Poachers

[Texasmark]

Seems that a pond on my property has become free domain for poachers. Not only do they steal my fish but they tear up my fence between the road where they park and the pond. In Texas I have satisfied the requirements for a $2,000 fine for encroachment. They only come at night.

I have a lot of farm equipment that they can screw up big time if they are of a mind to. That has deterred me from doing any more than fix the fence that they tear up.

Interested in any inputs from you folks as to how you handle situations like this.......Is the right thing to do is to do nothing?????

I had a friend that had such a problem and got into it with the poachers.....since he had no equipment on that parcel of land, they just ROTENOINED, or how ever you spell it, his pond and killed all his fish....besides the loss the stink was unbearable.
Appreciate comments.

 

[joeysmith]

Dogs maybe?
But that brings another set of challenges as well

Maybe a beware of bull sign or three

 

[neverfear]

How about a trail cam and then call the sheriff?

Seems that a pond on my property has become free domain for poachers. Not only do they steal my fish but they tear up my fence between the road where they park and the pond. In Texas I have satisfied the requirements for a $2,000 fine for encroachment. They only come at night.

I have a lot of farm equipment that they can screw up big time if they are of a mind to. That has deterred me from doing any more than fix the fence that they tear up.

Interested in any inputs from you folks as to how you handle situations like this.......Is the right thing to do is to do nothing?????

I had a friend that had such a problem and got into it with the poachers.....since he had no equipment on that parcel of land, they just ROTENOINED, or how ever you spell it, his pond and killed all his fish....besides the loss the stink was unbearable.
Appreciate comments.

 

[farmersamm]

Trail cam set so you can get license plate numbers.

Then.........decide if it's worth it. Some people will come back, and burn you out. It's a crappy world out there.

I have a 1M insurance policy that covers trespassers getting injured on the property. YEAH, THEY CAN SUE YOU. A pond is an "attractive nuisance", and if somebody drowns, the family can sue you for not providing adequate safety measures. Gotta love lawyers.

All my stuff is parked in the yard, which is fenced, and the pup has free run. We bring our cattle up by the house at night.......put them in dry lot.

I think I've mentioned in other threads...................I'm not a friendly guy. I mostly hate most people because I've seen what they're capable of. We are in an area that's transitioning out of agriculture. It's getting built up around us. It's not pleasant.

 

[flying belgian]

How about putting up ..no parking.. signs and have them towed.

 

[Steve in VA]

Seems that a pond on my property has become free domain for poachers. Not only do they steal my fish but they tear up my fence between the road where they park and the pond. In Texas I have satisfied the requirements for a $2,000 fine for encroachment. They only come at night.

I have a lot of farm equipment that they can screw up big time if they are of a mind to. That has deterred me from doing any more than fix the fence that they tear up.

Interested in any inputs from you folks as to how you handle situations like this.......Is the right thing to do is to do nothing?????

I had a friend that had such a problem and got into it with the poachers.....since he had no equipment on that parcel of land, they just ROTENOINED, or how ever you spell it, his pond and killed all his fish....besides the loss the stink was unbearable.
Appreciate comments.

How about giving exclusive fishing rights to the local sheriff? Once word is out, they will be messing w/ the sheriff and not you. Just a thought.

 

[Vito]

I liked the old Texas ways they used to deal with these kind of people. Shoot and shovel.

Vito

 

[Texasmark]

Well, thanks for the ideas.....as I expected, there isn't a cut and dried solution to this problem.

 

[psimmer]

How about giving exclusive fishing rights to the local sheriff? Once word is out, they will be messing w/ the sheriff and not you. Just a thought.

I would try the game warden, let he and coworkers fish there. Game warden would have a vested interest in keeping poachers out.

 

[B. White]

I would try the game warden, let he and coworkers fish there. Game warden would have a vested interest in keeping poachers out.

That would be my first choice. Work with DNR to do what is needed to fix it. Any other options probably should not be posted. I have only had this problem once and it was the kids of a local taxidermist I knew. I turned them in to daddy and it never happened again. I felt bad doing it since he had a walk in cooler I could use whenever I needed, but they needed to learn young. Told them I would have allowed it if they asked, but not sneaking around.

 

[urbancase]

At our gun club we in the last few years had problems off and on with people not club members fishing in our lake, and with leaving messes at the range for shooting. We have about 300 members. This past Sunday when the first member got there around 7:30 found 3 people using our club house and burning wood in the fire place, we have the club house unlocked but a large gate and no way you can drive around. Member question what they were doing and they were not members that they are trespassing, they got on the bike and left. We had bought 3 cameras some months back but have not put up yet. We did Sunday morning and about 9:00 that night they were back, the police meet some members at the gate and got them for trespassing. They have not come back. So might want to try it.

 

[Dingo3]

I agree with security cameras. Ones that send an alert and video to your phone.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Too bad you can't protect your outside property with a gun same as inside your house. That would discourage most trespassers.

 

[560Dennis]

To bad , some one close

 

[Tony in SD]

Might hire Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone...................

In SD you need permission from the land owner and/or operator to hunt or fish on private property. No signs, painted post or anyother warning is needed. It is state law. The only problem I have had with trespassers, is from out of state city folks that don't know the law and are stupid. I really mean "stupid". I had one moron tell me that no body owned my land. It was abandoned. He said the house, barn and other out buildings were empty. I just laughed and called the sheriff.

 

[da.bees]

My advice to you is get professional help with your fears. Losing fish and fixing fence isn't something that should make you feel like a prisoner in your home. Don't let things like this make you miserable. If everyone shared your fears no one would file complaints and take the stand to testify in court. If I'm reading this wrong and you actually have legitimate reason to fear these people take the evidence to a judge and ask for protective order.

 

[Wdj]

Dogs maybe?
But that brings another set of challenges as well

Maybe a beware of bull sign or three

Or maybe a bull. Sign optional.

 

[Wdj]

A few years ago on a Saturday evening I heard a shot close to my house. Just down the road were 3 people standing in the county road shooting at a deer in my field. Missed it. Went down and asked what they thought they were doing. Said they had permission to hunt it. I asked who gave them permission. Guy pointed at the neighbors house. I knew the neighbor wouldn't do that. But I realized if I called the guy out in front of his daughter and friend there was probably gonna be a fight right there on the yellow line. The guy himself didn't worry me too much but everybody had guns. So I told him it was my property, he didn't have permission and don't do it again. The next morning I looked out the window and there's the same 3 people walking across my field obviously hunting. Started out the door with a head of steam up when it hit me... If I go down there now there is no happy ending to this story. So I let it go. Never saw them again but still don't know if I handled as I should have. No problems since then. So I do understand it's hard to know what to do. I wish you the best



.

 

[scootergmc]

Can't the local game wardens or wildlife service help with this exact thing? Isn't there some dial a poacher hotline you can call? I would imagine being in Texas you have all sorts of options.