Keeping ATV's off private land

[smnduck]

This may seem like a dumb question. How do you keep ATVer's off of private land. I have talked to law enforcement till I'm blue in the face and have over 30 signs from "No Tresspassing" to "Keep Out" and "No ATV" around the property. I am very frustrated to say the least.

Some of the damages. Deep ruts,trail cameras broken and stolen, LITTER GALORE, deer food plots tore up. 4 differant parties have been told to stay out but like a weed they keep comin back.

[Shack]

Get good proof (pics) and sue the parties. Get some legal advice and hit them were it counts for the damages!

Other than that, nails on trail, fencing, gates. Just make sure nothing can hurt them, then you will end up being sued!

Some land owners I know would post signs that boards with nails and located in areas on land. Not tresspassing beyond this point! It did work!

[Roofer]

What kind of land are we talking about? Is it 5 acres or 200 acres. is it high land or low land? Do you live at the property? Are there legal trails near by?

Gates work well. You could also find out the fines and post them on the signs. I think it is around $250 and possible jail time, but find out for sure. You need to get in contact with local clubs and the conservation officer(s). The police don't do much in this category unless they catch someone red-handed.

Please don't blame the atv's or the general atv public about a few bad apples.

[Scott K]

Sorry to hear about the destruction caused by theses jerks. If you know who it is I would call them up and let them know that you dont want them there, and if you catch them on there again you are going to press charges. If you dont know who it is, place some cameras around the trails where they are riding, see if you can get a plate #. Let local law enforcments know, call the dnr. Each time you see someone was there let the law know. The more cops that hear about it, they may drive past it keep an eye out.Spread the word to the neighbers that if they see someone there to call the cops. I am sure it is the same people over and over, if a couple of them get a $700 fine for tresspassing, the word will get out to all their friends, then it will stop.

[smnduck]

180 Acres of woods and farmland. I have tried everything you mentioned except the boards with nails. Maybe thats what it will take. (Note) They took cameras and broke the other ones. They make "new" trails wherever they please. I think that to ride an ATV you must pass a 20 hour community service program and then take a test like a regular driving license. That would eliminate a lot of the people wrecking the "sport". Most every thing else has a test to see if you can do it. I have an ATV but only use it for chores and work. I see both sides and the sport needs to be leashed in until it's in check.

[Shack]

smnduck,

I read in your other post about this, when it happened and all you have done so far (in hopes this clear my orig. post up top a little further)! I figured it was not the time or place to adlib on it in that post in the hunting area (how touchy people get about changing direction of post). Nice to see you posted it here!

I love riding ATV's and repsect the privliage to do so! It sounds like these cats are not a member of an ATV club or listen to the law when the law comes a knocking! These people are the black eye of the ATV world and it does suck they are out there!

I would say try placing a set of police road spikes on main trails, but it sounds like they would steal those as well! I hate resorting to things like this, but in your case it sounds like nothing is going to stop them, other than sinking to their level!

Good luck!

[Dave S]

SMN,

have you contacted the DNR as well as the Sheriff's office? If you'd like, I can get you in contact with a CO down there. Or if you'd like to plan a day to catch them in the act and have a witness there, let me know.

[Shack]

Here is some serp's from the post I read in the hunting forum about this!

Quote:

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Well I went out to change out the film on the trail cams and guess what. No film in any of the trail cams and beer cans and 4 wheeler track every where. Food plots that were about 1-2 acres in size are destroyed by the four wheelers spinning cookies. 4 rolls of film gone, 2 with the camera, 6 food plots destroyed. Followed the tracks to a house with 3 4 wheelers parked in front of it and called the cops. Cop said he can't ticket without better evidence, but he'll keep an eye out for activity. I wonder if the DNR will sell me an ATV harvest permit!

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And!

Quote:

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He said the "the recent rains would make it hard to prove." The thing that chaps my hide is the 4.5 year old buck that hangs around or maybe used to hang around might be on the pics, and also out 2 trail cams. Of course the 2 that are gone are the digital ones. The food plots should come back but will not be in the shape that they were in. These guys rode past 3 different no trespassing signs also. I wonder why ATV's have such a bad reputation.

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[smnduck]

Talked to the mad as h**l farm land renter. His corn and soybean fields had a lot of damage done to them before they were picked. He wants them more than I. He said he would take care of the problem. I was a little concerned at first because this guy is a "take no prisoners" kind of guy. He assured me that no one would be hurt(physicaly) maybe in the pocketbook though. His insurance company is invoveled and apparently the same company has had other issues in the area.

[Dave S]

the first quote that shackbash posted, to me, is enough to warrant an investigation. There was property damage and theft as well as tracks leading to the offenders house. In my own experience, the show of no desire to investigate this looks more like a sheriff's deputy. But I could be wrong. I would expect the CO's to do more on this one. There's enough around the Mankato proximity that one of them could certainly make a trip out there.

If you don't call them directly at their home office, call the State Patrol dispatch. If you're in the Mankato area, that number is 507-389-1172 and ask to have a Conservation Officer contact you.

[Hammer Handle]

Do NOT put boards with nails in on the path. If they find them, they will take them and move them where YOU drive.

I have had the same thing happen and turn them in. I even caught them red-handed and wrote the license plate down. Nothing appears to have been done. I understand your frustration.

[Shack]

It sounds like the farmer is going to use the nails in board’s routine! But instead of putting them on trail, he will be swinging it at them!

Hammer does bring up a good point!

The case I have heard this before was ending a long battle and it did work effective. It did not back fire! But, it was people cutting straight threw for a purpose and it was all kinds of people (not just one group). They would go around fence, one time fence was knocked down and gate broken. Nothing police or sheriff could do (report was made). This was a last resort and it worked. No one ever went threw again!

The last time I talked with this buddy, he has not put board’s back out and just keeps sign at gate area!

When you have a problem like this, it is tough to know how to handle it. Retaliation is a factor in any form of recourse you chose to take against them. Be it getting them arrested, suing them or taking matters into you own hands! But, something has to be done and I hope you can get the Law to help a little better.

[Scott K]

I think the nail and boared thing goes alittle to far, if one of those jerks got injured they could sue you. It sounds like you know who it is, call them, or better yet stop over there and talk to them face to face. Get an estimate of the damage done hand them the bill, then take them to small claims court and collect your money back!

Just so you understand these people are not sportsman, or are typical atv riders. They are criminals, and vandals! Get the CO involved, and press charges on these jerks! If you dont they will continue to do it, or they will just do it to someone else!