Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Had a small tantrum today

Perfect! I could use some landscaping "berms" to spruce up the place!

A week after we bought the property with the pond (it had ALWAYS been posted) I had a guy take a swing at me when I asked him to leave. I just stepped back and showed him my best friend and he vacated the area. My friends name?? MR GLOCK. Didnt point it at him or threaten him, just laid my buddy on the hood of the Ranger. It's amazing how rednecks who cant read can understand the situation when its explained by a friend! Have concealed carry permit will travel is my motto.

My friends dad is the cheif of hasmat and fire at universal city and got his son a tazer...

More then one night was spent tazing the crap out of my friends and I... there is a video...

Think twice.
The GW invitation to enter and patrol your property is a good idea. We did it. Why not; it's part of his job. Allowing him access to a place where lawbreaking is a higher likelihood is being nothing more than being a good neighbor and citizen. It does not require quid pro quo in the form of open season fishing and/or hunting. Opening that door invites way too many forms of potential problems.

I've thought about that (the GW). Here's the problem. The GW around our area has a pretty large area to cover and I doubt that he would ever have time to mess with us. Road hunting and poaching seems to be an Olympic sport around me.

Most people don't realize it, but unless your state has a law which makes it illegal(few have) whether you give permission to a game warden or not, they can legally enter your property at any time. Even if it is posted, fenced or you personally share your dislike of them doing so... It was a 4th Amendment Ruling by the US Supreme Court called the Open Fields Doctrine.

Link From South Dakota Game and Fish

How old is that case? (Sorry I need to get to the bank before it closes and don't have time to read it) I could be wrong but I have been told several times by others in my profession that a case in PA called Sprinkle vs. Spangler changed all that. It involved an overzealous conservation officer that searched a taxidermist repeatedly at all hours of the day and night and ended up in the supreme court I was told. After that case allegedly CO's need a warrant like every other LEO. Alledgedly according to my sources the CO's want you to think they don't need a warrant however they really do. The idea is if you think they don't need one and let them in they are off the hook.

Maybe Eric can shed some light on this? I'd like to know if I'm getting bad information or not.

OTOH, I get searched from time to time in my taxidermy shop and have no problem with it as long as the LEO is courteous, as I have nothing to hide. From what I've heard they can make life rough for you if you don't cooperate.

The difference is that the over zealous CO in that case was searching dwellings. There is a distinction in the Open Fields Doctrine. CO or game wardens, what ever you wish to call them can at will search "open fields" meaning pretty much open land of any kind whether it be fields, woods, waters etc... They cannot search buildings or their curtilage without first obtaining a search warrant and that requires probably cause that a crime has or is being committed. See:

Open Fields Doctrine

In Georgia, a GW or DNR official is considered a sworn officer and they can come onto any property at any time in the performance of their duties or for investigating the possibility of a crime.

Still, we like Ranger Nick so, he's just welcome any old time he wants to visit for any reason.

No need to Taze on me. I am pretty mellow.

There are times when it is good to have "the look" even if the only thing backing it up is a low, slow growl of a voice.

CB,

Makes sense to me.

signage........"Private Proterty. Price of admission; you can't afford it!

Do poachers need a fishing license?

And that's not a fish story, right?

No fish story, no Condello technic, no hyperbole. Those of you that go to the conference will be able to attest to this.

Looks like a big 'ol teddy bear to me.

This topic has lots of good Ideas and info, looks like this problem is widespread.
When I go up to my pond I target shoot almost every time, maybe a little noise goes a long way
Haven't seen a trespasser yet, but I'm thinking of putting up a target on the far side of the pond, about 120 yards from my deck, easy shot with the Springfield.

Well im feeling alot better about things after talking to the folks that live in the house. I started by asking him if I wasn't clear when I said I didn't want anyone fishing in the pond and he say no you were very clear. He ask what happened and I told him the whole story. He apoligized and told me that that guy is from a home appliance repair company and that He was supposed to be there around 4 to fix the dishwasher( I caught him at around one.) Guess he was planning on making a day out of fishing in my pond. The homeowner said that he got home at three and that he waited around till five and the guy never showed up. So he called the company the man worked for and they told him that he had went home sick for the day. Its now saturday and the homeowners dishwasher is still broke. I guess he decided that he may be in some trouble so didn't come back. The homeowner said that the repair man had ask about fishing in the pond a few weeks back and he made it very clear that it wasn't his pond and that I didn't like people fishing in it. The homeowner and his wife said that they understand that I spend a great deal of time and money on my pond and that they would never give anyone permission to go fishing in it. They thanked me for coming by and said that it made him angry that the guy had did that because they don't want any problems between us. He Said that come monday he would be having a talk with the company that the man works for. We stood there and talked for a hour or so and he assured me that this kind of thing wouldn't happen again.

Burger, in Texas a license is needed only for public waters.

Same here (Indiana), but if they want to take come cull fish home, then they need to have a license.

jsand13, that is good news. Always the best to have another few sets of eyes on your place. Buy them a ham for Easter.

About the neighbor in your instance. I would allow the neighbors to fish but make them understand your rules. I think too many people are absorbed in their own lives that being neighborly is going to the wayside. Of course make sure they realize only they are allowed nobody else. They may even take it upon themselves to police your waters when you aren't there.

Jonesy

Sometimes it is good to allow neighbors to hunt/fish your property... Those permission often gets abused though!

If it were me, I'd allow the old couple to fish in exchange for watching my property for me. I'd make it clear that this only applies to them, not their friends, family, or dishwasher repairmen. But that's just me. The old flies and honey thing.

No I learned my lesson about letting anyone fish a long time ago. I will be nice to them and help them out when I can but the pond is my playground and I keep perfect records of everything that goes in and comes out. If you start letting people fish then you lose that ability.

It's funny how private ponds and woodlands are seen by some as public use. The larger the land holding, the more common it is for people to help themselves. In my province there is one-hundred millon acres of crown public land, for all to use, hunt, fish, whatever. That is 70% of all land in Alberta. It is common place during hunting season to ask farmers/ranchers for access to private lands to hunt, which is fine and most times access is given freely. Having said that, there is still some that abuse the system. It makes me want to visit their place, maybe tie up my horses in their yard, do a little quading, might have to use their fridge, hopefully they have a swimming pool.