Need advice-Someone is stealing our fish

[homebody]

The catfish pond is about 500 feet from the house. Woods with trees all leafed out between pond and house, in other words can't see pond/banks from the house. Need recommendations on camera setup with a monitor screen in the house to "see" when they arrive to fish.

Will then sneak as quietly as possible with binoculars to try and identify them (for prosecution purposes) After identifying will proceed on to pond and show myself in order to determine which direction (house) they came from. Expect them to run when they see me coming.

There was 2 Marlboro cigarette butts left on the bank, looked "fresh". We don't smoke so someone has been there recently.

[CarolT]

I'd probably set up a blind of some kind furthest away from where you think they are fishing. Is it posted "no fishing"? Have to ask, if the old owner (assuming there was one) allowed just anyone to come fishing, someone may still assume the rules are the same...

I wish you luck, it's aggravating to be raising any type of crop and have someone come along and help themselves

[meanwhile]

I would suggest one proceed slowly and be careful - very careful - before accusing anyone of stealing fish.

In the past nine years, my family has been accused at least five times of stealing fish from a nearby trout pond. It was embarrassing at first, then confusing and now it is just infuriating.

We have never ever taken a single fish from the pond. The handy-man who works on the property in questions, just keeps telling the owners that "someone" nearby has "stolen" the fish. Once he claimed my older son "stole" 300 fish from the pond during one summer. Yes - 300 fish! The son he accused of stealing the fish is a vegetarian and did not eat fish and was not even home at the time.

This spring he accused us again of stealing the fish. Same number - another 300 fish which he claimed had disappeared over a 2 to 3 year period of time. Apparently they stocked the pond again and the fish either died or were fished out. The Handy man told the property owner that we had "stolen" the fish and she calls me to up to discuss it.

The next week, the Handy Man caught the son of a neighbor who lives over 6 miles way fishing in the pond. Although he had not caught any fish, he was there and fishing.
After many phones calls between neighbors and the property owner, it has been determined that the prior owners from long ago, gave permission to the local folks for them to fish and hike back here any time they wanted. The local folks just thought the permission transferred when the property was sold especially since the owners are not there but a few times a year.

Instead of apologizing to us, the Handy Man now claims that he thinks everyone from around here fishes in the pond. It is upsetting and really is bad for neighborly feelings.

Sorry this is too long but my point is that it might be best to go slowly before accusing anyone and be sure they really knew you don't want them back there. I value my privacy too and don't want anyone wandering around in the woods either but I also would not want to accuse anyone of something they did not do.

Good luck.

[Harry Chickpea]

Give a man a fish...

500 feet is beyond most wireless systems, and a camera needs a power source of some sort anyway. You are getting into a length of wire where a lightning storm could cause serious problems.

You could have otters, herons, or other animals going after your fish as well.

[Mike in Ohio]

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Give a man a fish...

500 feet is beyond most wireless systems, and a camera needs a power source of some sort anyway. You are getting into a length of wire where a lightning storm could cause serious problems.

You could have otters, herons, or other animals going after your fish as well.

I've never seen otters, herons or other animals (other than humans and the odd chimp) smoke Marlboros.

[InvalidID]

I might consider a game camera where you found the cigg butts. Also a few fake cams and some signs telling people they are on TV.

[machinistmike]

if you haven't already, put 'no fishing' signs up along with 'under video surveillance'. If you can maybe even keep your dog(if you have one) penned up by the pond so he can keep an eye on things as well.

[ronbre]

had the same situation here 40 years ago when the pond was stocked with trout at MIL's house..they were ALL stolen..

I would suggest putting up a sign saying, no tresspassing, no fishing..violaters will be prosecuted..and it big lettering put

VIDEO SURVELLIANCE

whether there is a camera up or not..they won't really know for sure will they

[homebody]

Originally Posted by meanwhile

I would suggest one proceed slowly and be careful - very careful - before accusing anyone of stealing fish.

In the past nine years, my family has been accused at least five times of stealing fish from a nearby trout pond. It was embarrassing at first, then confusing and now it is just infuriating.

