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Post by Dan on Oct 19, 2007 7:57:30 GMT -5
No Trespassing means NO Trespassing!! I'm not sure what it is about this concept that sportsman just don't get now a days but they had better take note. Here in Niagara, land is getting more and more scarce for hunting. Not only is there allot of development taking precious hunting areas but trespassers are ruining it for everyone. Unethical hunters have threatened land owners, fisherman have cut fences and littered private shorelines and the anti hunting/fishing agenda is spreading rapidly. Less and less people have the time to go fishing and hunting and the general public is losing touch with nature and the importance of using it. How can we justify killing an animal with a gun or fillet knife when you can build a home on it's habitat and then idle your SUV into a drive through daily? Regardless of their reasons the signs are going up and the lack of space to partake in our sport is now forcing some to trespass. This has now reached the critical point where either you do some heavy negotiating with land owners, break the law or add to the numbers who have just plain given up hunting and fishing. You can help When you see a poacher or trespasser that is threatening to make our sport even harder, call the tips line 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667). By calling in a violation not only are you helping a private landowner but your saying that anglers and hunters care about the law. We are not a bunch of gun toting littering rednecks who have no respect for the law or the rules set out before us. Click the banner above to go to the MNR "Tips" reporting page and read the information they need. This will explain what they consider a violation and the best way to report it. If we all work together, we can not only save our resources from abuse, but we'll create a better overall picture for the general public to judge us by.
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Post by Dan on Dec 14, 2007 22:37:14 GMT -5
Well had a run in today on my way into the woods. Some guy stops the car and starts yelling something at me. He wants to know why I'm hunting on a property that's posted. He's angry I walked right past the NO Hunting sign with my bow and into the woods. He points to the sign pictured above. "Excuse me Sir" I said "but I have written permission from the landowner on my person allowing me to hunt this property". His facial expression changes dramatically as I continue. "The sign you are referring to does not mean no hunting". "Yes it does" he exclaims. I dug in to him. "Get your facts straight buddy, the sign means No Trespassing. I have written permission signed by the landowner. He asks who owns the land and I tell him and explain where the property line starts. He sticks to his guns about the sign but says if I have written permission he's fine with that. I then dig in again. "No it's not fine. If it said No Hunting I'd be breaking the law". "But you have permission "he asks. "It doesn't matter if it's your own property mister, if it's posted no hunting your breaking the law for hunting your own property permission or not!" His tone changes again and the apologies start. He said he recently got between a hunter and a gun. One beautiful morning over coffee he was watching a deer come across the field in his yard. About halfway across he sees the gun. An altercation takes place and we now have one more anti. He tells me I'm the nicest hunter he's met and I apologize for the trespassers and explain that hunters who trespass should be referred to as poachers. I really do let this guy off the hook without the riot act because I've heard this story too many times. Fort Erie has a horrible reputation for the arrogant gun toting crew that calls their activities hunting. They give us a bad name. I was going to go on to explain to him how he might be breaking the law by interfering with a legal hunt as by this time the conversation from 50 feet apart in the trees had stirred up the forest enough that my chances are greatly reduced unless a deer comes from far in the other direction. I'm in a hurry to get to my tree stand so we leave with an agreement. Hunters stink here in Fort Erie except for me I wish now I had taken the time to go talk more with the gent. The evening provided no deer sightings and his impression of area hunters was still bad. I've said it before that a hunters best camouflage is a suit and tie. We have to remain part of the general public, stay in touch and fit in. This guy and his neighbors and friends etc, need to know that they don't see most legitimate hunters because they do blend in. The bright orange trespassing idiots who threaten people on their own property are the only ones who stand out like a sore thumb. The general public need to be reminded not to approach these poachers as they are armed criminals. >:(Call the police! Call the MNR hotline! Don't know the number? Just call 1 800 222 TIPS or 1 877 TIPS MNR. These jerks need to be reported and charged. If the elusive conservation officer confiscates their gun they will surely learn the lesson. If these idiots aren't stopped there will be no hope of ever returning hunting as a normal activity in societies eyes. The poacher is our worst enemy selling ammunitions to the anti hunting movement. Please pass on good habits to your kids and teach them how to hunt. Help educate and protect the non hunting GP and don't trespass or break the law while hunting!
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