Poachers

+1

I'm kinda new here and am really surprised about some of the threads here at HT and the responses on this thread. I always thought homesteaders would be good, smart people. It appears many are not.

CB

I have coon dogs and occasionally they go onto property I do not have permission to hunt. Normally I am hunting in the middle of the night. So I personally dont want to go wake someone to ask if I can get my dog. I just unload my gun go get the dog and leave. I understand I am trespassing but would you rather me wake you up or leave the dog there treeing all night. If a dog is harassing livestock I understand shooting it and I would do the same. But a dog that is obviously a hunting dog running in a field or woods not hurting anything. You may not want me hunting your land and thats fine I just want to get my dog and leave. I have a tracking collar so I know where the dog is and sometimes dogs are stubborn and dont listen, even a trained dog. Now if someone is deer hunting your land I would be mad too, and also riding an atv. I would call the DNR to handle that but dont be a jerk and go after hunters just trying to get there dogs.

This is about the silliest thing I have heard on the subject. What you are saying is that if you post your land against hunting, nobody can hunt there, even the owner of the land. So it follows that if you post your land agianst trespassers, you can't enter your own land either, right?

Could you please post a link to the law that says you can't hunt your own land if you post it?

__________________
I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam.

Popeye

Posting laws vary widely by state. There really isn't a universal rule. As a general rule of thumb, open access is more valued in the East, and landowner control more valued in the West. But there are exceptions.

In a great many states, wounded game or game "started" by hunting dogs can be pursued onto posted land. Doing so is not "poaching", because it is not unlawful.

Around here if you post a sign on your land that says "No Hunting" then you can get in trouble for hunting there yourself. If you post a "No Hunting without Permission" sign, then you and anyone you allow to hunt on the land are fine.
As far as the OP, I would contacted the proper authorities to see what needs to be done, laws vary state to state and sometimes county to county.

What about people who don't have access to private hunting land? They have the right to hunt on public land provided they have a hunting license.

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Ted H

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
-Davy Crockett

I just know what the warden has told me. And any dog on my land is hunting my land and by association the owner of the dog is hunting my land without my permission. That is poaching. And its against the laws of the state of NC to do so. I would not shoot a dog unless it was harming one of my live stock or pets or family members, but make no mistake I have the ability and right to do everything in my power to stop that from happening, whether its catching the dogs and penning them up or shooting them.

What I meant by them ruining hunting for our family was that during deer gun week they would come on our property and play loud stereos, steal bait feeders, destroy or take tree stands, fire guns or firecrackers at the edge of the woods just before sunrise, etc. In this case it was neighbors. My brother knew who they were, it took him threatening the life of the worst one before it tapered off. Didn't stop though.

Ohio has done a good turn for land owners though. You MUST have written permission for that land signed by the landowner and you must carry that with you while you are hunting or you are poaching.

Some folks here only see the hunting issue from the hunters point of view, and some only see it from the land owners side. There is a respectful 'in-between'. We are land owners who have allowed hunting on our land with permission. We have also arrived at our ranch and found the gate wide open, chain and locks stolen, and the place full of hunters who broke in and ignored the posted signs. Nobody should ever have to confront three truckloads of armed men on their own land, but that is the position we have been put in by hunters who trespass.

I can only assume that the hunter who ignores trespassing laws would also violate common sense hunting practices, like being sure that the brown blur they saw in the distance is a bear, and not my bay Arabian gelding, or even me, wearing a fleece pullover. Regardless of the circumstances, if I am fired on, I will return fire in self defense.

The hunter that we allow to hunt our land most often is the local sheriff. He knows that he is the only one that should be there, besides us. If he happens upon another hunter, he will confirm that they don't have our permission, then act accordingly.

We will continue to allow hunting when someone responsible requests permission. That gives me the chance to advise them about the horses, the location of the structures and propane tanks, make sure they don't gut the animal and leave the guts out in the open, etc.

If I find a hunter who didn't get permission hunting my land, I have no problem having them arrested.

__________________
I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam.

Popeye

First, hello.
Nice to be here.

WOW what a difference between attitudes and customs, state to state.
That's really neat, isn't it?

I am so blessed to live in Alaska.

I have a friend who is on a few hundred acres.

During moose season when he hears gunshots he waits long enough for the person to have gutted the moose, at least.

Then he rides out on his sled and thanks the person for killing and gutting a moose for him.

They argue, sometimes, but our friend isn't invested in getting the moose as much as in stopping people from hunting on his land. He is always ready with his offer to call the troopers.

THEY will write a citation and possibly arrest the person who may have his or her hunting rights rescinded AND the meat will be donated and eaten, so it's win-win for our friend.

WHY on earth would anyone not be thrilled to have gun-toting strangers firing at will all over his or her property?

Or want to tolerate strange dogs or ATV's?

And why should someone who doesn't want strangers hunting on his or her land have to lease the land to someone else to hunt on it?

That's not a solution at all.

Bless up.
Love,
Natty

As long as your friend is following the posting requirements of the state of Alaska, that is fine.

When land is not properly posted, you have problems.