We have never ever taken a single fish from the pond. The handy-man who works on the property in questions, just keeps telling the owners that "someone" nearby has "stolen" the fish. Once he claimed my older son "stole" 300 fish from the pond during one summer. Yes - 300 fish! The son he accused of stealing the fish is a vegetarian and did not eat fish and was not even home at the time.

This spring he accused us again of stealing the fish. Same number - another 300 fish which he claimed had disappeared over a 2 to 3 year period of time. Apparently they stocked the pond again and the fish either died or were fished out. The Handy man told the property owner that we had "stolen" the fish and she calls me to up to discuss it.

The next week, the Handy Man caught the son of a neighbor who lives over 6 miles way fishing in the pond. Although he had not caught any fish, he was there and fishing.
After many phones calls between neighbors and the property owner, it has been determined that the prior owners from long ago, gave permission to the local folks for them to fish and hike back here any time they wanted. The local folks just thought the permission transferred when the property was sold especially since the owners are not there but a few times a year.

Instead of apologizing to us, the Handy Man now claims that he thinks everyone from around here fishes in the pond. It is upsetting and really is bad for neighborly feelings.

Sorry this is too long but my point is that it might be best to go slowly before accusing anyone and be sure they really knew you don't want them back there. I value my privacy too and don't want anyone wandering around in the woods either but I also would not want to accuse anyone of something they did not do.

Good luck.

We do NOT smoke, that means none ever. have been here 12 years, all paper, trash has meticulously been picked up years ago. I believe we know we don't smoke and can see the butts right on the bank of the bigger pond. NO one has permission to fish, it is low-life scumbags that I will personally delight in prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law.

[homebody]

Game cam won't work as we need to "see" it while occurring not after they have fished to their hearts content.

[InvalidID]

The game cam would at least tell you who it is and when they fish. You would be able to hand out and wait for them once you knew the schedule. This is assuming you can't run enough wire (or don't want to spend the money) for a CCTV cam. Of course you might realize you know who it is once you've seen them on cam and be able to go right to their house, or give the pics to the police who might know them as well. I personally would never suggest busting someone in the head or anything, wink.

[Darren]

"FCC approved wireless transmitter with 4 channels and 700 foot range."

Wirelss Video Transmitter | Wireless Audio Video Transmitters

The trees between your house and the pond may be a problem.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Darren

"FCC approved wireless transmitter with 4 channels and 700 foot range."

Wirelss Video Transmitter | Wireless Audio Video Transmitters

The trees between your house and the pond may be a problem.

Perhaps a signal booster on the side of the house? Problem is a lot of this stuff is line of sight. I know you can get some cell stuff for longer ranges (indefinite range really, provided you have a signal) but now we're talking MONEY.

[Jerngen]

Why must they be fishing?
That could just be some young persons "get away from the world" spot to sit and contemplate life.

[Darren]

More options for more money. Lower frequency is better.

Video transmitters for long range transmission

[edcopp]

12 GA.

[nightfire]

If you're looking to prosecute them, you may want to take a few pics of the cig butts on the ground, then get a baggie of some kind to pick them up in. Just make sure you don't touch them, as it will be evidence. Probably wouldn't hurt to take pics of you picking them up with the baggie, or calling the police for them to come get them as evidence. That way you already have it on record that someone is trespassing, and littering on your land. Good luck, hope you catch them.

[geo in mi]

Before you take action, you might want to look at the trespassing laws in your state: http://aglaw.missouri.edu/Missouri%2...ass%20Laws.pdf This is a brief telling of the law, but you will want to see a lawyer or check further.

Unless you catch someone with the fish in their possssion, you won't have a theft case..... and you should be willing to make a "citizens arrest"

Hope this will help.

geo

[Ed Norman]

First, get a game camera that transmits to your cell phone or computer.

The Moultrie Game Spy Game Management System Enables Remote Game Camera Access

Next, get a picture showing the trespassers.

And lastly, send in these guys and you won't be bothered again.

[GammyAnnie]

Originally Posted by Jerngen

Why must they be fishing?
That could just be some young persons "get away from the world" spot to sit and contemplate life.

That was one of my first thoughts on reading this, well that and how do you know if your fish are gone??

Have you found fish guts, line, leaders, etc., along with the two ciggie butts??

Annie