Trespassers - WTH do I do?

[Bo Hunter]

This is kind of an odd situation/scenerio, but I need some advice. This is real life, and I'm getting pretty tired of it.

I date a girl who has 100 acres of land in rural NY state. The area isn't too depressed, but the road she lives on is loaded with what I call "mutts". Scumbags. No job, or bad job, nasty houses, white trash. I hunt the property and stay with her occasionally.

Preface to the story.
Last year, we had a $400 game camera (motion activated camera) stolen from the center of the property. We know who did it, but couldn't prove it. The camera actually belonged to my buddy who is an NYS Trooper. Needless to say, he was ******! Fortunately, he's level headed enough to not get revenge as he could lose his job if he gave the people some special attention. You just can't be that way as a cop - at least not a State Trooper here. They are held pretty accountable for their actions. He patrolled the area heavily for weeks after that, but didn't harass anyone. He pulled over a couple people for the usual - no license plate lamp, etc. You know, that old gag... Never wrote any tickets or anything though.

Even after being told NOT to go on the property BY the state police (they were riding horses), they proceeded to tresspass yet again about a week later. Most of them don't work, so they do it during the day when they expect everyone to be at work. My girlfriend happened to be home.... She couldn't ID the riders as they were far from the house (again, we know who it is but, you know how it is)....

So, yesterday, her 6 year old son is playing outside, and she's standing at the front door talking to the neighbor on the phone, when about 1/2 way down the 120 yard driveway, a guy suddenly walks out of the woods and heads towards the road. Apparently there was a van parked on the other side of the treeline and my girlfriend couldn't see it. Fortunately, her neighbor, whom she was on the phone with could. She ID'd it, and we're on the look out.

Basically, my girlfriends property is on a south facing slope and has some thick areas of pine trees and brush. It also happens to be that time of year, that you plant that stuff that you harvest in the fall, dry out the buds, and smoke them.

While I could somewhat care less about the pot growing, the concern I have is with the tresspassing and their general presence there. It was very unnerving for her to have a guy come strolling out of the woods. I'm growing tired of it and getting very aggrivated. These people have no respect for others' property.

What on earth can I do to get the point across to these people? Frankly, the illogical irritated side of me would like to catch them in the woods and beat the hell out of them. I think its the only way to get through to these brain dead morons. But, then I'd be the aggressor and law breaker at that point. My second choice would be to shoot them with 12 gauge bean bags, or shotshells reloaded with rock salt. Again, not a realistic alternative. I'm trying to get hired by the NYSP, and don't need trouble. Nor does my personality realistically lend me to doing things like that anyway.

What the hell can I do to these people? How can I keep them at bay to have them arrested. I don't think its legal, or safe to hold them at gunpoint for police to arrive. Plus, they would probably just run anyway. I could always watch for the car, and cut the valve stems off with side cutters. Probably considered vandalism though.

Bare in mind, I don't want to infuriate these scumbags that have nothing to lose so that they show up at 1am some night for revenge....

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

The most obvious action I'm going to take is to locate their growing areas, let them get nice and tall and flourishing, then take a gigantic gas weed eater and chainsaw up there and level the entire area about 3 weeks before harvest time (early october)....

Please help....

[dolanp]

A fence if it can be afforded.

I don't know how NY law works but here in Texas you can mark the trees to indicate to anyone coming nearby that they will be trespassing when they cross that boundary. Also big NO TRESPASSING signs all around where they are entering your property might get their attention. I'd just call the cops every time you see them.

If you are saying that they are planting marijuana on your property then you might call up the DEA or some drug task force and let them know what's going on.

[Bo Hunter]

The problem with calling the cops is response time. These guys will be long gone by the time any cop gets there. The cops will just get annoyed...

These are small time growers for their own use. I doubt DEA will want anything to do with it, but I will contact the proper authorities once I confirm thats actually what they are doing...

Posted signs here are just a waste of money. A fence is not a viable option...

[n3twrkm4n]

Just skimming your article it makes me ****** thinking about how inconsiderate others are... I would recommend perhaps surveilance, but sneakier surveilance like up the tree... Or even taking pictures of them in the act which would be cool.. you could practice military sniper tactics, get your ghili suit on and head out!

Make sure your property is posted properly... I think one posted sign every 600'... I always like to keep more than that per less feet than 600...

I'm not sure on the legalities but I could certainly recommend boards where they park with nails to disable their vehicle... at least make it obvious that they were there... and if you want to have real fun go to a paintball supplier and get a claymore paintball mine which will spray them with paint. I think most of them are refiliable so make sure you get some good non-removeable paint!

It's funny the way trespassing goes especially in the country, perhaps try contacting ENCON, they are more at home in the woods than troopers and they deal with hunters and woodsmen all the time and might be more familiar with the area than a state trooper. ENCON is very nice, I know a few of the officers myself, they are a 'skiddish' bunch (usually have their hand on their gun) but you would be too if you dealt with crazy people with guns in the woods.

You know where they live? Call the police and tell them you saw them with a pot plant at least one or two in their house and have seen them selling it around your property to others... Always good for some fun.

EVIDENCE is what you need, unfortunately it could be hard or easy to get depending on how stupid these people are. I know what your talking about though, I live upstate rural NY and they have some interesting bunches around. The kind with 50 outdoor cats, 3 goats and two lesbians living in the same house with 5 children... (You think I'm joking! HAH! Nope!)

Good luck, be safe, and keep your head about you, think logically and don't stoop to their level, as someone's quote said one time or another: "Don't argue with a stupid person, they will only drag you down to their level and beat you with experience"

[shield20]

Make a positive ID and then go in and sign a complaint. Take pictures of vehicles, persons etc. for evidence.

Trespass per NYS Penal 140.05 is a Violation.

The perp has to "knowingly" be on private land - so you will need to put up signs to avoid their arguments to the contrary.

[Bo Hunter]

Good advice guys. I was thinking of some of those X-10 Wireless in a tree. I could use my portable treestand to put them up. Might need to get creative with the electric wires, but it could be done....

I'm going to properly post the land per the NYS law to cover my butt. (Name address etc). A few of them have had direct warnings from the NYSP to stay off the property. That worked for about a week. Gotta get that WEED! I might even invest in some spy equipment to catch these scumbags....

I have an old video camera I could construct a motion activated setup - its even got night vision. Those paintball claymores sound AWESOME! HAHAH! Perhaps I could mix in a little Doe Urine or Skunk **** too... Hopefully I don't accidentally set one off... :-)

I guess its the total disregard for others property that really pisses me off. Just the principle behind the whole thing.

