Posted Signs

[Obsession]

Any ideas on what to do when someone keeps tearing down your posted signs. Can you put a steel trap at the base of the trees with posted signs on them? I'm just joking, kinda!!!! But seriously any ideas? I have an idea of who is doing it.

 

[DOC1187]

maybe get a ladder and put a trail cam UP HIGH on a nearby tree, well camoflauged of course and catch them in the act and report it?

good idea

 

[BlountArrow]

We always take a step ladder with us and post the signs as high as possible for this very reason. Or, have stood on the back of a fourwheeler and yes carrying a step ladder up and down ridges sucks.

 

[JGreg]

U like the leg trap idea.... But I guess the camera would be a more ethical solution.

 

[MUP]

Camera is a good idea, but your property doesn't necessarily have to be posted with signage to still be off limits to trespassers. They can still be prosecuted for not knowing where the heck they're at, and if that place is your property. ;)

 

[Boll Weevil]

You might look into whether there is a "Purple Paint" law in place at either the state or local level...per the letter of the law it's as good a posted sign. Once the boundaries are defined and folks are made aware, if you catch someone or have their photo from a trail cam the Sheriff's Dept. will take it from there.

 

[scn]

Camera is a good idea, but your property doesn't necessarily have to be posted with signage to still be off limits to trespassers. They can still be prosecuted for not knowing where the heck they're at, and if that place is your property. ;)

Unfortunately, under the laws of criminal trespass in TCA 39-14-405, it is a legal defense against the offense of trespass if the property doesn't have signage posted at all major points of ingress.

There is no signage requirement for prosecution for hunting without permission.

 

[landman]

Paint the property line, for some reason I remember that use to be in the law about being OK, but may be wrong

I also hang most high, back the Ranger into thick stuff and stand on corner top of bed or roof

 

[Obsession]

So since they keep tearing the signs down and I catch the person on the property there is nothing I can do unless they are hunting? They have tore down one particular sign twice now in the last month.

 

[Obsession]

The property line is painted and has orange tape around the property line. I also have signs every 100 yards. Well, the signs that are left. You can still see the corners of the what was signs under the nails in the tree.

 

[scn]

One decent suggestion I have heard which should help in any prosecution is to number the signs you put up. Then take a digital picture of the sign and a gps reading. That allows a mapped plot to be created showing the placement of the signs.

Information such as that can be presented in court showing that you did due diligence in the proper posting of signage.

 

[jb3]

High fence it.

 

[BigD_625]

If it's only a couple that are being ripped down, I would put them out of reach. My luck, someone would still find and take the camera...probably cut down the tree that held it.

 

[MUP]

Camera is a good idea, but your property doesn't necessarily have to be posted with signage to still be off limits to trespassers. They can still be prosecuted for not knowing where the heck they're at, and if that place is your property. ;)

Unfortunately, under the laws of criminal trespass in TCA 39-14-405, it is a legal defense against the offense of trespass if the property doesn't have signage posted at all major points of ingress.

There is no signage requirement for prosecution for hunting without permission.

Hmmmm, nice to know. I was under the impression that, if I was willing to go to court as a witness...well, let me back up here. This is in reference to my personal situation too, and these folks have repeatedly crossed my property lines, so I may have some prior precedent working for me in my case maybe? And my property is posted, 200ft apart signs all around, and at major ingress and egress entry points as well.

 

[scn]

Camera is a good idea, but your property doesn't necessarily have to be posted with signage to still be off limits to trespassers. They can still be prosecuted for not knowing where the heck they're at, and if that place is your property. ;)

Unfortunately, under the laws of criminal trespass in TCA 39-14-405, it is a legal defense against the offense of trespass if the property doesn't have signage posted at all major points of ingress.

There is no signage requirement for prosecution for hunting without permission.

Hmmmm, nice to know. I was under the impression that, if I was willing to go to court as a witness...well, let me back up here. This is in reference to my personal situation too, and these folks have repeatedly crossed my property lines, so I may have some prior precedent working for me in my case maybe? And my property is posted, 200ft apart signs all around, and at major ingress and egress entry points as well.

It sounds like you are well set to prosecute.

 

[Kingston]

In Va- a painted silver stripe at or near eye level is the same as no hunting signs. Nothing like this in TN?

 

[creativomjh]

if they are taking the signs down, would that not be theft as well? or some kind of "with intent to trespass"?

 

[MUP]

Camera is a good idea, but your property doesn't necessarily have to be posted with signage to still be off limits to trespassers. They can still be prosecuted for not knowing where the heck they're at, and if that place is your property. ;)

Unfortunately, under the laws of criminal trespass in TCA 39-14-405, it is a legal defense against the offense of trespass if the property doesn't have signage posted at all major points of ingress.

There is no signage requirement for prosecution for hunting without permission.

Hmmmm, nice to know. I was under the impression that, if I was willing to go to court as a witness...well, let me back up here. This is in reference to my personal situation too, and these folks have repeatedly crossed my property lines, so I may have some prior precedent working for me in my case maybe? And my property is posted, 200ft apart signs all around, and at major ingress and egress entry points as well.

It sounds like you are well set to prosecute.

ONLY if given the slightest chance! ;)

 

[Bottom Hunter]

if you have a certain one sign or maybe a few that keep coming up missing......maybe post a second sign just below the posted sign, that sign reading.."Smile, you are being photographed".

good luck..!

 

[bigtex]

I agree with some of the others. I put most of my signs up using a step ladder or standing on the back of my Ranger. It's a PITA but my signs stay up for years.

 

[Dapig]

Obsession is this in wilson county? I have been having the same problem for a couple of years in south part of wilson county.

 

[Smoked]

I like the steel trap idea, but i'm evil.

 

[Hangnail]

Quit wasting money on plastic signs and make a stencil that says "POSTED" or something similar and spray paint it with orange, red or yellow spray paint. See if they're strong enough to tear that off.

 

[Obsession]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Dapig this property is in Cumberland County.

 

[TRIGGER]

if you have a certain one sign or maybe a few that keep coming up missing......maybe post a second sign just below the posted sign, that sign reading.."Smile, you are being photographed".

good luck..!

Good idea.

 

[BlackBelt]

I use metal signs i bought at Lowes and put them up high with my step ladder. So far they have stayed up.

 

[BigBeef]

Had a similar problem in the past. I just mounted the sign to some 3/4" plywood. Then over-laid wooden frame around the perimeter of the metal sign. That way a person can get behind the sign to tear it off. Then screw the plywood to a gate post/tree etc. Seams to work against the average offender.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Paint

 

[Obsession]

Yesterday, after work I discovered that I had a flat tire and upon inspection I found a roofing tack in the tire. I dismissed it as that it must have been randomly in a parking lot or on the road. I just spoke with my brother and he has 3 flat tires and a total of 7 roofing nails in his tires. I think that is more than just a coincidence. Last time we hunted the property with the issues we both drove over there. He parked further up the drive than me. Am I being paranoid or does this seem suspicious to you all?

 

[mntbuck]

i like the signs tresspasors will be shot.