In my area, landowners who do not properly post their land but then try to run off hunters are usually tax evaders.

You get a property tax reduction for leaving your land unposted. So they take the discount and then try to prevent hunting.

I don't have much sympathy for tax evaders.

Not every state requires posting. Those who think they can hunt on private land just because it is not posted may be in for a huge shock when they try that in another state.

Also keep in mind, game wardens sometimes are not up to date on current laws for various reasons..could be they are too busy or weren't informed or whatnot. That can be a problem but I know they try to update laws and so forth every year in KS....some other states don't.

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Ted H

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
-Davy Crockett

I'm thinking you aren't particularly familiar with the concept of "Alaska."

But thanks for implying my friend is both a tax evader and a lawbreaker.
I'm thinking he's well within his rights since he occassionally does call the troopers (not the "game warden") when people are poaching on his land.

People here are expected to know where they can and cannot go without being led by the nose, ESPECIALLY if they are carrying guns and killing things.

We believe that people who are capable of so doing are also capable of obtaining appropriate maps and scouting their hunting areas ahead of time.

We believe in personal responsibility.

Since we are a conceal and carry state, it seldom happens that someone is accidentally on private land, much less firing a weapon, a definite threat to life and property, under the law.

A well-armed society is a polite society.

I have never lived anywhere, outside of city limits, where killing a trespassing dog was illegal. I cannot imagine being expected to tolerate other people's dogs harassing my livestock OR people packing weapons around on my land.

Which is why I live in Alaska.


Bless up.
Love,
Natty

Alaska requires posting, your self-righteous little diatribe notwithstanding.

Absolutely correct. but some states do. And in those states, a landowner who threatens a hunter with a gun, or shoots a dog, may very well be in for an unpleasant education.

Know your local laws.

I am in agreement with Daryl in Fla.
SSS but also burn any collars or pitch them in a ditch a couple miles away.
I don't care if dogs can't read. The owner should be able to.

I believe there are three types of people: Those who Hunt, Those who are Non Hunters and those who are Anti-Hunters. Most Hunters are responsible and law abiding, however those few who disregard the rules and responsibilities that come with the sport are the thorn in the side of Responsible Hunters and Non Hunters. These A-HOLES are what causes many Non Hunter to become Anti-Hunting.
I am a Non Hunter. I understand the need to keep the wildlife in check and to keep a balance. I find a problem with "So Called Hunters" who shoot at anything that moves. The goal of a Hunter is to shoot to kill, not shoot to maim. I know "So Called Hunters" who shoot a Bob Cat just because it would be neat to kill one. They shoot without regard. They kill all the skunks, bobcats, hawks ect. near where they live. Now they can't understand why there are so many squirrels, rabbits, rats ect. eating their crops, nuts and fruit from their orchard ect. They say they just don't understand.
I have a relative that is just like this. I have asked him to several times to stay off my property. I'm not living there full time yet; however we spend several weeks a year there. Last time up, I take a walk on the property. What do I find? A tree stand, a couple of lawn chairs, a cooler and assorted other items. A lot of trash (food wrappers, soda cans, beer cans ect. scattered about. The worst thing was piles of used T-Paper and what goes with it. Well he's now looking to buy a new tree stand, seems that the expensive one that he just got is missing. He's also in the market for a couple of Chairs and a new cooler. Not making much of a fuss about it. Wonder Why?
BTW sometime before next years hunting season, Check Craigslist, You might find a really nice tree stand, a couple of real good chairs and an OK cooler for sale.

Daniel

Huh? His whereabouts are known but he is by no means under any kind of control IMO. If I were sitting on a jury in a "wrongful doggie death suit", I'd vote for the guy/gal who shot the illiterate trespasser on their own land despite any stupid local laws that held otherwise. BTW, I believe hunting is needed--there are not enough natural predators left to manage overpopulation of deer, coons, rabbits, etc.--but MY land is my land and YOUR land is your land...so far...

We have an apple orchard currently open for You-Pick. I have posted signs asking my guests to keep their dogs in their cars. Thursday morning I hear hunting hounds baying in the National Forest that surrounds our ranch. The hunters know we are there, and they set up just beyond the property line knowing their hounds will cross into our property. So my paying guests can't let their dogs out, but the two hunting dogs with radio collars run all over my place. We called the number on the collar and left a message to get their dogs. The dogs refused to leave, and were there for 4-5 hours. It happens every year. Once there was a hunting hound that treed my cat and stayed all day baying at him.

The reason they set up just beyond our boundry is because they know my land is private and they know that bears and deer are attracted to my apples. Letting their dogs run on my property gives them an excuse to come on my property to retrieve their dog.

I don't let my guests take their dogs out of their cars because I don't want to assume liability for what their dogs do. I don't want them chasing my livestock or bringing disease onto my place. The hunters have no right to overrule me and let their dogs run my land, especially when I have an orchard full of customers. I also don't want a stray bullet flying into anyone or anything on my land. I can't tell you how disconcerting it is to hear the hounds baying and the gunshots ring out just a short distance away while I have families with small children picking apples in my orchard.

__________________
I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam.

Popeye