by a tresspasser. I got to my place Saturday afternoon and noticed fresh 4 wheeler tracks going up my hill. It had rained 3 1/4 inches thru the week, so they ahd to be fresh.. So I follow them up the hill and see that some ahole had riden his 4 wheeler thru my turnips and other food plots. And riden over my entire property and exited thru the neighbors. I backtracked to where he had come in. This guy drove thru a jungle and a small creek to get there off of another neighbors property. The house on this property is at least 1/2 mile away. I'm in the middle of nowhere with a gated entrance. So then I go to check my trail camera that is aimed across my food plot. I got 2 pics of them driving by at 7:30 Friday night, but they were going too fast to make any ID, real blurry. By this time I am really fuming. I have plans of spikes in plywood and barned wire at neck level. After calming down, I tied some surveyor tape across the trails he came in and left on. If those are torn down next time it's WAR. I hate to do too much because I have a trailer and a shed with my tractor and 4 wheeler there. But somewhere you have to draw the line. I'm really hoping this was just a one time deal. I've had the place for a year and a half and this is the first problem like this. There I feel better now (not really) but I had to vent. By the way, I now carry my 9mm everywhere I go on my property. I have a welcome for them if they show up when I'm around. I really wish I wouldn't have had to go to the License Office Saturday morning and had headed to the property Friday after work.
Man, that is my worst nightmare. If someone ran a quad through my plots, I'd probably go nuts. Good luck with the problem. I hope it was just a one time thing.
We have the same problems around here. I had a meth lab within shotgun range of one of my best stands in 2006. I'd love to run a camera up there to get some buck pics, but I'd need to gift wrap it. Sucker would be gone by sundown. Sucks to say the least!
That sucks! I don't want to sound negative but unfortunately it is pretty predictable.There doesn't seem to be near the amount of respect there should be for other peoples property these days.
I found out who the tresspassers are. I talked to another neighbor tonight. It was an ahole neighbor nobody can stand. He was looking for his dog that got away. The neighbor I talked to tonight said this guy came riding his 4 wheeler thru the woods right into his backyard on Friday night looking for his dog. It seems to me he might have gotten a little more help looking for his dog if he would have driven his car around and knocked on peoples front doors instead of driving all over their property and into their backyard. As long as I don't find any strange stands on my land, I guess the case is closed.
That's semi good news I suppose. It's still taking a lot of liberties. I'd like to think I'd check with land owners if my dog was missing, I know how I love my dog and I'm not sure what precedent I'd take. I do agree, he may have gotten some help had he asked first.
I know the feeling all to well John. I've had a few encounters like this at my place in PA, and every time my blood just boils. I actually caught one guy red handed during rifle season and gave him absolute hell. I was already tagged out, and was in the woods just hanging posted signs when I came across him. Problem is that I didn't sign the posted signs on the section he came in on (that's why I was in there that day, signing them and freshening the line. He told me he thought it was someone elses property (I know he was FOS). I gave him the benefit of the doubt though, and told him to never let me catch him again. He was a teacher at the highschool located at the bottom of the hill below my property, and parking his car in their parking lot, then hiking up the hill onto our place. I told him next time I catch him, I won't confront him, I'll just have the cops waiting for him in the school parking lot when he comes back to his vehicle, I also explained that a weapon on school property in PA was a felony and carries a minimum year sentence. I haven't seen him since. I also caught this dirt bag on camera. Dan (Jaws) was actually in a stand a few yards away from this camera when this guy came through, and he tried to explain to Dan that he had permissiont to be there. Dan laughed and asked him who owned the property, the guy didn't even know. You would think if you were going to trespass, you maybe wouldn't wear blaze orange...........
Damn John... there's only a couple things that really make me steam, trespassers and thieves. I don't keep my cool very well, I can only imagine what you were feeling. As soon as I read that you knew where they came in my mind went to a flat piece of steel with 6" spikes welded to it. Glad you found out who it was, that helps a little... Good luck. BTW, how much is a NR trespasser tag in IL? :D
I will never forget the time before i started hunting when i was walking in the woods with my Dad and my brother and we walked up on a mature buck that was missing his head.
while i totally understand why you would do that, keep in mind there is a liability issue to contend with... if you do that and the rider wrecks because of a popped tire, hits a tree, flips over, whatever... you are gonna be in SERIOUS SERIOUS trouble...
Take pix, call the DNR and or Sheriff and let them know that the next time this lowlife comes plowing through your property they are getting a call. Ask them ahead of time what they will do and if you can count on them to address the matter. I've been there John, its amazing how these dirtbags change face when an officer shows up immediately after they pull something like this. They may act tough but usually are cowards when it comes to the law. Also let the Sheriff and DNR know that you have equipment on your property. Not a bad idea to have a small insurance policy on your tractor too. 7mm is right too. dont do anything out of revenge. Land owner liabilty in most states is huge and a dirt bag like that would probably love to win a big fat law suit... Go to the authorities with it ahead of time and let them know whats going on so when u call they will already have been made aware.
