Annoyed about hunter on edge of my property line?

[Pocket_Pony]

At my last little 5-acre farmette, people would hunt on their own property, which I personally felt like wasn’t enough space, but it was legal to shoot on your property and so I got used to the sound of gunshot (at all times of year, for hunting, target practice or fun). While Mr. PoPo and I were in a competitive hand gun league, we never shot on our property (except the one or two times he had to dispatch an injured deer) because I just didn’t feel it was safe and would rather do it at the range that was set up for such.

We did have someone who lived in the neighborhood who bow hunted outside of the season. The poor buck wandered up to our neighbors’ house with an arrow in its side; the hunters followed it and asked permission to finish it off, which my neighbors granted. But they were PISSED off (they actually would throw out food for the deer and considered them pets, which I didn’t necessarily agree with) and so called the game warden to report the neighbors…who ended up being visited by a film crew for a National Geographic episode about poaching! Those people moved away a little while later.

I have a neighbor who is always shooting all sorts of things around here. I have three neighbors with 20 acres and then the people right behind me (we have 20 also) have 5. I think the one hunter probably hunts deer on his property and on the BLM just nearby. He’s told me of the many coyotes he’s killed in his 20 years here (50 something), how many rock chucks just this year (probably 50 something also) - and that’s just on his property, so gunshot abounds around here! He has a mountain lion trophy in his home from an elk hunting trip, too!

I would probably be peeved, but not specifically for the hunting aspect of it - I just don’t like someone lurking around the property lines who isn’t a neighbor/property owner.

Cute picture of your dog in action!

[i_3dogs]

I feel like a lot of you are confusing responsible hunters with careless rednecks and or hillbillies.

There is a difference.

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=S1969;8441398]
Most of the hunters I know also eat their game, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t an element of sport that drives many (most?) people to hunt versus go to the grocery meat counter. Most of the hunters I know spend far more on training, equipment, and hunting itself than they would ever spend on buying meat – because they enjoy the sport of hunting. I’m 100% ok with that, so long as hunters are good sportsmen/women. There is a right way to be an ethical hunter, and a lot of wrong ways.[/QUOTE]

I guess I was privileged to grow up in a home where this is not true. My dad hunts with the same rifle he’s had since I was a kid. His hunting coat must be about the same age too, from the looks of it. I am very grateful for the meat he gives us. I can’t imagine him going to a training class. I also haven’t seen him miss a deer in years. He also likes to kill the yearlings because they are the tenderest, so not really a “must kill the big buck” kind of guy. Though I’m sure if he saw some giant trophy buck he’d shoot it and make jerky, he is a man after all.

He just takes his rifle with him when he goes to check on his cows and if he sees a deer and happens to be in a safe place, he shoots it. what I don’t understand is people who go sit in the woods all day for months. Don’t they have anything to DO?

[Altag]

[QUOTE=S1969;8439813]

As for staying away - honestly, I would have to just not use a lot of my own property to avoid being within shooting distance of my neighbor’s property. Neither parcel is very big.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=S1969;8438614]

I’m sure I do make a racket, and make myself quite ridiculous - which is kind of embarrassing to think about… Sigh. I’m walking 4 dogs, including a 4 month old puppy, so I’m definitely LOUD and silly. And I am usually dressed in orange.

There is no other route unless I just don’t run my dogs, which would piss me off royally since I own 20 acres. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=maunder;8438621]

I used to walk with pots and pans. [/QUOTE]

Maybe hang a number of windchimes of various sizes/tones around the property line? Get some of the ones with two-foot-long metal tubes, the sound is quite deep and loud, as well as higher-pitched windchimes:cool:.

Take them down when it’s not hunting season so the deer don’t learn to ignore them. Might work for a while anyway.

Or get some of those motion-activated Halloween items that make funny noises (muhwaahaahaaa!) or flash lights. Are any of them solar-powered or battery-operated? :lol: You could entertain the wildlife. :lol:

[S1969]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8441910]
I guess I was privileged to grow up in a home where this is not true.

What I don’t understand is people who go sit in the woods all day for months. Don’t they have anything to DO?[/QUOTE]

I guess you can call it privileged; I think it’s just different. There is nothing wrong with hunting, and enjoying it. People who enjoy it tend to be good hunters - they particularly enjoy the skill aspect, so they practice, learn the property, learn the patterns of their game, etc.

As for “don’t they have anything to do?” - I think a lot of people would say the same thing about people who spend two hours at a barn every day. :lol:

[beau159]

[QUOTE=S1969;8440193]
yes, I do know where this guy was supposed to be hunting

…

Since the property owner doesn’t actually live here, it’s possible he has no idea where the guy really has been hunting. Or maybe he knew he changed locations and forgot to mention it. [/QUOTE]

Exactly.

So NO, you don’t know where he is supposed to be hunting.