Oh, I'm good friends with a DEC officer as well. He's aware of the situation, but its not something you can approach actively as word will get around. I want it kept quiet as not only do I want them to quit coming on the property, I want them arrested and prosecuted as well...

Keep the advice coming! Anyone know of any good surveylance equipment?

[hkOrion]

Go in and pull their plants. What are they going to do - call the cops? You could tail them in there one afternoon, see where their planting and then come in and clean it up. If they ask - what do you know...

[ATW525]

I'm with hkOrion... if it's about pot, then destroy thier plants. If they replant them, destroy them again. Eventually they'll plant somewhere else.

[Twycross]

+1 on destroying the plants, but I would do it in a less obvious way. You mentioned that these guys have nothing to lose by going after you. Maybe a herbicide?

I like the ideas of paintball claymores, and sniper photography. How 'bout hidden electric fences?

Perhaps I could mix in a little Doe Urine or Skunk **** too...
LOL!!!

[ATW525]

The question is whether they'd notice the difference if they were covered in doe urine and skunk ****....

[jeff_troop]

set some traps and let them get their ankles crushed...

[Twycross]

The question is whether they'd notice the difference if they were covered in doe urine and skunk ****....
Good point. They might view it as a sort of free cologne.

[boogeyman]

that's a pretty bold statement to say that you believe that they are in there with the intent of cultivating marijuana. if you are actually serious about this then your first step has to be to find the plants. if you are only dealing with small time 25 plants or less, i'd suggest taking a photograph and immediately dialing your local drug task force. if you are dealing with something larger than say 25-50 plants, remove your gf and her children to a safe area and immediately contact the nearest DEA branch. once you get involved with actual "growers" you and your significant others are at a terrible risk of being hurt/killed/ or whatever their twisted little minds can come up with when they discover you know what's up. most likely they will be small time growers (if they even are that) for it would be a really stupid move by any account to run an actual farm on that small of a piece of private property. regardless, best of luck with this and remember to stay safe.

[bclark1]

find the plants and poison them. i'm still working on a way of crossbreeding pot and oleander, good way to flush some dirtbags.

no honestly you're between a rock and a hard place unless you have some kind of citizen's arrest power. what ever happened to "trespassers will be shot" :confused:

actually thinking about it, we've got some fruitcakes near my family's land out in the boonies too. i think it sends a good message that every time i'm up there i go and rattle off 500 shots in easy earshot. maybe if you're suspicious people are out there, go out for some target practice (seriously.) make sure you're not firing at them, but also make sure that they can hear that you're firing. always a good time to practice some quick-succession shooting and reloading if you've got pistols or ARs.

[Bo Hunter]

Boogeyman,
For some reason I'm not really scared of these guys as bad drug dealer types. I don't view them as "big-time" growers or business people. Perhaps they are, and I'm naive. However, this isn't the first time its happened on this property. People have been busted in the past. Must be the soil? :confused: :D Anyway. The areas I found last year that I suspected the plants had been were not very large. Room for maybe 5-10 plants in a couple locations. Typically they are locals that sneak on, plant a few, and sneak them off so they don't get caught with it on their OWN land....

The GF is gonna get a lesson in firearm operation, but I'd rather she just lock herself in her room if bad people were to come (with the gun of course).... I don't need an overzealous new firearm operator chasing someone down the driveway with a shotgun.... Could be the insurance salesman...

I'm going to find the vehicle and have the plate run, just to be positive they are locals. Its not like there are large maroon Econoline vans driving around everywhere. Should be easy to find.

The wierd thing was - the guy didn't seem to be "stealthy" at all. He walked right into the driveway in plain view of the house. He was wearing shorts (I hate walking in tall grass with shorts, not to mention the chance of getting ticks), and a shirt with the sleeves cutoff...

I'm going to find that guy or at least find the vehicle.

I'm going on a plant hunting mission today toting my 870...

[CobrayCommando]

Tell us how that works out!

[hso]

Find the patch or patchs and lace them with deer cane and doe scent so that bambi and friends can harvest for you. Check them from time to time and then the first evidence that the deer are munching away call the wildlife management folks and report that you think that there are poachers coming on the property. Right on the heels of that call your buddy with the State Police and tell him you've found pot patchs on the property. This may result in a combined effort with the drug taskforce and the wildlife folks working together to put these guys behind bars and have their property siezed.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Get a Bush Hog and go to town----post the hell out of the place.

A high voltage--low amp---electric fence----to keep your "livestock" in???

Recall one sign south of here: Tresspassers will be shot----Survivors will be shot again.

[boogeyman]

lol. that sign is the first thing someone sees when they walk in my gate! :D

it actually reads

No Tresspassing
violators
will be
shot.
Survivors
will be shot
again.
you can get it at any
good novelty shop.

Bo Hunter,

the 870 is perfect for plant hunting! in all seriousness, you should put a target up next to the plants (if you find any) and proceed to shoot a nice group on it. leave it up for awhile next to a sign that says,
THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON DRUGS. Should be a stern enough message to get through to any hippie/pot head/nader loving tresspasser who's head is too clogged with THC to get any other message. let us know how it turns out. good luck.

-adam

[Trip20]

Boogeyman had the best advice so far (post #13, that is).

I was waiting for someone to throw in a little common sense between all the sniper photography and claymore paint mines. :barf:

This probably isn't the best time for mall-ninja tactics...

Even hill-billy morons can get angry and kill you for screwing with their dope regardless of how many plants you may think it takes for one grower to be more feared than another.

Be safe, I feel bad you and yours must deal with such scum. :mad:

[Bo Hunter]

This probably isn't the best time for mall-ninja tactics...

But mall-ninja tactics are so fun to talk about though! Just today I've gotten to research paint-ball claymore mines, and wireless infrared cameras!

In reality though, the first thing I did was contact the State Police and gave descriptions. My buddy is a Trooper and I'm realistic. I don't expect them to look for the guy, let alone find him.

In addition, while I was out looking for the van, I also spotted a Sheriff. I let him know about the situation, the location of the residence, as well as the description of the van and asked him to keep an eye out.

They are going to start sending occassional patrols out on the road.

I am seriously going out and looking for the plants today, and I'm seriously taking my 870 - more to shoot a feral dog or woodchuck than a pot grower, but if I DO run into someone in the woods, they'll be less apt to get porky if I'm holding a black synthetic shotgun...

IF I find plants, I will take some pictures, and contact the proper authorities and get the sting setup. I'm not going to call and say "People are planting pot on the land!" if I don't have proof.

Now - back to the paintball claymore mines, novelty signs, booby traps and such!

