I may need a Lawyer...

[Mike1951]

I did that to a coworker and he said about a bridge across the FOrk of the Brazos somewhere in NOrth Texas. Just park under the bridge and stay on the river banks.

There is a good chance that it would come under the authority of the Brazos River Authority.

http://www.brazos.org/generalPdf/REGS-F ... Y-2006.pdf

pages 5-7, sections 12-13

[lws380]

The best he could have done was ask a friend if theres a place to shoot. I did that to a coworker and he said about a bridge across the FOrk of the Brazos somewhere in NOrth Texas. Just park under the bridge and stay on the river banks.And never to cross somebody's fence is Rule No 1. Never to shoot indiscrimately and know the backstop Rule no 2. Dont leave trash around Rule no 3. Be armed and wary for any potential yahoos. Cattle can be roaming and lying around for all you know , so dont shoot anything on sight.
I drive to this place to hunt hogs for almost five years. So far no problem with landowners. In those 5 years I bagged three hogs, one feral dog and two deers.

Just my opinion, but this is likely not a good idea either. What do you put on the deer tag as to where you shot the deer? Game warden might be interested in knowing. Call one and ask if they think that is a good idea.

You are not related to jj99ss are you? I think your rule number one should be hunt where it is legal! Maybe you can get a good referral to a lawyer from jj99ss. You may want to PM him for his phone number in case you need it.

[zigzag]

This was back 7 years ago. I dont go there anymore, My coworker who lives and hails from a nearby town close to that bridge is the one who told me . He and other townsfolks of that area frequent the place. They hunt there all the time since time in memorial .They bring their ATVs and coolers and hunt thoughtout the night. Hogs and deer abound. The landowners in the said area knew full well of the hunters, its a small town of less than 1000 folks. Its out in the boondocks .

[stevie_d_64]

From the land owners stand point, all he knows is that some yahoos were shooting on his property, took off and left a mess, got caught and never personally appologized to him in any way. I just think some good communication and appology may go a long way. Maybe I'm wrong, but that is what I'd do. This way he may actualy avoid the ransom.

I agree...And if it was me (landowner)...If they wanted to come around again and shoot...If they'd come by and ask, I would let them...No big deal...

But thats just me...I'm a nice guy...

[DoubleJ]

But thats just me...I'm a nice guy...

since when??

shewt, some folk my figger shootin' on thur land is the war a'comin and return fahr!!

[austin]

As a landowner myself who has to chase off hunters from time to time, and with some nutball neighbors, I can sympathize with JJ.

While its true that he may have trespassed, the fact that he did not see any signs nor was he verbally warned off works in his favor.

Chalk it up to a lesson learned and move on. I doubt if anything will come of it.

[stevie_d_64]

But thats just me...I'm a nice guy...

since when??

shewt, some folk my figger shootin' on thur land is the war a'comin and return fahr!!

Since 3:19pm today...

[flintknapper]

But thats just me...I'm a nice guy...

since when??

shewt, some folk my figger shootin' on thur land is the war a'comin and return fahr!!

Since 3:19pm today...

Well......you've been nice for almost 4-1/2 hours now, time to take a break.

[lawrnk]

If it were me, I'd die trying to get hold of the land owner and apologize. Bring the GF and get her crying. Girls can make even the biggest jerk melt.

[medicff0879]

My post came down harder than my intent, but this subject strikes a very sore nerve with me and many other land owners/ranchers. You're right, JJ, I don't know you, but unfortunately there have been far too many peckerwoods ahead of you with amazingly similar attitudes for me to have any patience in this area.

I agree that your decision to drive out in the country and shoot does not make you an idiot, but I'll stand by my assertion that you your lack of awareness on the issue of private land ownership and associated matters in Texas is a display ignorance. This isn't Utah....and "I didn't mean to" doesn't cut it. How many times have I heard that?

As far as getting away with it, well....that's a matter of perspective. You drove away from the scene, talked to the cops, sought some opinions/advice here (both of which you noted appear on the bull scale), and are ready to face the music should it come to that. Good for you. However, that land owner will continue to live with the frustration created by your actions, and believe me, it does stay on one's mind.

Pretty much EXACTLY what I wanted to say, just a few more words!! How interesting, I just noticed that my previous post in this thread was deleted? Guess I dont know how that happened!!

[Rex B]

In these days of personal injury suits, someone shooting on your land without your permission or knowledge, could injure himself or someone in their party, and wind up suing the landowner for negligence -- and winning.
Sad to say, but any landowner cannot afford to allow people to remain on his property unless he knows them and what they are up to. To do otherwise is irresponsible.
So get this behind you, then save up the money you might spend on that next neat firearm, and maybe the next, and buy yourself 20 acres outside of the metroplex while you can still afford it. Even if you don't get out there but every few months, just knowing it's there for you and your family generations down the road will be worth far more than you paid for it.

And sooner or later, you can put a house on it, and a berm for the firing range.....

[KBCraig]

JJ, I hope the best outcome for you. You've said several times you saw no postings, but you've never answered whether you crossed a fence.

Did you?

[player_twister]

I am currently on the Grand Jury in my county. A simular case came before us, just like yours a few months ago. We threw it out. No inditement.

I suppose it depends on your county. We are mostley conservative where I live.

Good Luck.

[Greybeard]

KB - Thanks for askin'. Again.

[swiven]

I don't know much about the property law in Texas, but I think it's outrageous to just go shoot whatever you feel like on someone else's property. If I were the landowner, I'd be very upset too. And, honestly, if it were my land, I'd want to press charges.

I can't even express how astonished I am that the author of this post was surprised that the landowner was upset. Things must be very different where he is from.