Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
I leased the farm for 2017. Included a lot of terms in the lease suggested here. Nice young guy with two teenage sons. Friends of the family so I know everyone well enough to be comfortable. For the last several years I have had hunters on neighboring properties setting up just across the lot line and hunting my fields. I don't know what Michigan law says about that, there have been signs of trespassing but I have only caught one hunter and that was the kid who stole my equipment last year. THIS year (2016) the story is a little different. The neighbor behind me called me and said he found a 12 point buck dead in his woods. He had 6' of fence wire wrapped in his antlers (a tree protector from my property) and had been shot in the gut. Last week I was in my woodlot and found an 8 pt buck dead. Likewise he had been shot. Sometime in November I estimate, the snow had covered him and critters had been at him. I took the head. So I figure what happens is these perimeter guys are shooting, the deer runs into the fields and out the other side. They don't want to follow and deal with me...so wait for the next one to come along. Getting to where I dread deer season. Hope this guy and his kids help keep the riff raff on the other side of the lines!