[olddawg]

My youngest son and I took a walk through the family woods this afternoon,
Just taking in the weather and giving the new lab pup some outdoor excersize.

We came upon an a Ameristep blind, stool, knife, grunt call, and skull cap.

It looks like the person had done some cleaning as there was a little blood on the knife.

I do know that not all of out land is properly posted, but it is private land and whoever this is would know this also.

I did move the stuff closer to my house, I really do not want to feel like I am stealing, but I wish I could find out who this is.

What should I do? I do not have time to stake out the area.

What you do? Should I call the game warden?

There is only one other person that has permission to be on the land and this is not his stuff. I am just amazed that someone would even be there.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

Since it is on your property, I'd take it to the house. If someone claims it, I'd have a talk with them. If no one claims it, then I'd keep it.

 

[CP]

What Mr. C said...

I would also write a note on the subject and put it in a ziploc bag so it was weather proof...and hang it where the person would not miss seeing it. Let them come to you to recover the stuff.

 

[johnf]

I would agree with the others on this. Lock the stuff up and leave a note to have him come get it. I would contact game and fish and the local sheriff's office. You can decide later if you want to press charges depending on how the individual reacts.

 

[possum]

Sounds like good advice so far.

 

[Midnight Rider]

What Mr. C said...

I would also write a note on the subject and put it in a ziploc bag so it was weather proof...and hang it where the person would not miss seeing it. Let them come to you to recover the stuff.

I agree with CP, take the stuff down but leave a note. Put all your contact info on the note. Don't call the AGFC, tresspassing is the least of their worries, and should be. If the owner contacts you and an agreement cannot be made about the tresspass, then call the local authorities.

 

[straight shooter]

I wonder about if some law enforcement seeing the materials in the original location on your property before you took them, might save later problems, like them having permission on a near property, and saying you stole them from that location ? Just wondering out loud.

 

[TheBattman]

My suggestion - take the stuff back to the house and tack a note on the nearest tree to where the stuff was (assuming no name or address is on the equipment) with instructions on how to claim his stuff.

If you don't hear anything in the next couple of weeks, then don't sweat it, it is yours.

 

[John Stiles]

I'm agreeing with the note.....if they come to claim their stuff, make sure they agree to stay of your property before returning their gear!

 

[odocoi]

I wonder about if some law enforcement seeing the materials in the original location on your property before you took them, might save later problems, like them having permission on a near property, and saying you stole them from that location ? Just wondering out loud.

without a doubt you need to call the local wildlife officer and have him come out and witness your situation before you remove the items. He'll be a great witness in court if it ever came to that. Also, you may ask if you can put his contact number on the note you leave.

 

[Ducks]

Your doing much better than some just by asking... most would do something wrong then worry about that old saying about hind site is 20/20/I for one applaud you for not reacting in such a crazy manner...:thumb:

 

[MallardMaster]

Well, you've already moved the stuff, though not all the way home, so I'm with the rest on leaving a note & going ahead & taking the stuff home. Whoever it is will get the the message one way or the other, huh?

 

[Ducks]

One thing I have learned over my years of travel.. is you have the choice to forgive,,,,turning someone in to "ME" isn`t the way to go,,,, knowing some people in my neck of the woods would give you a bad name and other repercussion that might arrise//I would forgive you..infact might make a good friend I could trust with latter gatherings... NO I am not a preacher just passing on the brotherly love from a fellow Arkansas Brother!

 

[olddawg]

I thank everyone for their thoughts, I really am not into getting someone in trouble, just want to make sure that I feel me and my kids are safe in our small (200 or less acres) area of land.

I think the leaving of the note is a good idea, I just hope I can get the note back out there and that he has not checked on it before I do, and know the stuff is missing already.

He should know whose land it is and where the house is, but I am guessing, if he would not come by to ask before he hunted, he won't come by after.

Once again thanks for the responses, I will let you know how this transpires.

 

[olddawg]

I left a note with my cell phone # on Sunday morning, no response as of yet , Monday at 11:00 AM,

I did find one of gates open, that has purple paint all over it. This particular is covered with honeysuckle vines and is hard to see from the road. Because of this it is the only one that does not have a lock on it.

It will have a lock this afternoon. :biggrin: :smack:

 

[kt]

sounds like good advice all around but I would ask a neighbor if he has let anyone hunt on their place that could have wondered off the line also

 

[Buck-Ridge]

If your land isn't legally posted the fine for tresspassing is low and the law might not prosecute. If it is legally posted the fine is steep and they will prosecute. That's the way it is done in our county.
I'm with the others I'd leave a note today and take the stuff home. It could have been an honest mistake. And the first time give the person the benefit of the doubt.

 

[olddawg]

I really am not looking to prosecute, I just do not want them in there.

I left the note Sunday morning, still have not had any response.

 

[D33RHUNT3R]

My suggestion - take the stuff back to the house and tack a note on the nearest tree to where the stuff was (assuming no name or address is on the equipment) with instructions on how to claim his stuff.

If you don't hear anything in the next couple of weeks, then don't sweat it, it is yours.

+1 this was Exactly my thought... You cant steal what is left by a Tresspasser... Now if the person really didnt know He was tresspassing, He will claim his things and Apologize.... IF No one shows they are either DEAD or dont want you to know who it is.... Either way You should feel free of any guilt and enjoy the new equiptment or sell it..

 

[D33RHUNT3R]

1 question is your property fenced I'm not saying posted... I have had the same problem with tresspassers I am going to post the 70 acres I going to hunt even though they have to crawl over a barbed wire fence 1st and it ALL private owned land on all sides , I'm not so lucky as to have them leave their stuff though :biggrin: I had 1 sneak in 1 morning..BIG problem for him was I was already 30' up in my stand and he crawled across the fence not 30 yds away from me, I had him spottted coming in like a Buck, He didnt have a Clue I was there ... When I spoke up after He got about 10yds across on to our land,I think He about wet himself... I thought seriously about confiscating His equipment ... But didnt,I did warn him not to cross again, I dont seem to have much problem from there anymore.. :biggrin: I had known someone was crossing there for awhile :biggrin: tracks in the Mud and Snow I just hunted the Hunter .. :thumb: