Need Advice - related to hunting

[cshepard887]

My family lives in an almost purely summer-camp area in NH, and during hunting season, a lot of hunters go walking through our yard.

In previous years, we've had issues with hunters removing private property signs and shooting off guns in our backyard. My sisters and I have had to stop playing outside multiple times do to this.

Last year, on Thanksgiving day, there was a person shooting a gun off for about a half hour, and my mom had to shout at the person for over 10 minutes to get them to stop.

Also last year, someone killed and gutted a deer right in our backyard, within sight of not only our house, but also 4 other houses, with two houses just out of sight, blocked by the other houses. They were within 10 feet of one of the houses.

The reason why I am posting this here, however, is do to the fact that my family has goats - 3 of which look remarkably like deer. We've set up orange tape all around their run-area, but I'm wondering if there's anything else we could do for them. Considering incidents in past years where people have removed our signs and ignored small kids playing right beside their home, I don't really feel like this is enough.

We live on the outskirts of town among summer homes, and most of the hunters that come up here are from either Massachusetts, or they are students at the local high school that don't give a ---- that they're in someone's backyard.

My family doesn't have a lot of money to do anything for the goats, but if anyone has an suggestions, I'd be willing to see what I could do. We lost two of our goats over the summer shortly after buying them, and we don't want to lose any more.

[simi-steading]

You need to put up posted signs AND put your name and address on them. Put up more than you need by law since you have such a big problem..

First time you see someone on your property, call the DNR and the sheriff... Trespassing with a gun is a felony in most states, and the DNR and the sheriff usually don't take kindly to that.

Be sure when you call you clearly state someone is trespassing with a firearm on posted property. That should get them there a little faster.

Also find out what your state laws are about how close you can discharge a firearm from an inhabited dwelling.. If they are shooting closer than that, call again and let them know why you are calling.

Once word gets out you don't tolerate that, and people are going to jail over it, your problems should go away, but I'd keep a gun handy just in case..

[simi-steading]

BTW, all of that is the legal way, but if it was me, that's nothing like I'd handle the problem. I can't tell you how I'd deal with it... it wouldn't be legal for you to do so..

[cshepard887]

Okay, thanks. I'll work on that.

[WoolyBear]

You might also want to consider getting a florescent orange animal-friendly marker and write "GOAT" on both sides of all your goats. I've also read about people who put the orange hunting vests on their animals.

[V-NH]

I am a NH hunter and I am sorry to hear people are trespassing on your property without permission. If someone is hunting on your property and you don't want them there, ask them to leave. If they argue, take out your cell phone and start dialing fish and game

[dozedotz]

Two years ago a hunter took a shot at one of our varmint dogs...we were not happy! My husband located their truck, took a digital photo of their license plate, printed the photo and stuck it on their truck windshield with a note informing them of the statute that does not allow people to shoot dogs EVEN if they are not on their own property (this one was on our property...but was barking). He warned them to lay off or face the law. It worked.

[Waiting Falcon]

That is all very well and good...if they are "decent " hunters.
If not you can paint your goats orange and if they they want to kill it they will. Shooting killing that close to houses surely is not legal, it is dangerous big time seeing as how far a bullet can go.
If "hunters" will shoot a doe with a big ribbon and a bell on her...............and the dog who was trying to protect her.......... some 'hunters" lose their brains during hunting season.

[msscamp]

Originally Posted by cshepard887

The reason why I am posting this here, however, is do to the fact that my family has goats - 3 of which look remarkably like deer. We've set up orange tape all around their run-area, but I'm wondering if there's anything else we could do for them. Considering incidents in past years where people have removed our signs and ignored small kids playing right beside their home, I don't really feel like this is enough.

If I were in your situation, I would keep my goats penned as much as possible during any kind of hunting season and I would be buying them blaze orange jackets! Laugh if you want to, but that seems to be the only color a lot of hunters understand - if you get my drift. To the responsible hunters out there - I mean no disrespect, nor am I denigrating you in any way!

On another note - have you talked to the Sheriff/town police about this?

[msscamp]

Originally Posted by Waiting Falcon

some 'hunters" lose their brains during hunting season.

And some never had any to begin with.