[Davis]

I'm a Consulting Forester and let me say, first, that you can't stop tresspassing all by yourself without real trouble. It is like getting grass not to grow too high. You'll find you have to mow. These dirtbags will burn your woods, burn your house, do many thing to you (girlfriend) and you both have it all to lose and they have very little. Now, the very best way to stop tresspassing is to lease the land for hunting. I manage 180,000 acres of land in southern Mississippi and the Florida Parishes of Louisiana and hunting clubs are the absolute best way to cut it out. Plus, a hunting club can be required to carry liability insurance which protects the landowner as well, because someone is going to hunt the land as well. Also, the hunting lease can be done in such a way as to pay the taxes on the land, and good hunting clubs do an excellent job of keeping up the roads, firelanes, etc. Poaching and tresspassing come with owning land. A fence will do absolutely nothing to keep them out, posted signs won't either (in Mississippi, all land is posted, whether a sign is out or not). If you don't want a hunting club, that's fine. Keep in mind that the folks you will be dealing with can be the worst scum in the world. Take it from me, I have had it all happen, from having guns pulled on me, to being shot at, you name it. I've had clients who've been burned, literally, and have had their gates stolen, their fences cut, the whole gambit.

Now, before anyone opines about troubles they have had with hunting clubs, there are bad ones, and I have all sorts of troubles with clubs taking my locks of gates, getting mad at me when I try to work during hunting season, etc. But, they do the best job at keeping poachers and tresspassers off your property while at the same time reducing the landowner's liability.

Davis

[tINY]

The solution is easy. Call your senator and get her to legalize cannibus. Then there is no reason for hippies to use someone elses land to grow herbs.

I can't imagine that you'd have violence trouble with a few hippies. But, my experience is on the west coast....

There is no respect for property because there aren't many property rights left. You have to get permission to add a deck onto your house and you can be stopped from developing your own land because it ruins someones view.

Other than bothering you, there really isn't much to worry about. The worst damage they are likely to do is trampling a path to their gardens. Besides, If you can't be bothered to post the property, you don't have much of a leg to stand on in my estimation.



-tINY

[Rojoe67]

Wrong answer my west coaster friend. This guy wanted information on how to protect his lady friends property not be walked on. Private land in my area means just that. We owners of land pay taxes and do our part to keep our land in shape to help nature. To rock back on our heels and say - what the heck these fella's just need a place to grow their pot.......I say bull*hit to that. They should get a job and buy a parcel and grow the unlawful crop on their own land.

What I did is posted the heck out of my place.....strung a field wire about 3' high and made it very clear to anyone (blind included) they were entering a posted and private parcel. Next I got with the few good guy neighbors I have and formed a country neighborhood sorta watch. We watch each other's land and each other. We share an evening meal now and again and talk about who is on the list. We exchange BOL names, vehicles, plate #'s and anything important. We also got the local law involved and made friends with them and told them to stop by any day or night for a cup of coffee. It started working as soon as we got off our butts and did it. We always tried to keep from making contact with the idiots for a number of safety reasons. If we do, we try to double the number and make ourselves known as not taking this any longer. If you have concealed weapons permits it might be very wise to use your right and carry as often as you can. Remember if these woodticks are up to growing pot they might be up to defending the work they put into it too... I would contact local police and ask them about getting ATF - Feds involved. The Feds have a lot more budget to chase jack ass pot growers than the locals can spend on this task. The locals have a huge amount of enforcement activities besides this type of issue. I should also warn you to walk careful and look for any traps or anything out of place. Some of these good ole pot smoker farmer types have strung nets, rigged bombs and guns. I would also suggest thinking about a guard dog or two. A lot of work goes into this but if you and your lady have time you get your moneys worth over and over again..... If you both are very wealthy? you could put up a fence...........lots of coin........and the average woodtick will either jump it, cut holes in it, knock it down and so on.... I see it a waste of money in all honesty.....

When your out (in numbers or not) always carry a cell phone, small pad of paper and pen, camera and if you can a concealed pistol or revolver.

Just a few ideas from someone whom was in similar shoes.......but don't have any problems now......... Good luck and becareful....don't turn your back on anyone you don't know well and trust your life too........ ;)

[delta58]

Round up for the weed and covert video surveillence. Watch out for booby traps though if they suspect you are going in there.

[delta58]

Round Up for the weed and covert video surveillence. Watch out for booby traps though if they suspect you are going in there. They may not be big time dealers but here in north Fl. I have seen fields with setguns and things like that. I wouldn't go unarmed either.

[progunner1957]

I can't imagine that you'd have violence trouble with a few hippies. But, my experience is on the west coast....

Hippies - probably not; white trash pot growers - all bets are off.

How about this: Get about a dozen pit bulls (word at the kennel is, white trash trespassers taste like chicken :D ) and let them run free on the property for security... :D :D Of course, post the property warning all trespassers.

[SamD]

Post it IAW the local law,
Do lots of shooting on the property.
Call LE every time you notice a violator (to get it on record)
Scour the woods and find those plants.
Soon as you do call the JDTF and let them know.

Sit back and relax.


Sam

[USSF]

Get about a dozen pit bulls (word at the kennel is, white trash trespassers taste like chicken ) and let them run free on the property for security Properly raised "pit bulls" arent very protective. The guard dog idea is a good one, but if the "pits" arent beaten or abused as puppies, they usually dont make too good of guard dogs. Theyre not lousey, and they are a deterrent. But theres dogs out there that are a lot more fit for them job. Plus, given their coat, they suck as out door dogs in most areas.

[Tylden]

Definately post signs....I know they will be ignored, but it's a must on the legal front to cover your own a**. Pot growers are notorious for booby traps around their crop....look out for trip wires and BE CAREFUL. More than likely, there won't be any trails leading to the plants either....they usually take "alternate routes" to get to them to make them less obvious. If they are small time guys and you choose to take affirmative action yourself, check this out http://www.defensedevices.com/terminator.html and place some of these where they enter/exit the woods. I have one on order for my garage for similar reasons. A word of warning though, setting your own booby traps can get you into trouble if they physically harm someone.....namely a neighbors kid or something, so keep it non lethal.

[butch50]

A word of caution. As I understand it you have no legal rights in this situation, because it is land that belongs to your girlfriend and not to you. If you get into a confrontation, you have no legal status. If you are not married to the person who owns the land, or in some way legally entitled to that land, then you are not in a legal position to be confrontational.

If your girlfriend doesn't want trespassers, she need to personally go visit the reigning law enforcement official and explain to that official what is happening on her property and to ask that person how to stop it. She should follow his advice to the letter.

If that doesn't work, then she needs to go to an attorney and get that attorneys advice on how to stop the trespassers in a legal manner. She may want to bring a civil suit agains the individual trespassers, assuming she can afford to do so.

