Tresspassers

[kerby1]

We hunt 160 acres near Forest Lake in Alger. We have had a problem with tresspassers stealing stands, cutting firewood, vanalizing gun blinds, and hunting our stands when not arround. There are homes along most of the west fence line. The bigger problem is that at the southwest corner of the property it is only about two to three hundred yards across our property to a large parcel of state land. Those to the west of our place seem to feel it is there right to cut across our property to get to the state land rather than drive the mile or so around to the state land. I don't have access to any heavy equipment. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on what to do. We have a single strand of wire for our fence, and there is also a two track at that corner, that has a gate, the problem is they just cut the fence or go under the fence for a hundred feet or so in either direction of the gate, jump on the road, and head to the state land, if they don't stop to steal a tree stand. Any suggest on how to prevent. Anything that is easy to do that will prevent them from taking their four wheeler and dirt bikes back through there. I obviously don't want to do anything to hurt anyone, I just want it to stop. The idea of Claymore mines sounds good :lol:, but once again, those of use that follow the rules are victimized by those that don't beleive in rules :rant:.

[john warren]

wonder if a game cam taking some pictures and given to the local authorities would help?

[SgtSlaughter]

How about a big ol' picture memorial of everyone you've prosecuted?

[Shlwego]

Go ask your neighbors for "help." If there are cabins or other properties that border your property, go have a talk with the neighbors. Offer them a deal. "You can walk across our land (but not hunt it) to access the State Land on the other side in exchange for making sure no one else does." And explain about the stuff getting vandalized and stolen. Tell them if they catch anyone crossing or hunting your property you want to know about it so you can press charges. They will probably take you up on the deal. This "responsibility" gives the neighbors a reason to prevent others from crossing, and if they are the ones that are actually causing the problems, it will probably stop, because they won't want to be caught out there "breaking" the deal they made - especially if they know you plan to press charges. If they're not the ones causing the problems, it gives you some more "eyes" looking out for your property when you're not around, and it gives them a reason to make a call if they see someone else out there.

[DRHUNTER]

When I owned property in the thumb we did exactly as Shelwego suggested. It actually worked very well. A little communication can sometimes go a long way to solving the problem. Good luck

[PA BUCK 2]

I agree about talking with them about the issue and trying to come to some agreement. If they do not see it your way- post it well, tell the authorities and you might have to make the two track non-passable or useable for ATVs... Might make it easier to take the 1 mile drive than to get through your two tracks.

[theredmission]

Post every single tree w/ some sort of sign and then (although not a quick fix) plant some really thick thorny stuff along the entire property line. If I were you I'd price out some tall fencing and gate for that side of the property and just save up for that, granted it'll be costly, but in the long run all three should deter most average joes from cutting through. Hopefully.

[bigrackmack]

Angle Iron cut on a 45degree welded to some flat stock in some puddles they go threw should slow them down.....tires are costly.....Its a crappy stuation thats forsure....lots of people deal with this crap.....good luck...Mack

[farmlegend]

I swear trespassing and related theft/vandalism is becoming epidemic in this state.

Someone needs to spearhead a "Michigan Landowners League" or something like that to lobby for tough trespassing laws similar to what they've got out west or in Texas or even Ohio. That or organize a "Landowners Militia" organization:evil: though I couldn't participate in that one, I'd sure write a fat check.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

sounds alot like the locals are doing the stealing to me, when you make the statement that everything happens when YOU AREN'T THERE. someone has eyes on you. time to do a little RECON MISSION. have someone take up up in the night and stay up for a weekend or 2 without any type of contact and i would bet you catch a few people. take a digital camera or camcorder and set the date and time for some very serious evidence. then take it to the LEO'S for some law enforcement 1st times a warning second is the BLACK ROBE JUSTICE. but there has to be a warning first if i read the LAWS correct.
good luck and great TRESSPASSER HUNTING hope you get your daily bag limit.

[wildcoy73]

i do watch a guys place for him this year. his son may hunt 4 times during the whole year and he wants him to enjoy the time he has so we talked and i keep people off and get rights to hunt on his property if i so desire. right now i have nothing set up on his place for he butts right up to the place i already hunt and just have not seen the need to move or place another stand in this section of woods

[woodie slayer]

sounds like it is prolly neighbors who know when your not there. i'd get a trail cameraand show the dnr

[QuakrTrakr]

We have a problem with a local that rides his quad through State land, (I'm pretty sure he's riding on railroad tracks) coming onto our property and stealing stuff in the middle of the night. He even did recon and knew enough to bring a sawzall to cut the hasp on my blind. Got cameras all over the property and put a time-lapse security system on the cabin. I'll get him:evilsmile I have his name, address, phone number, just waiting for the cameras to work!