[dizzy]

Discharge Restrictions/Compact Areas (RSA 207: 3-a & 644:13)

It is illegal to discharge a firearm or shoot with a bow and arrow or crossbow and bolt within 300 feet of a permanently occupied dwelling without permission of the owner or occupant, or from the owner of the land on which the person shooting the firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow and bolt is situated. A firearm may not be discharged within 300 feet of any commercial, educational or medical building, or outdoor public gathering place.
Firearms may not be discharged within the compact area of any town or city (any contiguous area containing 6 or more buildings used as part time or permanent dwellings where each is within 300 feet of one of the other buildings, plus a 300 foot wide perimeter around all of the buildings).
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow and bolt within 15′ of the traveled portion of, or across any class I through V highway, or from or across the following public highways (including the rights of way): I-93, I-89, I-95, 293, 393, Rte. 202/9 (from Rte. 114 in Henniker to Rte. 31 in Hillsboro), Rte. 16 (from I-95 to Milton/Middleton town line), Rte. 3/F.E. Everett Turnpike (from Mass. line to Rte. 101 Bedford), Rte. 101 (from Bedford town line to Rte. 1 Hampton).

[myheaven]

I live next to thousands of acres of state land. I deal with many stupid people. A florescent collar and mark the animal goat cow or whatever. people are seriously that stupid and will shoot things that move without know what it is. A guy was just shot in the head as he was deer hunting as the other hunter thought he was a squirrel. duh. seriously. The guy was leaning back against the tree moved a little bit and the other guy just shot at the movement. #1 be safe.

[copperkid3]

One of the ways that I help "protect" my goats, is by having some hunter friends
come out and set up stands on areas adjacent to my fenced in goat acreage.

They know where the fence line is, and what deer look like-vs-goats look like.

So far, they've harvested ONLY deer and have served as a deterrent to poachers
and others who might want to 'confuse' goats for deer. However, this past Saturday morning,
I heard a vehicle door slam and later found signs that a truck had come in and turned around
in the drive and then later spun out onto the highway. This seemed a bit strange, since my friends
usually call and let me know that they'll be out the next day and they usually drive 'normal'.
When next I ran into one of them and mentioned this, he insisted that they hadn't been out
during that time period and that he would have called if he was coming. So, it looks like we will
have to start being a bit more vigilant in patrolling the property again. The other side of my property
is adjacent to a railroad line and there have been several vehicles traveling the tracks looking for 'opportunities'.

They'd best not stop when I'm out there.....

[Squeaky McMurdo]

A brightly colored coat would put my mind at ease in your situation

http://goatcoatshop.com/testimonialphotos.html

[TRAILRIDER]

You have received a lot of good advice here.

There are hunters who are very responsible...and there are the other kind. I find it alarming when I come upon an emptied 12 pack of beer in the woods nearby. Somehow I don't think drinking and fire arms should go together. Many years ago (back in highschool) I had a friend who had a horse shot through the nose. the bullet went in one side oh his face and out the other. The horse survived but his nose was all sunken in. Of course no one said a word, no phone call either. She found her horse that evening and had to deal with it. he was in a field at a popular boarding stable, not out in a remote area either.

If I were you I would do all of the above, orange goat coats and all!

[Forcast]

I put orange Tee Shirts on my pets that look like deer.

[MichaelZ]

Sounds like a bunch of laws broken here! Post your land sufficiently so that they know that it is posted and maybe even put up a hidden game camera or two to catch the tresspassers. If they ignore the signs, don't bother warning them, just call the law - the signs were their warning. After you post, I would take a photo of all the signs in place - one thing such slob hunters will do is tear down any posted signs and then claim "they didn't know" after they are caught.

[msscamp]

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

...and there are the other kind. I find it alarming when I come upon an emptied 12 pack of beer in the woods nearby. Somehow I don't think drinking and fire arms should go together.

I think I've met some of those people, and they scare the hell out of me! I fully agree that alcohol and firearms don't mix!

[cfuhrer]

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

You have received a lot of good advice here.
If I were you I would do all of the above, orange goat coats and all!

Agreed!

Originally Posted by Squeaky McMurdo

A brightly colored coat would put my mind at ease in your situation

http://goatcoatshop.com/testimonialphotos.html

You could also go to the fabric shop and get hunter orange fabrics to make your own goat coats, you can probably find patterns online - any dog pattern should work.

[nosedirt]

Seems a little inappropriate to call these people "hunters." I prefer to use the term "idiot." True hunters do not behave this way.