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ATV trespassers
Hello all,
We have atv'ers that are coming onto our land from old logging trails on the properties around us. I cant seem to catch them but I see their tracks and sometimes trash. I am thinking of putting gates on each end of my property, but gates are expensive to make. I dont think signs would deter them. Any advice? |
Are there any old brush piles in the area. You might want to use them. To block the trails..
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We had this trouble a few years back with ATV's racing down our driveway in the middle of the night. Solution was putting up a heavy logging chain connected to cemented iron posts. They had no way around them and it ended the trespassing pretty quick.
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by the way, i see you are from charleston. i have a sister in winfield. nice area down there.
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Block their access. I would have my Winter's wood supply or a pile of something like brush placed right where they are driving thru. Not dirt as they would just go right over it~sloppy manure would make things interesting tho! LOL
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Good Luck
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Sorry the cat click the mouse so let me finish.
Keep an eye open what is working for me is trying to prevent it by blocking it but with vast land and logging trails it is hard. Sat I got one and it is resolved. Got another one last night If the are bold enough to go thru the block while they are having their fun we build it up higher and wait for them. Last night a 19 year old got stuck behind the block. We really read him the riot act because of his attude. Once he changed his "I can see what I did wrong and owned up to his responcabilty we "ALLOWED HIM TO TAKE DOW THE BLOCK TO GET HIS ATV ACCROSS AND GAVE HIM THE HONOR OF BUILDER IT STRONGER HIS NEXT JOY WILL BE TO SHARE THE EVENTS OF THE NIGHT WITH HIS FRIENDS" We are thinking of posting the names of those caught on the land next to the other signs. To let people know that we are responcable for our land. Sorta a new catch and release program. The persons attuded and change of heart means everything. Should someone not get it then they will walk and will only get their Atv via the trooper and tow truck. as only tow trucks are allowed by us on the land. Or they could push it and face charges. |
It takes a lot to stop an atv, I know, I ride. Unless you can completely block their path, you may not be able to keep them out. Here in MA the Fish Police (Game Wardens), are the most anti ATV faction in the state, a call to them will have them in a state of high dudgeon for weeks. Do you have an Agency there that can go after the ATVers? I would try to contact these people first however, they may not be aware that you do not want them, and would reroute if they did. That is if they are responsible riders. If they do not comply, I wouldn't hesitate to go to the next level. I know of a farmer in upstate NY that had trouble with these people. They would have been allowed to ride, if only they would stay on the trails, and not tear up his alfalfa fields. He was out with his loader tractor one day and cought them, and they gave him some lip so he smashed everyone of their machines into the dirt. :clap:
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Are they hurting anything?
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The noise they make hurts. It scares us, our critters and our wildlife.
The damage to the flora and fauna hurts....if I wanted scarred land, I would live in a city. The loss of privacy hurts. I like to enjoy my land....alone. I do not like the shock of finding strangers where they do not belong. The lack of security hurts. It scares me that people show up when and wherever they choose....on my property. Things get trashed. Things disappear. It makes me nervous, feeling as though I am being watched in the privacy of my own place. The lack of respect hurts. Why should I not have my land to myself? They have paid no taxes there, they have put no effort into caring for this land. Why am I having to share it with strangers against my will? |
The Griffiths: Are they hurting anything?
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sharpened rebar stakes pounded into the trails would tick them off. cover them with leaves. tires get to be expensive.
or, better yet, block the trails but leave obvious escape routes around the barracade and put the rebar there. |
ATVs
Always remember, when confronting any problem with another, think like a 'capitalist'... it is always about the money.
They are riding on your property because to them it is 'free'. Try making warning signs at your property lineis on the logging trail like below. ------------ Warning : Private Property No Tresspassing. Warning : Tire spikes buried. ---------------- Then on the bottom of the sign, nail a 3 ft 2x4 with a bunch of 16d nails driven in the bottom (al la tire spikes) right under the words tire spikes buried. If they care about anything, it is probably the value of their ATV, and may not risk a couple of punctured tires and a tow for a ride down your road. You won't have the liability of injury, but taking the time to make the signs and viewable tire spikes, they might just think that you are PO'ed enough to have put a few in the road somewhere. Then if they don't go for it.. MELOC has the right ideas :] Nothin' like a hot tire and a cold piece of sharp metal to change someones mind. |
Think like a capitalist? LOL you guys ALMOST got it !Post a sign 'ATV riding preserve" LIFETIME Membership ONLY $10,000 now if they wanta ride and you catch them at it they owe you ten grand sorta makes it worth the trouble ,heck you might wanna wite up bylaws and everything each rule break of course is punished by banishment . Each person to carry their own insurance!