[QUOTE=S1969;8440193]
As for local laws - I have never said that I didn’t think he was hunting legally. Just that he was offensively close to my property line. [/QUOTE]

I guess I don’t understand why you are offended by someone who appears to be following all the laws and doing things correctly.

shrug

I think you need to “let it go” and try to enjoy life.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=beau159;8442084]
Exactly.

So NO, you don’t know where he is supposed to be hunting.

I guess I don’t understand why you are offended by someone who appears to be following all the laws and doing things correctly.

shrug

I think you need to “let it go” and try to enjoy life.[/QUOTE]

I don’t think hunting someone else’s property line without their knowledge actually is doing it correctly. Particularly when that person was told that the hunter would be in an entirely different place - one that would not interfere with my daily use of my own property (nor would I interfere with his hunt.)

It’s not technically illegal, but it doesn’t make put it in the category of “doing things correctly” - I think it’s rude, but it is also very likely that he’ll need to track a wounded deer through my property if he hits one.

Maybe you need to let it go? I think I have a legitimate gripe, but you don’t need to agree with me.

[Palm_Beach]

Bows are very short range - most kill shots are 30 yards or less. They’ll practice at up to 50-70 yards, but most hunters won’t shoot at live game at that distance. One bow hunter friend told me, “If I shoot you, I was aiming for you.”

I honestly don’t see why the uproar.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8442156]
Bows are very short range - most kill shots are 30 yards or less. They’ll practice at up to 50-70 yards, but most hunters won’t shoot at live game at that distance. One bow hunter friend told me, “If I shoot you, I was aiming for you.”

I honestly don’t see why the uproar.[/QUOTE]

This was never an uproar, just an annoyance. But you’re right - a good bowhunter would not hit me by accident if I walked within 30 yards of where he was hunting, or take a shot at a deer near me, if I were even remotely close to arrow range. A good bowhunter wouldn’t shoot any of my dogs, either, even if they were crashing through the brush and they couldn’t see them - because if they couldn’t see them they wouldn’t take any shot…even though it might be the record buck they’ve been tracking all week long.

I don’t even know this person. Not sure I should give him that much trust.

But I object in principle as well. Not long ago, I was shooting clay pigeons, and the girlfriend of this same land owner came along walking her dogs. I know that I couldn’t have hit any of them - even if I tried - because they were too far away. But I thought it was bad form to shoot in their general direction, even while on my own property, so I stopped for the day.

I think there is an informal etiquette to hunting and shooting. It’s more the principle than a true fear of being shot.

[Calamber]

It is not etiquette, there is a law that you cannot shoot a gun that is less than 500 yards in the direction of a residence, and that you cannot shoot from a roadway nor a vehicle. Not sure about bowhunting laws. There is no law that says you cannot hunt on a border of a property. If you are so concerned about this, contact your neighbor and ask him if you could speak to the hunter. My father was a lifelong hunter and I can tell you he would never have shot at something “crashing through a bush” and if you were walking near him with your dogs he would know before you did that you and the dogs were there.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=S1969;8442116]

I don’t think hunting someone else’s property line without their knowledge actually is doing it correctly. Particularly when that person was told that the hunter would be in an entirely different place - one that would not interfere with my daily use of my own property (nor would I interfere with his hunt.)

It’s not technically illegal, but it doesn’t make put it in the category of “doing things correctly” - I think it’s rude, but it is also very likely that he’ll need to track a wounded deer through my property if he hits one.

Maybe you need to let it go? I think I have a legitimate gripe, but you don’t need to agree with me.[/QUOTE]

No, I don’t need to agree with you and that’s the beauty of a public forum.

But this thread has gone on for quite a while and it seems that you come up with an “excuse” for every suggestion/opinion that doesn’t agree with you.

It is not illegal to hunt on a property line. And depending on your state laws, it also might be not illegal to track a wounded animal onto a property you don’t have permission for. You obviously still consider it rude (which is fine, you can), but the hunter probably has a completely different viewpoint on it, probably based on the LAW and not feelings. You’ll need to have a conversation with him to see if he would be willing to hunt elsewhere at your request; but as I already said before, don’t be surprised if he says “no.” Not to mention, even if he does hunt a different area on your neighbor’s property, there always IS the chance the wounded animal could travel onto your property; even if he’s no where near your property line when he shoots it.

My husband is an avid hunter and follows the law to a tee, because he knows the laws inside and out. Usually, the landowners do not know the laws. He’s been in many situations where the land owner comes cruising out to the field, “guns ablazing” they are so angry and pissed off, but they honestly don’t have a leg to stand on. And it’s simply because they have not educated themselves on the LAW. For example, if they don’t have their field posted properly (or at all), then according to state law, it’s free game for the public to hunt. And then they get pissed when my husband sets up his decoys in the field, as if it’s his fault they didn’t have their field posted properly in accordance with the law. I understand feelings can be very, very strong, but you also have to look at what the law says you can and cannot do, and think rationally about it.

