My grandfather asked the owner of property behind my land if it he and I could have permission to hunt on it (would have done it myself but my grandpa had it a few years ago). He declined because 4-wheelers have torn up his property. A week or so ago my neighbors discovered that the 4-wheelers are getting onto his land via a culvert under a local highway. From what i understand the gate and pipes the state had put up to, what i guess, prevent this very thing from happening were torn down. I know I should let the owner know what my neighbors found i am just not sure if I can get them in trouble as they did not have permission to be on his land in the first place. Any of you have any experience with this kind of situation?
Personally I wouldn't say anything. He's going to wonder how you know about that, which will make you look bad. The guy is most likely not going to believe the story that your neighbors found it, and that you were lying just to look good. More than likely it would hurt your chances to be able to hunt the property in the future, and possibly get you in trouble. If he contacts the dnr to say you were trespassing, and you tell them your neighbors did, they will probably deny it and lay blame on you. Then it's a he said-they said and a sticky situation anyway you look at it. Now, if the tracks are visible from the highway, (or any kind of public property for that matter) you could simply say you were driving along and saw 4wheeler tracks leading into his property. is your ultimate goal to look good in front of him so you gain access to his property?
That's tough. So you know your neighbors were the one's that crossed over to his land and rode around on it? I guess my question is if you offered to not use a 4 wheeler to access his land would he be willing to let you on then? Sure it's a bit tougher to haul out a deer but we use our pack boards for everything around here including elk. I would also say something to your neighbors (if they are in fact the guilty party) that took advantage of that access point and remind them that it's not only illegal what they did but it's also ruining it for everyone else that has been in good standing with there neighbors. If you did tell the neighbor with the molested land, maybe offer to help put back up the fence and bars that got tore down. I've offered to help a few ranchers in my area for a little bit here and there with what i can. In turn I've earned there trust and respect, which mean's I get on there land to shoot winter yotes when ever i ask. Good luck!
Eric, I would like to gain his trust impress him and gain access onto his land. The culvert is visible from the highway as is the creek bed that runs through it. As for the tracks the snow has covered the bed and making out any old tracks would be impossible to see however any new tracks would be easy to make out. Turk, My neighbors aren't the guilty party they just happened to find how the guilty party was gaining access to the land. The gate and pipes are state owned and knowing the landowner he would expect them to fix it.
Is there any way to see the gates that have been torn down from public property? If so, you could possibly call the dnr to report vandalism. I don't know what your dnr is like, but the wardens around me would fix it almost immediately. That would solve the problem. I'm with turk on telling him you won't use a 4wheeler on his property. You could also tell him you would be willing to put up a trail camera(if you have any) to see if you could catch anyone in the act. Turk also brought up a good idea to offer some labor here and there to help out, that's what I do when I can. Helping out the landowner can work wonders.
Might try calling the County or State road crew,They would probably be the ones to maintain the culvert.JMHO
