OTT,
Thanks for all the input so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by marknfw
Talking to them in person really seems like the best first step before involving LE.
This is where I currently stand on the situation. I see involving law enforcement as a last resort. I've found myself in a few situations over the years and have generally had good luck resolving them without violence or involving the law.
I will call the Sheriff and Game Warden if necessary, but I will give the guy a couple of more strikes, and opportunities to do the right thing first. I think involving the law is much more likely to lead to a long standing feud and possible retaliation. That said, If he strikes out a few more times and I'm forced to involve the law there will be no mercy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brianr
Find the gay FBI agent who is having an affair with one of the brothers and ask him to get in touch with one of the Mexicans who can help you out.
A+
Quote:
Originally Posted by redbuck
Don't know how he got a 1/2A lot, but I wouldn't confront the guy - he'd probably have a few buddies with him, which could only lead to trouble.
Go to the game warden (who should make it crystal clear that neighbor has no chance to ever hunt that land again), and then offer to buy the guys 1/2A lot - cheap...
The area was subdivided back in the 30's during a time when lots of people used to camp. The developer at the time catered to these people by dividing the area up into a mix of large parcels along with small cutout parcels intermittently along the road so that people could buy a tiny lot and come down to vacation affordably.
It's been a disaster for long term growth and development. There are lots in the area that are as small as 25'x25' and consolidating the land in order to develop the area has been an ongoing challenge. He does in fact own his land.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NhlNut
40 acres isn't that big, wouldn't you hear the gunshot?
If I went out to investigate every gun shot during hunting season I'd never get anything done. It's an area known for hunting and fishing. In the fall you'll hear gunshots every weekend from all directions. Given the lake and mountainous nature of the area it's very difficult to pinpoint where a gunshot came from anyway.
Additionally, I'm told he's a bow hunter so there'd be nothing to hear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rapini
I agree and I as a reasonable person I would have understood his signals. However, I earnestly believe that this guy will respond the way OP wants if they speak in person.
I also don't hate the idea of the camera + game warden, but I don't think it's necessary.
This basically sums up where I'm currently at. That said, I will not be going to talk to him. He will be forced to come talk to me about the situation. I also have no plans to go over to his place because I don't know him, he and his buddies 100% have numerous loaded guns, they're likely drinking, and not everyone is rational.
Furthermore, I didn't create this problem and from a position of making him understand the situation he needs to come cap in hand. Any conversation or negotiations will be handled from a position of power, otherwise known as my driveway. I'm very curious to see if he'll show up to ask for his deer stands back. I guarantee he'll know who has them. Coming to ask for them back though is an admission of guilt.
I have a couple of game cameras up near my main driveway and in a couple of locations, but not out where the hunting and trespassing has been happening. I will be putting up a few more this week. One problem is that while game cameras aren't obvious to game they're very difficult to hide from people and trespassers/poachers will simply steal the cameras if they find them.
As some of you might remember I had a boundary dispute involving the road with my other neighbor last winter. That was resolved amicably and I was out fishing with that neighbor this morning. I was telling him about finding that the deer stands had been put back (he already knows everything to date). He's actually more pissed about it than I was. He volunteered a Saturday to come down and help me clear a 40' dmz around the perimeter of the poachers property and put up a barbed wire fence. He said "**** that guy. Let's go up there next weekend, cut down all the trees on your side of the property line and put a barbed wire fence around him".