I was letting myself watch some TV tonight, something I rarely indulge in. The dogs wanted out, but were acting strangely, so I went out with them. I heard a dog out yonder, and figuring it was a member of a pack I'd been having troubles with, I took my dogs in, grabbed my Mosin, anxious to try it out, and ran out the front where I should intercept them by making a 90* right and heading into the woods. I got out there and watched, incredulous, as coon hunters crossed onto my property with their dogs. I counted two by the lights. I figured that maybe they hadn't seen the "no trespassing" signs or the signs which read "warning: shooting range" due to the darkness and inclement weather. So, I signaled them for about 15 minutes with my light, which is plenty bright enough to be seen for a ways further than they were. Obviously they didn't see it. Then I hollered that they were approaching a trap line and needed to stay back as I didn't want their dogs to pay for their stupidity. I was likewise ignored on that one. I know they heard me, as I shouted it three times, and each time their headlamps showed that they glanced my way. They seemed equally unconcerned about my rifle, which I was holding in the crook of my elbow. I figured they had enough warnings, so I used my cell to call the Sheriff's Dept, only to learn that all units were busy. So, I changed position and became a bit less friendly. Got out of what light there was and began shadowing them. Think what you will - maybe this was a stupid move, but I've really had it with these podunk idjits thinking they own anything they feel like hunting! I really wanted to light a round off from the Mosin. I'm sure a 6ft tongue of flame and a noise the likes of a bomb going off would get their attention just fine. But, I didn't, as I really didn't feel like getting into a firefight with four rifle rounds (what I would have had left) and 31 9mm rounds from a pistol, against their two semi-auto .22 rifles, at night. Really didn't want to shoot at anyone, period. I moved from shadow to shadow now and again, as I didn't want to fix my position. I worked my way back up to the house and outfitted myself a bit better: Boots instead of sandals, swapped the Mosin for the .22 rifle as it's lighter, and threw on my Camelbak, which I keep filled. I went out again, and they were gone. Well, not entirely. I went in at a different position and saw them go trespass a bit on the neighbor's land, and then they just stopped. I opened my ears and it seems they had just left lights there - they were back approaching my property. They were using dim lights, but they did light back up. I decided it would be a bad idea to try to cross the creek at night. It's swollen from the melting snow and I have questions as to whether it would have been safe to do. So, I just shadowed them some more, keeping my .22 slung over my shoulder, muzzle down, as it had begun to rain a bit, and worked on keeping the cellphone dry. Changed places each time a light would turn my way. Eventually a jet began overflying the area, very low, repeatedly. I'm guessing it was just a converted bomber from Grissom AFB as we get those taking weather readings from time to time, but it was low and loud enough that I'm guessing these fools thought it was observing them. The configuration is such that these jets have three very bright lights on the bottom, and could very well be mistaken for spotlights by the stupid. The fact that it overflew at near mach didn't seem to make any difference to them. They were guilty and the guilty scare easy. (The jet was hitting the front that's now over me, flying slow to take readings, then accelerating to go back to the start of the front, and it made it look like it was orbiting the area). Ladies'n'gents, I just don't know what to do. I could set traps further out - there's another creek out there that I've not tried yet, just concentrating on the first one - and I'm sure that would stop them. I'd rather just resolve it peacefully though. Last game camera I had ended up smashed, and I can't afford one with night vision. Maybe stupid should hurt, but I'm really not the one to dish it out unless I'm fired on. So, if you were in my place what would you do? Sheriff's dept can't respond most nights, shadowing them apparently doesn't scare them off, approaching them, even when the creek is down, seems a bit risky. If they show up again (and they will), any ideas? It'd be easier if I could get an ID, but hell, it's dark out! Josh
Would that work even with it raining ya' think? Josh
I forgot to mention - last deer season I took possession of a deer stand attached to one of the trees smack dab in the middle of the woods. I still have it. It was unmarked, and by Indiana law, they must be marked, so I figure they knew they were taking a chance. Josh
__________________
Moose?
Last edited by Joshua M. Smith; 01-08-2008 at 02:06 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I would of just smashed the stand and left it in a pile at the bottom of the tree. I would of actually gone one step further ( I can't stand people who purposely traspass and hunt on other peoples property), but I won't go that way on here. Lets just say they problay wouldn't be happy.
