Vandalism Advice

Good morning to all you NH sappers. I've been having a small problem concerning vandalism and I thought about asking your advice how you would handle this.

Last week after the wind storm, I walked my lines due to a small reduction in vac. During my tour I noticed a couple of small maples down. At closer inspection, I noticed they had been cut with a hand saw...no notch, just cut through. I thought "Kids", probably young boys right away. The back side of my property abuts a number of duplexes.

Today after the rain and 30 degree temp, I thought I'd give the vac a try. I had low vac and, once again in a different area, I saw 5 or 6 other 6 or 7 inchers down but, thank God, they were mostly black birch. Only this time I also saw where one of my lines had been cut with the saw, as well as one of my taps near by. I did the repairs and are up and running within a few minutes.

Now my question to you is, how would you handle this problem. I though I could do my own leg work and try to find who the young culprits or parents are and handle it myself. The other alternative is to involve the local PD which I'd prefer not to do but, I also want this to stop.

OK, jury, what's your verdict or suggestions. And, I thank you all for your input in advance.

Jerry

PS Just took a walk to document the problem with my camera. Guess what I found!...............The saw!

Put the saw back where you found it and watch for them to come back,
or, set up a remote wildlife camera with motion sensor.

They're hiding it in the woods so no one sees them carry it in....

Thanks for the reply John. I didn't touch the saw. It's still there. Good idea about the game camera. Just wish I had one.

I'm trying to upload photos for you guys but I keep getting told the file is too big.

I would say the same. I don't think I would leave the saw but trails cameras will get 'em if you put it a littel higher in the tree so it is out of direct sight. even if their not cutting trees at least they are tresspassing!!!!

Put up posted signs. Trail cams are a good idea, but I've had a bunch of them stolen. Do you know any of the people in the duplexs? Might be time to make friends with the parents, cause I bet its their kids. Its scary how many parents are clueless about what their kids are doing. And the current crop of migrants moving up from the states south of us. Seem to think if its fields or woods, then you can do anything out there even if its not your land.
Try the good neighbor thing first, then use the cops if that doesn't work.

NOOOO don't use a trail camera!!! or at least one that has a flash...It'll be gone the second it takes a pic of them in the dark... call the pd and have them come get the saw and check it for prints...most of the kids out there are on file from schools doing safety cards. once you k now who they were, call their parents and get them to send the kids over to cut your firewood..all your firewood for next seasons burning. I have done it several times for kids that go out in my hayfields tearing around in their cars..nothing says respect other peoples stuff like a few days bucking bales in 90 deg weather..just my .02

Tie a note to the saw that says,"SMILE, YOU HAVE NOW BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MY WEBCAM, YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED"

I think I would take the saw and show it around to the parents that live at the duplex. I am sure they will recognize it when they see ii since it probaly came from there tool shed or something. After the identify it then tell them were you found it and what it was being used for. I do like the idea of making them cut firewood for next year or make them pay restitution for the trees. say $500 for each should scare them enough to put a stop to any more vandalizime.

That's a good way to do it.

Thanks for all your good suggestions folks. I'm betting these perpetrators (2 minimum) are boys between 9 and 12 years old, give or take. Took a lot of effort with that dull hand saw.

I'm thinking of picking up the saw and leaving a note stating I have the saw and want to speak with them so I don't have to call their parents or the police. Then again, they may have forgotten all about the saw altogether so, I just keep an eye on the note's location to see if it has been moved for the next day or so. That should give me a bit more time to decide how I should handle it further and see if they "Man Up" for their mistakes. :cry:

I'm still interested in what others have to say and thanks.