am I going to have neighbor problems?

[toasterburn]

My wife and I just closed on our first homestead; an old farm house with a little over 3 acres. It's been vacant for many months, maybe a year. When we went out today to start on the repairs and updates, I noticed that there were fresh 4-wheeler tracks through the property. I've also seen a folding chair set up at different times in the woods, and other times it's not there, so I'm thinking someone is using my property to hunt. It's probably one of my three new neighbors, but I don't know which one.

Obviously I can't have people tearing up my land or firing guns when I'm not there. So how do I get them to stop. Do I post a bunch of signs? Knock on every neighbors door? I can't afford to fence it off any time soon. I'm also limited in what I can do because there is a power company right-of-way running through that part of the property, so I can't block all access since the power company has to have the ability to drive through.

[farmerj]

follow the tracks.

Put up signs on the travelled portions to start. Go from there.

Push comes to shove, put up some game cams and get pictures for the sheriff.

[Patchouli]

If the property was abandoned they may not know anyone is there. They may also have had permission to hunt there from the previous owner. Always assume the best until you know different. Around here people put a notice in the local paper to let people know their property is off limits for hunting. They also put up signs and mark trees with paint to let people know it is private property. Check your state laws to see how close you need to post signs and whether you need paint and what color.

[toasterburn]

There's a paved street in front of my property and a power company right-of-way cut through the woods. Those are the only ways to access it. I'm starting to think that besides hunting, they may be joy riding down the right-of-way too.

I'm surprised at their gall, because it's very obvious that this is private property. I mean, they are basically driving through my yard.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by Patchouli

If the property was abandoned they may not know anyone is there. They may also have had permission to hunt there from the previous owner. Always assume the best until you know different.

This is the direction I'd go from, also. Even if you know they know better, always treat people as though they simply don't, and you're just trying to help them do the right thing.

[Bentley]

You should have a copy of the easement/right of way agreement in your closing document package. If not, call the closing attorney and request a copy. If you own the property, the power co has a "right" of ingress and egress. You have the "right" to fence your land. The power co has the "right" to install gates in your fence and put their lock on it.

I agree with the game cam suggestion. Identify the trespasser. Then ask them nicely to stay off. After that fails, then send them a registered letter reminding them of your prior conversation, and to please stay off.

After that fails, ask the sherif to pay them a visit. Keep moving the game cam to a different tree or post. After step 2, buy a second game cam. Set it up monitoring the first cam.

If they are honorable people, it will end at step 1. If they are not, well....better to know now. Good luck.

[jwal10]

IF you want to be a neighbor, go talk to them and introduce yourself. Tell them you now own the property and are having this problem, Put up some signs. You may be best off letting one neighbor hunt it, they will keep the others off until you get moved out there....James

[Old Vet]

Yep you are having problems now and in the future if you want to be on frindly to the neighbors have a talk with them and ask them to be on the look out for the ones that are going their.

[Darren]

If you're not from around there, I'd take it slow. People in rural areas generally know everyone if they grew up in the area. It's definitely not the big city. Like any place you have the good, not too many bad, and hopefully no one truly ugly. Even some of the sort of good around here can turn ugly if crossed.

Although I like this area, if I knew what I know now, I would have never moved here. I posted one incident a few years ago and another poster here called me a liar. I PMed them with a link that proved the story. I never heard anything in return.

Be careful. You don't want to stir up a hornets nest especially if you not going to be living there for awhile. Find out what you can about your new neighbors. Introductions are in order. Don't mention any problems. Just meet and greet. That's usually when they'll take the opportunity to mention any previous arrangements.

[montysky]

My guess is once the person or people realize that a family is moving into place, they will respect your land. Also respect them don't assume you will have problems call on them, let them now you and your family is moving into x place and when it is fix up some and the weather is nice you would love to have them over for a BBQ, get to know them.

[dkhern]

im not sure i understand the proble. if you are not there so what if someone hunts. atv will leave tracks but generally do not do permant damage. when you move in i imagine this will stop

[Waterwheel Farm]

I agree with the ones who say take it slow. As stated before, I would introduce myself to the neighbors and not even mention any of your concerns yet. You might not even have any problems, so why create one right off the bat. As also stated, you can fence off electric right-of-ways. They just have the right to access it if needed. At my last place I installed a gate, etc and the electric co provided me with one of their locks so they could get in if needed. Congrats on your new place!

[Horseyrider]

Oh my, don't lose this opportunity! Go around and introduce yourself to the dozen or so nearest neighbors. Even if you don't live there, you're a landowner, and you have many mutual concerns. You might mention that you have seen signs of trespassing, and just want to make sure no illegal activities are going on, and if they could help keep an eye out for you, it'd be a favor you will one day return.