I have the same problem with idiots on my land. I have "confiscated" 3 tree stands and a ground blind in the last 5 years, and the land is CLEARLY posted. When I take the stands I leave a note on the tree stating:
"Dear trespasser, you may obtain your treestand by calling the county Sheriff, as I have notified him that it is in my posession"
Never have had a call or heard that the Sheriff got one either.
It really irks me when people don't respect other's property. I'm still hoping to find one of these guys IN his stand. I plan on keeping a gunpoint vigil, making him spend a couple nights in it. Sorta like sending him to his room.
Careful with the traps. If, BIG if, they are smart enough they may find a good lawyer that could get you arrested for having booby traps on your property. BTW, last I checked it was agains federal law to set up "booby traps" in your house or property. Just something to think about.
Give it a lot of thought before you fire a warning shot. It could land you in jail, in a lawsuit, or in a firefight that they will say you started, or perhaps all three. Let the Sheriff's Dept., the Game Wardens, or the State Troopers do any shooting they feel is necessary. If you can't get help from the Sheriffs Dept. at night, go in and talk with the Sheriff himself and see if you can work out a solution. If not, go talk to your Attorney and the District Attorney before you fire any shots.
Josh,
I had the same problem with the sherriff's department two years ago when people from along the river were shooting over my house. Called the sherriff and the response was they could not stop the shooting because they could not drive back to where it was coming from. Keep in mind that there is a dirt road all along the river. So, I told the dispatcher to have his flunkies stay in the donut shop and I would go back there and settle this problem myself and hung up. With in three minutes there was two cop cars in my drive as I was climbing the fence with my M-14 .
That's when I was informed that it was their job to settle this dispute and they drove back and the shooting stopped
Don't drink the water, fish poop in it
By the way Josh, I can atest to the cops mentality , I live 20 miles south of you along the river.
I know a preacher that decided to take up hunting so he went and hunted on his inlaws land and the skum bags that were getting to hunt on it free unloosend his oil filter from his SUV and on his way home he burned up his engine.
That is kinda funny though.LOL
I just had a thought occure to me...If you can find there truck see if you can open the door and hide a pr. of sexy womans underware under the seat, maybe a wife of girl friend will find it or put a piece of raw chicken in there defroster vent.
__________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER
Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 01-08-2008 at 06:26 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Josh, a gunfight could end with bad consequences, you're out numbered. Find where they're parking, and take a bigfoot chit in the drivers seat, even if you have to damage a little glass. Anybody(Ask A.H.'s wife) who sits in bigfoot chit will think twice about coming back to the same area. But first, make sure you report it enough times to have a paper trail. The trespasser may try to sue you for the stink! Any good recipes for bigfoot chit? I got one, hardboiled eggs and beer. Better yet, leave a dozen eggs out for awhile, and use them, but don't get any on you, 'cause it's almost as bad as bigfoot chit! Scotty
I had several idiots park all over my freshly seeded front lawn. While they were all down at the lake drinking, I yanked out every wire I could find under their hoods, and let out the air in two of the tires on each car. There were four cars. You should have seen all the tow trucks out there at 3 in the moring....If you can find their cars/trucks, buy some clam juice from your local friendly grocers. Dump that on their front seats. It smells like nasty cochie!!!!! Throw a few smelt in there for good measure.
i took a nice 16' stick ladder and tree stand this year from my hunting spot was 10 yards from my tree stand, some people are just idiots no name or anything on it, must a been free so i took it
__________________
What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.
Pour bleach in their engine oil and put a few holes in their radiator, I guarantee you they won't get more than a mile. also put a skunk in their seat. Either that or a porcupine or both
__________________
"All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!"
well, if your trapping the creek, i would set some #3 legholds with a dirthole set and use bacon grease as bait, post the area as being set for coyote, use a double swivel and pad the jaws with rubber from an innertube, it won't hurt their dogs, but you will lose your trap. They won't run there anymore. And you won't be liable for damages to vehicles, or in trouble over a shootout.
__________________
shoot low they might be crawling
I know a preacher that decided to take up hunting so he went and hunted on his inlaws land and the skum bags that were getting to hunt on it free unloosend his oil filter from his SUV and on his way home he burned up his engine.
That is kinda funny though.LOL
I just had a thought occure to me...If you can find there truck see if you can open the door and hide a pr. of sexy womans underware under the seat, maybe a wife of girl friend will find it or put a piece of raw chicken in there defroster vent.
Why would he drive home with an OIL LIGHT on the dash?
If outnumbered choose a suitable tool for the job.Peace through superior firepower.
Last edited by irish murphy; 01-09-2008 at 06:30 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