If that doesn't work then plan C is for her to go to the district attorney and ask him how to stop the trespassing and follow his advice to the letter as well. By this time she should be reasonably trespasser free.

Whatever else you take from this free advice (and free advice is always worth just what you paid for it) remember that you have no legal basis to take actions yourself.

[JohnKSa]

Is there a decent backstop on the land?

If so, invite as many of your gun toting friends as you can over on a day when the trespassers are likely to be hanging around--or at least somewhere in the area. Preferably at least 20 or more friends. Get a couple of LEO buddies to come out too in case someone calls the cops.

Have all your friends bring all their guns--especially any "scary looking ones" and LOTS of ammo--buy them some extra ammo if need be.

Shoot the HECK out of the backstop and try to make sure the noise keeps up for several hours.

Gather up the all the loose brass and throw a bag full near each trespassing sign and near any point where you have seen trespassers more than once.

Repeat this a few times.

[Dwight55]

A one qt bottle of pure roundup is about 30 bucks, . . . throw in a couple for a squeeze handle plastic spray bottle:

Soak the top 12 inches of the plants with the roundup, . . . all those guys can do is sit down and cry while they plot their revenge.

The plants will be dried up real brown and dry dead in about 10 days max.

But only do that if you know you are secure from retaliation, . . . otherwise let the LEO's handle it, . . . they're better trained and better equipped for it.

May God bless,
Dwight

[kennybs plbg]

If the land is not legally posted they are doing nothing wrong in the eyes of the state.

kenny b

[payne]

Hmmmm, I was originally thinking about you putting traps out. Ones for small game, like beaver or something of the sort. But, that could possiably turn bad if a neighbors kid were to come up on one of them. Would posting signs cover you then?

[CyberSEAL]

Tough call man. If it were me, I'd post the no trespassing signs and patrol the property with friends, preferably with Bushmaster M4's at our sides. I understand the delicate situation and the whole revenge thing, but that is private property and you have the right to secure it.

[tINY]

You have no right to secure property by force if it's not posted and it's not your land. Or so says the state, these days.

Can you even own a semi-auto rifle in NY?

I still say that legalizing pot would be a good thing and make a lot of this go away. (But, then what would the cop-shop do to justify bigger budgets?)

On the west coast, this sort of thing goes on mostly on public land and we don't go mall ninja about how to get those white trash SOBs.



-tINY

[Lawyer Daggit]

-Some of those cameras they sell at Cabellas for installation along game trails could be a good evidence gathering tool.

- Set the property up with warning signs and alarms

- Sounds if they are growing dope there could be organised crime involved here- does your friend really want to continue living there? I hate seeing people withdraw because of this type of thing, but if she is a nice lady and you cannot be there to aid protection all the time there are risks that you need to contemplate. Personally I wouldnt' want my wife in that situation

[Bo Hunter]

tINY,
I'm not even going to reply to your first post. That was ridiculous.... Talk about not standing up for yourself...

If the land is not legally posted they are doing nothing wrong in the eyes of the state.

They are still trespassing whether its posted or not - they don't own the land. They just can't be prosecuted for it. Oh - and that little "growing pot" detail is usually frowned upon as well by the state...

Can you even own a semi-auto rifle in NY?
Yes - its not QUITE California.....
On the west coast, this sort of thing goes on mostly on public land and we don't go mall ninja about how to get those white trash SOBs.
Its pretty obvious you don't own your own land.... Don't you get it? I could give two ****s about the pot. Its the fact that someone comes strolling out of HER woods 100 yards from the house at 7pm. Her kid is outside playing, she's in the house. Who knows what the hell the guy is up to. We don't know if he's a pot grower, a stalker, a pedofile or what. He's more than welcome to head to the public land and do his thing. But that is private property and he has NO RIGHT to be there.

The land IS posted, but not that great. I'm picking up new signs this week. My GF's parents OWN the land, but they are truck drivers and are out of town. They've asked me to be "care taker" while they are gone and to have any tresspassers arrested. They too are tired of it as well.

I think you guys are misinterpreting my intent. I don't plan on going out in the woods and having a confrontation. I'm going to play "dumb deer hunter" if I run into anyone. Talk casual, ask them their name. Not say anything about trespassing or asking them why they are out there. No need to draw attention to my girlfriend or her house. Ideally, it would be nice if they were caught in a federal or local drug sting. You know tINY, the ones that they have just to justify a bigger budget... :rolleyes:
Some of those cameras they sell at Cabellas for installation along game trails could be a good evidence gathering tool.
Yeah - well, they like to take those. See my opening post... Scumbags....
Sounds if they are growing dope there could be organised crime involved here- does your friend really want to continue living there?
They don't have a lot of choice. Selling the land to get away from them is letting them win. Screw that. People should be able to live on 100 acres without fear. People should be able to have property and not have others abuse or destroy it. Quitting, moving, getting away from it, or giving up is only further perpetuating and reenforcing their actions and giving them more balls...

[shield20]

Bo - you know who it is, as you say - they know they are trespassing, as you say, then have the owner and you go to the police make statements saying who it is ("I saw so and so") and what they are doing wrong ("...on my privately owned and so posted property at such and such time & date")! If you don't know, then find out who it is - make sure they know they are trespassing (signs atleast & or conversations, cops etc.), then sign the statement saying who it is and what they are doing wrong. The statements (w/ signatures) are enough for the cops to fill out a complaint for trespass and eventually arrest them. They will get a court appearance/summons and have to go before a judge to deal with it. You are very most likely not going to have to go to court or produce evidence or any such crap - it is not a crime, just a Violation - the judge and DA will deal with it thru some agreement/fine or what ever.

IF you can't make a positive ID, call the cops when it happens.

[SamD]

tINY,
I spent 7 years of my life eradicating narcotics producers, just on a bit larger scale than Bo Hunter has to deal with. I have absolutely no appreciation for your point of view. :mad: None, nada, zip!

Out in Orygun, you might think that crap is OK and who knows maybe in Orygun it is. On my side of the tracks it isn't ok.
If you do not care for our laws try and change them. You have every right to try that, and if the drug laws are changed, that's just fine. I make my living other ways now days so it won't effect my trade much either way. :cool:

Since the owner of the property and their designated agent are in opposition to illegal narcotics being grown on their land, your inputs in this thread are a waste of good electrons. A distraction to reasonable people. :barf:

Dopes, keep your dope on your on side of town and preferably outside of my country. I don't care for drunks either.

Bo Hunter,
Do like I said and it will go away soon enough. Never go on the defensive, always attack, especially when ambushed.