[walleyechaser]

Wouldn't it be too bad if a hole got punched in his quads fuel tank while he was busy doing his dirty deeds!
Sounds like he'd have a long walk pushing his quad home.
Better yet, use a piece of log chain to lock his quad to a tree. Then report the quad abandoned on private property. Wonder if he'd have the stupidity to try and claim it?:evil:

[QuakrTrakr]

Wouldn't it be too bad if a hole got punched in his quads fuel tank while he was busy doing his dirty deeds!
Sounds like he'd have a long walk pushing his quad home.
Better yet, use a piece of log chain to lock his quad to a tree. Then report the quad abandoned on private property. Wonder if he'd have the stupidity to try and claim it?:evil:

The dumb thing is this guy owns his own lawn/snow removal business. He's ripped us off twice this summer. He got one of my cameras too. I had it on a food plot and I think it flashed him. I need to get a couple IR cameras. I put the word out at the local party store and tavern that I know who's doing it. Time will tell I guess.

[bigcountrysg]

When you say a single strand fence what do you mean. I recommend post the property with no trespassing signs. Put a better fence up. Contact the authorities, let them know when your not around. So they can check your property for you.

Do not put up boobie traps, or anything that may cause injury to someone or damage to ones vehicle.

[M1Garand]

I swear trespassing and related theft/vandalism is becoming epidemic in this state.


I disagree. It's not becoming one...it's BEEN one! ;)

[QuakrTrakr]

I agree Garand!

[fairfax1]

This is just a debating point ---nuthin' more. Not tryin' to defend trespassing, as I'm gettin' a tad sensitive to it myself. Simply trying to understand if we truly are experiencing an increase in it or simply an incrase in our sensitivity to it.

A poster responding to another post about trespassing becoming an epidemic posts: "I disagree. It's not becoming one...it's BEEN one!"

Perhaps, there has always been this level of trespassing ...for many years. But now, with so many prime hunting parcels moving into the hands of hunting interests (vs farm interests); along with the more intensive management ethic of food plotters and QDM adherents; the heightened sense of property rights that is inherent in plotting; and add to all that the ever growing interests and passion for deer... well, all of those developments has increased the 'sensitivity' to trespassers.


I grew up as a kid -- and beyond -- trespassing on neighboring farms and woodlots. Have .22 - will travel. But now those farms are considered deer sanctuary areas, or bedding areas, or travel corridors, or food plots, etc. etc. ....... and the hunters who hunt them most assuredly will not tolerate kids --or others -- to wander across 'em. That is a development in my lifetime.

I own good deer ground and lease better. I have been relatively immune to trespass issues but lately it has reared its' ugly head and I too am looking for the proper combination of vigilence, passive measures, and legal options, to ensure that MY deer aren't disturbed by uninvited guests.

[SgtSlaughter]

I own good deer ground and lease better. I have been relatively immune to trespass issues but lately it has reared its' ugly head and I too am looking for the proper combination of vigilence, passive measures, and legal options, to ensure that MY deer aren't disturbed by uninvited guests.


Uh oh, you called them "my deer". That always gets 'em fired up. Prepare for glory, spartan. :)

[fairfax1]

It was intentional, good Sgt. Tongue-in-cheek. Gotta have a little fun.

[SuperTrooper]

Make sure it is properly posted "NO TRESPASSING" The signs have to be a certain footage apart. Get your ducks in a row and then call the police when you have proof they were on your property. Good luck.:D

[QuakrTrakr]

Call the police every time there is an occurance and keep the complaint number. Establish a history. Even if the police doesn't come out there, have the officer log it.

[kerby1]

Thanks for the input. We do post the property every year with new signs. Someone asked what I meant by fencing with a single strand. We have just one strand of wire running around the edge of our property. We have it posted well and we also tie pieces of marking ribbon on the fence to make sure that it is visible. I bet we have ten signs and a locked gate within 50 feet of where the majority of these $$#@&# are coming across. I liked the neighbor idea. There is a home a few hundred yards up the road that could watch this area and they heat with wood, so they would probably like the trade of cutting some downed trees for wood. Thanks.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

KERBY, you have a major BINGO on the firewood idea. i would bet that deal would hold water if they don't have a good supply of firewood. hell they might even help you clear some land for a food plot or two for fuel and maybe some small hunting rights. i know i would make that deal in a heart beat.

