- Joined
- Jul 31, 2002
- Messages
- 2,959
I just typed the above word into the search function, and found only 4 threads in as many years that contained it. Perhaps it's time we had a discussion on it. I'm not entirely sure where I draw the line with my own feelings on this subject, so maybe I can gain from the exchange as well.
I got to thinking about this because I have seen numerous threads here about folks going into other people's woods, or across their land. I'm not trying to point fingers here, so I'm not linking the threads, but I'm certain I can find plenty of them.
What the hell gives you the right to be on someone else's property without permission?
There. I've said it. I will not claim to be a saint in this regard myself, but my viewpoint is becoming more narrow of late. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where the land does not cost five times what it's actually worth, then buy some of it yourself. "But I can't afford it," you might say. Oh! Well I guess that makes everything alright then, eh?
If you live in an area where land is exhorbitant, then this makes things all the worse. It does not give you an excuse to use such land, and get the joy and benefits of it, without having to pay for it. No, it is only a bigger crime against the honest man who is paying his hard earned money for it.
I see this illustrated now that my father is struggling to keep the family farm together after my grandparents' passing. He can't afford it all, and is being forced to let go some of his favorite hunting grounds so that he can keep the fields that provide his income. I can't express the mental anguish I see him going through. Once forced to realize just how dear the cost is, he is naturally becoming more protective of it. Perhaps like my great grandfather, who kept a notepad in the pocket of his hunting coat to write down the names and date of any trespassers he caught.
If you want to venture into the woods, take the time to ask the landowner first. If he says no, respect his choice and find somewhere else. He may not want to be liable if you get hurt on his property. Take a look through a plat map. I can name several tracts in my county that were willed to the state for conservation purposes that almost no one knows about, and can be used freely. For those of you who do get permission from landowners when venturing on private ground, I applaud and thank you.
I got to thinking about this because I have seen numerous threads here about folks going into other people's woods, or across their land. I'm not trying to point fingers here, so I'm not linking the threads, but I'm certain I can find plenty of them.
What the hell gives you the right to be on someone else's property without permission?
There. I've said it. I will not claim to be a saint in this regard myself, but my viewpoint is becoming more narrow of late. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where the land does not cost five times what it's actually worth, then buy some of it yourself. "But I can't afford it," you might say. Oh! Well I guess that makes everything alright then, eh?
If you live in an area where land is exhorbitant, then this makes things all the worse. It does not give you an excuse to use such land, and get the joy and benefits of it, without having to pay for it. No, it is only a bigger crime against the honest man who is paying his hard earned money for it.
I see this illustrated now that my father is struggling to keep the family farm together after my grandparents' passing. He can't afford it all, and is being forced to let go some of his favorite hunting grounds so that he can keep the fields that provide his income. I can't express the mental anguish I see him going through. Once forced to realize just how dear the cost is, he is naturally becoming more protective of it. Perhaps like my great grandfather, who kept a notepad in the pocket of his hunting coat to write down the names and date of any trespassers he caught.
If you want to venture into the woods, take the time to ask the landowner first. If he says no, respect his choice and find somewhere else. He may not want to be liable if you get hurt on his property. Take a look through a plat map. I can name several tracts in my county that were willed to the state for conservation purposes that almost no one knows about, and can be used freely. For those of you who do get permission from landowners when venturing on private ground, I applaud and thank you.
I can see it being done without permission in the case of emergency but that's the exception. My dad's property has a 4 acre pond that borders railroad and his concern was that some trespasser would fall in and drown and the idiots family would file a lawsuit. That's what the signs are for because they don't really keep a**holes off your property.
