You're in AK, I assume you told him that the vest would return fire?
The guy that told me my survey vest would make for a perty target for his .338 win mag got my attention.
I dealt with that in both AK and TX. So far haven't had it happen much in WA. Most of the time if they are blustering like that, they're all talk. Still, you can be 100% right and 100% dead, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
I much prefer to let the client handle right of entry, especially on public works projects. They've got more clout than me, and I have enough on my plate.
On the very few occasions where we really needed that monument and got both the client and the sheriff involved, it was fun to watch law enforcement patiently explain to Armchair Rambo that they actually do not live in a post-apocalyptic doomsday scenario, nor do they have a God-given right to murder someone to soothe their insecurities.
How do you know if you have permission unless you walk up and knock on the door??ÿ Go ask, this guy probably just doesn't want uninvited hunters on his property.
@dmyhill Except for in bear country I don't carry. It's a safe bet I'm going to be outgunned just about anywhere I go and they will have the drop on me. They'll have to shoot an unarmed surveyor in the back while he's running away.
@rover83 99% they're all bluster. It's the 1% that are delusional and off their meds that I worry about and I'd rather find out before than after. They do exist. My predecessor before he came here took two .44s from one.
my default assumption would be you're not dealing with the nicest person, but the only threat i see explicitly stated is the word "prosecuted."
contrast with my default assumption when i see this:
?ÿwhich, in my mind, translates roughly to "hope you remembered your kevlar."
though the only time i've ever been actually shot AT while surveying was by some joe dirt tweaker who i'm pretty sure thought i was a feral hog rooting around in the brush. (and not on his property.)
I don't know, DM,
Here in Texas, we don't like strangers traipsing around on our property without our permission. You wouldn't want a surveyor walking into your home without your approval, would you?
?ÿ
My go to response in these situations is that I am setting up the no-fly drone zone Amazon
If I remember correctly, that paint is not necessarily "I'm going to shoot you on sight" but rather "No hunting allowed on this property, and also I'm sick of having to replace 'No Trespassing' signs".
Either way, I'm still going to inquire for permission before setting foot inside that fenceline...
@williwaw I met one of that 1% early on in my career.?ÿ I was a wet behind the ears crew chief and we hacked through a guys dewberry patch.?ÿ He was trespassing, but it didn't matter to him.?ÿ The guy was literally frothing at the mouth and had a pistol pointed at my instrument man and I.?ÿ Before I would go back, I made sure that my crew and I had a police escort.?ÿ That was the single most scared that I have been while surveying.
I would call or mail to request entry for the purpose of searching for the corner.?ÿ If you are refused and if your state law and minimum survey standards require searching for the corner contact an attorney.?ÿ Ask the attorney to request the search warrant and have the local law serve the warrant and escort you while searching and locating.?ÿ You will need to educate the attorney, judge and sheriff/police as to the search and locate procedures.
I have a few photos of the signs along the North boundary fence of Groom Lake. They aren't as fancy as those signs to be sure.
@ric-moore in certain states painting your fence post with purple paint is legally the same as posting no trespassing signs. For example in Texas
The Texas Penal Code 30.05 Criminal Trespass provides for the use of purple paint to mark property boundaries.?ÿ Purple markings are required to be vertical lines, 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. The bottom of the markings must be between 3 ?? 5 feet above the ground. Purple markings can be spaced no more than 100 feet apart in wooded areas and no more than 1000 feet apart in open areas. Markings must be placed in areas visible to anyone approaching the property. Posted signs are still recommended at all access points and gates.