You’ve gotten a lot of feedback and suggestions; obviously some that you don’t agree with. I think it’s time you educated yourself on your state’s hunting laws, and then have a conversation with the hunter since it does bother you so.

[Trakehner]

Boy, the stereotypes are flying…drunk, chubby, ignorant, shooting everything and letting it die…phew! Don’t let your biases show.

I’ve never been hunting with a drunk…no one wants to enter the woods with anyone compromised like that. Chubby, ran into more dressage queens that description fits than hunters…fat hunters have heart attacks.

Now, who I have had continuing problems with are horse riders and mountain bike yahoos. I’ve run across more pissed off property owners who have had their land ridden on when it was wet and the horses tore up their land. Riders who left gates open (too fat to get on except using a table or mounting block…they could open gates but couldn’t close them while mounted. I know all the riders on Coth are wonderful and would not ride on someone else’s property…nope, never.

Don’t forget, call the DNR on any hunter you find where they don’t belong. If they’re poaching, they can lose their car and guns…they deserve to. The Izaak Walton League sponsors “Turn in a Poacher”. They have an 800 number and take poor hunter behavior very seriously.

By the way, it’s ethical for a hunter to want to follow an injured deer, the pigs let them just run off to die slowly. He should have contacted you to let you know he was there and to get permission. Remember, fox hunts can enter properties to retrieve their hounds.

[trubandloki]

Before I respond further to this I will say upfront, I am for hunting. I am all for responsible hunters and all that.

Beau, I think your post (the part quoted below) does more to make hunters look bad than it does to make them look good.

@beau159;8443526

My husband is an avid hunter and follows the law to a tee, because he knows the laws inside and out. Usually, the landowners do not know the laws. He’s been in many situations where the land owner comes cruising out to the field, “guns ablazing” they are so angry and pissed off, but they honestly don’t have a leg to stand on. And it’s simply because they have not educated themselves on the LAW. For example, if they don’t have their field posted properly (or at all), then according to state law, it’s free game for the public to hunt. And then they get pissed when my husband sets up his decoys in the field, as if it’s his fault they didn’t have their field posted properly in accordance with the law. I understand feelings can be very, very strong, but you also have to look at what the law says you can and cannot do, and think rationally about it.

Having a legal right does not equal being morally correct.

When I took my hunter safety course we were told to assume you are not allowed somewhere until you ask the land owner. Posted signs or not.

I can not imagine having the balls to set up on land whose owner you have not already asked permission about being there and then having even bigger balls to poke the owner when they are upset that you are there.

I am flabbergasted that anyone would think this is the right way to go about things.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=beau159;8443526]
But this thread has gone on for quite a while and it seems that you come up with an “excuse” for every suggestion/opinion that doesn’t agree with you.

It is not illegal to hunt on a property line.
You’ve gotten a lot of feedback and suggestions; obviously some that you don’t agree with. I think it’s time you educated yourself on your state’s hunting laws, and then have a conversation with the hunter since it does bother you so.[/QUOTE]

I think your guns are a-blazin’ for no reason. I don’t think I’ve made any excuses for anything, nor have I changed my perspective since the first post.

I’ve repeatedly said that I do not believe this guy is breaking any laws, but I think it’s rude for him to sit on my property line without my knowledge. And in MY hunter safety course they explained that #1 rule is to know your property lines, and #2 rule is to get written permission to cross anyone’s property to track wounded game. I’m not sure it’s the law, but it’s the ethical thing to do. And yes, if you are crossing someone else’s property without permission, carrying a weapon - you better expect them to come out with theirs. For what it’s worth, my property IS posted.

I’d be curious to know whether you have property of your own, and how you feel about hunters being on your property, setting up on your property lines, or tracking deer across your property. Or the ATVs, dirtbikes, trail riders, or people looking to dump garbage. It’s not as easy to ignore as you might think.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Calamber;8443324]
It is not etiquette, there is a law that you cannot shoot a gun that is less than 500 yards in the direction of a residence, and that you cannot shoot from a roadway nor a vehicle. [/QUOTE]

Just to comment on this, if you were referring to my shooting towards people walking dogs - there are no houses here, and they are farm roads, not public roads. I’m the only person in this story that lives here; and we shoot away from the public road, although it’s probably 1/2 mile away. The people walking dogs drive here, park, and walk dogs on the other property owner’s parcel, plus my parcel. I still don’t think I should shoot in their direction if they are out walking; it would be unfair to put them in a position to wonder if they might get shot.

[Pennywell_Bay]

[QUOTE=beau159;8443526]
No, I don’t need to agree with you and that’s the beauty of a public forum.

But this thread has gone on for quite a while and it seems that you come up with an “excuse” for every suggestion/opinion that doesn’t agree with you.

