What would you do?

Ok, situation.. need some advice.

We own some acerage that has a few deer on it. Nothing outstanding, but antlered deer non the less. Lately some locals have been out scoping the deer, knowing good and well they are not allowed on the property to hunt. The place is posted very well with signs and orange all over. These guys are known poachers and law breakers. Question: What do you do with someone that isn't afraid of the law and doesn't care if you catch them trespassing? They've been cited before by others and just keep doing it. Can't talk to them and tell them to please not do it. They simply don't care if they get caught. What would you do? It's very frustrating. ](*,)
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BIG R
Thats a tough one,the only thing I assume you could do is keep a close eye on them and if they do anything wrong reort them and let the authorities handle it.Maybe it will be the last time they get away with it.Good luck :thumb
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ABert
Agreed.

And if you can video it so much the better. Just let them know that you know they are out there. Start taking down license plate numbers, carry a camera/video with you all the time. Stay on your land, though, and don't confront them. Either they'll get real stupid or leave.
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amp713
trail cameras are not just for wild animals.. they work on the good tame house broke ones too....
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+1 on the trail cams and video. Also don't confront them unless your on your on property. If you get time and date stamped pictures turn them over to the athorites. Post them on public bulleten boards. Get em prosicuted.
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Dang, my spell check must have broke.
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amp713
lol
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ARCHER11
Would you be able to report the suspicious activiy before they do something they shouldnt? Let the auhtorities know now what your concern is and see of theres anything they can do to keep their eye out! Not sure just an idea. I would just hate to see them kill something. Even if it does get them caught. Catch them before they do the damage!
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southwind
Yes, make the DOW aware. If these guys are known poachers then nobody wants them more than law enforcement. They may just have a plan to help catch them and put them out of business. I HATE POACHERS!!! ](*,)
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one hunting fool
find an old fence post and tie one to it with barbed wire. make sure he is naked so everyone gets a good look and hang a sign that says "we don't call the cops on poachers" just a thought..
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"one hunting fool" wrote:find an old fence post and tie one to it with barbed wire. make sure he is naked so everyone gets a good look and hang a sign that says "we don't call the cops on poachers" just a thought..
If the fence post is near an ant hill and some honey is on the post so much the better

my $0.02
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Thanks for the imput and very valid points! I did call the Game Department and made them aware of the problem to put them on alert. I was just out this evening and bumped spotters while coming down off the property. They took off very fast. I hope just our presence of being out and about is enough.
I am with you all, approaching these people is off limits, knowing they are most likely armed and obviously not very smart or they wouldn't be out spotting deer on private property they know they can't hunt.
I always carry a small recorder with me just in case. I really get tired of this same thing every year. Getting really old.
But, thanks again everyone... lol about the sign to put up.. good one!
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Mularcher
++1 on the trail cams. I have one out on my Wisco land just for the kid that likes to chase deer on his quad... I just wish I could be there at the same time, real tuff to get bucks visiting the area with this kid running them off all summer ](*,)
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put up a sighn that says vidieo surveillence in use. its worked for me. use those trail cams and nail them.
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Snake River Marksman
If your DOW and judges are serious about poachers, then tell them about the activity and ask them about Robo deer, a stuffed and sometimes animated deer that they put out where it can be seen and then they see who shoots it and then arrest them. Hopefully your local judge will then impose a max sentence on them. You can't do much more than that.
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