And dont forget to put an ad in the paper! |
For those who ask are they hurting anything. How many times have you looked at a hillside that has tire tracks on them? Go back in a year and look at them again, as they will now prob be 2 ditches instead of tire tracks. We were advised by the DNR here in WV to put posted signs up and then if that didn't stop them try to block their access and then try to catch them. Yep it is hard being a land owner when other people think they can over run it and tear things up. Also if someone gets hurt on your property they may end up sueing you so put signs up and then you can have them arrested if you catch them. Luckily a couple signs and a walk around by the DNR ended our problen. Take care Tam,Sam,and our clan
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Great idea with the "threat" of tire spikes, but becareful with actually using the tire spikes. If someone is injured on your property by your hand you can be held liable. I am not trying to discourage you, I work to keep ATV's footprint on my land minimized. I have kind of given up by asking people to stick to the trails and respect the land. This works in a small place like where I am from, not sure if it would work for you.
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They are leaving trash and soon I will have animals on the property that they will be disturbing. Also I fear theft, havent had any problems yet but with all the valleys on my land I cant see all my barns from my home. So yes they are causing problems.
Their access to my property crosses a pipeline that I cannot block unless its a gate or something movable (which defeats the purpose). I think that is my only true route, to put in a metal pipe gate that has a lock. Thanks for the input. |
"good fences make good neighbors"
...robert frost |
Do you have your land posted? No AtVs signs? That maybe all you need to do is make them aware you don't want them on your land. If that doesn't work then you can make other arrangements.
2x4's with nails usually do the trick - the only down side to this is when they knock on your door and ask to borrow the phone because they have a flat. |
"throat level barbed wire"
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As far as a lockable gate, contact the pipeline company, explain the situation. you can rig the lock so they can get acces ( either with them having a key, or putting 2 locks on it).
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We had the same problem a year ago. They were tearing up the property, stealing motion cameras and such. We were told without definite evidence of who it was the cops could do nothing. We put up gates and they destoyed them, we were going to put up wire at head or neck level but could not live with it if we hurt a child. We made spike strips with nails and put them at every entrance and at several choice spots on the land. All were covered with some dirt and leaves and hidden. After about 2 more weeks we didn't have any more trouble. You could see where their tires had been flattened and the ATV's had been dragged and stuff.
I think it was probably kids. |
I'm an ATV rider on public land and some that I'm sure is owned by logging companies. If I saw a sign that said no trespassing, I surely would not cross. Put up "No Tresspassing. Private Land. No hunting" signs. They might not realize that the land is off limits.
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Spikemakers!