Sam

[tINY]

I'm all for property rights. You should be able to throw tresspassers off of your private property (as well as build what you want and cut down trees and so on).

But, the state has a lot of rules to follow. If they "can't be prosecuted" then they aren't doing anything illegal, are they?

You don't have the means to secure your property and the cops are too lazy or too busy eating dougnuts to help. (Meanwhile your taxes are paying to increase the cost of drugs for those white-trash people, so they do more deparate things). Hoping that the Feds will catch them in a drug sting is kinda crazy. If they didn't have drug stings, these people wouldn't need to tresspass to grow their crop.

Just because you don't like something doesn't make it right to ban it for concenting adults. You can ban it from your own property, but if you ban it everywhere, problems like this are likely to come up.


The "dumb deer hunter" is a pretty good idea, actually. Go out on a scouting trip before season, even.



-tINY

[Bo Hunter]

If they "can't be prosecuted" then they aren't doing anything illegal, are they?

Actually they are doing something illegal. But for some reason they allow the "Stupid" card. The "I got lost", "I didn't know" card, even though they don't allow it for other things like speeding. However, once they've had a verbal warning, its go time. In addition, another tID-BIt people might not know about is, instead of posting your land, you can run a two week continuous add in the newspaper stating the property location and tax ID number as being private property and its the same thing (at least thats what the troopers tell me).

You don't have the means to secure your property and the cops are too lazy or too busy eating dougnuts to help.

There IS no means to secure the property other than patrolling it. The law enforcement here is spread thin. They do have other things to do than just patrol that 100 acres. Often times the call goes out, and the nearest Sheriff or Trooper might be 20-40 minutes away. Plenty long enough for them to get away....

Just because you don't like something doesn't make it right to ban it for concenting adults. You can ban it from your own property, but if you ban it everywhere, problems like this are likely to come up.

tINY - Go smoke a bong and mull this over. You are WAY to hung up on the pot thing. Lemme give you something that might ring the bell in your head. Lets assume your dream utopia exists, and pot is legal. So some stoner is strolling by your house/apartment at 3am with a BAD case of the munchies. Rather than walk the extra block to 7-11, he decides to stroll into your apartment and raid the fridge. You are awakened by the sound of crunching Doritos and the microwave bell just finishing up some Bagel Bites. How would you feel about it? Just let it go? He's another happy Hippie?

I'll say this one more time. I could give a crap about the pot. They are unwanted guests on the property. They are trespassing. The only way to get them out, is to arrest and prosecute them. I would do the same thing with hunters, photographers, or people that were screwing on a blanket in the field (trying to stay with the consenting adults theme).

The bottom line is, the don't have permission, they show up randomly, and frankly its alarming and unnerving...

[Twycross]

Please, guys, tINY in particular, can we drop the whole issue of legalizing pot? That subject might make for interesting discussion in L&P, but it is irrelevant to the topic at hand, namely, 'what to do about trespassers'.

[Powderman]

Pot growers are notorious for booby traps around their crop....look out for trip wires and BE CAREFUL. More than likely, there won't be any trails leading to the plants either....they usually take "alternate routes" to get to them to make them less obvious. If they are small time guys and you choose to take affirmative action yourself, check this out http://www.defensedevices.com/terminator.html and place some of these where they enter/exit the woods. I have one on order for my garage for similar reasons. A word of warning though, setting your own booby traps can get you into trouble if they physically harm someone.....namely a neighbors kid or something, so keep it non lethal.

A big 10-4 on that one.

Be aware that growers of drugs can be very creative--and very dangerous.
Be especially aware of man-traps and booby traps, especially around the grow operation.

Also, be aware that setting any type of trap or device that will cause injury might well be illegal, and may get you into hot water.

Best bet? If you locate the area of the grow operation, take pictures, and contact DEA or the State Police. Let them handle it from there.

Do NOT go looking for this stuff by yourself. If you must go out to find it, take a friend. Better yet, take two. You might find yourself in a situation that may be difficult to get out of.

Also, consult your local DEA folks, and let them give you a heart to heart talk about what some of these potheads are capable of.

[LAK]

While I could somewhat care less about the pot growing, the concern I have is with the tresspassing and their general presence there
You should - many people have lost their property under that ever present menace called "civil forfeiture" for other peoples' crimes on their property.

You need to get organized and build a history on these people. Your NYSP buddy will be a good person to help you. You want film footage of them on your property and preferably tending their crops, with time and date references. Their vehicles, their horses etc etc.

Eventually something might happen or it just may develope into a (hopefully minor) showdown with one of more of them over one thing or another. You want plenty of witnessed and chronologocal material to be able to present to an attorney or court if necessary.

Me, I like the idea of the "hunting club". It might mean a few seasons missed hunting (or the deer might come to ignore the shooting). But fast and furious rifle fire at unpredictable times, lines of fire located strategically and running parallel to the most common points of trespass entry would be a regular feature. The target practice shooting would be fast and furious, at obvious paper targets at various distances. Signs posted on the property boundary warning "no trespassing" and of "the dangers" the etc. If there are any legal species of vermin that can be hunted at night I would take up that activity too.

Much inconvenience for you and your friend. But face facts, short of selling up and moving, you are going to have to devote some real time and effort to assert who owns and is in control of this land - or these "neighbors" are going to go on pushing the limits indefinately.

[BerettaCougar]

My family had a problem sort of like this.

Before my grandfather died he bought 20 acres of land with his savings and gave it to my father (his oldest son), My father and my older brother and I would go out to the land every weekend and clear trees, not all the trees just enough to drive our camper to the middle and set up a 4 room tent. so we cleared trees for about 4 or 5 months, little at a time. and after there was enough room we started camping there. When we left we left the tent up, and left in the camper. Well one weekend we pulled up and PEOPLE WERE USING OUR TENT, even had their cars parked in the driveway we made with pebblestones. We pulled up and they were a bunch of college aged kids, all with atleast one beer in their hands, about 20 of them. My father told them it was private property, and asked them to leave they left, but left a huge mess of cans everywhere, and the inside of the tent smelled like pot.

Well the next weekend we went up there the tent was clean and looked like noone had used it. But every weekend after that we found our tent full of clothes, food containers, empty bottles of beer, soda. bags of chips.

My dad got ******. Not because they were using our tent, but because they were abusing it. My dad called local sherrifs office, and they said that because the property is located in the middle of no where, and theres public land on both sides, that you (the owner) has to specify what is his land and what isnt.

Dad got some orage spray paint and sprayed PRIVATE PROPERTY on the drive way. and even put up a NO TRESSPASSING sign next to the driveway we made.

