[Cuerno Largo]

I figure this might be the place to post this since in a way it has to do with access to land for hunting/fishing. If not, please move it to chat as it is a bit of a rant. I just want to understand where people's thoughts are on this subject.

I have about 300 acres of land. Much of it is wooded. I have 3 ponds. One is 5 acres, one is one acre, and the other is about 2 acres. They are all stocked with fish.

Over the past 3 years, I have caught at least 3 groups of trespassers a year fishing on my ponds. I'm sure there are many more I am not catching. Today I caught another group.

Initially I told each group that they were not allowed to fish on the property without my permission. Nobody ever called to ask for permission except for 2 people. I have let them fish because they call and ask.

Then, about one year ago, someone tore up a game camera on my property.

Now for the past year I have been pissed and am getting more pissed with each group I find. The group today was 4 persons. One was in his late 20's with the others being children ranging from about 7 to 14.

Each time I have caught people, they have been respectful to me. (might be the unconcealed pistol on me). As I was escorting them to the gate, I was talking to the oldest. Apparently he was in prison for the past 10 years for car theft and since he fished the property 10 years ago, he figured he could just pick back up where he left off, and bring his son (the youngest).

Why the hell do people think they can just come on a property and poach?

So far I have been nice and tell each party I find that they need to let everyone in the area know that the property is off limits.

I don't want to be an ass to some guy with kids, but I am thinking I need to start pressing charges to get this shit to stop. One of my friends is a game warden and it would be pretty easy to do.

My only concern is that of retaliation. It is out in the country, so nothing is anonymous. It is obvious where I live. Part of the property is a pine tree farm. My fear is that someone could really screw me with a single match. Big investment up in flames.

What do y'all think. Next person gets charges pressed against them, or keep the current education process?