RIPPING POSTED SIGNS OFF OF THE TREES

[piercings4u]

im going to make a very long story short....i got written permission to hunt property. the landowner lives in california and has since the early 90's. he told me to tell anyone else that i see on the property to leave. to get back to the property there is an easement that goes off the main road and through another guys property (i got permission from him as well to access the easement through his property and he lives in greencastle). there is a guy that lives in a house right next to the easement and the other day i ran into him on that lane and he was cutting wood. he was blocking the lane. he asked what i wanted and i told him i needed to get through so i could hunt. he asked what property and i told him the last name and he said he didnt know them. then he said something about the posted sign i put up and i said that i had put it up. i asked if he hunted back there and he said yes (there is a ladder stand on the property i have permission to hunt)...he then said if i had permission then he couldnt keep me out so he moved his truck. well, i went back there the other day and the posted sign was gone. i posted 3 more right away and wrote on them "if you do not have proof of written permission to access this property then keep out. dnr will be notified". well, i went back there this evening and all 3 signs were gone. is there anything i can do about this? that guy also told me (and i took it as a threat) that there are quite a few guys that hunt the property in gun season and it gets pretty dangerous so i just might want to be careful. i am so sick of all of this. i have permission to be on this property and no one else is supposed to be there. how can i get the right to prosecute people? and if i call dnr will they even do anythiing about any of this? if i set up a trail cam and get them ripping the signs down then will dnr do something? these people are trespassing...if its that easy to get away with then i might as well join them...

[morrison]

First of all, the problem with the high road is that you always have a chance of falling. Keep your head and your balance and it will all work out. Joining them should not be your option.

Here are some recommendations that will help guide you in your situation.

1) Get a signed letter from the landowner stating something along these lines: "I am John Smith and I own the property at 1234 hunters Lane God's Country, Indiana in whereever County. I have provided written permission to Good Hunter, New Hunter, and ect. Each of these individuals will have a copy of this letter to prove they have my permission to hunt on my property. Anyone found to be on my property that is not listed in this letter, I will be willing to prosecute for hunting without my consent. I am allowing Mr. Good Hunter to act on my behalf while dealing with law enforcement officials in these situations due to my not residing close to the property or even in the state. If you have any additional questions, I can be contacted at 800-hunting." Have the landowner sign this letter.

2) contact your local Conservation Officer and advise him of the situation as well as providing him with a copy of the signed letter from the landowner. The officer will probably provide you with additional steps you can take.

3) Trust the system to work for you. Stay on the high road and have a fabulous hunting system.

Let me know if there is anything further that I can help you with.