My dad would hunt near our property so was almost always armed. And the signs were up marking private property. So one weekend we pulled up and the kids where there, on their way out. My dads truck blocked most of the drive way so they couldnt get out. My dad got out of the truck and told the driver of the car NOT TO COME BACK. the driver saw my dad packing on his strongside, and we havent heard from them since.

No more problems since then.

Either their not leaving a mess, or they just arent coming around anymore

[HOKIEHUNTER]

+1 on the heavy target practice idea. shoot like crazy, shoot in every direction that is safe, shoot loud weapons, and shoot them quickly.

also, you hunt the land, clear out some "weeds" in good hunting places and set up some hunting blinds. do it in non-conspicuous places before the obvious ones, but at least you have an alibi.

your trail camera was probably stolen b/c it took a picture of someone enroute to their farm. might not be a bad idea to setup a small infared camera if feasible. I know i bought one on sale a while back with 100' of av cord for like $20 and it worked like a charm (hooked it up to a vcr and used it as a scout camera for the woods behind my house). may not work for your situation but worth a look.

as a legal adult you can purchase dynamite to "renovate" your land. find some gardens and make some hole in the ground (watering holes for deer ...). nice way to take care of crops and potential boobytraps.

[XavierBreath]

I had a similar problem on some land I own.
I entered into a hunting lease with some reputable locals. No more problem.

[CyberSEAL]

"I still say that legalizing pot would be a good thing and make a lot of this go away. (But, then what would the cop-shop do to justify bigger budgets?)"

I wouldn't care if it was legalized, but that doesn't change the fact that they shouldn't be trespassing to cultivate it. So legalizing weed doesn't solve his problem. You should always post no trespassing signs on large tracts of land that you own. I know he said his gf owns it, but if it were me and I had her permission, I'd patrol that area and keep it clean. Sometimes you have to circumvent the law some to get things done. Look who makes the laws, I'm sure many of us have higher IQ's than the representatives of our respective districts.

[CyberSEAL]

Also, be aware that setting any type of trap or device that will cause injury might well be illegal, and may get you into hot water.


You could set traps around your property and just blame it on the pot growers should anyone find them.

[rnovi]

Ok, I live in SoCal. At the time "this" even happened, I was living in Costa Mesa, in the upper-middle-white-bread land of two story single family dwellings where each family had 2.5 kids and 3.5 cars...

Anyways, it's about 1am, I am getting home late from the coffee shop where I was doing my studying for my MBA. As I pull into my neighborhood I see quite a commotion on the opposite street corner. Here's what I saw: A half-grafitti'ed concrete block street wall. Several cans of spray paint on the ground. Two kids in various states of disarray. And 2 or 3 adults kicking the ever living snot out of the kids. I mean, seriously beating the crap out of them.

I did what any red-blooded colledge kid would do: I stepped out my car, lit a cigarette, and kicked back for a few minutes with the remains of my coffee while I watched. A few minutes later a cop car rolls up and a couple of LEO's step out. Only about 40 yards away I hear the following:

LEO: "What's going on here?" (LEO #2 draws the kids off to one side while LEO #1 pulls the Adults a bit away.)
Adult #1: "Caught these little $%^& 's spray-painting the wall. We haven't touched the cans - you can get some nice prings off them."
LEO: "Ok, thanks. We can handle it from here. You guys get out of here before I have to do something I don't want to do. You were never here. Got that?"

I start laughing inside, with the biggest and most loving grin I have ever had. One of the LEO's notices me and walks over.

LEO: "You see anything here?"
Me: "Nope. Just stepped out for a smoke and saw the lights."
LEO: "Good. Keep it that way. Have a nice evening." (turns and walks away).

Those kids were seriously messed up. I can only imagine the paperwork the LEO's had to write. I have never been more proud of the Boys in Blue than I was at that moment.

[GUNSMOKE45441]

As was mentioned before, these guys will attempt to burn your house down with you in it (if possible)
I stood up to some dealer, manufacturers in Oregon, They told my son "You have a good job, and a nice car, you don't belong here, if you don't leave, we will burn your car, and kill you".
I confronted the headman, and told him," if you touch my family or anything that belongs to my family, your mothers gonna PUKE!! when she sees whats left of YOU!!!" His eyes almost popped out of his head. From then on it was condition red at all times.
After our job finished (construction) I heard someone finally had enough of these guys, the headman, and his body guard were killed on main street, by a rifleman that hasn't been found yet. I guess the Sheriffs dept. didn't look real hard. :)
Moral of the story, if you confront them you will have to be on your toes, from then on.
I don't regret it a bit. :D

[pittbug]

If you know for sure they are growing on your property call the DEA or at least the local LEO. If you decide to confront them later on, they could try to screw you by calling LEO and claiming the plants are actually yours. CYA buddy and good luck getting rid of the scumbags.

[rugerdude]

^with that said, you should get some fishing line and hooks and tie the line with a hook on the end to a tree limb so that the hook dangles at about eye level :eek: do this all over their growing sites.

also, get some 12 ga. shells loaded with 6 shot (and as much powder as possible) and cut away part of some mousetraps so that when tripped, the arm (with a small pointy pice of metal soldered on I.E. firing pin) hits the primer of the shell and violla! Miniature claymore! :eek: for different results, you could also use dragon's breath shells!

You could also take frequent walks on the property and harass them with a .22 or a pellet rifle!

Get the loudest gun you own, and take it out into the woods and shoot off several rounds yelling, "Take that mother******" and then upturn some dirt and leave pieces of old clothes sticking up through the soil on their growing sites.

Make a few punji pits!

Burn their pot! They outta be able to smell it for miles and know exatly what happened!

Get some aggressive dogs and let them roam the property, but get them shock collars and set up an electronic boundary so they don't run away.

Put up signs on your property that say things like "I can see you and i'm gonna kill you"

set up some scarecrows that look like a ****** off guy with a gun waiting for tresspassers.

That's all I got for now.

[DT Guy]

I'm not a moderator here-or anywhere else-and I'm certainly nobody's censor.

But I generally treat posts I make as if they're being recorded as a part of my permanent, public record. Recoverable, and discoverable. Mainly since they may well be....



FWIW,

Larry

[WOD]

My friend W.O.D. says the answer is right in front of your eyes. To stop a criminal you must become one. Go buy a beat up 4x4 and put some removable magnetic red neck pro-cannibas anti-government militia type bumper stickers all over it and then get some camo hunting face masks. Mount a fake AR15 in the cab just like a red neck militia man, maybe even fly a confederate flag on your super long cb antennae. Get a big speaker with a tape of fully automatic weapons fire and multiple men shouting on it.

