Hunter Harassment : Opinions Needed

[eggshell]

I approach things a lot like Gobblenut, but I learned one thing; bad behavior that is not corrected usually continues or gets worse. It's easier to live at peace then war, but if someone declares war, it's time to defend your rights. I think you done exactly the right thing. I had neighbors once ask if they could clean up a little plot of trees along a creek on my place and have picnics there. I said sure, there would be no harm. Well they kept it nice for several years and then the county water line came through and they started digging in that plot to install some waterline equipment. I confronted them as to why they didn't get an agreement from me since I was the landowner. They informed me the neighbor owned it. The neighbor had tried to seize it under the clause of maintaining it, but that was short lived as I still paid taxes and maintained all the rest of the property. I officially booted them and destroyed their picnic area. Permission was not legal means for a claim. People are nuts. I made the water company move too, just for not doing their homework.

[bbcoach]

When people think they are above the law, and we are seeing this more and more today, we must stand our ground and do what needs to be done.  When we accept their behavior, we are condoning that behavior, and it will continue.  Z, you are taking the appropriate action.  Meet with the Warden and let him intervene on your behalf.  Maybe a knock on the person's door will solve the issue but don't be afraid to take it further if the individual doesn't abide by the Warden's first instructions.  People in today's society think they can do what they want, when they want.  Remember we have Rights, and those Rights aren't to be Trampled on either.  Keep us informed as to how this plays out.

[g8rvet]

I would discuss the situation with the game Warden and let him make the decision on what's next for the guy.
Show him what you have on video.. It's his job to follow up on the complaint.

I did exactly this with a situation with a Park Ranger and went with the investigators recommendations.  I said my intent was not to punish but to ensure he did not do what he did again.  The investigator was way more hard core than me.

Z, you should be thanked for what you did, not for what you will gain, but what everyone will gain that is legally entitled to enter that property.  So thanks for that

[Tail Feathers]

Tell the truth, let the wardens decide if charges are filed.  You have to be prepared to testify in court.  Unlikely, especially if you videoed it. I hope you videoed him.

[zelmo1]

As soon as I got my phone out, he ran away, lol. But he was so flustered at the wardens questioning that he admitted everything, rather brazenly until the warden verbally slapped him down. He believed he could do whatever he wanted, a true believer until the authorities were there. The warden told me the same thing, don't engage and video every encounter. The warden asked if we would hunt there again this season. I said," talk to the wind" He smiled and said" Roger that". There is a new twist here now. New" No Parking" signs just showed up along the road. Not from the town, but the private Wal Mart type signs. There really is no parking access to it on the road. I wonder where they came from. But, it doesn't hinder my access as I can park in my buddy's yard and access the public land from his land. I really wish the guy would just mind his own business and live his life. It remains to be seen if he is going to be an adult here. Time will tell. Z

[Tom007]

There's people out there that thrive on controversy. Something happened to them in their life that triggered this angry behavior. It's a shame that they just can't shake it. Good job Z, just keep using the warden to "knock him down". Eventually he will retreat....

[Zobo]

This sort of thing has happened to me too. I had a couple of land owners who abut my land ride horses up to me while I was  turkey hunting and ask what I was doing ...on my own land! These kind of people are delusional and live in a fantasy world.

[Sir-diealot]

String them up, this happens much too often and needs to be addressed every single time it does or it's never going to slow down or even stop. The fact that he talked about his path is another reason I'd have them busted these guys get in there and think they have the right to mess with the ecosystems driving your motorized vehicles for their own convenience a family of owls often destroying microorganisms while doing so that are valuable to the ecosystem. He's going to do again to you and he's definitely going to do it to other people especially if they're unable to speak up for themselves. I look forward to hearing about how all this went. EDIT: Just saw post above, glad to hear it.

Sent from my SM-P620 using Tapatalk

[GobbleGitr]

Too many look the other way, thank you for ensuring the rights of hunters are protected. Do be careful, as some people are vengeful

[GobbleNut]

This problem is not just isolated to people who are probably against hunting like Zelmo speaks of here.  Out here in the west, the few run-ins I have had have been with public-land ranchers and outfitters rather than the general public who might not take kindly to hunters. I have had both types try to run me off of public lands.

Anybody that hunts, fishes, or recreates, in general, on our public lands nowadays would be wise to always have resources with them (land-status maps or mapping apps) so they know exactly where they can go and how to get there through public-access routes. I guarantee you that there are quite a few folks out there that will try to bluff you into leaving lands that you have every right to be on.

One turkey hunter I know would not hunt a public area that was loaded with gobblers because a few landowners with small properties posted their little parcels. He could easily have accessed those turkeys by simply walking around those properties on public land, but he a) assumed he could not hunt there (for years), and b) did not bother to obtain land-status maps of the area which would have clearly shown him how to legally get to those turkeys. Every time he talked about it I would explain to him that he could hunt those birds IF he would just take the time to get the maps/apps needed so he knew how to legally get there. Then, the next time I would see him, he would still talk about how he couldn't hunt there. I got where I would just shake my head, chuckle at him, and leave it at that.