Trespassers

Video tape and a letter from a lawyer explaining they can have their toys taken and sold to pay for the damages they did.

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Remember, when seconds count. . .
the police are just MINUTES away!

Congress has no power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. . .Davy Crockett

Call the police on them. Forest Warden too. They come and confiscate the vehicles. It takes years but we now have very few vehicle trespassers. I don't mind XC skiers, walkers and such in our woods (not fields) but the motor vehicles destroy our water bars on our logging roads, break the windows of our buildings and are generally a disrespectful group.

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SugarMtnFarm.com -- Pastured Pigs, Poultry, Sheep, Dogs and Kids

My biggest problem has been with snowmobilers and pot growers. The snowmobilers cut a brand new 4 strand fence rather than drive 50-75 yards out of their way to a gate I'd left open for them. The pot growers sneak on every spring and plant. I try to go out and destroy their crop every summer if I can find it. I don't have much use for either group.

The ATV guys just run up and down the road as fast as they can. They can do this because the Town in it's infinite wisdom posted the road for ATV use as allowed by law after one lady mad a stink because she was afraid she'd get a ticket for crossing the road on her ATV. I brought up the liability issues for the Town and for adjacent landowners and the problems this would all cause, but being aboutt he only person in the Town that doesn't own a t least 2 ATVs, my concerns were ignored. That was years back before I retired and was barred from seeking public office. I'm thinking of running for Town Board this fall and putting my money where my mouth is so to speak. I'll never get my road unposted, but maybe I can head off some of the stupidity.

Quick and cheap- some chicken wire between trees in ares that re used as a trail. Mark the wire with flags- little strips of colored foresters tape work fine. That way they cn see it, avoiding the chance of injury (and lawsuit). If they cut the wire or remove it, then cll the authorities. Just continue to remain the calm ones!
Good luck.

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They shall all sit under their own vines and their own fig trees, and they shall live in peace and unafraid. Mica 4:4

Wire can be cut, rakes/tacs/whatever only makes them angry. Hit them in the pocketbook and they will listen! This means installing some cameras out there to catch them crossing your property lines, taking pictures of the damages they do and presenting it all to an attorney who will file a legal complaint they will have to answer! (Yes it will cost you a little; but it will cost them too.)

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I am what I am! Acknowledging this is the beginning; and my growth is yet to end. http://motdaugrnds.com/farmsales ~~~~~ http://motdaugrnds.com

We have fence laws here, without them, no sence trying to do anything. Fence and signs come first.

Mount Battery operated game cameras....post there is a fine for trespassing....the pictures are your proof...make them pay a couple of times and I bet it comes to a screeching halt and you get a few bucks in your pocket.

AND a good lawyer will get you not only your trespassing fee but the perpetrator will end up ALSO paying the court costs PLUS reimburse you for your lawyers fee.

I would talk to them first. They are your neighbors and you should be able to sort things out without involving the law. Calling the police would be my last resort after trying to explain things to them. Most likely its some kids and if you talk to the parents, tell them that you do not want to involve the law ( a subtle threat ) so you came to them first hoping to resolve this.

If you get resistance, don;t argue. Just thank them and leave. See what happens, they may not show up again. If they do, you go to the police. It may also help to have a couple game cameras hidden at strategic spots where you will be most likely to get a picture of them.

Take your tractor with forks on the FEL (You might be able to do it with a bucket if it is large enough) and pick up the ATV. Drive to the nearest lake, pit or cliff. Drop ATV in or off as appropriate. Repeat as necessary.

End of problem. Make sure your property is well posted before you do this. IF they want to complain they can explain what they were doing on your property.

Mike

I do occasionally lay one down or it falls off its support and forget it. I get distracted way to easily with to many thing to do. So when I get bored with what I 'm doing I jus do some other thing that needs attention. Sometimes I find something a year later. Its a wonder I don't hurt myself.

Very, very poor advice. There is a right way and wrong way to do things and this just adds to the problem. You g from being the aggrieved party to being a defendant in a willful destruction of property case in a heartbeat. That's not a win, that's a loss.

If I went to their house and tried to talk to them and that didn't work, if I went to the law repeatedly, and that didn't work...then yeah I'd have to take matters into my own hands. But that is about 5 steps down the line.

More likely I would find where they were coming in ( just follow the tracks ) and lay down a spike strip...or like someone else suggested, a series of steel rakes, well camoflaged

Take photos and also video if you can. Many people will deny things unless the evidence is right in their face. Also, if you go to ask help from Police or other authorities, they like to have photos.

Neighbors in this area complained to the local school that a school bus driver was speeding on a nearby road where the down-hill run was dangerous. The school people did nothing about it and the driver denied it. The students complained at school that they were scared. The school did nothing about it. One afternoon, two neighbors worked together and one had a camera and the other a video. They were waiting at two places along the road. The bus driver came roaring around the curve, they got photos and videos of him and took it to the school. The driver does not speed any longer!

I know that is not the same, but my point is to take photos or video and that will help out. Good luck. Stay safe.

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Meanwhile, Back in Saluda

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If you do something like shoot at them, or lay nails, or clothesline them, you just open yourself up to retaliation/revenge. Talk to them, be reasonable, and if that doesn't work, call the law. Fences and gates with locks are your friend.

I do have to admit that seeing the suspected person later, driving around with 3 donuts on their car is sorta a satisfying feeling.