Thread: How to deal with Poachers???

Hi All, After some thoughts/ideas on how to keep people off private land without turning into one of those grumpy farmers at the end of the road......
I caught/saw 4 people this week from Sunday to Thursday, someone had shot 2 hinds with fawns on a track and left em there
Someone has cut a track from the doc track up to the fence, they have even marked it, and it's getting a lot of use.
While I was walking mustering through the scrub yesterday the other worker said there was someone on top off the ridge above me with a rifle.
Ideas appreciated.

First get that meat if its fresh dont waste it go up there with signs that say trail cams have been placed in the area if you are caught you will be prosecuted. Or better yet really do it.

Id be putting a sign on that track to let anyone who is using it know they are about to enter private property for a start(altho they probably already know that) perhaps with a phone no to apply for access? at least then you could manage who is hunting where and shooting what.

Invest in trail cams, then you've got hard evidence if someone is poaching to take to the police.
My farther-inlaws mate put on up on his fence post and he was amazed at just how many people were coming onto his land

You could get some trail cameras and give to cops etc.
We get the same from time to time its frustrating iv never meet a farmer that has said no with out good reasoning to me passing through there land all i did was ask and sweetened the deal with beer. Some have even let me hunt there farm!!
Iv knowen people to sit and wait with a good quality camera and put pics up in supermarkets. I couldnt think of to much worse than being knowen as a poacher theres no need for it.
Prob not of much help but i hear where you are coming from and its a problem where you are far from alone. the worst bit is if they hurt themselves you get in the shit

Catching poachers was something was and still do to a smaller degree.
1 Identify your boundries so you know and they know where it is, so they know when they are on private property.
2 Be active with your patrolling i.e Anytime, any weather, you may be out on patrol, have someone with you if possible.
3 Don't carry any weaspons ,fire arms etc when on patrol. That way if it goes to court you can't be accussed of threating behaviour.
4 Get as much information on the tresspasers as you can i.e Vehicle rego, trail cam, personal details, like what they look like, What they wore, description of their dogs etc
5 When you have them on your property record the time, and place, gps if possible.
6 When they are apprehended, push for the mamimum penalty allocated to the offences. Disturbing stock, being unlawfully on private property plus with a firearm. Threating to shoot you or your stock, or the threart of assualt. Because you are unarmed and on your own property the court will rule in your favour and this will be taken into account.
7 If all else fails ,do what my clients do and hire a private Security firm.

trail cams

name & shame the scum. post photos on hunting forums, local hunting/fishing shops, supermarket, pub etc.

good advice about not being armed, will help your case with police and courts.

Finding vehicle is the ideal. Removing all wheels (chuck 'em down the hill) slows them down while you call the Police. Issue Trespass Notice. Police can prosecute for being on private property with weapon etc.

Talk to your neighbours - it's likely they're having similar and will prob be happy to make a team to 'observe'.

Actually physically engaging with these characters is risky. At least 3 of you are needed - and one runs a camera (ideally movie) ofthe entire situation. Make sure you get clear face shots (with camera folks!). Frankly if they're stroppy at all when/if you confront them you can add "threatening with menace" to Police complaint.

Don't damage vehicle, but do remove any loose items and leave a note they can collect from Police - make sure you drop items off promptly at station. The technicality is that you cannot be prosecuted for theft from their vehicle because you have clearly indicated your intent "not to permanently deprive owner of his property".

Take photographs where you can. Trail cam(s) (*black light model) where they're walking, or parking.

Talk to the hunters who do have legitimate use of your land - they're likely to be equally passionate about helping protect 'their' patch - but do ensure they also follow the above serious guidelines

Ah bugger it. here's the naughty list: Z nails and plenty of them work too. Soap powder, sand or a combination work well in fuel tank. super glue in door locks (if they're not using remote open). 'accidently' reverse into vehicle - head lights, and tail lights tend to always get in the way.

Make sure you know for sure its your land they are on. not saying you dont but hunters here have a problem with a small doc block, the farmers next to it think they own the doc block and get really angry and abusive at hunters for hunting in the doc block. me and mate got told to get off the road cause its there road but its a public road so god knows whats wrong with them.

The cops will do F all, believe me.................

Originally Posted by Bulltahr

The cops will do F all, believe me.................

So true, even when you catch them on your land with a deer. Mates caught one on there farm cops did nothing he got away with it.

Would it help to go to a community constable with your problem, let it be on record (get their name/QID) then do this stuff? (I particularly liked Axed Wounde's list) Information is always the key. Start up a book where you can write down everything - where you placed your cam and what date/time, any little snippets of description, anything that 'feels funny'. You can then keep checking in with the same cop as you build more info. Don't go away. Stick with the same person and continue to show that you are upset and want something to be done...and by upset I don't mean angry, don't be the guy that walks in the door that nobody wants to serve. Be the hard-done-by farmer who is concerned for the safety of his family, land and livelihood.

At the end of the day it'll most likely be your word against the poachers and if you have more evidence you are setting yourself up for a better chance of something being done.

Ar well lets get together and break some legs

Give the local mob members a couple of deer and a crate they will sort it. Well it used to work in the king country

Try the graphic approach ??