Trespasser caught on trail cam

[Huntress]

I checked my trail cam last night to see why the dog was going nuts the night before. I leave it out year round not just to view the wildlife but it doubles as a security camera. Well, this is the first time that I got a picture of a person. Our land is very well posted and the house sits on a hill so it is quite visible even with the heavy foliage. Our land backs up to County land so there can be some traffic back there, but since I have lived there I have never seen another person wandering around. As I said earlier, the land is very well posted and this person would have seen the signs. We only have a fence around one acre that circles the house leaving the "back yard" natural. This person came by at 7pm on Friday. I was fully expecting pics of a coyote or mule deer. The picture is color and they looked directly into the trail cam from a foot away so I have a good close up of them. My question is... is there anything that can be done? I really don't know what to do about it. They look to be about 40-45 years old. Old enough to know how to read and know when they are on private property. Any advice would be welcome.

P.S. Obviously they do not know what a trail cam is as they have the puzzled deer in the headlights look in the pic.

[elkhunter11]

Give copies of the pictures to the RCMP,and lodge a trespassing complaint.

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Give copies of the pictures to the RCMP,and lodge a trespassing complaint.

x2..........

[Double Shovel]

What did he hurt? I went and checked my trail camera a few weeks ago and noticed somebody came down the river and decided to have a camp fire on my land.I could have took it both ways and let it bother me and contact the cops but it would only stress me out.I always left my gate to my land open to people to go hunt on it and hike and that was my motto and it would be that way until something is wrecked.Well two years ago somebody tried breaking into my cabin and took my firewood,now my land is locked but people can still hunt there,they just have to walk now.If the guy was out hiking I can't see what he hurt or what threat he was.Now being that close to your house in hunting season with a firearm is a different story or if stuff from your yard went missing.I guess I have a different view of it.

[nube]

Originally Posted by Double Shovel

What did he hurt? I went and checked my trail camera a few weeks ago and noticed somebody came down the river and decided to have a camp fire on my land.I could have took it both ways and let it bother me and contact the cops but it would only stress me out.I always left my gate to my land open to people to go hunt on it and hike and that was my motto and it would be that way until something is wrecked.Well two years ago somebody tried breaking into my cabin and took my firewood,now my land is locked but people can still hunt there,they just have to walk now.If the guy was out hiking I can't see what he hurt or what threat he was.Now being that close to your house in hunting season with a firearm is a different story or if stuff from your yard went missing.I guess I have a different view of it.

I agree with Double Shovel. Your land backs onto County land as I see it and by the sounds of it he took 2 steps on your property. It sounds like he may not have ever been there and may not have recognized a house was there but I could be wrong. I would think different during hunting season as well but If the guy did not look like he was prowling around and up to no good I would not have let it bother you too much. I am sure there are more people that have crossed your backyard than you would like to think. You just may not have got them all on camera. County land is not so abundant and I think it gets used by a lot of people.
Now , on the other hand if you do feel threatened turn it into the cops but I would think that behind the seen they won't do anything about it. It's a $200 fine and as far as they see it no harm was done. Sad but true. They have more to worry about than tracking down a no named tresspasser

[Bear]

Has there been much crime around your area? If there has been thefts you may want to talk to your local cops and see if there has been a rash of farm thefts. They may want to know who is snooping around where. Go talk to them, a lot of crimes have been solved by someone thinking something is just not right and just talking to a cop buddy. You don't have to press charges but the cops might want to know about it.

May look harmless, may not be. Can't hurt to go talk with the police.

[diamonddave]

X2 I would just let them know about it incase there has been some susp. activity going on in the area. If not, then no harm done.

[elkhunter11]

What did he hurt?

That is not the point,the point is that the trespassers obviously have no respect for private property,since they ignored the signs.If you don't stop them now,they will just keep on trespassing come hunting season.

[trophybook]

did they have to jump a fence to get on your property?

[surface2feather]

I do see the 'What did he hurt?' side of things...but eventually....over time...where 1 goes-3 will go, where 3 go-10 will go, and so on...

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

That is not the point,the point is that the trespassers obviously have no respect for private property,since they ignored the signs.If you don't stop them now,they will just keep on trespassing come hunting season.

x2 why is it that it's supposed to be ok for someone to be in your backyard if you're in the country. heck, from what i gather here most people think it's their right to be on someones property. but if the tables are turned and it happens to someone in the city it's a big deal and everyone makes a fuss.

just because my backyard is bigger doesn't make it ok

[Huntress]

There has been a good deal of theft going on. Just a few houses down our road someone took some property off their lot as well as attempted to break in to their travel trailer. This person that was on our property was not simply just "two steps" on our land, but well on our property and nearly up to the house. They could clearly see the house from where they stood. I have printed out the picture and on my way to the RCMP office. Thank you for all of the advice! Better to be a bit cautious when someone is trespassing knowingly than end up like they guy down the road missing a bunch of stuff. I just wasn't sure what to do about it. Thanks again!

