6 Ways To Keep Trespassers Off Vacant Land

If you have stumbled across this article you may be one of two types of landowner:

  1. A new landowner, who may have recently purchased your first parcel of vacant land and you are looking for advice. Or:
  2. You are an owner of vacant land who is dealing with trespassing problems.

Either way, you’re at the right place. This blog post goes over some of the most tried and true methods for reducing or eliminating unwanted visitors. While there is no absolute resolution to keeping trespassers away and your land safe, there are ways to deter them. As well as make sure you AND your land are covered in the event of legal action.

First, we can all agree that people who steal access or worse, are lazy criminals. Frankly, that may be part of your problem. They have identified your land as a place they can trespass with little danger of being caught. Maybe it’s a lack of vehicles parked on or near it, maybe they know you live a considerable distance away and are unlikely to be there or maybe they live nearby and have seen the same big buck and think they can hunt it without detection.

Regardless of the reason, let’s use the following steps to create a strategy to solving your problem.

 

#1 Signs

One of the more obvious, but effective ways to help keep trespassers off of your vacant land is to post it! Marking your land is one of the best ways to let people know that they are somewhere they shouldn’t be.

Your efforts can range from one sign at the front gate, to a much more significant amount of signs. We recommend signs every 75 feet. Which to some might seem like overkill, but having every sign visible from the next, is a great way to let people know they are entering land they shouldn’t be!

Keep in mind, that the laws surrounding regulations on the right way to put up signage can change depending on the state you live in. Do your due diligence and research the laws in your state. Make no mistake, posting your land on all sides so it is clear that trespassing is illegal is the first step to setting the trap for them to wander into. (no pun intended!)

#2 Get To Know Your Neighbor

It is common when you are dealing with large parcels of vacant land for the person closest to you may still be miles away. Touching base with your neighbors is a great way to get extra information on trespassers and if you and your neighbors are on the same page of who is and isn’t allowed to access your land, you will be able to work together to identify unwanted guests.

If you can meet with them every few months to go over their plans for keeping out trespassers as well as who they are allowing on their land, you can help identify trespassers on their land as well as ask them to keep an eye on your place. Of course, if your neighbor is trespassing on your land, that is another problem altogether, but our next suggestion will make that clear to you.

 

Keep Trespassers Off

#3 Trail Cameras and Security Cameras

A no-brainer when it comes to land security is putting up trail cameras on your property.  This can both help you identify where, when and who the trespassers are and how they are accessing your property. They also act as deterrents themselves. If a trespasser is walking where they shouldn’t be and see a trail camera pointed right at them, they will be more likely to turn around and walk the other way or better yet leave your land.

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing which trail cameras you should use on your property. For instance:

  • If you are many miles from your land, you may need one with cellular capabilities. These cameras send a picture to your phone the instant they are triggered by movement. Even if a trespasser stole your camera, it would be too late! You have a picture of the culprit
  • If you are in a spot with loads of sun, a camera with solar capabilities is a good investment.
  • If you want the deterring power of a security camera, without breaking the bank, even a “dummy” camera can make a difference. A dummy camera is not connected to anything but gives the illusion of surveillance. Actually, a very effective tool to prevent trespassing.

#4 Mark Your Property

Making sure that trespassers know they are trespassing is crucial. While signs and other things can help you do that, nothing will help more than putting up a physical barrier to your land. Things like:

  • Fences
  • Properly planted shrubbery
  • Gates (w/locks)

While these things can be an investment, depending on the size of your land, it is one sure-fire way to let anyone walking through know they are not welcome on your land. Additionally, physical barriers or markers add value to the property when/if it comes time to sell. It is much easier and/or explainable for someone to trespass when they don’t realize they are trespassing.

#5 Stay Safe From Legal Troubles | Insurance Policy

Even with a 10 foot-high wall and enough signs to alert a town in the next county, those who aren’t welcome on your property, will find a way.

Make sure your land is not only prepared for trespassers but covered in the event of an accident as well. A professional vacant land liability insurance policy will give you the peace of mind you need as a landowner.

Vacant land coverage is inexpensive and will protect your assets both financial and physical from lawsuits made by trespassers (or even your invited guests). A policy with the American Landowner Alliance is a simple $225 for up to 750 acres. With coverage for your vacant land in place, you will sleep well knowing in the event of an accident, you are fully protected with the right coverage.

While there is no 100% guarantee that trespassers won’t make their way onto your land, following these steps can make a serious difference.

Above all, make sure you and your land are covered with a vacant land liability policy from a company you can trust.