I live in Texas. Our property backs up to an oil company’s pipe yard. Yesterday, while hunting in that area, my son discovered that someone from the pipe yard had laid a very heavy set of steps across our fence line, in between some bushes and trees, allowing them easy access to a nearby pond and deer blind. The device is so large and heavy, it was obviously placed there with a forklift or some other kind of equipment. My son has previously found deer carcasses around that general area, deer that were shot and obviously field cleaned, (not by himself, mind you) with the remainder left to rot. I went up and inspected it today myself. While there, I took video and pictures documenting the situation.
Our property is leased to this same oil company. We have several pad sites on our property (placed by this oil company), but they are not on the same side of our property as this “crossing” is.
I came home and called the County Sheriff's office. When the deputy came out, he told us to call the oil company headquarters and advise them of the situation, and to keep them posted if things do not improve. I am wondering what else I should do. I have always been a “good neighbor” to this oil company, I have a fair lease with them and receive royalties, but I surely feel violated after discovering this situation.
Contact the State Game Warden. The Poacher/Trespasser may not have a hunting license, may be a felon in possession of a gun or a lot of possibilities. State Game Wardens love cases like this. You already know he/she is a trespasser. Good luck and I hope you catch the XXXX jerk. Just be careful. A person that will do this sort of thing will hurt you. Also check your 'lease wording' on this type of violation. I'm surprised the Deputy didn't advise you to contact the Texas Game Warden LEO(Law Enforcement Office).
I think Clint has the right of it here. I was never interested in poaching so I don't know the penalty but almost any misdemeanor committed while carrying a firearm is a felony. Probably best to stay away from people with such disregard for others property, especially when it seems as now to be premeditated. Contact the game warden. You may be able to help the game warden by placing a relatively cheap game camera triggered by movement. I would consider it going the extra mile in my civic duty to put a stop to a dirtbag poacher. Merry Christmas!
Pull out your lease and read it. Our leases prohibit the introduction of firearms, dogs and narcotics on to the property. If yours has the same verbage, let the oil company know that they are violating the terms of the lease.
Don't address this issue with the landsman, but look up the oil companies attorney's address, and an start there.
Thanks folks! I reported this situation to our Game Warden this morning. I will hold up contacting the oil company, per the Game Warden's instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I really appreciate your suggestions, and as always, the information I get from this forum!
Thanks folks! I reported this situation to our Game Warden this morning. I will hold up contacting the oil company, per the Game Warden's instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I really appreciate your suggestions, and as always, the information I get from this forum!
Poachers should all be treated the same... tall tree, short rope, but today, let the law do the work, save yourself a lot of trouble. Friend caught some poachers, escorted them (with a gun) to the police. They got a warning, he got arrested for kidnapping.
Avoid confrontation and let the authorities handle the situation.
I’m glad you were advised to contact the game warden and did that, first. We have a ranch with deer hunting in Texas and a rice farm with duck and goose hunting. Poaching is a very serious offense and is best handled by the game warden who wants to catch the poacher by surprise. I’ll be interested in how it turns out. Good to know our lease provision against hunting and firearms isn’t superfluous.