Today, let’s do something on trespasser control. Truth be told, I’m always sort of torn on this subject. On the one hand, I hate it that this is/has already turned into more and more of a rich man’s sport, where a relative few try to hoard all they can for themselves. On the flip side, no one has the right to “take” from others what is not freely given, no matter how dang many years they or their family has done something in the past. I’m sincerely ALL for sharing, within reason.
That said, it should be up to each of us to make that choice for ourselves. Others just “taking” without asking truly disgusts me and I do all I reasonably can to see they pay as high of a price as I can extract for the non-honest mistakes/their acts of purely selfish, self centered, greed dripping theft, which is exactly what it is, no matter how one cuts it, it’s flat out thievery.
To me, trespasser control all begins with having honest dialogs with the neighbors. After introducing myself and investing a smidge of time into relationship building (I think it’s a mistake for one’s first convo with the neighbors to involve “laying down the lay.” Not the best foot to start off on.), I merely explain my expectations. In my case, that’s both of us staying 50 yards + off of each other’s lines (if they’ll agree of course. I don’t try to force them into anything as it’s their land. It’s just great when we both do agree and respect that) and never going in without asking permission, first, though they’ll always be granted it, assuming they ask first, they’ll ALWAYS be allowed in (the overwhelming majority of time, I help them retrieve their deer and have given them all the racks I’ve found of poorly hit deer, the following spring (all I’ve found, anyway)).
Another biggie in that arena is that I offer them a cash reward for any trespasser they catch and get busted. I also be sure to point out, in a non-threatening manner, that I’ve offered the same to all the other neighbors and any hunter I have on the place. Without saying it, I’m telling them that everyone in the area is watching over the place.
Nope, it isn’t perfect and one still has issues, but I’ve found that to be the most effective first step for me, as it applies to proactively dealing with trespassers.
As always, take anything of value and pitch the rest, my friends!
As a final point, though, this isn’t me pushing anyone to NOT allow others to hunt their properties. Frankly, I did my best to convince my past clients that allowing others in can be more of a help than any hindrance, and it is very often truly refreshing to one’s soul/true richness in life. The key is merely being able to trust those one grants permission to and set clear boundaries, though the trust part is often a high bar, these days.
