HavocteXIII Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I feel awful about this. I was walking the west side of my property. My neighbor over there is very quiet, keeps to himself & just doesn't want to be bothered. I found an easy walk, marked the tree and continued on until I noticed a tree stand. I turned right around and got out of there as fast as I could. I kept asking myself, "how did I get turned around? I was heading straight north what could have I done wrong?" I was just taking an evening walk and the worst part is the tree I marked must be on his property too. I wanted to go back and take the tape down, but once I realized I wasn't on my own property I did not want to keep circling around until I found the tape. My neighbor will eventually find the flagging. Should I approach him (keep in mind he does not like being bothered) or should I play dumb if it is ever brought up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Neither. Just let it go and if he eventually finds the tape and says something, explain exactly what happened. Always tell the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Neither. Just let it go and if he eventually finds the tape and says something, explain exactly what happened. Always tell the truth. +1. Great answer here, could not agree more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Neither. Just let it go and if he eventually finds the tape and says something, explain exactly what happened. Always tell the truth. +2 Sounds like an honest mistake, and one that can and does get easily made sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 That is not trespassing. Trespassing involves an element of mens rea-literally "guilty mind" often translated as criminal intent. You did not have any criminal intent, you got turned around. No harm, no foul. I agree with the other guys above on how to resolve it if it ever comes up with the neighbor. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Neither. Just let it go and if he eventually finds the tape and says something, explain exactly what happened. Always tell the truth. This is the best approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance.and.shoot Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Neither. Just let it go and if he eventually finds the tape and says something, explain exactly what happened. Always tell the truth. I totally agree. hopefully he'll realize that you didn't realize you were on his property and that you meant no harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavocteXIII Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I feel much better and it is obvious to tell the truth but reading it from others helps alleviate the guilt. Good luck this season all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance.and.shoot Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Just remember, you're only human. and everyone (no matter how perfect you are) makes mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Call your local C.O. and turn yourself in immediately.:clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerLily Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 The truth is never the easy option, but it's the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 well atleast he wasnt in his stand when you were walking around, but i feel like the others if it should arise i would let him i got turned around and did not want to trespass any more than you already have and thats why the flagging is still there, and tell him you would be more than happy to remove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I sort of disagree.... Unless the guy hates you and arms himself every time he sees you, I would just go talk to him and let him know what happened. The reason I think so is this. Imagine the shoe was on the other foot and you found his flagging tape but didn't know who put it there. It would probably make you mad and then you would spend unnecessary energy trying to catch a tresspasser that wasn't there. Also, if he finds it and says something, you then look like a liar caught. "Uh uh uh Yeah I accidentally put it there". I believe the person that comes clean without prompting over someone I have to talk to. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Well I wish there were more people like you walking around. Every year I battle with tresspassers ripping down posted signs, running 4 wheelers across our land and private trails, even cutting down trees and dumping garbage. The back end of our property runs up against state and city land so that's where these idiots are coming in from. It's really too bad because it's ruined everyone elses (who isn't family) chances for ever doing anything on our property. I've sat in my stand and watched people blatantly ignore our signs. It is absolutely infuriating!!! As a response to your question, I might just let it go if he doesn't like being bothered. It will probably never come up and you learned your lesson and know where to steer clear from so, no major harm done. It is really nice to hear about someone responsible for a change that actually respects other peoples private property, and feels bad when they make a mistake. As far as your neighbor goes, the best thing you could do now is just to recognize the situation and steer clear of his land and keep from bothering him as best you can. Good luck out there and thanks for respecting another's property! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I sort of disagree.... Unless the guy hates you and arms himself every time he sees you, I would just go talk to him and let him know what happened. The reason I think so is this. Imagine the shoe was on the other foot and you found his flagging tape but didn't know who put it there. It would probably make you mad and then you would spend unnecessary energy trying to catch a tresspasser that wasn't there. Also, if he finds it and says something, you then look like a liar caught. "Uh uh uh Yeah I accidentally put it there". I believe the person that comes clean without prompting over someone I have to talk to. New That's a really good take on the situation too! Unless he REALLY hates being bothered and really wants to be left alone, he may appreciate a phone call and explaination of what happened and reassurance that it will never happen again, let him know that you respect him and his property. You know they guy better than we do. If he finds the tape, an explaination from you will probably put his mind at ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Are you sure you were on his property and not the other way around. I was just wondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 What were you doing flagging trees and not using a compass?? Id go talk to him asap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavocteXIII Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Well see I had the compass in my pocket, I guess I was just trying to be a rebel by not using it initially. We shall see how things unfold. If I see him out and about I will be sure to stop & inform him. Otherwise, no need to bug the guy at his home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Sauceman Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 You should go over there and talk with him. Befriend him but don't be a pest. Just go over once in a while. Usually folks act that way but if you show a similar interest you may be able to start a friendship. Talk hunting with him. Tell him about your mustake and what happened so he will know it was you who put the ribbon up. If he is any kind of a man, he will understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 The more thought I give this one, the more I think you may do best to at least blow a call over to him and explain things just to clear the air. Who knows, he just may respect your honesty enough to grant you permission to roam his woodlot. Some folks are funny that way and you need to earn their trust somehow before they grant access instead of just showing up at the door and asking permission.. May be a great way to break the ice and start some conversation. Some of them old hermit neighbors are always looking for something they have in common to talk about. I don't think it would hurt nothing none to try at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I'd just let it go until something is said. Thats just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 That's a really good take on the situation too! Unless he REALLY hates being bothered and really wants to be left alone, he may appreciate a phone call and explaination of what happened and reassurance that it will never happen again, let him know that you respect him and his property. You know they guy better than we do. If he finds the tape, an explaination from you will probably put his mind at ease. Yeah the other problem with not saying anything unless he finds it and says something is that he may not be the type to say something. He may just assume you are trespassing and may become a problem if you get a wounded deer that crosses his line. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob LeBlanc Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 I agree with Newarcher all the way! Honesty is the best policy. If I found markers on our property, I would want to know who put them there. Do I gotta worry about my stand?...Do I gotta worry about who may be sneaking up on me?...Where's he at?...What's he shooting?WHERE's he shooting...etc., etc. Let him know it was you...apologize...give him a 'gift certificate' of Help to Drag One Buck Out...but let him know. Put his mind at ease. If he 'barks' at it...so what...you're relationship will be no different than it is now. But at least your conscience will be clear. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eemer Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 I would definitely approach h the guy and let hin know what happened. Another thing you can do is to offer to walk the property line with him to make sure where your's and his property line actually is and that way both of you can feel better knowing that each of you know exactly where the border is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 norm and newarcher have the correct solution. buckee also hit on one of my points... is the stand actually on your property?? maybe he made a mistake. he's your neighbor. go talk with him. not on the phone. just drive up and say hi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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