so this morning, I get a cell cam picture of two people on my property about 150 yards in from the boundary. There’s a late cow season and they were carrying rifles. So I hopped on the four wheeler and headed up to the area and walked around yelling for them to call out or I’ll be pressing charges of which they never responded but later admitted they heard me yelling. eventually after following their tracks in the snow. I caught up to them and told them they had some explaining to do as to why they were trespassing. First it was “oh I was lost. I didn’t know where I was at. I got turned around.”. Then it was “oh I thought this was a public road.” (there is an old road easement from a county road that hasn’t been maintained in a good 50 years). However, the tracks in the snow showed they walked everywhere but along the old road easement. So I chewed them out a smidge and told them to get off my property. Then the parent of the trespasser (the two people trespassing weren’t kids, probably in there 30s or 40s) proceeds to call me to chew me out for chewing out their trespassing kids and basically implied trespassing wasn’t a big deal and I should get over it.

I don’t think ripping into someone for trespassing then catching them in a lie is unreasonable. How would you have handled it?

The same way you did. I hope you really lit into the parent who called.

I would have done the same thing

I’d press charges after that idiot called you, you know since its (no big deal and all). LOL

+1

Well since the dad called you giving you the what for I would let them "get over it" with a trespassing fine

I take it you're not a fan of open borders?
You did good, trespassers are a pain.

One of the problems in our society, people get to choose which laws to follow. That parent should be ashamed, I would press charges.

I think I'd press charges. Why have the cell cameras and go to the trouble of tracking down the trespassers if you didn't do anything other than chew them out?

People learn by example. Apparently those you encountered learned trespassing "wasn't a big deal" from someone else. Maybe if they learned the hard way that it is a big deal and isn't acceptable or legal, they wouldn't do it again or…have even done it in the first place.

Make the call.

You did the right thing. I wouldn't press charges.

It’s like being robbed and the thief complains you don’t carry enough cash for him. LOL

Clearly they were raised like that, and as soon as Mommy and Daddy showed up, I would have called for the sheriff's deputy's.

I agree with everyone, but, as devils advocate..........trespassers don't seem to think it's a big deal, or any deal, If you press charges several things will happen, first, they'll get a slap on the wrist, if that, second, they are now your enemies, along with their families, and friends, third, they'll be looking for payback,... property destruction, theft, and vandalism....
Tell me I'm wrong.

I think you handled it about as best you could...I would document the trespass, and send a return receipt letter, as you know the miscreants, re-affirming the trespass, time and date, and that the property in question is posted to everyone without permission, and law enforcement action will be taken on any subsequent offense...

I've had to deal with trespassers on my property, its frustrating and I've had the police take action before...most people get it when a cop shows up at their door....but some take it as a challenge.
Trust me, I'm not defending trespassers, just voicing some probabilities..

its always no big deal to those that dont produce or have any skin in the game. They likely own nothing out right and neck deep in debt. And think your place hard work and sacrifice is free range to enjoy.

The way the dad acted it's easy to see why the kids are like they are. I would press charges after he called since it was not an apology and being embarrassed.


I look at tress pasing like this. If I see a nice house with inground pool grill and hot tub and just walk up and use it like its mine that would not fly. I see people trespassing on my farm the same way. That's my home and my yard where my wife, kids and dogs relax same as someone in towns back yard. My yard just happens to be a lot larger than most people's.

So with that I dont take trespassing lightly.

If their in their 30s and 40s, they aren't kids

I don’t worry about it unless I run into someone on property I own and they hassle me then there will be a problem. Years ago the game warden asked my cousin if he allowed hunting and my cousins answer was nobody asks me and I don’t ask I just go .

It's well-known in Oregon, if you trespass, you get the hammer

Wasn't like that 30 40 years ago ....but they know better I'm sure

Liars ....no doubt

Here in Georgia we refer to this incident as hunting without permission...not trespassing.

Hunting w/o permission can be charged on 1st offense.

Trespassing cannot be charged on 1st offense unless one of three circumstances exist: 1) person causes owners $500 or more in damages or loss while there, 2) person refuses to leave when told by authorities, or 3) person returns after being advised by authorities not to.

Dig a hole.