When you see these trespassing scumbags, park a few hundred yards away and start shooting in the direction of the scumbags. Turn on the tape with the full automatic gunfire and angry shouting voices on it full blast. Keep this up till the scumbags move out of the area.

As far as you were concerned you were just practicing hunting and stocking on the local game and target shooting. You may have shot in the general direction of the scumbags but you did not know there was anybody there since it was private property. Its not like these scumbags would ever call the cops on you.

In order to get rid of drug growing trespassing criminals you must become the biggest baddest drug growing trespassing SOB around. Criminals may not be afraid of LEO but they are generally afraid of others who they think are not constrained by laws.

I fear it is only a matter of time before something bad happens to your girlfriend if these trespassers are allowed the run of the land. I know I would not tolerate that thought.

[brokendreams]

if NYS allows citizen arrests...
make one. Get a few friends together, a few handcuffs, strap a sideram on (private property) and arrest them for trespassing.

Just kidding.



Get pictures of them near the weed. Good pictures. Even better, video. get video of them trespassing. Use all this to build a case against them. Get your NYST buddy t write a statement for you that they were previously warned. Be active.

[Dre_sa]

isnt it legal to start a militia in the states? look up on this for your area it could work...

thts my 2c

[the possum]

Well, as of a few days ago, the origional poster said he would go out and look for plants.

Did you find any?

If so, then perhaps the last couple pages about dope dealers might actually be relevant.
What if he didn't find any?

Since we haven't heard back yet, I'm guessing he hasn't had the time to report back,... or- he hasn't made the time to go looking.

Someone once grew a bunch of pot on our farm. (well, actually it was right off the edge of our field) The cops came right out and destoyed it, no questions asked. Which actually perturbed my dad a bit.
So the next time we suspected someone growing illegally, dad had a talk with the cops. He said, "I'll tell you where it's at, only if you agree to try and catch the guy."
This approach is a gamble, and you have to know the cops in your own situation- you don't want to **** off guys who could easily and legally take everything you own since it is in fact, on your land. (at the time, this was a real concern for us since the DNR wanted our land for a wildlife refuge.)

[Ramcharger]

Just S.S.S. them. Shoot, Shovel and Shut up...
Kapish.. :cool:

Disclaimer: Now this is for entertainment purposes only. I'm in no way saying you should acually shoot someone.

[CyberSEAL]

Someone had mentioned earlier in this thread the idea of forming a small hunting party arrangement. I think this is a great idea, as long as you only allow responsible hunters who know what's behind their target. If you have friends that hunt, allowing them access to certain parts of the property may help keep people out, let them hunt for free on weekends only during the season, with the agreement that they will confront trespassers and let them know they are on private property.

Anyone who thinks that's too forward or over the top, has no balls...

:p

[Bo Hunter]

The day I was planning on going it rained. I've had too much going on since. I hope to get out some day this week. No more vehicles, or suspicious activity lately...... I'll keep you updated...

[VirgilCaine]

Man, I hate trespassers!

I had a similar problem on my land. In late spring, my property produces alot of morel mushrooms. 2 years ago, I'm walking along a path thru my woods when I see 3 men just wandering around. I was unarmed, but confronted them anyway. They left without incident.

I re-posted the perimeter of the property to no avail. I was finding fresh cigarette butts all over the place. I finally had to take some valuable vacation days from work, put up a tree stand, and guard my morel patch. I loaded up my mini-14, put on my hunting camo, and sat out there. I scared the living poop out of 8 people in 3 days.

I've not had a problem since.

Long-winded way of saying "be proactive". Make them think your a little nuts and might kill them. It's all they will understand.

good luck, be safe

Virgil

[CarbineCaleb]

If you ever find a big area of plants to confirm your suspicions, I'd call the DEA - they can't trespass if in prison.

The trouble with automated photography is, it's 100 acres - that's a huge area, involving big distances and lots of visual obstructions. Photos, in order to be useful, would need to be clear enough to identify someone. I think you'd be talking about one heck of a lot of cameras and wiring and cash to do it with an automated system.

Of course, a human operated camera would work just fine. You want something with a long optical zoom lens (at least 8x) to allow faces to be seen and electronic image stabilization to allow that kind of zoom to be used without major shake in handheld mode. A good bet would be the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5. It has a 12x optical zoom lens made by Leica (wow :) ), electronic image stabilization :) , and 5 Megapixel CCD. It is $450 through Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007OV46S/consumersearchco/002-4893925-3756848

Good luck!
Caleb

[Daniel BOON]

Get a well trained Rottweiler, and let him decide what to do.....if you need a good dog, let me know and I'll e-male you the url. I have a well trained Rott and wouldn't trade him for any pistol.......Game Over.

[drinks]

Bo;
If $450 for a camera sounds a bit high, the Pentax Optio MX has a10x optical zoom lens, on closeout at Amazon. they are about $150-175.
I have one, does very nicely.

[OneInTheChamber]

Consider fencing just around the 100 yard radius of the house with a nice rott or mastiff encased in the fence. I like the guy who hid in a tree stand. Takes some effort and time, but it would scare the be-jesus out of anyone.

Be careful if you decide to destroy it; they may smell/see the smoke and come running to check on their stash. If you find it and want to video them consider a pinhole wireless camera. They are no larger than a pack of gum and have a wireless range of a couple hundred feet. They run about $50-100 plus a cam corder or VCR to record with.

good luck and stay armed when you explore your land.

Chase

[DavidJBlythe]

I live in Alabama and know of a situation like this one. Pot is not involved but trespassing is. Out of all the suggestions to this point, I like three the most:
1. More No Trespassing signs.
2. Fast and Furious Automatic Firing at odd times
3. "Scout" the land for "Deer" with some buddies. Bring the ol' shotty, but having some M-4s (2 or more) is gonna be REAL security.

Good luck with your issue. I hope some way some how you can either get these people arrested or can justifiably shoot them dead. 3 people with a shotty and two M-4's can make quick work of 3-5 toked-out hippies.

Imagine this:
You and your friends are stealthly coming up to where you found the plants. You stop and hear people talking about how well the crop is coming. When you step out to confront them, two of them have weapons. As soon as they draw their weapons on you, well... you can see where I'm going. The law is going to see three dead hippies, full of THC, high as a kite, dead on your land, brandishing handguns, laying in an area full of pot plants. Since you told the police you suspected this already, you are golden. Make sure you are legally bound to the land though. Good luck

[Ghost Rider]

Malaysian whips and toe poppers come to mind but you would be in jail. I guess ripping up the plants would work along w/ posting signs.

