pulled cards yesterday and found this... think the cam was spotted... notice the head lamp on edge of pic, eyeing up the security box and python cable I didn't realize I had company, this is private land but not posted, I just hope they are honest people and don't come back with bolt cutters. my other concern is how will this effect the game in the area?
You will probably want to start checking the pictures before leaving rather than just switching the cards. Do you own the property or is it a lease?
Not in season and they don't appear to be carrying a weapon so although you could be right they appear to be poachers and trespassers, not hunters.
Yep coon hunters, they had three dogs they were running, even if it was posted dogs don't read posted signs. Its my fiancé's grandparents land but still private.
its not uncommon for people to just run dogs and tree raccoons I assume just to keep the dogs in shape, I am not sure if it is legal or not though.
That's true, I guess they could be training them. If your camera is still there then I would assume they mean no harm. Maybe knowing your camera is there will keep them away. I wish you the best, most people who have trespassing issues will tell you that it only gets worse.
There is a ladder stand on the property also that I have to figure out who owns, thinking about putting a note on it to have the owner call me. I think people just assume they can hunt there because owners have not hunted in a very long time.
This was exactly the case on my small property. The guy who owned it hadn't been out there for years and when we purchased the land, the people in the area had no idea. They used my property to access ATV trails deeper in the woods and I finally got a chance to talk to them when I was camping a few years back. I had to let them know that if I am not there, they are allowed to ride through but absolutely no riding through either a) when I am there (because I don't want them bothering me or getting down range of gun fire, etc). or b) during hunting season.
Spear, I'm the same way, this is a small piece of property and really only room for my fiancé and me to hunt and I don't want someone being in the line of fire or walking in on me while I'm hunting. I also don't just want to take it down with out talking to the person and then have a vengeful person on my hands because I put out ground blinds and stands and cameras and don't want that all "walking off" .
Exactly! I figured if I played it smart and didn't try to kick them out completely, I could build a trust with them. What I'm hoping is that they will inform me if there are others who are doing harm or taking advantage of my property and keep an eye on my property when I'm not there. So far it has worked, none of our cameras or stands have been moved or stolen.
I would just hang POSTED signs to avoid any confusion....Or do your fiancé's grandparents not want you to?
Good coon hunters train their dogs as often as they are legal to. Didn't see any weapons but the dogs and head lamps are a good indication as others have noted.