Neighbors can look out for one another, networking on labor, goods, and pooling resources and opportunities. Around here, the social mores are that neighbors can indeed trespass, as long as everyone leaves the area they go through as they found it. We don't hunt one another's land or allow our dogs to bother anyone's livestock, but we welcome the watchfulness of another neighbor's eyes. I've ridden my horses through neighbor's pastures and had to make phone calls telling people that their cows got out, or are hurt or sick. In our area, farmers' heads swivel into fields and farmsteads as they travel down the road, just making sure things are okay. I came home once to find a dairy cow of mine in a pen I hadn't left her in, presumably because she got out somehow and a neighbor put her up before she wandered into the road and got someone hurt.

Out here we don't have much of a police presence, but we do have a group of decent people who look out for one another as we'd want others to look out for us. Cultivating a place in such a network is the best way of finding your sense of community, and it starts by introducing yourself, being friendly, and opening yourself to the possibility of sharing resources and making lifelong friends.

[Miss Kay]

Welcome to the rural south. My guess is we are going to be hearing a lot more about your neighbors. Just wait until they blow a coon out of the big tree in your back yard in the middle of the night or leave their meth making supplies out back in the woods. yep, been there seen that!

[homstdr74]

Originally Posted by toasterburn

My wife and I just closed on our first homestead; an old farm house with a little over 3 acres. It's been vacant for many months, maybe a year. When we went out today to start on the repairs and updates, I noticed that there were fresh 4-wheeler tracks through the property. I've also seen a folding chair set up at different times in the woods, and other times it's not there, so I'm thinking someone is using my property to hunt. It's probably one of my three new neighbors, but I don't know which one.

Obviously I can't have people tearing up my land or firing guns when I'm not there. So how do I get them to stop. Do I post a bunch of signs? Knock on every neighbors door? I can't afford to fence it off any time soon. I'm also limited in what I can do because there is a power company right-of-way running through that part of the property, so I can't block all access since the power company has to have the ability to drive through.

Getting to know your neighbors is a great idea, but you really should consider what you can and can't afford. You state that you "can't afford to fence it off"; yet you now are going to own three acres. In my opinion, the only way to make a statement about how you value your property and the privacy you expect therein is to fence it off.

Two strands of barbed wire and about 120-140 steel posts are a good start and should be less than a thousand dollars (more like 800), which may seem like a lot, but in the long run it will save you time and aggravation if you put that fence up. Now.

[mmoetc]

You don't have a problem. The previous owners may have had one as all the things you described happened before you closed. As others have said, go introduce yourself to the neighbors. Do it non confrontationaly. Just a simple "Hi, I'm so and so and I just bought the old smith place down the road". You'll soon be able to identify the friendly neighbors and the not so friendly ones. Get involved in your local community.

[doozie]

While driving around our rural location we kinda chucked to ourselves when we drove by a property with a Hugh sign along the driveway. It said boldly, New owner,keep out! (There are Atv's all around there.) I don't know if it worked, but any one trespassing could not miss it.

[TnAndy]

Good fences make good neighbors...............

[haypoint]

Nearly 40 years ago, I bought my homestead. 160 acres, 5 bedroom, fully furnished. But couldn't move there for a year. It is on an island, serviced by a car ferry. No one in the area knew the farm had been sold. Between Christmas and New Years, my 2 BIL and I drive 300 miles to spend a few days.
Two feet of fresh snow had just fallen. I opened the granary door, got out the shovel and cleared the driveway, opened the driveway gate, drove up to the house and unloaded stuff.
BIL wanted a 6 pack, so we drove to the Tavern.
We were gone less than an hour, it was 9 or 10 at night.
When we got back, the gate was closed, the shovel was no where in sight and the granary
Door was shut and locked. Someone was messing with my property!
Then someone pulled up. I suspected this could be the offender. Homes are miles apart and very few cars on the roads. Joe introduced himself. Seems the closest neighbor, Ella, an elderly lady had seen lights on in the house, called Joe to check it out. Then joe called the ferry pilot, so they could be on the alert for a red and white truck that might be connected with a break and enter. Ella called who she thought still owned the farm, her 90 year old SIL, Celina. Celina called my wife to tell what was happening. MDW told her it was me and her brothers. By this time, Joe had gone over to the house, put the shovel away, locked up the granary, closed the gate. Ella told Joe that there was no reason for concern. He recalled the ferry, told them false alarm. All this without cell phones in zero temperatures after dark in a very rural area.
At first, I was angry with these locals over reaction and downright meddling. But, then I realized I had a security system that was better than anything I could buy. I have discovered that I have neighbors that I may only speak to a couple times a year, but if I need help, I'm sure they would help. No one ever drives by a stranded motorist.
It could be your vacant place was being checked on by a neighbor. Could be that since no one was there, they thought driving on the property wasn't a big deal.
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't lead with your chin.

[Darren]

Someone who moved here around fifteen years ago, got off on the wrong foot with the neighbors and did some stuff that riled up the fire department. They never did integrate into the community. To this day they have problems because of that. People in rural areas have often have lived in the area their entire lives. They have long memories.

As the previous poster said, don't lead with your chin.