Talking to a LO about a first time lease on some property which borders a WMA/lake which means public foot traffic nearby. The LO (woman who evidently doesn't travel the property much) found that someone had erected a ladder-stand on her property. She took it down and hauled it off and told me if I see the person who put it up, I was good to shoot 'em. She definitely has no qualms with country justice. Commented she had previously put up No Tres. signs but some time later they were torn down, fence cut to access propery to put the stand up I guess, etc. She had a GW who came out and they even found some large snares set out.

So net question, I'm looking for something for me and my 13/14 yr old boys. Should I run from this? Many interesting things about the lease, just don't know that I want to chance a run-in, have my stuff get stolen, damaged, etc. I guess with a concerted effort with GW help, MAYBE something could be done, don't know.

Thoughts?

Charlie

Property next to a WMA is perfect... do not let it go.. buy cheap feeders

yes

Also place some hidden trail cameras to help catch em!!!

Depends on how much traffic that WMA sees and how big it is. A WMA in BFE is a lot different than a WMA in a high population area.

Actually what am I saying I just got off a lease... yeah you need to get off of it and let me know the contact info

Wonder if its beside no mans land....

seeing his location, its probably well worth sticking it out...

It's not close to Flower Mound, not in the state actually and it's a smaller WMA.

So the idea of some local to your lease guy dinking around in your lease doesn't concern you is what it sounds like...

Charlie

Nope not on the right place

And still goes for any of the states strait above us

Just heard a 'horror story' about this kind of thing from a friend. Yes I would be concerned. I don't know that I'd run from it but I'd be cautious.

Just me, I'd take my chances, with kids I don't know...

Sounds like those who have been hunting the property have been doing it for a long time and feel that they have the right to do so, just because they've gotten away with it for so long.
You'll just need to get serious and try to catch them and show them that you mean business.
Do all you need to do before the season or before you put up any equipment out there.
Maybe put up a dummy feeder with a camera hidden to catch them in the act, and notify the game warden about your intentions so maybe you can get him to work with you to put a stop to it.

I agree. I saw it happen a lot with Mississippi rednecks when Iived there. Some would even try to bluff new landowners off their own land by claiming they own it.

Chances are the stands were put up and the area hunted by no more than one or two guys. Just contact local law enforcement and have your ducks in order before you cross paths with them.

Electric fence, laser cannons, pusher robots, drones and nerve gas.

You'll never get rid of the trespassers in that kind of location, you can only manage them.

drones. just get a few drones you'll be aight.

landmines

I wouldn't "run" from it, but I would take due precautions and certainly wouldn't put out anything I couldn't live without. Guys on Here, even on private property are having stuff stolen, so....

If they are trespassing on WMA also, they have more concerns than just getting caught by you, so definitely work with local GW and SO.

I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't lease it. Life's too short to have to deal with idiots while you're trying to enjoy your time with your boys. Dealing with law enforcement, not being able to buy the equipment you want to put there? I like to keep things simple and this has "complicated" written all over it.

I would lease the property and make an all out effort to show that there is someone other than an older lady that hardly travels the property in charge, and that you are not going to put up with anything.
Even if it means messing up your hunting for the first year in order to get the point across.
I would set up a shooting range, safe of course and use every gun you own and sight in at odd hours early morning and late evening. Put out a lot of fresh signs and if they take them down put them right back up with even more.
If they are persistant I'd let some of your friends hunt there and even during the week just to show a presence.
I hunted a place like that, and my permission was from the landowner with the sole purpose of keeping adjoining hunters off the property. I was successful and never had a confrontation. I just made sure they knew someone was there. I did a lot of target practicing and had a ball. I also killed a couple of deer and several hogs, plus coons and bobcats.

I agree. These people are most often opportunists looking for a place to hunt for free. Once they know someone will be there to keep them in check, they go looking to hide in the shadows somewhere else.

You should find it easy to make your presence and position obvious to them without the need for a confrontation.

I wouldn't put a game camera out there that wasn't in a lock-box unless it is very well hidden. as previously said, I would start out with cheap feeders until your trespassers take a hike. And I'd buy no trespassing signs in bulk and post them all over the property line. Good leases are hard to come by. With a little work and persistence you can run off the scum and have yourself a great lease for you and the boy.

B

Thanks for the input. Given it's next door to a WMA-Lake, a fresh lease with onsite fishing, storage and everything we want to hunt, it's tough to pass up. Going Saturday if the weather holds to look and sign. Next step will be to talk with the local GW. I'm hoping as has been said, someone knows it's not leased or watched over, so low risk for them to sneak in and hunt. I have to admit though, it takes balls to put up a ladder stand on someone else's place where you don't have permission, that takes a pair, which does give me a bit of pause.

Charlie

good luck, let us know how it turns out

Purple tape every ten feet along the fence