ATV trespassers

[joe12]

Anybody have any suggestions to stop ATV trespassers? I have put posted signs all over my property and emailed the neighbors in the area, but nothing has worked. Everytime I go to my property there appears to be a new trail. I heard that I could become liabile if I put up barbed wire and someone gets hurt, but I am getting really fed up. I doubt that the police will be able to do anything because these kids are alomst impossible to stop or catch. I was thinking of setting up trail cams along the ATV trails, but I am afraid that they will get stolen.

I am not against ATVS (I own 2), but I do not ride through people's property that is clearly posted.

[papabear]

_{2 X 4 With nails cover with leaves when they ride over them they will get a flat and have to push them out}

_{just place one on the main trail that there using}

[joe12]

i was thinking of doing that but then I was worried that someone walking through could step on it and then suit my ass.

[Caveman]

I'd pay a lawyer $100 for 20 minutes of his time and have him advise you on the liability of things like barbed wire. Seems like your best option and I wouldn't discount it until you've spoken with someone who actually knows the law.

[growalot]

put up signs that read....

IF YOUR READING THIS

I HOPE YOU SMILED

FOR YOUR NOW ON MY COMPUTER!!

this is the only warning you get

[Nomad]

I got them on trail cam, my friend who lives down there knew them and talked to them, that worked for me.Traps set out to hurt or that can hurt could cost you everything, add in the fact you posted about it,now its clear who did it and why.

I'd talk to the cops at least and or the dec cops, they were great when we had a poaching issue.

They changed to night work hours,sat and watched,used the robo deer and talked to known poachers in the area looking for saws and knives with deer hair etc. in their barns and the like.

I know one guy who hired an off duty cop to patrol.

[Cabin Fever]

I think I would use trailcams. I would put something in the trail to get them to stop and look at it (empty beer cans, etc...), to take their attention away from the trailcam. Plus, you'll get a better pic! Maybe mount the trailcams up high in the tree, out of line of sight?

Good luck! Man that would piss me off too!

[Gthphtm]

Call the Stste Police at least you will have it in there records.I seem to remember years ago one of the farmers had a problem like that and he put up wire around the hole parimiter of his property but he was advised to put orange or yellow 2" X 6" pieces of plastic every 4' apart on the wire.(A snowmobiler lost his head on an un marked fence). He did it and you could see the ATV tire tracks almost up to the wire and they turned around.

[Doc]

Sounds like you are not living on this land. If that is the case, I believe that you are fighting a losing battle. I can't think of anything you can do to stop this kind of trespass. The only option that is not illegal and prone to ruinous lawsuits would be to try to patrol the land for a period of time on your own quad and try to scare the heck out of them with a bit of a chase. Also, if you can ever ID the culprits, you might find that they are kids, and perhaps a talk with the parents might put a crimp in their activities. Properly hidden and placed cameras migh get pictures that can assist in the ID. Also, if there are other landowners who have the same problem, you might see if there is any interest in a kind of neighborhood watch organization where other neighbors can keep an eye on the place and maybe report tresspassers for you or supply info for further action.

By the way, beware of escalating retaliation such as damage to your parked cars, or destruction of all of your posted signs.

But really, if you are not living there, the chances of you being able to put a halt to it all are very slim.

[tughillhunter]

set up a stand and pepper them with paintballs. works great, just kidding. call the p.d. and put up some sort of barriers, safe ones, with posted signs. logs, or whatever. they work well. i hate logs on the trails.

[wdswtr]

Sherrifs dept in my county have 4 wheelers and snowmobiles to aid in these such things. Might try giving them a call. They also patrol the trail system around here. Try to get a plate number if they are legally registered and turn them in to sherrifs dept. They will not stop till the strong arm of the law steps in.

