From: keith@clodii.columbiasc.NCR.COM (Keith Boyd)
Subject: Re: Non-hunter safety in woods?
Organization: NCR E&M Columbia SC
Date: 5 Oct 92 07:55:41 CDT
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1992Oct1.084850.27765@doug.cae.wisc.edu> hank@well.sf.ca.us (Hank Roberts) writes:
>I've had increasing problems with shooters (I won't call them hunters;
>they're out during hunting season, but shooting at everything) on my
>property.  My property is posted per local law (and re-posted every
>single damn day I'm on it, because the signs get ripped down or shot
>up).  I'm pro-hunter (I'd rather there were more big cats around to
>keep the deer thinned out but something's gotta do it!).  But the cost
>is amounting to several hundred dollars a year in shot-up trees,
>replacing signs, plus the work of burying shit and hauling garbage
>out, and redoing erosion control work when they drive over it in OHVs.
>
>Perhaps someone can offer recommendations to these specific problems:
>
>1)  I'd like some source of signs on heavy enough metal that bullets
>won't go right through it -- because both the "NO SHOOTING: CAMPGROUND"
>signs and the "NO HUNTING Without Owner's Permission, PHONE xxx-xxxx"
>signs get shot up, destroying the trees they're attached to, and
>I've had people shoot right through the CAMPGROUND sign into the camp.
>

This is really sad. People have so little respect for another person's
property it seems. The only sign you could make that would stand gun
fire would be to engrave or stamp the wording on 1/4 inch or thicker
steel plating and this would be cost prohibitive. Besides, they would
just rip them down still. 


>2)  I'd like some sort of sound-operated camera I can set up in the
>worst-hit areas, up in a tree, to catch pictures of the people who
>just drive randomly across the property til they find signs or
>staked-out trees or the springbox and shoot it up, in hopes of
>getting identifiable pictures.
>

This might work if the pictures could be used in a court of law to
positively identify trespasser's and it was concealed very good so
they (trespassers) would not find it. 


>This so far has only happened in deer season, every fall recently.
>
>I will NOT use boobytraps, bury nails on boards in the trails/road,
>or do anything else that would injure anyone.
> 
 
Good. This could open you up to a lawsuit most likely. (I am not a 
lawywer, but this is the trend nowadays for juries to award "criminal
victim's", who were injured while committing a crime, large sums of
money due to owner negligence.)

>Oh, yeah, 3)  How about offering a reward for information? Has anyone
>known that to succeed?  I've talked to the local hunters (who I'm on
>good terms with) and they all say they'd NEVER confront any of the
>vandals-with-guns, because they fear getting shot themselves if they
>do anything, though they do look me up later on to let me know it's
>happened again.
>

I really don't think this will help. Certainly an individual will not
turn himself in and most likely groups of people who are together will
not rat on each other.


>This is in the Coast Range, No. California -- and YES, I'm aware that this
>is an extreme situation, not happening where YOU live, YOU'd never do
>anything etc etc etc....  But I need some tools and advice here.
>
>

 Trespassing occurs nearly everywhere, I suspect. We have problems in SC
with it too. A friend recently told me they (his club) caught a guy on
their property when he got his four wheel drive stuck on it. $237 bucks
(the fine) and the season had not even opened!
 
My suggestion is to get in touch with local law enforcement officers 
and game wardens. Explain in detail your situation and implore their
help before it leads to a dangerous confrontation. (I can understand
why your local hunters are hesitant to confront the lawbreakers)
Ask if they can check your property during the times it is abused the
most such as opening day, doe days, etc several times a day. This 
is their job. I suggest you brush up on the all the laws regarding
trespassing and vandalism for your benefit. This will help you to
know your options if one is caught. Nowhere in your post did you 
mention that you have contacted authorities so I am sure you will
get several replies like mine. We are fortunate to have a level 4
law officer (he can make arrests for federal offenses) and a level 2
officer (he can write citations for minor offenses) as members of
my hunt club.  It sounds like you have a pretty severe problem
and I hope you get it resolved this year. You have every right to
be frustrated and aggravated with it and I commend your restraint.

Good luck. Let us know if you get some satisfaction.

Keith

-- 
| Keith M. Boyd  (NCR MCPD Cola.) | Nothing could be finer than huntin' and  |
| 3325 Platt Springs Rd.          |    and fishin' in South Carolina! -Me-   | 
| West Cola., S.C. 29170 |   GO BRAVES!!     | keith.boyd@columbiasc.NCR.COM |
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