I would just put a big pile of brush on your side in the field that way they cant shoot towards your property. Its you place you can do that. No harm done.
I am sure they got away with it for years and thought it was o.k. because they were never confronted. So now I'm sure they'll get the hint.
Aaron, there's nothing more deflating than busting your butt on a piece of property for months and then finding out that someone is taking advantage of your efforts. In my case it was someone who specifically knew that I had planted plots etc.and hung a stand accordingly. IN your case, the other guy actually may be upset that you are hunting that property. He's had access for who knows how long and now you're in his way. Right or wrong, in his mind....you're the jerk. I've found that a smartly worded, DOCUMENTED, letter can clear the air. Just be honest. Tell them that you work hard for your money, and that you spent a considerable amount leasing that land and you would appreciate it if they were sure not to infringe on that. Make sure you document that you sent it in case this escalates.
Usually, the fence belongs to the person who's property it is on. Fencing is a real touchy issue at times. If you fence 6 ft inside your property line there are cases where the other landowner, over a long period of time(decades), can claim the 6 feet of property on their side of the fence. Weird, but true. Anyway, no, the fence does not belong to both landowners, usually.
This would be a touchy tough subject. I think you did just the right amount. Leaving their stuff alone and posting the sign. If they are willing to ignore property boundaries and hunt across the line like that I doubt they have any qualms about coming across the property line to find your setups and vandalize or steal them out of anger or revenge. ^^ This problem is something I am struggling with on my property. I am hunting on my wifes familes land and her father and brother have both moved on to other lands because they are fed up with the extended family taking advantage of their setups etc. The last straw was they (the extended family) wanted everyone to take the locks and ladder covers off their stands so they could hunt what ever stand on the property they wanted. What they wanted was for everyone else to do all the work and then they come in and reap the benefits. The most prepping they do is going in the week before rifle season opens and fill their feeders with corn. Every time I talk to em I just say "nope haven't seen anything yet, got nothing on camera" because as soon as they hear there is even a button buck moving around there they will either hunt my stand, under my stand or just place their own near by. I won't be surprised if I go out one morning to find either they have skunked my area. But for this season its my only option and will hopefully have somewhere new next year.
Actually... there's a lot more to it than that. It depends on state and local laws, and whether either or both parties have livestock. In Missouri the general "right hand" rule exists, and when you approach the fence on a property line from your side of the property the right half of the fence is your responsibility if livestock is owned by both parties. If no fence exists and only one owner has livestock (or wishes to errect a fence) it is their sole responsibility to pay for and maintain the fence. Each county has the ability to "opt out" of the general fence law, in which case the fence is equally shared by both land owners, regardless of livestock, and must be maintained equally (50/50 cost) by both parties. In addition, land owners may also make their own agreement between each other, it must be in writting and filed with the court house, as to how the fence is to be handled. So, really can't say whose fence it is without knowing state law, county law, and whether an agreement exists between the two property owners.
Honestly, I'm not sure. Just be careful. It would suck if you get in trouble because someone else is doing something stupid. Best thing to probably do in that situation is to leave a note stapled to the blind. Introduce yourself, let them know you have leased the property and have sole rights to hunt it, and a number for them to reach you at if they have any questions.
From a guy that has literally been in a fist fight in the woods over something much less that escalated that would not have been my first move. I would have left a note on the bucket or chair in a plastic bag explaining that I have leased the neighboring land and would like to discuss hunting arrangements since he is a neighboring hunter. If he calls then you can hopefully have a civilized coversation and hash it out. If you can't you tell both land owners and the GC of your efforts and you're the good guy. If he doesn't call, then the sign would go up. Just my 2 cents. Good luck. Hopefully he'll get the message and leave it be.
Aaron...just make sure you get the job done before muzzleloader season. These guys probably don't even bowhunt.
A small piece of wood and stake with a hunter in area sign, put in the ground on your side facing them would have been the way to go here. Leave a number that they can call. They might think they have hunting rights to the other side of the fence. You actually trespassed putting that sign where you did.
Another option is to get together a couple of cheap blaze orange vest and hats and make some scare crows in the wood across from the plot. I would put them inside the woods so that they can't tell it not really a human. Common since should kick in after first light; however, they could still hunt it thinking they were there first. On another note; it could happen to be some kid/kids, or just someone dove hunting. either way, it sucks that they are stinking up your area with their scent. They probably pooped in that bucket. lol I probably would if I saw them hunting out of it. I'm stubborn as all get out, so my approach would have been just like yours. Good job, now make sure you bring some mace with you. You never know.
Chances are, they haven't seen the sign yet. I would suggest removing it and leaving a note. I think you would have a better outcome that way. Like Archie mentioned, they may think, or were once granted permission to shoot on that property. If they don't, and continue to be an idiot, then you can be funny if you so choose. One of the farms I hunt had an issue with a fence sitter. The day before the opening of gun season, they drove through the farmers field to construct a new blind/mini house facing the farmer's field. When the farmer heard of this, the job was already done. So, he waited until dark and put 10 no trespassing/no hunting signs (the bright orange ones) all the way around the blind on his property. All of the trees were within 10', and went about half way around the blind. I wish I could have seen the dudes face when he showed up to hunt the next morning. The blind has since been moved.
I have been pretty lucky over the past couple years about tresspassers. The one time I did have a problem was when I found a stand up on a piece I have permission to hunt. I took the note route and it worked very well. I didn't take the stand, all I did was put a well written note on the tree in a zip lock bag. I wasn't a ****, but I was very stern and got the point across. A week later we got a call from the guy apologizing and saying the stand would be removed. I think it was much better then just posting signs and/or taking the stand. I would take the note route if still available. Either way I hope it works out good for you in the end. Good luck this season
I actually like this idea... I honestly don't want them shooting into my field when I'm in the woods on the other side... I may do this... and I'll just take the Posted sign and move it up a few yards on a tree or stake that is Well on my side and I'll add my cell phone number to it.... they'll see that too. I wonder if a company produces a weather proof sign like your suggesting? Thanks for the help guys, this is exactly what I was looking for. I knew where to come. From the way the landowner talks, I probably don't have anything to worry about until gun season anyway.
I have a stand on private land that is 10 yards from the property line. Would this be considered unethical if I am still on the property I have written permission to be on? How I thought of it was as long as I am anywhere within the 40 acres I'm allowed to be on, I am ok. Is this ethical thinking or am I cutting it too close?
Legal...yes. Ethical...well that depends. Are you cutting any hunters off on the neighboring property by sitting there? Would you shoot onto the neighboring property? What happens when a deer you hit runs onto the neighboring property? For me, it would depend on my relationship with the neighbor. I would not sit near a border if it cuts off an existing stand of his/her. If he/she gives me the green light to track a hit deer onto their property, and it doesn't hinder their hunting, then I might sit close to a border. I would make sure he/she knew the stand was there. If they didn't want me track on their land, I would try to sit at least 100 yards away from their border.