[SatanzBountyHunter]

We used to have trouble with kids riding their motorcycles out into some canyons in our pasture. Once, one flipped me off when I went to go run them off...when he tried to get through a gate before we cut them off, I knocked him off his cycle with a wooden fence post and then used it to bust up his motorcycle. It was too far from the irrigating canal or I would have thrown his motorcycle in that as well. Never had one bit of trouble with them after that. I am with hldhard on this one. Screw people that tear up your property.

The sign on our road: 'Anyone found here at night will be found here in the morning'. There is also a noose hanging from the cross piece over the cattle guard.

Protect your girlfriend's land and quit worrying about ******* off some trashy potheads

[T. O'Heir]

"...can I do..." You can't do anything. You have no legal standing. You're just the boyfriend. The lady, however, can post the No Trespassing signs then call the cops and/or take pictures and go talk to the cops. If she suspects a 'grow op' tell the cops or call the DEA.
She CANNOT lay traps, unless, of course she has a trapper's licence.

[clem]

Bo Hunter, you have ask us a question that you know the answer to. Just do it.

[Bruxley]

Big scary looking dogs. Dogs work. Add sign that reads: BEWARE OF GUARD DOGS THEY ARE DANGEROUS.

Hide some 'good eats' at different areas along the fence line every day for the first week, every OTHER day the next, and about twice a week after that. Work on making it a DIFFERENT place and a bit hard to locate.

Those dogs will spend every moment of every day searching that fence line.

[redblair]

Bo,

I just skimmed this post so if I'm repeating anything I'm sorry. Even if these guys are "small time growers " "for their own use" They are growing it on your GF's property correct? If you find any weed growing I'd call the cops right away and show it to them asking to have it removed. The last thing you'd really want would be for LE to see you as the bad guy. The problems for you and your girlfriend would be through the roof. Don't wait to cut it down yourself, then if could look like you are harvesting!

Best of luck.

B

[JohnKSa]

This thread was started two years ago.

[redblair]

Totally missed the start date. Sorry. Why are all these old threads showing up?

b

[JohnKSa]

Someone found it and posted a reply. Unfortunately that reply has now been deleted (for various reasons) so it's not apparent who dug it up. ;)

[chrisandclauida2]

i havent read the whole thread so this probably along the lines of what you were told.

1st under no circumstances allow a pot field to be planted on your property.

2nd if you think there is one dont go near it as people kill for much less

3rd ask your trooper friend to ask a dog to search the area. i know we used to do stuff like this as it is training in area searches for drugs that we didn't do very often. tell them you think there might be pot on the land and volunteer your property for the police k9 and swat units to train when ever they need to practice something different like searches. we would jump at this and took advantage of every different training environment we could find. a good dog will smell the pot as soon as they drive up so it will be good training to search as directed by the handler in spite of the strong order.
a couple swat exercises and drug dog visits should solve all your problems. the property stays clear and clean and the police get good training environments.

you dont want to allow this to go on. it will only draw more unwanteds more danger to the people who live there and more pot and maybe meth labs

i used to have some kids who would cut thru my grandmas property. they trashed the place and came thru there regardless of weather she was there or not. i know this would go to more unwanteds and possibly danger for my grandma.

i asked them to stop and got a F YOU back. when i caught them they would run. i was frustrated and had to stop this.

well one night i was watching a war movie and watch them place a trip line for an alarm. the light bulb that popped over my head must have been seen for miles.

i cut re-bar in 10 inch lengths and hammered them in the ground till about 4 inches was sticking up. i did this on each side of the yard. i thin took bailing wire and strung it between them. i had about 8 trip lines about 6 feet apart.

now i had to wait. about 1 am they were coming down the street as usual. they were anything if not on schedule 3 times a day every day. i was across the street in the neighbors drive way in the dark. as soon as they turned into my grandmas yard to cut thru i started yelling, i told you bastards to stop this, and off they ran. i kept up the yelling and running at them till about the 3rd time they all tripped and fell.

these idiots hit every trip line at a full fun going down every time. by the time they jumped the fence i was laughing so hard i couldn't breathe much less yell.

they never cut thru again and all were nicely road rashed on their legs and arms from the falling into the grass and dirt and gravel.

moral of the story is creativity sometimes solves problems like these.

in your case i would get law enforcement involved.

[120mm]

While it IS an old thread, I gotta recommend a couple of Australian Shepherds to you. They are medium-sized, intelligent and loyal dogs that PATROL all day long. When they are pups, walk the edges of the property a couple of times with them to establish their territory. Make darned sure that they meet your neighbors and get to know them, though.

They make excellent alarms. And they bond with a person/people, and will die for them.

[Samurai]

Wow! Who resurrected this old beast???

If we want to keep talking about this, then I suppose I can offer one point:

There are two kinds of tresspassers: the kind that will jump a fence and the kind that won't. The original poster said that his 100 acres didn't even have a fence around it! If there's a problem with tresspassers, the first step (before trip wires, James-Bond-esque surveilance cameras, man-eating guard-rabbits, forming local militias, or sharks with laser beams on their heads) is to simply fence the property. Nothing fancy, just put a barbed-wire cattle fence up (cheap and easy).

FYI, a patch of land 100 acres in area is a square with sides measuring 2,087 feet each. Admitedly, that's a lot of fence. But, it's not unobtainable! It can be fenced in, with a little time and money...

If the tresspassers keep coming, then move on to plan B (whatever, in your wisdom, that may be).

[workinwifdakids]

So can we get an update please from the OP?

[X-RAY]

Even though it's an old post, it's interesting to see the various replys serious and not so serious. How about asking the local LEO for some "POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS" tape and putting it up around their little patch o' weed ? Love to have a picture of their faces when they see the tape !! No gets hurt, and I don,t think they would be too quick to return.

[bcrash15]

^ haha, that would be priceless.

I know the topic is kind of old. But if this were my problem I would have an official looking sign created saying something like, "game population control area, no trespassing, firearms may be discharged without warning." Then following up with random shooting a few times a week or so.

[VUPDblue]

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a reply. The OP hasn't logged in since November of '06. ...we call this "necroposting"...

[oldbillthundercheif]

If he has not been back asking for more advice, the skunk-butt claymores must have worked quite well!:D

[MadameX]

Actually, I would *not* post the property, advertising the dogs. It is my understanding (which may or may not apply to your situation), that doing so, will screw up your homeowners' insurance coverage, although I am not entirely certain of the current hows/whys/wherefores, not having had a dog for the last few years, so it is possible that the rules may have changed. It's something to check on with a good insurance agent.

I don't know about you, but *I* wouldn't want to lose my coverage for a hunk of land with a trespasser problem--it wouldn't do to wind up losing it in a lawsuit to the folks you're trying to get off of the land in the first place!

Deb