It is not illegal to hunt on a property line. And depending on your state laws, it also might be not illegal to track a wounded animal onto a property you don’t have permission for. You obviously still consider it rude (which is fine, you can), but the hunter probably has a completely different viewpoint on it, probably based on the LAW and not feelings. You’ll need to have a conversation with him to see if he would be willing to hunt elsewhere at your request; but as I already said before, don’t be surprised if he says “no.” Not to mention, even if he does hunt a different area on your neighbor’s property, there always IS the chance the wounded animal could travel onto your property; even if he’s no where near your property line when he shoots it.

My husband is an avid hunter and follows the law to a tee, because he knows the laws inside and out. Usually, the landowners do not know the laws. He’s been in many situations where the land owner comes cruising out to the field, “guns ablazing” they are so angry and pissed off, but they honestly don’t have a leg to stand on. And it’s simply because they have not educated themselves on the LAW. For example, if they don’t have their field posted properly (or at all), then according to state law, it’s free game for the public to hunt. And then they get pissed when my husband sets up his decoys in the field, as if it’s his fault they didn’t have their field posted properly in accordance with the law. I understand feelings can be very, very strong, but you also have to look at what the law says you can and cannot do, and think rationally about it.

You’ve gotten a lot of feedback and suggestions; obviously some that you don’t agree with. I think it’s time you educated yourself on your state’s hunting laws, and then have a conversation with the hunter since it does bother you so.[/QUOTE]

I could see your point until the bolded. I agree with the above poster, I find it INCREDULOUS that you feel that you can just set up to hunt without checking with a land owner and then feel the land owner is not appropriate for confronting you, knowing you are not on your property. “Oh look- there is a field that isn’t posted. I’ll set up my blind there”. If I found your decoys, I’d burn them, sell them on ebay, throw them in the garbage. Hey- you didn’t ask so you’ll never know if I’d let you- but if they are on MY property- they are mine.

Sadly I know you are serious, and that is why many people who are not necessarily opposed to hunting are opposed to hunters or those near their property. You are a not a good advocate for hunters. And neither is your husband if that is his attitude.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Someone was shooting like crazy at lunch right by my house. It is unnerving. I am pro-hunting, but have an inherent cringe when I’m in the field with the horses and someone starts shooting on the other side of my shelter belt.

I HAVE had people in my shelter belt (lots of deer on my property) in past years and frankly I don’t want to go confront some strange man or group of men carrying guns. When I have suspected someone is trespassing before I’ve gotten in my truck and just drove over there, but didn’t say anything or get out.

Re the above–If someone set up a blind on my property without asking for permission I would burn it too…I don’t think our state law allows that–that seems like asking for trouble.

[walkers]

My neighbor has put in a target shooting “hill” next to a deer stand just outside his property. Remember these are no longer locals hunting here but people who just moved down from the NE bought a rifle and drive out for some fun . I never worried about any neighbor hunting. they’d never shot a neighbors dog or livestock or hunt near a home where someone is sick. The neighbors are great even though i hate hunting, the deer pop. was out of control. A terrible virus recently killed off 45% of the deer in the southeast so still a lot of deer but now the saplings have a chance to grow up.
So the target shooting yes is not to scare off the deer but to scare off the hunters.
My loud cow bell does scare the deer, they never get used to it , it works plus the dogs barking. Deer do not like my barking dogs…

I am not responsible for my actions if someone shoots my horse,i’d be psychotic, legally insane.

And for those who think they are safe riding on their own property my friend was shot (she lived) on (no hunting on Sunday)while riding on private property ,a horse farm of some very wealthy locals. No one is safe…

[dog_amp_horsemom]

deer hunters

I use to not mind hunters - until - (1) some trigger happy mexican’s out deer hunting shot at something moving - and it happened to be another mexican! shot in the abdomen and unable to speak English to tell EMS where he was - shot where I usually ride!
(2) I was walking in the woods with the dogs and came upon a dead buck with a beautiful head of antlers killed and not tracked.
(3) I’m out one morning feeding my horses and some man is in the woods next to us - and I"m asking him - who are you ? what do you want? turns out he shot a deer about 25 acres away and after tracking it - he found it about 2’ from my turn out shed! I’m lucky my horses didn’t freak out and run and get injured. Learn how to take the best shot that will instantly kill your deer or don’t shoot!!!

So, yes there are good hunters but who knows who they are and so YES - you have a right to be scared - real scared.
I do feel for the hunters who have hunted in their area forever and now its developed - thats why I think every County should have hunting preserves for …hunters!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to Vent! Sorry you have to live next to that!

[Palm_Beach]

Sometimes you just need to put up with rude people. In this situation, “rude” is a matter of opinion. I don’t see how someone NOT on my property doing something that is lawfully permitted is being rude, but that’s just me.