Thread: Help Stopping Dock Shooter

Originally Posted by LOzark

As far as I know there's never been anyone charged with Trespass for stepping onto someone else's dock to retrieve a hung lure.

If a neighbor kid kicks a ball or throws a frisbee into your yard, is he/she not allowed to go get it ?

Some people are just insufferable jackasses.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Originally Posted by LOzark

As far as I know there's never been anyone charged with Trespass for stepping onto someone else's dock to retrieve a hung lure.

If a neighbor kid kicks a ball or throws a frisbee into your yard, is he/she not allowed to go get it ?

Some people are just insufferable jackasses.

technically it probably is trespass??but I'm with you and life is too short.

Originally Posted by HuskerCrappie

technically it probably is trespass??but I'm with you and life is too short.

Actually I believe that "technically" it is not. A floating dock would fall under the same classification as an Unmanned Vessel in a court of law.
If charged with trespass, the dock owner had better have all their permits and electrical code inspections in order and up to date, or they'd be opening up a can of business that they'll wish they hadn't of.

I have been doing bit of research and not being a lawyer it is hard to say who is right but the subject is intriguing me because fair use is getting to be a big issue these days.

I found an article by a lake of the Ozark patrol officer who claims they enforce the privacy of docks and that they considering getting on or pulling into the slip of a private dock when you do not have permission to do so trespass. That does not mean the officer knows the law but was mildly interesting.

I also found an article that discusses The Recreational Use Act. As far as I can tell Private docks are considered part of the property they are attached too if they meet some very weird requirements such as how they are anchored. There have been some legal cases related to the Act, for example two childern were electrocuted swimming near a dock they did not own. The docks electricity was installed without a ground fault interrupt circuit. The property owner was not held liable because the childern did not pay a fee to be near the dock. How the later relates I'm not sure but it does illustrate the intricacies of the law.

As with most gray areas when it comes to criminal matters case law sets the precedent. You could have this scenario play out many different ways depending on the defendant, victim, defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge.

Still waiting to hear about the guy who steps on a dock to retrieve his jig, slips on the dock and sues the property owner and wins. Hear it all the time in break in cases.

I would guess using fence or other materials to stop others from fishing might not go well for the property owner in court?

Originally Posted by LN2LOZ

I think my dock is just down from yours on the Little Niangua, and I too have the same problem. Jig heads stuck in dock lines, de-icer lines, chair cushions, tube covers, and anything else people could get a jig hung up on. If you can't fish a dock and not get hung on everything there, go fish a freakin' tree somewhere. I'm not opposed to people fishing my dock and enjoy chatting with folks as they fish by our dock (when I'm not fishing or kids aren't swimming that is).

If you get off your boat and onto my dock, it better be to hand me money...if not, you're asking for a heap of trouble. As far as I'm concerned, that's no different than walking into my living room uninvited.

you best be darn tough to talk like that. Hell I am 6'2' weigh 288 lb. and I do not threaten those I do not know. having said that, I have been on my dock several times when someone flips a jig, mostly bass guys, I speak, they don't, also have been on my dock and someone flip a crappie jig it get stuck , they ease up remove same, I say hi, they say hi and we visit about crappie, I point out a couple good slips, they say thanks, One time I even got a samich and pop. most people who fish around docks are nice as all get out,so be nice. you may need help someday and the guy you ran off may just let you lay there.

Beagle are just friendly to the guys fishing docks to try and get another sandwich and soda


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