Date: 3/25/13 8:56 am
From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell...>
Subject: Re: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Private property problems


I would suggest monetary compensation, as someone else had mentioned, instead of offering to help with chores. I think being polite and offering cash might go a long way. Of course, if the bird is not there, problem solved. There is lots of habitat in the area and the snipe were moving about a lot before dark so the Common Snipe could be almost anywhere within a mile radius. Most habitat in the area is easily viewed from roadsides which will not be scrutinized by landowners with the same temperament.

Also, if the angry landowner does approach anyone trying to view the bird, perhaps they could ask if it would be acceptable to view the bird(s) from further down the road where the viewing angle would have�a backdrop of trees with no house in the line of sight?

Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
California, Maryland


________________________________
From: Steve Long <steve.long4...>
To: Maryland Birding Birding <mdbirding...>
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Private property problems



I don't think it would be a good idea for MOST
birders to follow Jim's suggestion about offering help.� Even if you have
substantial experience as a farm hand or whatever, individual farmers have
individual methods of doing their chores,�which you will not know.�
The effort needed to supervise even a knowledgeable, but unfamiliar volunteer is
usually just not worth the trouble.� And, it might seem like an attempt to
get onto the property to film or take samples to be used against the
property� owner later in court.� So, I would suggest that most of us
steer clear of this type of offer.

Another point is that there is some advantage to
being the first to call the police.� It might not be an over-riding
advantage if the police are very local and you are not.� But, if a person
approaches you with a gun while you are on public property, I would suggest that
you first leave that area for your own safety, then use your cell phone to call
the police and report it for the safety of everybody else.� There is a
tendency for landowners to lump various types of outsiders together and ASSUME
that they talk among themselves.� So, a landowner who is already somewhat
"near the edge" may go "over the edge" with additional visits by different
birders, even though the second, third or whatever number visitor may have no
idea about the previous encounters.� Brandishing a gun in Maryland is
usually taken as quite a serious offense.� Having the police talk to the
landowner should have a restraining effect if it is not done while you are
standing your ground and refusing to leave.� At least getting the
landowners bad behavior on the police blotter may help with future events if
they escalate.

Steve Long
----- Original Message -----
>From: James Speicher
>To: Maryland Birding Birding
>Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 10:06 AM
>Subject: Re: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Private property problems
>
>
>I'm not in agreement with Jason that it has been concluded that it is a fine idea to go to this location. Legally, certainly within the limits that might vary based on the view of local law enforcement concerning vehicles stopped along roadways/shoulders. However, i do have a suggestion for those who will go:
>�
>If you are confronted by the angry/defensive property owner, you might ask him if there is anything you can do to help him out today. The first 1/2 dzn times he is asked, he might have the same reply "Get off my property, " but after that who knows, it may turn him around...
>�
>Jim Speicher
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