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Am I wrong for doi g this.

bigten05

*Supporting Member*
3,675
151
knox county ohio
So yesterday I went out to check cameras.on a property that only we have permission on we have hunted it for 14 years and actually leased it this year to help the landowner out with the taxes and because an outfitter was trying to lease it from him. Anyways I drive up to the top field where I have a cam and see another camera about 100 yards from mine and it's well on to our property. Not to mention we have permission for the place next door to so there's nobody else that should be in there. I get out and see it's a reconx cam and instantly know its nobody around this area I've never seen one of those cams in the woods at all. So I call the owner and he says the only person he could think of is the realtor he had it listed with from mossy oak properties last year. Its not listed with them now and when it was he still didn't have permission to hunt or do anything there except show the property. So I took the cam no intention on hanging it and will give it back if asked but what pissed me off is the fact is whoever it is knows they were not suppose to be there and still did it and had pictures of them with there kid with them putting the cam up. I felt bad for taking it but I guess it's part of it if you want to trespass and teach kids its OK to do so. Rant done.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,720
248
Ohio
Nope. Pull it. Inform land owner. Give back if they ask. Sounds like you covered h our bases. Want to go one step further? Put a sign on the tree with your number if they want it back.
 
Did you show the pictures to the landowner? Maybe he could identify the father or his children. My first thought was maybe it was just a father wanting to get photos of animals to share with the youngsters. But, when you said a Reconyx I had second thoughts. If had been me, I'd probably had left the camera where it was, not being the owner of the property. How old were the photos in the camera? This should give you an idea how long it has been there.
 

bigten05

*Supporting Member*
3,675
151
knox county ohio
It had only been there for a day. Nobody lives there the owner lives in Cleveland. I have not showed him the pictures but I feel bad for taking it because of the kid either way it shows him the bad about hunting someone taking your stuff and someone trespassing is not showing the good side of hunting.
 

xbowguy

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
29,629
234
Licking Co. Ohio
Keep it. Lesson taught. You feel that bad, maybe leave a note and let them know they can have it back, but the sheriff will be there as well.
 
The owner living in Cleveland probably throws out the idea of him identifying anyone. I'd put the camera back up and put a note on the tree with a way to contact me. The last thing I'd want to do is make enemies on the property I hunt. He will either be understanding or someone you wish you had never ran across.
 

Blan37

Member
1,800
64
SW Ohio
It had only been there for a day. Nobody lives there the owner lives in Cleveland. I have not showed him the pictures but I feel bad for taking it because of the kid either way it shows him the bad about hunting someone taking your stuff and someone trespassing is not showing the good side of hunting.

I think the only way I'd feel bad is if the person really had no clue that they were on private property, that it was an honest mistake. If that's the case (I doubt it), then yeah, I'd feel bad.

But if someone comes on my land, leaves a camera and they know they have no right to be there, then all bets are off. IMO, you aren't teaching someone about the "bad side of hunting" - they are probably already involved in the bad side at that point.

I do like the other ideas about leaving a note on the tree. Maybe you can take the camera to the local PD, turn it in and explain to them where it came from, and then leave a note on the tree and tell them to contact the police if they want their camera back. If it was an honest mistake, they can go to the police and explain what happened.
 

Boarhead

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
What Dick said, put a sign above it and leave your number so they can contact you and let them know they dont have permission and to come take it down.
Could just be they dont know any better,i have had a few stands and cams stolen before and hate that feeling.
Better to discuss it on a civil matter than piss someone off where they come back and steal all your stuff.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
I'm in camp "come get your camera". Leave the note, but take the cam. If you're confident in your assessment of the situation (which I assume and trust you are, as would I in this situation) I'd be leaving a nice note in a ziplock bag where the cam used to be. I've met a couple new neighbors like this. And one asshole. lmao
 

huntn2

Senior Member
6,090
157
Hudson, OH
I'm in camp "come get your camera". Leave the note, but take the cam. If you're confident in your assessment of the situation (which I assume and trust you are, as would I in this situation) I'd be leaving a nice note in a ziplock bag where the cam used to be. I've met a couple new neighbors like this. And one asshole. lmao

Same here.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I'm in camp "come get your camera". Leave the note, but take the cam. If you're confident in your assessment of the situation (which I assume and trust you are, as would I in this situation) I'd be leaving a nice note in a ziplock bag where the cam used to be. I've met a couple new neighbors like this. And one asshole. lmao

This.

You don't want to start a camera taking game with neighbor. That'll get old real fast!
 

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,172
187
S.W. Ohio
I'm in camp "come get your camera". Leave the note, but take the cam. If you're confident in your assessment of the situation (which I assume and trust you are, as would I in this situation) I'd be leaving a nice note in a ziplock bag where the cam used to be. I've met a couple new neighbors like this. And one asshole. lmao

Giles put up a camera on your property?
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
So yesterday I went out to check cameras.on a property that only we have permission on we have hunted it for 14 years and actually leased it this year to help the landowner out with the taxes and because an outfitter was trying to lease it from him. Anyways I drive up to the top field where I have a cam and see another camera about 100 yards from mine and it's well on to our property. Not to mention we have permission for the place next door to so there's nobody else that should be in there. I get out and see it's a reconx cam and instantly know its nobody around this area I've never seen one of those cams in the woods at all. So I call the owner and he says the only person he could think of is the realtor he had it listed with from mossy oak properties last year. Its not listed with them now and when it was he still didn't have permission to hunt or do anything there except show the property. So I took the cam no intention on hanging it and will give it back if asked but what pissed me off is the fact is whoever it is knows they were not suppose to be there and still did it and had pictures of them with there kid with them putting the cam up. I felt bad for taking it but I guess it's part of it if you want to trespass and teach kids its OK to do so. Rant done.
welcome to my world. Them boys think they own whatever they want. Keep it or duct tape over the face of it and leave your number
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
You could cal reconyx and ask them to look up the serial number and who owns it.
 

Fullbore

Senior Member
6,439
126
South Eastern Ohio
I'm in camp "come get your camera". Leave the note, but take the cam. If you're confident in your assessment of the situation (which I assume and trust you are, as would I in this situation) I'd be leaving a nice note in a ziplock bag where the cam used to be. I've met a couple new neighbors like this. And one asshole. lmao

This!