How about an Eastern US hunting issue?

[Nuts]

Dropping trees or installing split rail fence was used on our own property to direct deer to somewhere harvestable. I dont see it as a dick move. Can a deer jump that stuff. Sure. But by habit they won't. Easier to go around.

 

[Bowhuntrben]

We have a similar issue in MN, and seems like it's gotten worse the past couple years.

Neighbors can be frustrating, but it is their land, and they can do what they want. With that in mind, you can do what you want on your land too. Putting in a quality fence is a perfectly reasonable thing to do and not an unwise thing to do regardless of the hunting situation.

 

[mdhunter]

I agree with the above about changing the trails. Drop some trees and move the deer.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

Have a chat. May be as simple as that. If they give you the finger then go with option 1.

 

[seeth07]

Have you tried talking to them at all?

Not yet, I have only mostly talked with the father and we have a good relationship. This is the first year seeing all of his kids show up and bring the extra people.

Also, take a step back and look at this from a 20,000 foot view because offering to pay $300,000 just to solve an issue of someone killing too many deer is a borderline mental disorder…..

No its not. 2 years ago yes it was probably a little overpriced at that rate but there is 64 acres listed for 958k just down the street from me. 13-15k/acre for recreational property and 20-30k for tillable is the new norm around here it seems. Smaller parcels typically fetch higher per acre values too.

And if there is in fact a way to end their access through your land, do it and cut ties with them completely.

The easement has specific language that states they can only use it for access and by foot only. Currently they have a "parking area" created on the easement about half way where they park and than walk the last 400 yards to their woods. I could force them to park on the street and than walk the 800 yards to their woods which would also include walking out with a deer.

 

[seeth07]

The easement has specific language that states they can only use it for access and by foot only. Currently they have a "parking area" created on the easement about half way where they park and than walk the last 400 yards to their woods. I could force them to park on the street and than walk the 800 yards to their woods which would also include walking out with a deer.

I should add to this that this is Midwest whitetail hunting mindset. Not being able to drive a wheeler or a truck to your dead deer to load it in the back is a BIG DEAL. People around here don't know what it means to pack a deer out a mile. At most they are mostly dragging it 100 yards or less to the nearest trail usually.

 

[Mallardsx2]

No its not. 2 years ago yes it was probably a little overpriced at that rate but there is 64 acres listed for 958k just down the street from me. 13-15k/acre for recreational property and 20-30k for tillable is the new norm around here it seems. Smaller parcels typically fetch higher per acre values too.

Dude. Come on now.

You're talking about spending $300,000 to simply stop some dude from killing a bunch of deer.

Your either mentally ill or you are rich AF. And if you are rich AF you wont be for long with the "I got to buy the neighbors property because he is killing all my deer" mentality. You'll be broke. Because it NEVER ends.

Either way, I do wish you well and hope that you find a solution to your issue that benefits you and your neighbors.

 

[Rack Daniels]

they can only use it for access and by foot only. Currently they have a "parking area" created on the easement about half way where they park and than walk the last 400 yards to their woods. I could force them to park on the street and than walk the 800 yards to their woods which would also include walking out with a deer.
[/QUOTE]


Not a dick move. Beneficial for all parties. Do it.

 

[BenP]

Sounds like what I deal with here in NC but add in dog hunting and now even the deer that have a "safe haven" are no longer safe unless it is a legit neighborhood they live in.

I stopped caring about trying to let deer pass to grow bigger or to wait for a particular deer to show up.

This generation of hunters is way different than past ones too. Hunters used to be happy when someone killed a nice deer. Now it's just jealousy and anger they didn't get to kill it and post it on the gram.

I've noticed that people that have the small parcels are jealous of the larger landowners around them and take that anger out on killing everything to try and make it even.

I think adjusting your property to make it favorable to your hunting is well within you rights even if it harms their hunting, after all they are essentially doing the same to you.

 

[seeth07]

Dude. Come on now.

You're talking about spending $300,000 to simply stop some dude from killing a bunch of deer.

Your either mentally ill or you are rich AF. And if you are rich AF you wont be for long with the "I got to buy the neighbors property because he is killing all my deer" mentality. You'll be broke. Because it NEVER ends.

Either way, I do wish you well and hope that you find a solution to your issue that benefits you and your neighbors.

No, 2 years ago I wasn't looking to buy it to stop a problem. I was buying it to add on to what I have at a slightly above market price knowing I would keep it for a long time. After just 2 years, my offer turned into market price and in a few years who the heck knows. Land prices are just simply going out of control and its a solid investment honestly due to that fact

 

[Mallardsx2]

I've noticed that people that have the small parcels are jealous of the larger landowners around them and take that anger out on killing everything to try and make it even.

Sadly, I have seen this trend in many places as well. Its really bad up in Pennsylvania. Thankfully the doe tags are limited licenses but god help you if the dutchies move in next door.

 

[Gravelyctry]

Seems like you've talked rationally to the owner and have a good relationship. You've made a fair offer to buy the land as well.

I'd say your neighbor's actions are actually damaging your property (the deer that is part of your property) and your ability to enjoy it. I would move to add a fence to route the deer away from their property in order to preserve and protect your own property.

That's not a dick move.

 

[Bob-WY]

Why are the deer going there? Changing trails may not work if the deer have a reason to go to that 20 acres.

Start by talking. Might be new hunters doing what they do.

 

[SaskHunter]

The easement has specific language that states they can only use it for access and by foot only. Currently they have a "parking area" created on the easement about half way where they park and than walk the last 400 yards to their woods. I could force them to park on the street and than walk the 800 yards to their woods which would also include walking out with a deer.

Seems like you already have potential solution to your problem.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Just go get a lobbyist and try to change the season so you, as a big landowner, can better manage the deer how you see fit. Probably cheaper than 300k, but the ones ive seen seem very well fed so i dunno.

Otherwise - id try to just talk to them before i did anything. A simple conversation, to start with, is better to me than starting to take action. If someones unreasonable, after you are, then i don't think using the other solutions you have remaining makes you the dick.

 

[seeth07]

Why are the deer going there? Changing trails may not work if the deer have a reason to go to that 20 acres.

There are two reasons. One, its just to have safe cover to move from my property to the property on the other side. I know they have been doing a little bit of select timber harvest on their own due to some bad storms the last few years and I'm guessing that has opened up the woods floor to some new growth which may be drawing in some deer for feed and bedding now as well.

The put this in perspective a bit more - I don't think they have a lot of deer using their property but with a shoot everything you see mentality, especially since all normal movement of deer is out the window on opening weekend, they got their chances and took advantage of it with over half of their harvest coming on those two days. Opening day I saw at least 20 different deer from my stand and my wife certainly saw some deer that I didn't. Its been a very healthy population this year and don't get me wrong - some deer needed to be shot. Right now in the field behind our house we are seeing 10 or so deer but before opening day, it was 30 plus. They certainly put a good hurting on it