Hello Backcountry Pilots,

There is a real nice private mountain airstrip located near Spokane that a few of us have permission to land on and shoot. Anyway I landed there today to sight in some of my rifles, and there was an abandoned jeep wrangler parked at the end of the airstrip.

The jeep had left deep ruts in the recently rolled airstrip and the hood was ajar like it had broken down. I noticed the inside was full of empty beer cans and whiskey bottles and thought the jeep might be stolen. So I then called the local sheriff and they said the vehicle had not been reported as stolen. The vehicle had been trespassing on private land and had intentionally been tearing up the runway. As my conversation with the sheriff department continued it appeared they really didn't care. I had given them the license plate number too. Try going 41mph in a 35 mph zone in town and the sheriff is "Johnny on the spot".

I then continued sighting in my rifles then took off to talk to the land owner, a friend of mine. He said he would meet me up at the airstrip so I returned back to the airstrip after only about 40 minutes, and the jeep was gone. The jeep did however do a lot more damage and ruts to the airstrip.

It is just disappointing to see people intentionally tear a place up or leave trash and emptys everywhere. I wish I could have punched a hole through the jeep's engine block with my 300 Weatherby Magnum!


James

Spokane

I can kinda understand how the cops might blow you off since you are not the land-owner, but if the land-owner contacts them to file a complaint & press vandalism charges against the vandals it seems that the cops would pretty much have to do some sort of follow-up on it. Esp when you have photographic evidence of the license number. That kind of senseless vandalism (along with wood theft) is what got all the timberlands gated off here in NW Washington. Mkae sure he does call the cops & report the damage, along with the license number. Even if the cops don't do anything this time, if it happens again they'll know where to start looking.

james wrote: The vehicle had been trespassing on private land and had intentionally been tearing up the runway. As my conversation with the sheriff department continued it appeared they really didn't care. I had given them the license plate number too. Try going 41mph in a 35 mph zone in town and the sheriff is "Johnny on the spot".

James, they don't care, and here's why:

When you're speeding on a public road in WA, law enforcement possesses all of the required information to make a decision on whether or not to pull you over. It doesn't matter if you know what the speed limit is, you are still required to obey it.

However, trespassing in WA requires a couple of additional important elements. For law enforcement to take action on trespassing, the following must happen:
1) the landowner or tenant must revoke or deny permission to enter
2) the trespasser must KNOWINGLY enter or remain unlawfully on the premises (land was posted or landowner told him to leave, etc.).
3) the landowner or tenant must notify law enforcement of the violation (landowner states "I want to press charges for criminal trespass")

If all of these three elements are present, then law enforcement must take action. But, since you're not the landowner or a tenant, you have no say and you're just wasting their time.

While I understand you feelings regarding this event, I don't think it wise or in anyones best interest to post the license plate, your point can be made without it. This can lead to a lot of unforeseen problems and issues in the future for them, you, and this forum. Vigilantism is never a good thing. I'm not condoning what they did, just giving you something to think about.

Kevbert pretty well summarized why tresspass cases are so hard for law enforcement to pursue. I doubt the Sheriff's office doesn't care--but it's hard to put much effort into something that you know isn't going to go anywhere.

That said, the combination of the jeep license and pictures of empty containers SHOULD perk up the LEO's ears, and maybe suggest to them to put that license up on some sort of "watch list". All they need is to contact him with an open container ANYWHERE and he's got way more troubles than a tresspass case.

In most states, DUI applies ANYwhere, on ANY vehicle, these days.

MTV

I know how you feel about someone else tresspassing and making a mess. I have to deal with skydivers that can behave like children, Im not much above that grade level, but now that Im the responsible party I behave differently. If I try and remember this I can think ahead and not get as upset when they behave like kids do. I have a fence around my property, put baracades up to keep them from driving on the grass, signs dont apply to skydivers so I dont bother putting them up. The fence works to keep the skydivers in and off my neibors property. I bought my own property out far in the country, Im sure that my airplanes are Tresspassing on someones quiet time and how can I be so inconsiderate?

Skydive206 wrote:I know how you feel about someone else tresspassing and making a mess. I have to deal with skydivers that can behave like children, Im not much above that grade level, but now that Im the responsible party I behave differently. If I try and remember this I can think ahead and not get as upset when they behave like kids do. I have a fence around my property, put baracades up to keep them from driving on the grass, signs dont apply to skydivers so I dont bother putting them up. The fence works to keep the skydivers in and off my neibors property. I bought my own property out far in the country, Im sure that my airplanes are Tresspassing on someones quiet time and how can I be so inconsiderate?

I can't quite follow.

James, Could the owner post the property? "Parked automobiles may be subject to target practice" No?

Delete

James, Could the owner post the property? "Parked automobiles may be subject to target practice" No?

