SB 5233 Notice Against Trespass

[baldopepper]

No..Hell no.     Idiot local "hunters" post land of absentee landowners , timber co. land , and state land just so they can hunt it themselves. This will make it easier for them to post more land that should be available to hunt. Won't change a thing as far as catching or charging trespassers. I had a hunter cross a fence, go past No Trespassing signs , and sat in one of my blinds. I did catch him and persuaded to let me take a picture of his hunting license. AND , the trespasser worked for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I insisted on prosecution. After three call from the prosecuting attorney to plea bargain (which I rejected) he was convicted of trespassing... This will be a great law for cheaters. If it passes I will buy stock in orange spray paint companies.  Guess I should stock up now before everyone posts their favorite hunting spot.. I know some good public land here in Stevens County that would make a great "private" hunting spot. 

This has been the law in Utah for years and I can attest to how it is abused by hunters who want to preserve a "honey hole" for themselves by spraying public or absentee owner land.  It got to be kind of a standing joke.  Those who ignore signs are going to ignore the spray paint also, but for the rest of us who abide by the law, we'll shy away from those painted areas unless we are absolutely sure it's been faked.  That paint doesn't wear off, it stays there no matter if the land changes hands and the new owner doesn't object to hunters on his land and I can show you painted areas that have lived thru several owner changes.  The first time you arrive early in the morning to one of your spots that you're pretty certain is open land and find a big gob of orange spray paint you'll hate this law.  If you're like most of us, you'll stay off until you can make certain it is open land and meanwhile the painter will have a free day to hunt at his leisure.  Believe me, it has happened and will happen-just to tempting and easy for some sleaze balls to do.

[pianoman9701]

Orange corner marker, NO HUNTING sign,  NO TRESPASSING sign. ............is there really any other excuse needed to not knowing you're trespassing?? Pretty sad

Turn the bino's around and look at the issue from the other way around,  it could keep people from utilizing public lands, feel free to hunt or timber lands that's OK to hunt because there's a line of paint on the trees. 

Like BT said, there's paint and ribbons and crap hung all over the place; heck I don't even know what it all is.

Also, it would be almost impossible to convict anyone from this.

too easy for someone to come along and put up orange tape on an area in hopes to keep out people.

If it's private property, you should be requesting permission for access anyway. If it's public, the records are available so you should know ahead of time where you can go. Private landowner rights trump losing your hunting spot rights.

Private landowner rights are very important. If someone's favorite spot is on private property and they haven't asked for permission - their proboblem.

[bigtex]

Make it a harsher penalty for trespassing and help land owner's protect their rights.  Know before you go!

The penalty isn't the problem. It's the lack of prosecution that is the problem.

bingo, try getting LE to come to a trespasser call,if tickets were written and every call responded to soon the trespassing would really slow down,,we have tresspassers daily on clearly marked property.Illegals hunting and searching for metals a constant,,,

Trespassing isn't a ticket. In order for someone to be prosecuted the county prosecutors office must take action. All the officer does is sent the prosecutor a report.

[bigtex]

Also like to add that prosecuters should prosecute more of these anti hunters that are claiming public property with no hunting no trespassing signs,Even putting cable across roads that are not private and marking them private.Huge problem in Goldendale.

The problem is identifying the person(s) who did it. The offense you are talking about isn't actually a criminal offense anymore. WDFW in 2012 asked the legislature to make it an infraction. So now if officers know who did it they can simply write the person a ticket, don't need to involve the prosecutor.

[Bean Counter]

I would be in favor of it if the words "No Tresspassing" needed to be written.

I like how the law is written where I live now.  In Arizona there must be a contiguous fence AND orange signs written no greater than every 1/4 mile written "No Tresspassing" in order for prosecution to be sought against a trespasser, hunter or not. I support the law this way. IDK what the ticketing/infraction penalties are if one is caught trespassing on an unfenced, unposted land.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I could careless either way . I know for a fact that some land owners take it upon themselves to illegally post state land with their signs ..Can not count how many times I have ran into this situation .. The state usually paints there trees with BLUE PAINT So next time you see trees painted with Blue Paint please hunt away  Trespassing is trespassing and they can deal with it anyway they like ...their money not mine ...

[fireweed]

Does this law replace the wording in the current law?  I like the every 100 foot requirement for some type of sign, because conspicuously posted is rather vague when someone owns half-a county.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I would be in favor of it if the words "No Tresspassing" needed to be written.

I like how the law is written where I live now.  In Arizona there must be a contiguous fence AND orange signs written no greater than every 1/4 mile written "No Tresspassing" in order for prosecution to be sought against a trespasser, hunter or not. I support the law this way. IDK what the ticketing/infraction penalties are if one is caught trespassing on an unfenced, unposted land.

    

[Bean Counter]

I could careless either way . I know for a fact that some land owners take it upon themselves to illegally post state land with their signs ..Can not count how many times I have ran into this situation .. The state usually paints there trees with BLUE PAINT So next time you see trees painted with Blue Paint please hunt away  Trespassing is trespassing and they can deal with it anyway they like ...their money not mine ...

THOSE a-holes need to be prosecuted far more than trespassing hunters 

[bowbuild]

I don't like it. Is that mark a timber sale mark? A mark made by a utility company? Did someone just come up here and spray orange paint everywhere?

Yes, and although trespass is a issue......How many people post property that is NOT theirs and receives citations?? Several times in King county I had landowners post timber lands that were not theirs, and even had law enforcement show up. How about law enforcement enforce the law equally??? Seems law enforcement likes to side with non-hunters when applying the law.

[csaaphill]

Also like to add that prosecuters should prosecute more of these anti hunters that are claiming public property with no hunting no trespassing signs,Even putting cable across roads that are not private and marking them private.Huge problem in Goldendale.

[bearpaw]

The law is like this in Idaho and it seems to work for them.

Utah is about the same as Idaho and it works there too. I voted yes.

[bigtex]

The bill had a hearing today. Nobody spoke in opposition. Below is the summarized testimony:

This is a common sense and low-cost solution to posting property. It will work better than signs for non-English speakers. These marks cannot be torn down easily like signs can be. Signs will still be needed at entry points to property. This is working well in other states. The issues that caused this idea to fail last session can be fixed

[j_h_nimrod]

I like the idea and support the concept but I can't tell you how many times I have been out and seen flag lines that would easily satisfy this requirement on public lands creating confusion. I have never figured why some people flag the trails they do but I have seen flagging across clearings tied to grass and along obvious trails that offer no chance of getting lost. I would be more in support if I stipulates a flagging tape marked with "No Trespassing". Worded tape is barely more than the cost of regular tape.

[sakoshooter]

I think all 'land posting' signs should bear the land owners name, address and phone number.