[outlaw'd]

Better safe than sorry Huntress. With the amount of crime in the rural areas lately and from the way you have described your place as being posted, I'm willing to bet this person was doing more than just " hiking".

[Trav]

Originally Posted by outlaw'd

Better safe than sorry Huntress. With the amount of crime in the rural areas lately and from the way you have described your place as being posted, I'm willing to bet this person was doing more than just " hiking".

He might have been up to something, but I would think if he was 1 foot away looking directly into camera and he was up to no good the camera would be gone.

but like you all said better safe than sorry

[switchsl]

I would take the picture to the authorities, incase he was up to no good... you dont necessarily have to charge him, but if they come back, its on record, and if the description matched his picture for other property thefts well... they have a good id on him. The guy was on your land posted no tesspassing, thas the bottom line. I would also move my camera... Incase he comes back to steal that. Just my two cents

[BrownBear416]

Originally Posted by Trav

He might have been up to something, but I would think if he was 1 foot away looking directly into camera and he was up to no good the camera would be gone.

but like you all said better safe than sorry

^^^^ x2

[Shaggy]

C. Y. A.

Nip it in the bud.

[Ken07AOVette]

What are the chances that he was scoping the place?

I have to agree with the other's that are making sense, if you have something you feel has to be protected by a no trespassing sign, and this guy chose to ignore it, you should back up your stance.

Take the picture to the Police.

[westren]

x4 or 6

[Walleyes]

Yah I agree nail him to the cross.. He obviously walked a good 50 feet onto your property from crown land.. Probably squashed 5 square feet of your grass,, cost you valuable picture frames on your trail camera,, a real threat to society.. I would do the honorable thing and treat him like a common criminal for such unspeakable actions..

I mean its the only neighbourly thing to do no ??? And I its not like the cops have anything better to do than look after your petty complaints..

Honestly,, I thought I read it all !!!!

[joeti7]

I'm Glad to see that most people have no trust in anyone else. I would doubt that a 45 year old is "scoping" your place out, could be but not likely. Maybe he can't read and thats why he didn't stop at the posted signs. For all anyone knows his truck could have ran out of gas and he was coming to use the phone until the dog scared him away?? I would feel pretty bad for getting someone a trespassing ticket because they needed help. I think people need to start looking at this with a positive attitude and see some good in people, as opposed to jumping to "trespassing" and "stealing" conclusions. Like Trav said, if he was looking at stealing something, what better that a $300 camera(just an guess) thats only 1 foot away.

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

What are the chances that he was scoping the place?

I have to agree with the other's that are making sense, if you have something you feel has to be protected by a no trespassing sign, and this guy chose to ignore it, you should back up your stance.

Take the picture to the Police.

X2 Definately take the picture in and report it.

[cdock]

Originally Posted by trophybook

did they have to jump a fence to get on your property?

Great question. I have been walking down a river for a long way and at the end of the day I see a way to get to the road and save me some time and steps. As I approach the road suddenly I realilze I'm fenced in. Somewhere along the river the fence wasn't there or was gone or whatever. A completely innocent mistake. I would never jump a fence deliberately without proper permission. However at the same time if someone reported me I would be just fine with that as how would they know. So with that said I don't think there is any harm making a note of it and keeping an eye out for anything unusual until you feel comfortable and if some other things arise call it in. But I believe MOST people don't intend to do things like this so it was most likely an innocent mistake. With that said there are SOME people that do everything they can deliberately cause they don't like private land. I guess what' I'm saying do what makes you feel good and makes you feel safe. That's the important thing here, you and your family.

[AbAngler]

Originally Posted by joeti7

I would doubt that a 45 year old is "scoping" your place out, could be but not likely.

I would have agreed with you until last year. A bunch of houses and cars where broken into on our street. Of course we thought young guys for sure. The guys they caught were 45 to 50. Older pros. They'd break into cars and open garages to gain access. In one case, the victims were asleep upstairs. RCMP said they were lucky they didn't wake up and confront the bad guys. Younger guys would have run, older guys.......who knows?

Report it. Better safe then sorry.

