remote meth lab for some freaking tweaker. I don't no the answer but I certainly share in your frustration.
 
jbkebert, personally, if I were in your position, I would allow the yote hunters because they really ARE doing you a service. If that is all they are hunting and you give them permission, they would more than likely aid you in keeping the cruds off your place! Kind of a "you scratch my back Ill scratch yours" deal. I discovered LONG ago that "Posted" does not always mean NO HUNTING ALLOWED. With some, they will gladly allow you to hunt there as long as you respect them enough to ASK permission. I have been allowed to hunt several posted properties and 90% of the people told me flat out that they would only allow me to because I was polite and showed them enough respect to ask them face to face with a handshake and a pleasant smile.
 
My problem with the yote hunters is that they come in whenever they please. Gates are left open they drive over whatever they please. Also the simple sense conveyed that I owe them something. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If they were to contact me and ask I would more than likely grant premission.

Although I am pretty sure they are the same boys who stole the 9 cords of firewood that I had cut and split and stacked. Cut all weekend took one truck load home and came back the following weekend to find everything that I worked my butt off for gone. Not anywhere close to being left in plain sight either. Closest house is 5 miles away from my property.
 
Well then close the land to the yote hunters, and tell them why if you see them. Not that they did any of it, but other knuckle heads see them and think they can go on the land too.

Where I am you must have written permission on you when hunting other people's land. If you can't be there very much to watch your property, you can give the local warden written notice of who is allowed (if anyone), and permission to go onto the property to check them. Here a Warden cannot go onto private land to check on a hunter unless the landowner calls in the complaint, so the Warden first checks with the caller, and verifies it's actually the land owner. The Warden can sit on the edge of the property and hope to catch the poacher as they leave, but on a big piece of land that might take time, and if the Warden gets another call, he may have to leave before the poacher does.

If you do the purple paint ( here it's bright blue) on the trees and such, paint the side toward the road, and the side toward the field, thus avoiding the excuse, "we thought this was [fill in the name] property, and we have permission to hunt there, and we didn't see no blue on the trees as it was dark when we arrived, and once in here, we can't see no blue ractangles on no trees."

The other solution is to get a ghillie. Well sort of a ghillie, a game keeper who is local to your land. I am one such. I watch a private vineyard, and sometimes do the odd chore or two, for the couple that lives there isn't up to it, and the son who will inherit lives a ways off. So, I make sure there are no tresspassers, as it's in my best interest to keep the area free of interlopers, as I hunt there. I also let the property owners know of gate conditions, evidence of tresspassing, and such. Works well. I know a DNR reserve officer who does the same thing on a piece of land near Frederick Maryland. Maybe this would work for you?

LD
 
My property is posted and I have game cams, though I would not be surprised if the game cams got stolen, or some of them. However, what I have found to be a fine idea is that I have a neighbor that doesn't have much land, but likes to hunt. I let him hunt hogs year 'round, deer during deer season (he and his wife have been waiting on a singular buck for 3 years now that doesn't show up during hunting hours) and I even let hm put a feeder up with a camera to watch it. In short, he and his wife provide watchful eyes and regular traffic on and off the property and he watches it like his own because he has hunting interest in it.
 
Perhaps a couple signs that say "Perigo: Minas"

I'd call Fish and Game and invite them to patrol the property. If there's definitely poaching activity, they might enjoy making a collar or two and bringing up their quota. Send them a detailed map listing entry points, game trails, and choke points.
 
Had plenty of trouble with ATVs on our farm. Guys slipping in and running right through our hay field, making a huge mess of things. They cut chain on the back gate, several times, even cut an older fence. I had to get creative. Buried a couple of 2x6 with nails driven up under the back gates, and chained them on both sides, took the same approach on the creek crossing that they had wallowed out into a huge mud hole. I guess a few flats slowed them down enough that they decided to stay out of our hay fields.


Took a couple of hanging stands down, and gave them to TWRA. Mostly they got the message and stopped.
 
My NRO just came back form vacation and basically said the same as rocky1. Pictures of vehicles would really help to develop leads. It turns out all the landowners in the area are having issues, probably with the same group of people. Unfortunately I do not live on the property, and the public road splits the property in half, so I have the equivalent of drive-by poaching. They come back a few hours later and pickup the carcasses when they think no-one has noticed.
 
the best cure for poachers is to give a hunting permision to few guys who will hunt there on a regular basis. Where I hunt, there are 4 of us in a so called hunting syndicate, so we will chelinge anybody we do not know to get lost, and doesn't come back.

Cameras will not really haelp, because poachers are smart enough to smash or even still them.
 
My problem is the poachers where I hunt are the neighbors dogs, no collars though and the neighbors won't claim em if we ask em.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
Best way to keep poachers/jacklighters off my property
Replies
5
Views
1K
Jorg Nysgerrig
J
Double Naught Spy
  • Locked
Neighbor Group Confronts Us As Poachers
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Double Naught Spy
Double Naught Spy
C
  • Locked
Approaching a trespasser (long)
Replies
18
Views
2K
Blue Jays
B
H
  • Locked
Confronted on my property?
2 3
Replies
59
Views
2K
Kleanbore
K
I
  • Locked
Western Culture Explained
Replies
20
Views
789
SiG Lady
S
Back
Top