Hello JJBaker,
My son and I flew back up to the airstrip today to shoot some reloads. Its pretty cool that my son is now shooting my Grand Dad's Winchester Model 52, 22LR. We had the place to ourselves. The land is posted and consist of about 4000 acres of timbered property. It is now up to the owner, he is a very nice older gentlemen.
As far as the local sheriff goes, my house has been burglarized twice here in Spokane. The local sheriff/crime check did not even respond in person. On one occasion, the police dispatcher asked if I had homeowners insurance, and she could give me a file number. Its just frustrating that with the high property taxes we pay the law enforcement really isn't interested unless it is a revenue source like DUI or speeding charges.
Anyway I look forward to retiring to the country some day on our ranch in North Idaho where landowners pretty much take care of things themselves.

James

James, did you at least take the opportunity to piss in that empty jug?


GB

I hate drunk frat boy a-holes almost as much as I hate thieves. I would have set it on fire. Maybe with the driver inside. Or used the winch to hoist it up into a tree. Or punch a few holes in it with the 700 win-mag, especially the tires, and then crossthread the lug nuts. For extra fun, disable his friends vehicle too. Let them enjoy the walk home.

Well why and the hell did'nt you flatten the tires or piss in the gas tank. Private property you had every right ! He better be glad I was'nt there with my gun it might have had a misfire and put a hole in his jeep

There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding among folks about the difference between trespassing, and the ability to be prosecuted for trespassing. I see it in hunting and fishing discussions all the time.

If you are on the land of another without his permission, doing something he is not likely to be happy with, you are trespassing and it isn't right. That you cannot be charged with a misdemeanor unless certain conditions are met does not change that basic fact.

Some people don't give a hoot and point to the criminal laws and say if it ain't posted then it ain't trespassing as if they are some sort of invitee. Horsepucky.

I'd drag them them into small claims and have them pay for the rolling, just to make a point.

james wrote: As far as the local sheriff goes, my house has been burglarized twice here in Spokane. The local sheriff/crime check did not even respond in person. On one occasion, the police dispatcher asked if I had homeowners insurance, and she could give me a file number.

James

Now, it has been common practice with busier departments to no longer respond to misdemeanor thefts and car clouts in person, for a while. But to have no response to an actual home burglary? That's crazy.

I wonder how feasible it would have been to impound the vehicle, either through a private company or renting a flatbed/trailer/whatever. Might need to drain the radiator first so's it doesn't drive off while getting the necessary equipment.

I'm probably dreaming.

I wonder how feasible it would have been to impound the vehicle, either through a private company or renting a flatbed/trailer/whatever. Might need to drain the radiator first so's it doesn't drive off while getting the necessary equipment

My plan was to have the owner open up the gate and have a commercial tow truck impound the jeep. That probably would have been a $500 dollar bill, and the jerk would have to deal with the sheriff too. It is kind of creepy that the driver and crew were hiding in the trees the whole time I was shooting, about a hour and a half.

After I took off they really tore up the airstrip. They definitely knew it was a runway and intentionally damaged it. A good friend of mine landed up there in his Cessna 182 with smaller tires and wheel pants. These ruts are pretty significant to his plane.

The forest sure has it's share of "knotheads"!

James

Should have shot the jeep I say. My model 500 smith and wesson would have done a nice job

bcdpilot wrote:Should have shot the jeep I say. My model 500 smith and wesson would have done a nice job

Escalation of hostilities can be a bad idea, unless you're ready to take it to an EXTREME level. Don't start a fight unless you're prepared to win- no matter what it takes. When both parties are packing guns it could very easily get out of hand, with tragic results. Best to just call the cops, & maybe immobilize the offending vehicles by parking your own in front & rear of them until the cops come. But don't be surprised if your vehicles are damaged in their escape attempt.

hotrod150 wrote:

bcdpilot wrote:Should have shot the jeep I say. My model 500 smith and wesson would have done a nice job

Escalation of hostilities can be a bad idea, unless you're ready to take it to an EXTREME level. Don't start a fight unless you're prepared to win- no matter what it takes. When both parties are packing guns it could very easily get out of hand, with tragic results. Best to just call the cops, & maybe immobilize the offending vehicles by parking your own in front & rear of them until the cops come. But don't be surprised if your vehicles are damaged in their escape attempt.

I respectfully disagree........

A few shots through the radiator and one in each tire would have done the trick... These scumbags were hiding in the woods while the poster was targetshooting and probably shitting in their pants.. Calling the cops got the poster absolutely nowhere,......

In this day and age, street justice in paramount. Just my humble opinion

Ben

hotrod150 wrote:

bcdpilot wrote:Should have shot the jeep I say. My model 500 smith and wesson would have done a nice job

Escalation of hostilities can be a bad idea, unless you're ready to take it to an EXTREME level. Don't start a fight unless you're prepared to win- no matter what it takes. When both parties are packing guns it could very easily get out of hand, with tragic results. Best to just call the cops, & maybe immobilize the offending vehicles by parking your own in front & rear of them until the cops come. But don't be surprised if your vehicles are damaged in their escape attempt.

Waaaay to much common sense.