Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Help me build a sign

Theo, what is the basis for the comments in your first paragraph about invalidating a sign if you do that same activity?

Are you referring to some law, or just that people won't take it seriously?

I don't know that there's a legal basis, Sunil, although I have heard there is. I am sure there are those who would think "No fishing? To heck with that - I saw that other guy fishing!" So I just try to make it clear folks should stay off my property - not try to tell them what they shouldn't do if they trespassed anyway.

If ewest or anyone else knows an actual legal position on this, I would be interested to learn it.

Brettski, I think your best defense is to be unpleasant. And, make sure everybody knows it.

Keep in mind that Dave D. (or Chuck) took that approach, so they started cooking speed on his land.

Just kidding, Guvnor!!

I just order a sign from signsdirect.com .
DANGER THIN ICE! STAY OFF ICE! NO SKATING !
Traffic Sign Material: Baked Enamel on Steel
Letter and Border Color: Red
COST $29.00

Mostly because of thin ice in the winter. I HAVE THE BASIC NU HUNTING ,NO FISHING, NO TRESSPASSING SIGNS IN ADDITION TO THIS.
HOPE THIS HELPS.

Nothing to kid about Sunil. It really happened. I think it was Meth but maybe they're the same thing. I don't know.

Brettski,

I've tried a lot of different ones...none seem to work..in fact I sometimes wonder if signs that warn against fishing aren't actually an invitation to some. After years of trying different things, I've about concluded that hidden game cameras(and one visible one), a few standard no trespassing signs, and most important of all, unscheduled, out of the ordinary visits are the best ways for the weekend pond meister to protect their investment. It can be a most frustrating problem in certain regions.

I found a chrome colored rattletrap about 100 yds from one of my ponds last weekend. It certainly wasn't mine. Maybe if I lived there I could do a better job of monitoring it.

Dave, I really don't know if they're one and the same or not. It still shocks me that people were doing that on your land.

Once the water is there, you'll simply have to see what level of trespassing you end up getting. Then deal appropriately.

I just saw Dave's last post.

Last year, I found a brand new metal fish-stringer chain around the back side of my pond. Man I was pissed.

With cameras so common now days, I would think a couple of "NOTICE: Hidden Cameras" signs would be believable, and would do the trick. If not, get some game cameras.

I think a single sign at the entrance reading simply "Buchshot" may work in my area. But since the local rednecks are more scared of moccasins than buckshot, maybe "WARNING! Moccasin Infestation" would work better.

This is a little off topic for what you are trying to accomplish, but here is something I use.

I have signs that read

--
Warning - Toxic Algae Treatment in Progress

Consumption of fish and other aquatic life may result in serious illness or death.

Do not eat fish, turtles, frogs or other aquatic plants or animals from these waters.

No Swimming. No Fishing. DO NOT DRINK WATER.
--

Then I have the universal Biohazard logo printed at the bottom.

With our Vertex system pumping up bubbles and all the feeders around the pond, I think this has helped us keep would-be poachers at bay. I know I would never fish in a pond like this when I was younger (course, I was never a poacher either - so maybe my mind works differently).

Also - here in SC there are laws on what posted signs must say and how often they must be placed to hold up in court...perhaps your state has a similar law. If not a law, there may be a court precident or some administrative code that will give you the clarity you are looking for.

My neighbors sign gets to the point;

If you can read this, you are in range.

the prior owner to our land was an avid duck hunter and whenever he saw a tresspasser he would go "hunting" and or practice his skeet shooting. and it seemed he had few problems with uninvited guests...he also befriended the right people ie game warden and sherrif.
We moved in and tried the nice guy approach even allowing a neighbor to grow walleye fingerlings in a portion of the pond. Before too long people were parking their boats on our land and would be out fishing at Midnight. It wasnt in our nature to shoot off weapons to try to scare them off but certainly the tough guy approach was more effective. We had probalby 50 or so signs all over the place and before too long nobody paid attention to them. We were only at the place about 15 times a year for 2 or 3 days so that didnt help. Our dog was a cute puppy.

Warning : This property is booby trapped, for medical assistances call 911

One of the signs around here that get the most respect are "Warning-Traps". Makes people think twice about going in.

From a legal standpoint, posting will only help you when you get sued, or if you want to prosecute tresspassers later. The million dollar umbrella is cheap by a longshot. Helpful neighbors are one of the best deterrants out there.

How about, "HUNTING AND FISHING BY PERMISSION ONLY"

Ski..

"NO TRESPASSING FOR ANY REASON"

This one works for me. Short and to the point.

K.I.S.S.

Dan

I've had plenty of problems with trespassing. Just this past week when I was at my property someone came onto the place via horseback. Granted I had left my gate open however my place has "No Trepassing" signs all over the place. People just don't seem to care.

By the way for you fellow Californian's here's the current law in CA...

California Penal Code 602.8

602.8. (a) Any person who without the written permission of the
landowner, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession of
the land, willfully enters any lands under cultivation or enclosed by
fence, belonging to, or occupied by, another, or who willfully
enters upon uncultivated or unenclosed lands where signs forbidding
trespass are displayed at intervals not less than three to the mile
along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trails entering
the lands, is guilty of a public offense.

Personally I have stuck with the posting signs every 50 feet or so and signs on all of the roads in and out of the property. Although it has cut down on trespassers (and stopped people from cutting my fence which had happened before) it has not eliminated trespassing.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
Jeffhasapond is not an attorney and is not in any way licensed to practice law in California, or any other state, region, county, US possession or territory, foreign country, tropical island or even in France. Although Jeffhasapond did watch almost every episode of LA Law, he is not qualified to dispense legal advice. Accordingly, any posting by Jeffhasapond that seems to contain legal advice should be regarded as mindless dribble to be scoffed at or ignored.

Jeff posting a copy of a statute like 602.8 is not practicing law and nether is saying what you personally do. So no disclaimer is needed. BTW CPA's are often engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and there does not seem to be a problem. :p

BTW you should add to the disclaimer "but I did sleep at a ______ (certain Hotel name) " .

Ain't that the truth! Clients are always asking me legal questions so I had my attorney's (Canwee, Billem and Whenn) draw up that fancy language for me.

Post was off topic.

Another so. Texas favorite

***********ABSOLUTELY************
*********NO TREPASSING***********
***********SURVIVORS*************
************will be*************
***********PROSECUTED***********

____________________________________________
-----------NEVERMIND THE DOGS-------
------------BEWARE OF OWNER!--------
_____________________________________________

Legal or Civil action.