Keeping Hunters & Snowmobilers Off Land (Ely, Afton: camping, live, store)

[Jersey Devil]

Originally Posted by roneb

It's not just a change in MN, but in attitudes and behavior nationally. It just strikes a deeper nerve in MN because you'd like to believe people there have more respect for each other than that. This is not meant as a knock on MN, I'd like to be able to move there for precisely this reason and more. But our nation is suffering from a "me first" attitude and sense of entitlement that started somewhere back in about the 70's and has continually gotten worse. I say this even though I am very liberal and progressive in my politics and beliefs. A good proper upbringing and reserved/polite Scandinavian heritage kept MN insulated for a while, but no more!

An astute observation. It IS a national trend.

[Ishten]

Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding land to let my dogs run. It seems that most spots have gates, no trespassing signs, leash laws etc....

A Florida state park ranger told me that I was trespassing on State land because it wasn't an approved portion of the park.

As for the snowmobilers, most seem respectful. Its the 'bad apples' that fly by and consider the 'rails to trails' their indytarod track.

Oh, how far we have come in 3-4 generations. Just for kicks, take a look at 1920s era photos (unstaged) and see how the people dressed.

[fantasymaker]

After years of dealing with trespassers I wish I had taken the advise I'm about to give you the first day I bought my place.I know it sounds extreame

PUT UP A FENCE. Good fences make good neighbors.

In your case I would advise a perimeter fence of woven ostrich wire that would be at least 8 feet taller than the normal late winter snow . So about 10 feet tall. Top that with 2 strands of barbed wire.
Attach two signs close together at intervals around the perimeter put them on the inside facing out.
First sign should be a "No Trespassing" sign that meets your states legal requirements . The second far more important sign should have a picture of a rotwieler on it and say " I like trespassers,THEY TASTE LIKE CHICKEN!"

[fantasymaker]

I think the problem stems from a lot of changes in America First there are far more of us living here,less space between us leads to more frictions.The neighbor I was hassled with all the time in town is a great guy now that he lives 3 miles away.
We forgot how to live in the country.
Generations of people farmed and lived together in the country. but in the 50's or so we hit the point where less than 50% of the population were farmers. For a while the countryside was nearly deserted . Now we are moving back ,but we are no longer the homogeneous population we once were. No longer do we ALL go to bed with the chickens and get up when the **** crows.Some work days some nights, some are stay at home most go to work. When there is a reason to stay up all night like a coon hunt the entire neighborhood doesn't show up like they used to and those at home are interrupted in their nowadays desperately needed sleep.
We are noisier. 50 years ago when you walked across someones field or rode your horse you didn't make much noise and interrupt much. Now the noise from a ATV can disrupt peoples quiet for miles.
And most important of all we don't know each other. I take a lot different attitude of the neighbors kid I know sneaking around behind the barn if I know he is catching mice for his pet snake than if I think he is casing the place.

[TravisW]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

I was thinking the same thing. But then again, did allemansrätten exist when most of Minnesota's Scandinavian immigrants came?

Allemansretten has existed throughout Scandinavia for a long time, but wasn't officially codified until after WWII. That being said, it has typically referred to the rights of individuals to hike or camp on uncultivated property not near a residence. Landowners have always traditionally retained all hunting rights, and fishing is traditionally done with the permission of the landowner.

People's lack of respect for others' property is a disturbing trend. I'd personally start with posting my land, and if you're worried about snowmobiles I'd check with any local or regional snowmobile clubs. For the most part, people are more willing to deal with a friendly upfront approach than with a complaint later.

However, if somebody's snowmobiling across your lawn, that's just idiocy.

[taysantanamama]

My parents, who live in north central MN, had trouble with snowmobilers straying from the ditch and into their yard(all day and night) despite signs. Not only was it just rude, it was dangerous, as the grandkids would often be around on weekends playing. Mind you, it wasn't just a little off trail, it was thru their yard, several yards away, very obviously a home, and very invasive and inconsiderate. They lived in this area all their lives, my brothers and all their friends are big riders, so they had no problem with them in the ditch at the edge of their property, but when dozens and dozens of groups were passing thru the yard every weekend(tearing up a very nice yard) it was too much. My dad made a new, large sign warning of private property cross at your own risk and that of your sled due to several spools of fishing line being being unwound accross the unauthorized trail. Of course, they ignored the signs, and several tracks got messed up with fishing line. Problem solved, word travels fast in the snowmobiling community.

[GraniteStater]

I have also noticed that there seems to be a lot of real estate and second home development in areas of central and north-central MN. What I see when visiting the area is that most of the homes are very near the lakes with not as many properties or development further away from the lakes. Is urban money floating all the way up to northern MN? My friend has a small cabin near Longville and he says that more real estate development has taken place there in the past couple of years.

[Wood & Creek]

Originally Posted by LM1

When the granola generation with their attendant anti-hunting mentalities started buying up properties in the north counties, this has become a real problem. They may not be doing the actual hunting on your land, but there's a very real chance that which they're hunting might end up on it whether you like it or not; if anti-hunter folks are going to deny hunters the right to harvest their kill, well, they'd better be prepared to get that hip little beret thing stuffed up their tie-dyed ass.

This attitude seems to be pretty common in N. MN, so if your not comfortable with that sort of backwards mentality then it may not be a good place for you. I live outside of the Twin Cities and vacation up to Boundary Waters once a year. I think N. MN is so amazingly gorgeous but I could never live with the anti-environmental, hick type of mentality that seems to flourish up there. I was really surprised to learn it was that bad, but the story of the local Ely kids shooting guns telling the "treehuggers" to go home really drove it home for me. In fact, weren't they screaming and going on about how it was "their land?" I'm scared of the locals up there!

Good luck to you, and no offense to the nice locals who don't fit this description, and who I know exist!

[blessteve]

Have you considered moving to Colorado, California or New Jersey?
They love that over controlling communist crap.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by Wood & Creek

This attitude seems to be pretty common in N. MN, so if your not comfortable with that sort of backwards mentality then it may not be a good place for you.

Nice to see 'backwards mentality' used as a complement for once.