Neighbors logging our land!

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Ug

We live in the sort of area where the longer you've lived there, the more "superior" you are. Well, since we've only owned this property for 25 or so years....

These are the of neighbors who make 4 wheeler tracks, set up their deer blinds, and tramp all over our back woods. Not that we particularly mind any of that, but it would be nice if they had ever asked! At least the 4 wheelers make some sort of path to walk on, but you cant venture out there during deer season for fear of being shot at. And the beer cans they leave bring us a few extra bucks. So none of this is bad, exactly.

But..... Now they are logging exactly on the property line, taking trees from both our property and theirs!

Off topic but still interesting, we also found a deer-butchering site with lots of skeletons. Also, a dead sheltie dog that couldnt have been there for more than two days. Odd.

Anyway, we have to talk with them. They've crossed the line!

[ninny]

You should've stopped it a long time ago. Give some people an inch, they'll take a mile. Sounds like your neighbors are these kind of people.
Take the law with you when you talk to them.


.

[CJ]

OMG that's like my worst nightmare come true. We're 5 hours from our land back in MO, and I am always afraid someone will log it, after we looked forever to find the right piece... part of being "right" was that it hadn't been logged in years!

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by xoxoGOATSxoxo

But..... Now they are logging exactly on the property line

<snip>

Anyway, we have to talk with them. They've crossed the line!

Sounds more like they're right on the line. You didn't say anything about them actually crossing the line, just logging along the line.

I'm not sure what the law is there, but if a tree encroaches on someone's property he can usually cut it back. In the case of a tree growing right on the property line, half of a tree trunk is either his, or yours but encroaching. I think he is probably in the right for cutting their half of the tree down, but that would look sort of strange to leave it that way.

If the only trees that were disturbed were "on" the property line, I wouldn't worry about it. You weren't going to do anything with those trees anyway, were you?

[Jennifer L.]

They've gotten complacent about running on your property.

If you don't mind them running on you with 4 wheelers, that's one thing, but using you as a dumping ground! Way over the line.

If you know it's them, I'd drag the dog back to the property line so they can see it, and mention it to them so they know that you dragged it back.

Jennifer

[woodsy]

There is usually out of common courtesy around here a 20' setback from property lines where the cutting stops, but... I have had to about three times now when i hear chainsaws
running out back to go check out whats happening. Twice i have stopped across boundary cutting(good thing for them).
Most of the problems occur due to poorly marked boundary lines but if the abutters don't know where their line is they should at least come over and ask!
Trees on the line belong to both land owners and should not be cut without permission from abutters.

[woodsman]

How long has it been going on? You really should familiarize yourself with the concepts of adverse possession and prescriptive easements, or one day you might find yourself locked out of your own woods by the no-trespassing signs posted by the new owners.

[TexasArtist]

how many trees have they taken down so far? Is it maybe they are unsure of the property line and think they are still on their side? The guy my parents hhired accidently cut some trees on the neighbors place. The guy didn't say anything cause he saw it as a help but could it be something like that? Are they maybe getting ready to put in a fence?
Remember to try not to go over there like a raving lunitic. Simply ask questions to try and settle things........if they get snippy then you can act like a lunitic

[Tracy Rimmer]

ATV's, uncontrolled hunting (not being able to walk in your own woods due to being afraid of being shot) and beer cans.

Dead deer and discarded pet carcasses.

Now, logging land that doesn't belong to them.

And you're going to go and have a "talk" with them?

Please, be careful that you don't become a statistic.

[coffee]

in some states after you use a piece of land for so long the owner can not keep you off ,, they some what lose ownership ..

[Common Tator]

You have put up with them for 25 years? I would say they could win an adverse possession claim if they took it to court.

Toss them out and build a good, sturdy fence. Post it very well. Do some safe target practice back there so that they can see and hear you using your own property. Start calling in the law for every violation.

Unless of course you WANT to just hand it over to them.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

If you don't mind them running on you with 4 wheelers, that's one thing, but using you as a dumping ground! Way over the line.

Dumping on his property? I don't recall him saying anything about dumping on his property.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by Common Tator

You have put up with them for 25 years? I would say they could win an adverse possession claim if they took it to court.

Nonsense. Adverse possession requires the exclusive use and possession of the property, which he can't claim. He'll never prevail on an adverse possession claim.

[Laura]

Why would anyone be logging now with timber prices in the toilet? I can't even GIVE my standing timber away!

[bee]

dumping deer carcasses and a dead dog and beer cans...hmmm That is dumping in my book!

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by bee

dumping deer carcasses and a dead dog and beer cans...hmmm That is dumping in my book!

Sure, but he didn't say that those things were found on his land. He only said he found them.

[Hoop]

Technically, trees that are "on the property line" are shared 50/50. My advice is this: immediately contact a DNR person/county sheriff and tell them there may be timber theft taking place.
If in fact, they did steal some of your trees, the offending party is entitled to treble costs of the trees.
I knew a logger whose logging crew accidently logged over the line. The logger offered a paltry $500. He received $8000 through the courts (minus legal fees).

Don't let this white trash walk all over you. Involve law enforcement via the DNR or county sheriff.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by Hoop

Technically, trees that are "on the property line" are shared 50/50. My advice is this: immediately contact a DNR person/county sheriff and tell them there may be timber theft taking place.
If in fact, they did steal some of your trees, the offending party is entitled to treble costs of the trees.
I knew a logger whose logging crew accidently logged over the line. The logger offered a paltry $500. He received $8000 through the courts (minus legal fees).

Don't let this white trash walk all over you. Involve law enforcement via the DNR or county sheriff.

How about he just ask for half the wood first?

[Shygal]

Originally Posted by Nevada

How about he just ask for half the wood first?

because do you think they will give them half of the wood? And if they cut a black walnut tree, do you think they will give them ANY of that one?

someone is logging their trees. A lot of expensive lumber could be on that property line.

[zant]

Call the forestry service immed...When our land was cut,they cut 2 oaks that were 5ft inside neighbors line.....I cut and split them and del to neighbors...They were glad I apologized and thanked me for the wood...