How about a quick update?
First off, I want to express my appreciation for everyone who has responded. I appreciate the sharing in my pain and I appreciate the suggestions and helpfulness that everyone has provided. Know that I will always execute a careful and measured response even though what happened still gets me unnervingly mad about the whole situation. In the darker hours violent thoughts might have been in the mix around here too, but a plodding measured response is what keeps it all legal and that’s just how it’s gonna have to run.
Having pay hunters has worked out fairly well. When they are there, no one tries to move in on their game and test their patience… and their hunting blinds, etc. are set up such that it looks like there might be someone in there at all times. They have cameras on cameras. If previous poachers have scouted that, they have gotten the message.
There have been a few that have sniffed around from the road; one went right up the property line (on foot) with the problem neighbors last week. Within 5 min the autel 640T picked him up on infrared through the trees. Tracked for a little over an hour and the person took off without trespassing.
Sympathetic neighbor(s) and roadside-ish cameras let me know when someone is circling or parked, so that’s good. Quick flight let’s me know they are not trespassing and let’s them know it’s probably not worth the risk of getting caught.
No taunting cold beer cans left next to deer stands this year. Ha! When the usual suspects are cruising and boozing in the evenings I fly a cheaper drone fully lit up with extra strobes tracking their vehicle while flying over my land to be as obvious as possible while staying out of range. They move on quickly.
Other security aspects could still be improved upon and complacency is not an option. Border marking could still be improved. I have a lead on a couple newer mechanical robo-bucks but the legalities of a road hunter engaging them when I’m not law enforcement is not clear…and I’m really on the deterrent track, not a confrontation path.
I hope that by demonstrating that the free-for-all is truly over on these parcels will have some acceptance that leaves room to approach them on their level when this has cooled off a bit. Having enemies is time consuming, which one does not get back. Spending time on building, family, creative pursuits, and personal moon shots is really where I want to end up.
Thanks again for everyone’s continued input and sharing. There are thought provoking aspects throughout this thread… and my hope is that I don’t catch anyone this hunting season. Fingers crossed.