[Dakota369]

Originally Posted by joeti7

I'm Glad to see that most people have no trust in anyone else. I would doubt that a 45 year old is "scoping" your place out, could be but not likely. Maybe he can't read and thats why he didn't stop at the posted signs. For all anyone knows his truck could have ran out of gas and he was coming to use the phone until the dog scared him away?? I would feel pretty bad for getting someone a trespassing ticket because they needed help. I think people need to start looking at this with a positive attitude and see some good in people, as opposed to jumping to "trespassing" and "stealing" conclusions. Like Trav said, if he was looking at stealing something, what better that a $300 camera(just an guess) thats only 1 foot away.

History (and not just recent) has taught us that we live in a age of thievery, and abuse. To say that we should all just give him the benefit of the doubt, and not assume that there was any nefarious intent is so wrong. I really do wish that we didn't live in the times that we do, but the criminals have all learned by now that we as property owners and citizens have no right to protect our property, or our families, and they can get away with just about anything. Report it, and pass the photo on to the RCMP, and let them find out what his intentions were. To do any less would be negligent in my mind. If it is all innocent, then great, set your mind at rest. If you don't, and you go camping for the weekend and come home to a dead dog and a cleaned out garage and house you will regret it.

[Dakota369]

Originally Posted by Walleyes

Yah I agree nail him to the cross.. He obviously walked a good 50 feet onto your property from crown land.. Probably squashed 5 square feet of your grass,, cost you valuable picture frames on your trail camera,, a real threat to society.. I would do the honorable thing and treat him like a common criminal for such unspeakable actions..

I mean its the only neighbourly thing to do no ??? And I its not like the cops have anything better to do than look after your petty complaints..

Honestly,, I thought I read it all !!!!

You once again entertain us with the absolute amazing depths to which your ignorance can stoop.......

Actually the police do not have better things to do then investigate trespass issues, as they all to often lead to theft issue etc. The law was broken, period. Just because you feel it is a petty law does that mean that it should not be followed up on? Shooting from the road/at night or poaching are relatively petty breaches of the law as well (as long as no one is injured). Would you suggest that complaints of this nature would be better off not investigated? I am sure if it was the OP's neighbor, he would know that as he did say that he had a good shot of the persons face. For peace of mind alone it is worth following up on, and I am sure that if you had pictures of someone lurking around your place that you did not know you would be inclined to do something as well........

[switchsl]

The stereotype of criminals being punk kids is pretty narrow minded. They are all ages colors and descriptions. Unfortunatly you cant give people the benifit of the doubt anymore. The attitude towards "what does it hurt" is what is causing all of us to lose access to private lands due to distrust.

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by Walleyes

Yah I agree nail him to the cross.. He obviously walked a good 50 feet onto your property from crown land.. Probably squashed 5 square feet of your grass,, cost you valuable picture frames on your trail camera,, a real threat to society.. I would do the honorable thing and treat him like a common criminal for such unspeakable actions..

I mean its the only neighbourly thing to do no ??? And I its not like the cops have anything better to do than look after your petty complaints..

Honestly,, I thought I read it all !!!!

Everyday we here about another quad getting stolen( mine included), or a truck broke into or a trailer ripped off. These people obviously scout out the property before they do their dirty work. Because of personal experiences, if I catch someone on my property, by my house, without a good reason, it won't be tolerated.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by Walleyes

Yah I agree nail him to the cross.. He obviously walked a good 50 feet onto your property from crown land.. Probably squashed 5 square feet of your grass,, cost you valuable picture frames on your trail camera,, a real threat to society.. I would do the honorable thing and treat him like a common criminal for such unspeakable actions..

I mean its the only neighbourly thing to do no ??? And I its not like the cops have anything better to do than look after your petty complaints..

Honestly,, I thought I read it all !!!!

Ted Bundy was caught for a simple traffic violation. Charles Ng was caught by mall cops after shop lifting. Many examples of where small insignificant things catch up the worst of people. If your mind is telling you there is something not right with a situation do not ignore that. Instinct is telling you something is wrong report it. Like I said earlier talk to the RCMP and let them know. You don't have to file a complaint but just let them know. They may or may not who it is. If Brian Knight had trail cams up he might not be facing the legal nightmare that he is right now.

[diamonddave]

I have to ask Walleyes, if you think she is over reacting, then whats with your sig line< Warning,, I don't call 911>?? Does that mean you will just wait untill somebody actually commits the crime against you before you react? Your post seems a little hypocritical to me, so I am just wondering where you draw the line?