The population of Robeson County is officially 123,339 persons, according to the 2000 census. As our county becomes more populated, there are more and more people living on the same amount of land. Even in rural counties like Robeson, it often seems that there is not enough land to go around.

When you travel through the county, it is easy to see that the largest percentage of population increase is in the rural areas, not in the towns and cities. It is also easy to see that our society has changed drastically from what it was just 20 or 30 years ago. In addition to more people trying to use the same amount of land, these people often have "toys" like 4-wheelers, 4-wheel-drive vehicles, and fancy guns that were not available to prior generations. They also have a lot more free time than past generations did. In addition, the respect for the rights of others seems to have declined drastically during the past couple of generations.

One of the biggest problems associated with increasing populations and changing social habits is trespassing on private lands. Each year many farmers in the county have to contend with illegal dumping on their property. In addition to creating an unsightly mess, many times this dumping is done right onto farm roads or into fields, and the farmer must remove the mess in order to use the roads or plant and harvest crops. In all instances, the items that are illegally dumped are things that should be taken to appropriate landfill sites such as furniture, appliances, building materials, shingles, and even household garbage.

Some farmers have been victims to trespassers damaging or destroying fences and gates as they gained unlawful entry onto the farm. By law, those landowners who wish to restrict the use of their land should do reasonable things that obviously indicate that visitors are not welcome. In addition to posting no-trespassing signs, landowners should erect gates or other barriers that discourage trespassers. What good are these gates and fences if the trespassers just tear them down and trespass anyway?

Each year many acres of crops are destroyed and fields and roadways are damaged by 4-wheelers. In most cases, this trespassing results when parents who don't have sufficient property of their own on which to use these vehicles provide 4-wheelers to their children and then not providing the proper supervision or properly teaching responsibility to their children.

It is unfortunate that even though many property owners report this trespassing to the proper law enforcement agencies, it is difficult for these officers to apprehend the trespasser. What is really appalling is that many landowners are reluctant to report these trespassers for fear that if caught, the trespassers will retaliate by intentionally burning buildings on the farm or causing other more serious damage. This is another example of parents not properly teaching their children and demonstrating to them the proper respect for the rights and property of others.

It is especially disturbing that virtually every year there are reports of trespassers intentionally killing cows or other livestock on a farm. This is an extreme example of disrespect for the property of others and for the inhumane treatment of livestock. In many cases, these losses cost the farmers more than if crops are destroyed or gates are damaged.

Since almost half of Robeson County is in forests and swamps, these areas attract trespassers for a variety of reasons. Each year many acres of timberland are destroyed by wildfires that are set either intentionally or unintentionally by trespassers. Not only are forests destroyed, many times the wildfires damage homes and farm buildings. In addition, the lives of volunteer firefighters are in danger as they try to control the fires.

Many landowners in the county encounter problems with hunters who illegally trespass on their property. There are many landowners in the county who welcome hunters and either lease their property for hunting or give permission for responsible hunters to use their property. Some landowners do not allow hunting for a variety of reasons, and they have the right to do so. They may object to strangers on their farm; they may have situations on their farm that could cause injury to visitors, and they do not want to assume the liability; they may be providing special management for wildlife; or there may be too many occupied dwellings in the vicinity, and they are concerned for the safety of their neighbors.

A major issue in Robeson County is hunting from public roadways. Robeson County is one of the few counties left in North Carolina that still allows deer to be hunted with dogs. Hunters using dogs have no control on where the deer will run. It is convenient for these hunters to use the public roadways to position themselves in front of the dogs, but unfortunately, many times these roadways pass through property where hunting is not allowed. Another concern by landowners or those living in rural areas is that many of these trespassers carelessly discharge their rifles and shotguns across pastures and residential areas. In fact, there are instances where bullets from these guns have lodged in the sides of houses. Fortunately, so far no one has been killed.

I could suggest what landowners should do to eliminate trespassers, but in most cases, they have already done it. I could provide information about how to report trespassers to the proper authorities, but most landowners know the process and have done this many times. I could share information about posting signs and erecting gates, but most landowners have signs and gates. I could share information about hunting regulations, but most hunters, even those hunting illegally, know the laws.

I share these comments so, hopefully, you will be a little more aware of the problem of trespassing in Robeson County. Hopefully, you will become a little more considerate of the rights and property of others. If you are a parent, hopefully, you will make a greater effort to teach your children to respect the rights and properties of others.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 2/12/02