will one of you start a new thread with instructions for making these tire flatteners? We need these! :grump: Also, does anyone know a sign maker who sells warning signs for tire spikes? Here is a letter we wrote to our state representative. Please feel free to change and use it as you might see fit. Dear Assemblyman, Our frustration with trespassing snowmobilers has reached an all time high as we spent another weekend helplessly watching our quiet 56 acre parcel turn into something akin to Coney Island on crack. We have done everything we can think of to make these folks aware that they are not welcome on our private land – the property is clearly marked and posted, the former trails were blocked and fenced. We have taken photos of trespassers and the damage they leave in their wake, and we physically chased them in order to obtain the registration numbers needed to prosecute. We called on our local State police numerous times. All to no avail. I cannot snowshoe through my woods or walk my dogs on my own land without my peace and safety being shattered by these maxi-zoom dweebies brazenly flying past me. Safely disguised beneath their helmets, it seems ordinarily nice people are overcome with a pirate-like mentality. One batch of folks had small children tucked in front of them as they ignored our attempts to wave them off. I cannot enjoy a clean, pristine snowfall on our fields; their trails mar every corner of snow. They are not deterred by small saplings, or young plantings, and they have destroyed numerous young trees. They rip through soft, muddy areas and springs, creating costly damage to my roads and trails and the erosion of our soil. They roar between and around our buildings and barns, potentially endangering children, livestock and pets. These circles around the barn seem to be done for the mere joy of antagonizing. Our calls to law enforcement have not helped. The police tell us that trespassers are low priority, and they are difficult to catch, much less prosecute. Assured that there will be a lack of enforcement, these trespassers openly and repeatedly disregard the law. I would like to see legislation that makes it easier to identify and punish these folks. NY landowners pay the highest taxes in the nation, and yet I am learning that in return NYS is allowing my right to “quietly enjoy” my farm to take a back seat to these ____. I would like to see a regulation that would require larger, easier to photograph registration numbers. As they are currently, you have to be quite close to the machine to see the numbers – very difficult when they scream by at 55 mph or more. In addition, the numbers are located in an area where a rider can easily block their visibility by merely reaching in front of them with a hand or foot. These numbers need to be relocated. I would like you to consider assigning numbers to the operator, as well as the machine, something similar to a hunters back tag, only much larger. This is necessary because police have told me they could not prosecute even though I provided a machine’s registration number, because they could not “prove” who was driving. In addition, law enforcement personnel stated that snowmobilers are under the impression that ordinary posted signs do not apply to them, and that they look for special “no snowmobile” signs. It is unreasonable that I should incur an additional cost for signage that specifically singles out these machines. My signs already state “trespassing for any purpose is strictly forbidden”. I would like to see this problem also addressed in the bill. Snowmobilers can be educated by the state to understand that they ARE subject to these signs and will be held accountable for disregarding them. OR if they are not subject to them, they should incur the expense to provide landowners with whatever signs are necessary/appropriate. Finally, I would like to see that the bill clearly allow a landowner to use permanent ink paintball guns to mark trespassers, similar to what clothing stores use to deter shoplifters. Respect for private property can be taught… This would not only deter trespassing, but would assist law enforcement identify violators after the fact. I have read with horror how the failure of law enforcement to manage this growing problem has resulted in escalation of animosity and retaliation against landowners. I’ve read instances of arson, attacks against livestock and even physical attacks upon landowners themselves. This a constant worry in the back of our minds each time we have a new confrontation. This trespassing problem and the associated vandalism has the potential to be far more than a petty violation. Thank you so much for your time. |
We are both snowmobilers and ATV riders. We are members of our local clubs and follow all of the State rules for our activity. We allow an official trail to cross the front of our property. On behalf of my fellow snowmobilers and ATVers, I would like to say that we are sorry for the experiences that some of you are having. Many of my friends and neighbors snowmobile and ATV. We respect landowners property rights and the environment by staying on the trails. However, like yourselves, we understand that there are a few reckless riders who are spoiling it for the majority of us law abiding riders. It is giving us all a bad reputation. We too would like to find ways that these few bad apples can be put in their place and have this privilege taken from them. The local rider clubs are quite willing to work with landowners that are having problems. The local clubs sponsor rider training for young adults. If you’re having problems, give your local club a call.
FYI: here are links to our local clubs: Emily/Outing Snowbirds Club Over the Hills Gang ATV Club |
I think part of the problem is people buy an ATV or snowmobile thinking how much fun they are, but don't have a place to ride them.
I wonder if you have some state or county owned land, or somebody with some really rough pasture that could be purchased cheap or even donated for riding? Kids especially, if there was a fun place to ride would most likely use it. We don't usually have that problem here because there's lots of room to ride, and everybody pretty much has a place. If you don't want them on your land, I'd post it, if that didn't work, I'd start roping them off their ride and sending them home on foot. Their machine would be returned to them in boxes or buckets. |
Here in Northern VT the snowmobilers have clearly marked trails. For the msot part they are very respectful and adhere to the guidlines. I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with them, thankfully.
