So I was just closing things down on the property this evening and I decide to wander across to the far field to see how some of our tree plantings are coming along when I see a white tag hanging from a large spruce near the edge of the forest. This immediately gives me a bad feeling and I follow several ribbons back deeper into the forest only to find a partially stripped elk carcass, along with some debris from the field work. She'd obviously been there a few days, but it was starting to get dark so I had to head back before I could examine it all too closely.

This is the second animal that's been poached on the property in as many years, and it's really starting to get me angry. I'm doubly mad since we just had a bow hunter wander out of the woods a few days ago who claimed he'd gotten lost and was just trying to find his way out. I informed him in no uncertain terms that the 20 acres behind us was private property and that there was no hunting allowed. I should have immediately gone back into the woods to look around, but at the time it didn't occur to me. I've also subsequently learned that it is against the law here in Oregon to cross private property while hunting, and I could (and should) have called the State Police on him once he emerged from the woods.

I'll call the State Police tomorrow to report it, but if their response is anything like last time, all they'll say is they can't do anything unless I know who did it.

Sorry about the length of this, but I really needed to vent. I figured it was either type this out or go build myself a nice stand in the trees and wait for the next uninvited visitor on the property.

Outcast

I agree. My family has a few acres of tree land in east Texas and there are always hunters setting up deer blinds, stands and feeders out there. People seem to have completely lost all sense - if you don't own the land, yourself, it isn't right for you to be out killing things on it.

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Le poète doit vivre beaucoup, vivre dans tous les sens. - Verlaine

At a gun club meeting last year, one of our members related a story of hunting on a large ranch in Montana where he goes every year....
Rancher found two poachers trucks on his property, and asked the two hunters to help him catch them..

They did one better.
Those two trucks are probably still upside down on that ranch in Montana.

Our member got a standing ovation....

At least around HERE, there are still more GOOD hunters that HATE poachers with a passion...

When hunters catch poachers in Africa poaching lion or elephant... they usually never find the bodies of the poachers. Not saying that's the MORAL way to deal with them... but it sure is effective.

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA

My morality says the life of a human poacher is less valuable than that of the animals they poach, especially when it's a gorilla.

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[picasaweb.google.com] [www.flickr.com]

cell phone camera

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Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



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Yah, it was in the news yesterday that 5 antelope carcasses were found near here, evidently poached. Very, very, lame. Most hunters I know are extremely against poaching. I hope they catch them. kj.

I would make it clear with postings that hunting is prohibited and if it's legal, be sure to include:

TURN AROUND.
YOU ARE TRESPASSING!
Poachers will be shot on sight.
THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!

It worked for my grandparents acreage in KS until it was sold in the '90's

Heard that it only took one shot at a trespasser in the early 60's to keep the land clear.

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Strength without compassion is brutality. Compassion without strength is weakness.

We must train our minds to desire what the situation demands.

I assume the poaching that you are referring to is that they were hunting on your land without permission, right? And not that they killed an animal illegally (out of season, protected, etc)?

If so, you need to check but in many areas you are required to post no trespassing/ no hunting signs on your property in order to keep trespassers/hunters out. While it may be illegal to hunt on your land, if the land isn't delineated then you can't enforce trespassing. If your land or the adjacent land has historically been used for hunting then a person caught hunting on your land, even without your permission, is not viewed as a trespasser but as a licensee. Sounds crazy I know, but that is how it is in some areas. Like I said you should closely check the law where you live. You may have to buy a bunch of NO TRESPASSING signs and walk the property line putting them up every 50-100 yards or so to mark the boundary. If your area has posting requirements, the law will probably specify the distance between signs.

It never made much sense to me. A man's land is a man's land. Anybody intentionally using it for any purpose should have to ask permission. The onus should not be on the landowner to exclude people. Don't even get me started on free range laws since that pisses me off even more.


BT

*Sigh* I too have had my run-ins with poachers. On only one occasion was I able to catch one and have the courts fine him.

I used to be an avid bow hunter and still get out during Ohio's gun season - but these days I spend most of my free time on the water fishing. I absolutely loathe poachers not only for what they do, but for the stain they place upon the image of good hunters and fishermen/women.

Anyway, as most have mentioned...

1. Make sure your property is clearly posted with NO TRESPASSING / NO HUNTING signs.

2. Get license plate #'s of any vehicles parked near the woods or just off the road, near or within walking distance of your property.

3. If you do decide to pursue a poacher in the woods to try to identify him/her DON'T do it alone.

Lastly, remember that accidents do happen. People can get turned around and lose their bearings when hunting in the woods, especially if they are not familiar with the area. Also, many states allow hunters to pursue animals that have been shot even if they run onto another person's property. *Of course I believe there is some gray area in there - but most DNR's would rather the animal be harvested properly vs. leaving it to rot because someone didn't want them on their land. Again, this is only if the animal has been hit or wounded badly BEFORE it entered your property. YMMV.

Be vigilant, carry your cell phone with the phone #'s for police, DNR, Ranger etc. Doesn't sound like this is happening all the time, but you never know.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2006 07:06AM by Buckeye_Sean.