remember trespassing laws can vary greatly from state to state
And country to country.
Cooler heads always prevail. Remember to apologize, show respect and move on quickly.
About ten years ago a buddy and I were going on a riding trip and looking for the cabin rental place we were staying at. It was on a rural, kinda backwoods road. We saw what we thought was the office, but there was nobody in it and didn't look like there had been for some time, so we kept driving, thinking there was a newer one. Well, the road turned into a private road that was clearly marked "no trespassing". Hmmm. We kept driving, thinking it odd but that maybe since the facility was privately owned, they marked it to keep non-renters or prospective renters out. Well, the road ended in a guy's driveway and he was out working in his shop. Oops. He came out and told us we were trespassing and didn't we see the sign. I explained that I had, and gave him the reason why I kept going but that I was sorry. He kept on with his tirade (no swearing or threat of violence) and I kept quiet, trying to figure out how I was going to get the truck and trailer turned around. After he kept it up, I finally said, calmly but pointedly, "look mister, I made a mistake. I said I'm sorry, and I am. I can't do any more than that." And in a more conciliatory tone, "I know how you feel; I'm a landowner too and I don't like it when people trespass on my property". After that, he softened up a bit and helped us get out. I apologized again and away we went. We did eventually find the cabin.
We haven't had any incidents for several years, but in the past we'd occasionally come across other hunters on our hunting land (bounded on two sides by state land, two sides private land). Obviously, all of us were armed. No swearing, no accusations, no threats of violence, no rifles leveled at the ready. Just a simple "hey, did you guys know you're on private land?" The answer was always "no", of course -- even though our property is marked around its entire perimeter. Nonetheless....."Well, you are. Here's how you can find your way out" and we'd tell them how to get out. That was that. No escalations from either side, no reason to. We have a standing reciprocating agreement with one of our neighboring owners that we will permit tracking a shot deer onto each other's property, as long as the property owner is notified first. Never any issues.
My last story is almost comical....we were at the property one September doing our maintenance for the upcoming hunting season when a group of ATV's came down our road. We stopped them, of course (no swearing or accusations; there may have been weapons since we typically carry while in the woods but they weren't deployed), told them they were trespassing and asked if they hadn't seen the signs. "It's okay", said the leader, "we know the owner, and he gave us permission". "Oh? Who would that be?" asked we. "Ervin _____" he replied. We politely informed him that Ervin (our Uncle Bud) had passed away in 1984 (at least 20 years prior to this incident) and that we had owned it since then and didn't remember giving such permission. They turned around and rode off.
And so end my stories.....back to the spring boredom!
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" How many posts are there on this forum every year about trees and fences being damaged in the UP?"
talk is cheap...I always say show me the proof of damage...
"What is the real cost of that to landowners?"...not sure without proof
" Don't you see why they are upset?"....again, talk is cheap.
WHY should a landowner have to prove damage to HIS property in order to keep somebody off of it? Why does it matter if there's damage or if there isnt? Is it not enough for him to simply say "I don't want you on my land"? Please help me....I don't understand the mentality.
