You should talk to the guy. First, investigate local law and codes that apply, but don’t pretend to be a lawyer on TV and start throwing law at him, just talk to him. Not a letter, in person, he’s your neighbor, go talk to him. If the guy’s a jerk maybe you might never talk to him again, but he may not be a jerk and you don’t want to act like one yourself. You both are entitled to enjoy the use of your own properties.
Any sort of material will get tattered in the sun and wind. I’d suggest patience and planting a row of cypresses.
I have a woods/pasture that an abandoned railroad runs along side of it. I have a guy who sets up his stand in the RR right of way (says he has permission, I doubt it) and obviously shooting into my property. I talked to him and he basically said F-you. Yes the law is on my side but he just needs to claim he shot the deer under his stand and it jumped the fence and he has the right to get it.
My plan is to get some old used building tin (10-12’ sheets) 8’ wood fence posts and stringers to run between the posts. Stand the sheets on end with a small gap between to let the wind through to block his view during hunting season. Take it down afterwards so a wind storm doesn’t blow them away.
I also have problems with asparagus and morel mushroom hunters who don’t understand what “no trespassing” or “private property” signs on the fence every 15-20’ means. They get beyond pissed when I confiscate their pickings. I give them a choice, give me your bag or I call the Sheriff and charge you with theft and trespassing.
You can just make any fence that will stop a deer from getting in and he has no more excuse. Deer fence is fairly economical. You may need 6’ to 8’ high fencing depending on the type of deer in your area.
If you use some kind of solid material make sure to take pictures of all of it in case it develops bullet holes.
Quite often, when I find myself frustrated with my suburban neighbors, I feel like I’d like to move to the country to escape them. But pretty much no matter how rural, there is someone owning property next to you. My FIL used to own 300+ acres in SW Michigan - and even that wasn’t large enough to isolate from neighbors trespassing, hunting, etc - not to mention noise and trash.
Good luck.
As usual in the US there are 50 states and just about as many versions of the hunting laws. Basically:
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You are not allowed to hunt on private property without permission from the landowner. Posted trespassing signs are advised but not required. Know where you are allowed to hunt.
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If you shoot a game animal and it wanders onto private property you are required to ask the landowner for permission to retrieve it. The landowner can deny permission.
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If the landowner refuses permission to retrieve the animal, they may be liable under hunting regulations for wasting a game animal if they just leave it there, they become the new owner of the dead game animal and they better have a hunting license and valid tag. So most landowners will just reluctantly let you go get the animal and tell you not to do it again, it is simpler for everyone. If you are not going to become a licensed hunter with a valid tag then it is probably best to let him take it.
I would suggest, like the others have, to have a talk with you neighbor about his intentions. If he gets snotty about it you can sell hunting rights permits to your own land and inform him that he needs to pay for annual hunting/fishing rights or it will be trespassing. “How does $500 dollars a year sound? Fair”
This is common in my area, you pay an annual fee or you call the cops and report trespassing. It will be best to work out some mutually agreeable situation, but you absolutely do not have to allow him to shoot from his tree stand into your property without your permission
In New York bow hunters must track an injured animal and kill it, and you can go on private property to do that. I assume there are additional restrictions, The law may have changed in the past 40 years, might not be limited to bow hunters, but I don’t know any more about it.
Here in Rhode Island the state is trying to attract hunters. Most of the hunters here are a dwindling group of old guys and wild turkeys, deer, and a variety of critters are being fruitful and multiplying. This helps coyotes multiply too. At the same time another political group is trying to ban hunting since the core of pro-hunting supporters seems to be getting smaller.
I’m with the others who suggest having a chat with him first. At least with that there is some chance of an amicable resolution and positive relationship going forward.
If you just put up something that obstructs his view you will absolutely make an enemy. Maybe that’s inevitable in the end, but that’s not where you want to start.
The one time we allowed a guy to hunt deer on our property, our only ask was that he take the gut pile with him so our dogs wouldn’t eat it (and then come home and puke it up inside).
The guy got a deer and in his excitement (was his first deer) he forgot to take the gut pile. He’d brought a trash bag and meant to take it, but he forgot.
Pissed me off royally. When he realized his mistake he called to apologize. I told him I didn’t want his apology and he’d ruined it for anyone who asked in the future. Blocked his number, as he called repeatedly.
Fück hunters.
So it’s not actually your property, yet? It’s possible that he’s completely reasonable, and he has an agreement with the current owner about killing coyotes or something. If he has horse pasture, I imagine they are a problem for him.
Wait until you close, then meet the guy and talk to him. Maybe he’s an asshole, but maybe he’s a great guy. You won’t know until you meet him (and maybe it will take longer to actually know, but at least you’ll learn something.)
Getting sued might be the “happy outcome” here.
He sure isn’t making hunters happy carrying on like that. If I was that guy I’d just count my blessings that at least those guys aren’t gun-lovers or something.
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Have you spoken with your state’s game warden’s yet? Have them come out and show them the stand and how close it is to your property. They know the laws so you don’t have to do any research and go it alone.
Around here, folks hunt coyotes with 223. I would not be happy if I lived next to someone that was hunting with a 223 on a postage stamp size 15 acre lot unless there was a lot of natural barriers between us. It would have to be a lot more significant than netting. I know they are pointing down if they are hunting from a stand, but I’d still be pissed.
I’d assume a lot depends on how heavily an area is forested. Where we used to go in Mich, there was A LOT of shooting, and a lot of long, narrow 5-10 acre lots. Many folk would strategically cut trees to create a long range, with plenty of trees to stop any errant shots. And, yeah - shooting down from a blind would also help.
But I’d also be pissed at what the OP describes.
Sounds like hell to me. That type of country living is not for me.
OP, what is the property like at your edge, is it trees (hard to string up fabric thru the branches) or is it open, in which case, wind will be an issue for any fabric you hang since you’ll need many yards to make an effective blocker? What are the laws in your community about fences? While a 6’ fence stops anyone walking by from seeing in someone in a tree stand can see right over that so you’d need something higher.
Another vote for talk to him first; you may be able to resolve the issue without cost or physical effort of erecting something.
Yeah - it used to feel like the middle of nowhere. Now, with the amount of gunfire, and even loud music late at might, it has lost its allure.
There are responsible hunters and irresponsible ones. Some have had firearms their whole lives, learned from other family members, but don’t have good safety practices. Others take safety very seriously. Not having any idea which camp your neighbor falls into, I’d consult with game wardens and local law enforcement first. Wear an orange vest when you go out there…
This is great advice.