[bumpbottom]

One of the best thinks for quad tresspassing I have found is old monofilament and bailing twine. Does not hurt anyone, but sure makes a mess of any countershaft seals. had the same issue....problem solved;)

[QuakrTrakr]

One of the best thinks for quad tresspassing I have found is old monofilament and bailing twine. Does not hurt anyone, but sure makes a mess of any countershaft seals. had the same issue....problem solved;)

Hmmmm:idea::evilsmile

[M1Garand]

A poster responding to another post about trespassing becoming an epidemic posts: "I disagree. It's not becoming one...it's BEEN one!"

Perhaps, there has always been this level of trespassing ...for many years. But now, with so many prime hunting parcels moving into the hands of hunting interests (vs farm interests); along with the more intensive management ethic of food plotters and QDM adherents; the heightened sense of property rights that is inherent in plotting; and add to all that the ever growing interests and passion for deer... well, all of those developments has increased the 'sensitivity' to trespassers.

I grew up as a kid -- and beyond -- trespassing on neighboring farms and woodlots. Have .22 - will travel. But now those farms are considered deer sanctuary areas, or bedding areas, or travel corridors, or food plots, etc. etc. ....... and the hunters who hunt them most assuredly will not tolerate kids --or others -- to wander across 'em. That is a development in my lifetime.



My father grew up in those times as well...unfortunately times change. I say what I did because I grew up watching my father deal with it on a large piece of property in the NLP that also had about an 80 acre shallow pond that used to be great duck hunting. This place was well posted but that did nothing to deter the trespassers we (he) had to deal with. To compound the problem, we didn't live there and there's no question people knew that and used it to their advantage. It was one of the reasons this property was sold and this was occurring 15-20 years ago. You name a recreational activity and they were on there doing it from blueberry picking to ORV riding to all forms of hunting. What'd I learn from all that? ALWAYS prosecute to the full extent when you catch them.

[QuakrTrakr]

My father grew up in those times as well...unfortunately times change. I say what I did because I grew up watching my father deal with it on a large piece of property in the NLP that also had about an 80 acre shallow pond that used to be great duck hunting. This place was well posted but that did nothing to deter the trespassers we (he) had to deal with. To compound the problem, we didn't live there and there's no question people knew that and used it to their advantage. It was one of the reasons this property was sold and this was occurring 15-20 years ago. You name a recreational activity and they were on there doing it from blueberry picking to ORV riding to all forms of hunting. What'd I learn from all that? ALWAYS prosecute to the full extent when you catch them.

That's one of the reasons we sold our old place over by Lake City. We kept getting heaters, propane tanks, feeders, stolen. That and the camp next to us would bring up 15 guys and shoot ever button buck in the county. So we get to our new property, and we get all our blinds broken into again! :mad:

[Ferg]

Each and every time you have an incedent of tresspassing you MUST take any/all legal steps, no matter what your opinion of the steps are.

Get the violations/thefts on record, even if it requires 10 calls a week, do what ever it takes.

I'm going to be the loudest cog in the tresspass machine around my place, the local/state/county LEO's are going to be so sick of hearinig from me that one of two things are going to happen; 1) they will stop it and prosecute thos that are doing it or 2) they will just ignore me and I'll be free to do pretty much what I want to to stop it - :yikes:

Seriously, do NOT stop contacting LE when tresspass happens - we have to bump this violation of the law UP in the pecking order of the local prosecuters and show them that we mean it when we say we want it stopped -

ferg....

[QuakrTrakr]

100% right Ferg!

[M1Garand]

That's good advise Ferg.

[bumpbottom]

That's good advise Ferg.
:yeahthat:
I was wondering if there was enough people, maybe we could write our state govt officials to adopt an increase in the penalty for recreational tresspass convictions. States that are serious don't have as many of these issues and the current "slap on the hand" approach is a joke in Michigan. Is this something that the NRC can push for??? Any ideas???

[QuakrTrakr]

:yeahthat:
I was wondering if there was enough people, maybe we could write our state govt officials to adopt an increase in the penalty for recreational tresspass convictions. States that are serious don't have as many of these issues and the current "slap on the hand" approach is a joke in Michigan. Is this something that the NRC can push for??? Any ideas???

That's not a bad idea! I think the best chance would be with getting a bill introduced by one of the pro-hunting congressmaen we have. I have a city boy in my district of House Reps and my senator is a doctor that doesn't hunt. Does anyone have Moolenar as a congressman?

[boehr]

Again, the increase in penalties by law is fine but if you can't get the judges to give the fine it don't matter what the law says. Your best bet would be to invite the local judge to speak about poaching penalties at a local sportsmans club and talk to him/her about increasing the fine that he gives.