[erussell]

I strung rope across the trail entrys and every 100 yrds with flourescent orange tape on it. I tried to put it in areas where they couldnt just drive around because of steep banks or thick trees. Works like a charm, havent seen any new tracks yet this yr. I find that if they are to lazy to walk and tresspass on your land they are to lazy to get off there 4 wheelers and cut the rope so far atleast.

Edited August 22, 2012 by erussell

[HuntOrBeHunted]

I'm sure if you have them on camera and can prove it's on your grounds they should be able to at least give a stiff warning not to come back.

And if all else fails put some nails threw wood then cover them with leafs. They were warned to stay off.

[wooly]

I aint trying to sound like a smartass...but why don't you simply follow the trail back to the source?

You say fresh trails every visit...get on 'em hound dog!

No sence over complicating things, and you get to confront the perps face to face. To me, that seems like the way to get to the heart of the matter without beating around the bush.

[Cabin Fever]

Maybe try some of these No Tresspassing signs, that mentions the property is under video surveillance and will aid in the prosectution of tresspassers. Even if you don't have trailcams out there, I think it would make someone think twice about tresspassing, fearing a greater risk of being identified and you having proof.

http://www.safetysign.com/Security+Signs/Video+Surveillance+Signs.html?s_kwcid=TC|7684|video%20surveillance%20signs||S||7680838860&gclid=COLG4JKE-7ECFUJx4Aod31YA5w

[landtracdeerhunter]

Got 2 words for the original poster, good luck. Been fighting with this problem for years. Can post all these solutions, but to live through it, whole nother story.

Edited August 22, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[joe12]

thanks for everyones' suggestions. I think I am going to circle the entire property in with a few strands of barded wire with orange safety tape every few feet. I do have a right to fence in my property no?

[jim335]

thanks for everyones' suggestions. I think I am going to circle the entire property in with a few strands of barded wire with orange safety tape every few feet. I do have a right to fence in my property no?

Just my .02 cents, but I wouldn't put up anything that could hurt or kill someone. Not worth it. Good luck.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Barbed wire is commonly used to fence in livestock, etc. I dont see a problem with putting up a barbed wire fence. You can actually use it to your hunting advantage by making some spots in it low, or by wiring the strands together to make a low spot in the fence where deer can get over it easier. They will use that spot as a crossing more than areas where the fence is higher.

[fasteddie]

Maybe try some of these No Tresspassing signs, that mentions the property is under video surveillance and will aid in the prosectution of tresspassers. Even if you don't have trailcams out there, I think it would make someone think twice about tresspassing, fearing a greater risk of being identified and you having proof.

That would only work if they bothered to read the Posted Sign ! My son , my sister in law and a friend have their property posted . It hasn't kept tress[passers out . My oldest son has property in Italy Valley . He has to be careful not to upset a tresspasser or his camp could get trashed .

[GreeneHunter]

An Idea .... I only have one trail cam and when I checked it last it had a couple of young fellas - trespassers - on it ( last year ) ! They provided me with a few drop-your-drawers shots ! So this year I put up the same trail cam (just one) and wrote on the back of it " #3 " and just left it one month ago ...bingo no young fellas . I'm wondering if they spotted the " #3 " on it and are just worried or just didnt bother this year ?

[First-light]

That would only work if they bothered to read the Posted Sign ! My son , my sister in law and a friend have their property posted . It hasn't kept tress[passers out . My oldest son has property in Italy Valley . He has to be careful not to upset a tresspasser or his camp could get trashed .

That is a real good point there Eddie. Got a guy who rips down the gravel road I'm on doing 50 plus. I don't dare send the girls out on the road to ride bikes. Knowing how I could get in a situation like this, calling him out, I don't want my camp trashed when I'm not there.

[ants]

Try contacting DEC. let them know that these guys are cutting new trails and destroying existing vegitation. This time of year, before hunting season, they may be able to devote more time to it than the local PD or State PD.

[Paula]

I like the log idea better

[bubba]

i thought since it was not deer season, trespassing is no biggie.