How to protect your land from trespassers?

[Enialb56]

Greetings, this is my first time on this site.

I have some property in South East Ohio and have constant trouble with people trespassing and hunting without permission. What is the best way to help deter this?

I have several groups of people that we do give permission to hunt, but I want to protect this land from those that think they have the right to be on it just because I'm not able to get down to it often.

Any advice is appreciated!

[wvohiofan]

Although they are pricey there are cameras available that once a picture is taken, will automatically send the picture to your email and/or cell phone. Once you have their faces on camera you can report them to the local authorities.

Also, if you can trust him, you may think of "hiring" one of the dedicated hunters that does hunt your land and make him the guardian. Slide him a Ben Franklin and ask him to patrol your place and to inform you of all violations. When that happens you need to PROSECUTE the trespassers to the fullest extent of the law. After a while word will circulate in the trespassers circles that your land is not to be messed with.

Best of luck.

[TheCream]

It's unfortunate, but in my humble opinion, it's next to impossible to keep everyone out at all times. There are things you can do, but most of them only deter the honest hunters, and those are not the ones to worry about. Post the crap out of your land is step one. We put signs about every 15-20 yards so that there are no possible "I didn't know" BS excuses. If you can have someone keep an eye on the place, be it another hunter or a neighbor, that can really help, but in all reality folks are not going to see everybody. Cameras are an option, but the problem there is you have to have them walk in front of them, which is no guarantee.

Another bit of advice is to not make it easy for people to get on your place. If there is a fence, especially if there is one that is broken down, fix it. If there are pull-in areas where people can easily drive in, put in a locked gate. Don't leave stands/blinds up in the woods because they are trespasser magnets. You'll find that most trespassers are lazy, and if you make it as tough as possible to get onto your place, you can help knock down some of the traffic. And as mentioned, if you are lucky enough to catch someone, make an example out of them by prosecuting to the maximum extent possible. Nothing sends a message of "Don't screw with that guy's place" like word of mouth from the convicted.

Best of luck.

[Enialb56]

Thanks to both of you for the info. Where is the best place to get signs from?

[Jake/ButlerCounty]

Get them at walmart

[bakerboy]

There was a farmer with big pasture land and woods surrounded by public hunting. He rode around on this tractor cursing and firing a high powered rifle............or so the story goes. The stories spread among hunters. He is now a " rural legend " and nobody messes with his property.

[HuntNWOHIO]

Like Cream said, post as many signs as you see fit... keep an eye on any entrances, look for vehicles parked close to your land. Have other keep an eye on it for you as well. Anybody you let on your land make sure they give you their vehicle make/model and license plate number that way you know if there is any suspicious vehicles.

Outside of that it is really just a best effort kind of thing, you can only do so much and you will probably always have people sneaking it when you are not around, but you will get that everywhere.

Best of luck!!

[pstryjew]

I've always been a believer that the best way to keep unauthorized people out is to have authorized people on the property. It seems like you are doing this.

I get my signs from Voss Signs. I use the "Posted with Permission" signs found here
http://vosssigns.com/PlasPost2.htm
The second one.

For some people seeing that you do give permission will keep them off. Others it won't matter what you do.

Some of the Reward signs might be good:
http://vosssigns.com/Munic1.htm

I've had good service from Voss and you can mix and match.

Pete

[cjd3]

[quote=wvohiofan;382392]When that happens you need to PROSECUTE the trespassers to the fullest extent of the law. After a while word will circulate in the trespassers circles that your land is not to be messed with.

quote]


:yeahthat:.

[hunterforlife]

You could booby trap it:mischeif:...Then when some people disappear, everyone will think it is haunted, and stay away:D:coolgleamA::evilsmile:

[Byg]

You could give me permissison and that would be one more person watching out for you....:biggrin:

[sdkohio]

My first thought was LAND MINES!! Give a map to the people with permission. LOL

[Enialb56]

All good advice, I appreciate the help. I thought about putting in a mine field but decided that might be more trouble than its worth and I hate the thought of having a nice buck taken out by one of those.

Think I'll start out with posting and maybe put up a few cameras and see how that works.

Thanks again, all!

[OHBuckIO]

Put a bunch of these signs around your property to go with the "No Trespassing" ones...

http://faculty.virginia.edu/metals/Images/600px-Radioactive.svg.png