[QuakrTrakr]

Again, the increase in penalties by law is fine but if you can't get the judges to give the fine it don't matter what the law says. Your best bet would be to invite the local judge to speak about poaching penalties at a local sportsmans club and talk to him/her about increasing the fine that he gives.

The real problem here I think is the recreational trespass, not so much poaching. Most people I know willingly call when poaching is being observed. I've personally called and so have a couple of my friends. I've had sheriffs tell me on the phone while making tresspass complaints "Well, what do you want me to do?" :rolleyes:

[bumpbottom]

Again, the increase in penalties by law is fine but if you can't get the judges to give the fine it don't matter what the law says. Your best bet would be to invite the local judge to speak about poaching penalties at a local sportsmans club and talk to him/her about increasing the fine that he gives.

Great idea Boehr. At least someplace to start. Thanks for the suggestion.

[boehr]

The real problem here I think is the recreational trespass, not so much poaching. Most people I know willingly call when poaching is being observed. I've personally called and so have a couple of my friends. I've had sheriffs tell me on the phone while making tresspass complaints "Well, what do you want me to do?" :rolleyes:
Trespassing is poaching.

So invite that sheriff to the same meeting.

[Lugian]

One suggestion about the stolen stands is to buy a tree saddle. 170 bucks and it goes to any tree you pick. Can't be stolen from the woods. Doesn't help cathch the guy but it saves you $. Ive always wondered if you couldn't put a GPS device of some sort in your stand and then track it when its stolen. Any idea if something like that exists?

[JAG]

Maybe we should drop a line to lojack. You'd think there would be a market for a device that you could attach to anything of value.

[JAG]

We hunt 160 acres near Forest Lake in Alger. We have had a problem with tresspassers stealing stands, cutting firewood, vanalizing gun blinds, and hunting our stands when not arround. There are homes along most of the west fence line. The bigger problem is that at the southwest corner of the property it is only about two to three hundred yards across our property to a large parcel of state land. Those to the west of our place seem to feel it is there right to cut across our property to get to the state land rather than drive the mile or so around to the state land. I don't have access to any heavy equipment. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on what to do. We have a single strand of wire for our fence, and there is also a two track at that corner, that has a gate, the problem is they just cut the fence or go under the fence for a hundred feet or so in either direction of the gate, jump on the road, and head to the state land, if they don't stop to steal a tree stand. Any suggest on how to prevent. Anything that is easy to do that will prevent them from taking their four wheeler and dirt bikes back through there. I obviously don't want to do anything to hurt anyone, I just want it to stop. The idea of Claymore mines sounds good :lol:, but once again, those of use that follow the rules are victimized by those that don't beleive in rules :rant:.

Kirby 1, I have a camp in the same general area just down the road from you. North Fire Rd and Maple Ridge area. Three years ago I had a couple of stands stolen and a month or two later I had my camp broken into. All of my neighbors had a good idea who the thief was. After an investigation by the Arenac Co. Sheriff they were right. I prosecuted the guy and he got 180 days in the slammer and now has a home invasion felony on his record. If you are able to catch the thieves you MUST prosecute. It will go a long way in letting the local a-holes know that you mean business.

[Frantz]

Local a-holes suck! So many out there that do not grasp the concept of new property ownership and that their days of running wherever they wanted being over.

When we first moved to this area back in the very early 70's, the mentallity was as follows, "I have been hunting that property all my life and I will continue to do so, I don't care who YOU think you are". Took almost 10 years and a whole lot of hatred amongst us all to get them to keep the hell off our property, even though most of them have 80+ of their own acres to hunt! We still to this day have a whole family of idiots that trespass across multiple properties.

[uptracker]

After all of this, I may skip buying property in MI all together and just buy a few acres here and there in BFE Ontario. #1 It's cheaper. #2 Then I can get resident tags for bear, moose, wolf, etc. #3 No one will come across my property unless they're lost!

3 pages into this, I'd just say shoot them in the knee cap with a high velocity .177 pellet rifle at 75 yards in full camo, in a blind and bolt! Sure, it sounds like I'm deviant too, but it sounds like someone needs to do something other than call the authorities that don't do squat.

http://www.amazon.com/Posted-Property-Trespass-Recreational-Michigan/dp/097209105X/ref=sr_1_2/104-7951773-4819951?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187940387&sr=8-2

[theredmission]

http://www.amazon.com/Posted-Property-Trespass-Recreational-Michigan/dp/097209105X/ref=sr_1_2/104-7951773-4819951?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187940387&sr=8-2

Good link uptracker-I'll have to look into snagging one of those.

[Ferg]

When we start to advocate breaking the law - it's time to step back -

ferg....