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Those look like fun clubs, I wish we had those here. What kind of ATV do you ride? We just have a couple old Hondas. |
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I dont ride where i no I'm not wanted.How ever some will.Its those idiots that give us all a bad name. I say let them earn there flat tires. Post it first.No Trespassing Then post it as Having Tire Hazards if they persist.I dought you will have to go to the trouble of actually making the hazards.Most of todays hot new tires cost around 85 bucks each.And even more for the four wheel drives. TN currently doesn't have any legal riding areas.But they sure are collecting a lot of money from the required registration of all ATV's sold threw dealerships.This money was suposed to be used for trails.But to date i still haven't seen or heard of a place being opened. :flame: |
ChickenMom, I am glad you passed on the wire at neck level. Murder is harsh for a trespassing offense, for either a child or an adult. :nono: :flame:
Does the pipeline have a right of way across your property? If not, don't hesitate to lock off the trail. I think you need to try and make contact in a civil manner first, to ensure they are not well meaning but uninformed. If that fails, use signs, roadblocks, gates etc. Do not do anything that will injure anybody. You will regret it. Put bright flagging on any new obstacles you may put on the trail, no one should have to get hurt to resolve this! |
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Robert |
Tresspass
Here in Alabama all land is cosindered posted and you have to have a written permit from the owner with a specific date ( such as the hunting season starting and endind dates) that the permits are good for. Some people don't understand some don't care, A couple of weeks ago a family came down to the house and wanted us to unlock our gate so they could go get some rock down at the creek, said so and so had given them permission. I just explained that person did not have permission much less the right to give it to other people. idiots
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(in my best Elvis voice) Why thank you thank you very much!
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In east Alabama, a year or so ago, a bunch of ATV'er kept trespassing on an old man's property. I think they were tearing up his land, harassing him, ignoring the no trespassing signs, making all kinds of noise. Finally it got to be too much for the old man and he snapped. He shot and killed, two of them. Later, he committed suicide. The whole thing was tragic for all involved.
I certainly do not advocate shooting people, or stringing chains or cables that could kill or seriously hurt someone, but for goodness sakes, if you, or your child, owns an ATV make sure you have a legal place to ride it, or don't even bother to buy one in the first place. The grieving families of the slain young men, just could not understand how something like that could happen. |
I think I am going to post new signs with a mix of what I am hearing.
" No Trespassing, your tires may not survive if you do!" also " This is PRIVATE LAND, NO ATV's or Hunting without written consent!" The plain No Trespassing signs dont seem to work. |
My husband rides ATV's. I honestly wonder if they even know they are tresspassing. I would put up some signs and possibly a movable gate if that is possible.
We've had two problems here. The first one was people using our property as a short cut, the land was empty for a long time, so we just put up some "private property" signs to let whoever know it was now occupied. Never had a problem again. The second time we had a 4X4 truck just tear up the bottom of our property using a crude access road. It happened twice before we pounded some fence poles and strung up some simple fencing with a "private property" sign. Never had a problem again. |
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destroy our gates, break windows in our outbuildings, light fires in the woods, damage our logging roads, tear up our sugaring lines, harrass our livestock, worry our LGD's, ruin water bars, cause erosion & silting, kill plantings, spread broken glass, throw trash, cost me money, speed on the trails and roads, endanger me and my family, and are annoying. They cause a lot of damage. They have cost me over $15,000 in the past 18 years. The most problematic people are the ones from the city that come out here and think this is nobody's land and they can just tear it up however they want. I photograph them, call the police and testify against them. The cops nail them. It has taken time but it was worth it as we now have much less problems than we did before. Our land has been clearly posted against them for over 50 years - nothing new. They have no business going on property that they do not explicitly have permission to be on. If they want to tear up the land they need to buy their own place to do it. |
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i like having fun like anyone else. i do feel your frustration. i am lucky enough to have a spring 20-30 feet above my house and a gravity fed water system. unfortunately the spring is only a few feet away from the state land and a trail that runs along the state boundry. my problem is not with atv's getting in the spring but with horses. folks ride horses on the trails all of the time. i think that is great. i do have a problem with the folks who ride into the spring above my intake. it stirs up mud not to mention the "leavin's " of the horses. the intake was securely in a concrete "box" on the side of the spring at the head until we had drought one year and i had to cut the pipe and dam a lower area of the stream. the boundries are marked. i mark the property and the state marks theirs. some folks just have no respect or common sense.
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