AIBU to be fed up with walkers trespassing on our land?

You have my sympathies @Pricelessadvice . People are idiots and ignorant, self centered ones at that. We have fields with footpaths close to our estate. I have seen loads of dog walkers ball flinging into crops fields and letting their dogs run about and shit wherever. I did once point out to a woman it wasn't grass, it was winter barley but she didn't seem to understand it was an issue.

The problem with a ‘Private land - no access” sign is that there are always idiots who think that they are entitled to go where they like, that private land ownership is wrong, that they know better, that their dog is just friendly, that dogshit is fine in the countryside because it decomposes, that the ponies are cute, etc etc. As well as the psychos who will set fire to barriers just because.

Might be better to have a selection of signs made up that imply personal danger, and change the sign every month or two:

Pesticides in use - keep out.
Weedkiller season . This field is being sprayed. Keep out.
Lambing ewes - dogs off lead will be shot. (Add a url to the relevant legislation, just in case people don’t believe you can legally do so.)
Livestock in field - dogs off lead will be shot.
Dangerous bull - keep out.
Quarantine field. These animals are infectious. Keep out.
CCTV in use.

And so on. It does not matter if that is actually happening in the field. People who know are likely to treat the field with respect, anyway. Each sign should be a different colour, so that regulars do not tune them out.

Yet another job.

OP has stated that a fence would make it difficult to harvest the crop and would waste land around the edges of the field. Hedges would have the same effect. I would go for more prominent signage. If OP runs a working farm expenses like this are tax deductable as they are "wholly and exclusively" to protect her business.

@Pricelessadvice that's really worrying. As we've seen, people can get very angry and extreme. It's best to keep safe. You'd think the logs would be ok, but it just shows you.
Frightening.

A flock of geese could also do the trick! A local sheep farm has that!

No a pony. Way more likely to be evil. Most will run at anything just for fun.

If there's one particular spot that people turn off the path then focus on that point i do think an unfavourable animal is a good idea. Can you also have some sprinklers or store the shit there? Even if there's just one point along that loop that you can block easily for yourself.

It's hard because it's a space you use so you want it to be enjoyable for yourself. Reminding people that you are legally entitled to kill their dog if it is worrying livestock is not threatening. It is just a reminder of the law.

Absolutely true. Plus a lot of ignorance, it would appear.

I didn't imply that you walked on crops 😂
I am not embarrassed in the least 😊 However, I shall clarify.
Some people walk on crops and disturb animals, rather than find out an appropriate path.
I hope that helps! ☺️

Some people do seem to have a cavalier attitude to open fields and walk where they like rather than where they should.
If fencing it off isn’t an option - which I imagine could be quite expensive - I’d put some signs up with arrows with a ‘public walkway this way’ and a ‘private land no access’ the other: Still means spending money but may help the issue. Could also have a trespassers will be prosecuted or a ‘bull loose in field’ sign too.

Id be annoyed too OP, with the dog poo situation and the entitlement of those that think it’s ok.

I realise I am very late to this party!!
@Pricelessadvice have you considered applying to permanently moved the PROW? Family friends who are farmers had a footpath through their garden, and had all sorts of issues. Moving the footpath was a difficult and lengthy processes, but they can use their garden in peace now. (This was about 30 years ago though).

Professionally, have applied for temporary footpath closures/diversions, and have been consulted (the organisation I work for is a large landowner, and we have a lot of tenant farmers) on temporary diversions/closures. It’s a fairly painless process for up to 2 years.

If walkers are trespassing onto land where tractors are used, I’d say there is a good public safety risk management reason for the diversion.

@CatrionaBalfour you implied in your response that I walk on crops and distrub animals (otherwise what an odd thing to reply with....)

I corrected you for your erroneous assumption and now you're embarrassed.

We will have to disagree on interpretation of each other's language.

Please don't twist my words.
I never accused you, personally, of anything.
Please read my posts.

Where did I say I walk on crops or disturb animals?

I walk on a path in a field. 99% of the time that is the correct path. But not always. Not all paths are PROW and aometimes the OS maps app can be wrong.

I'm just saying it is nice to have lots of repeated signs for reassurance ... not that I trample crops and distrub animals.

Twisting my words there!!

Not the same but we live next door to a campsite, usually ideal. Last year one family left the campsite, walked along the road, came in through our gates, and started their picnic on our garden furniture. They were most offended when I told them ours is a private house and they could have walked in the opposite direction to a pub. They didn't apologise. Campsite owner was mortified.

Could you do some official looking leaflets highlighting the law and saying you have new CCTV installed that is being passed to police and have someone official looking hand them out on a Sunday day when you know there will be lots of idiots?

Also as someone else said, try to work out a way to make it too inconvenient for them. Eg cutting them off at the other end or using fencing or hedging to enforce a detour.

I take your point, @TheGoldenOwl , but if ever I'm confused, or it doesn't quite match the map, I'll retrace my steps. I certainly wouldn't walk on crops or disturb animals.

How annoying for you. I would go dump a whole pile of cow poo / horse manure at the top of the path. Once their dogs roll in that a few times they’ll avoid it in future hopefully.

Absoloutely shocked at the stories of what people get up to on trespassed land.

guess that is my naivety - i thiught that people who go for country walks respected the country land.

I do appreciate clear signage though where it could be confusing. A tiny little green disc pointing forwards that you passed three fields ages ago isnt always helpful 😅

Is your primary aim to stop people wandering over your land or not get their backs up? If it's the latter then keep doing as you are doing (and have them get your back up instead). If it's the former then you need to mean business and that means not worrying about people's feelings so much. You are dealing with people who don't give a crap about your feelings or respecting your property. There are ways of being serious and firm and meaning business that do not involve being an arse. Asserting your own rights and needs does not mean being an arse. Being overly polite to people who ignore polite requests and are arsey back means you are being a pushover. The polite phase of the process of keeping people off your land should be over because it didn't work. The other thing to consider is that the more you allow people to wander on your land the more likely it is that they will start to gain the right to do so.

I agree. It's always best to take the higher ground, even if you're tempted to be rude!

On your local FB page apologise. Apologise for shooting that collie/labrador/whatever because it was worrying your sheep/cattle/whatever.. Could the owner collect the body as soon as possible or you will have to dispose of it yourself.
Now you know it's not true but will the dog owners? Your name will be mud but it might make the inconsiderates very worried.in future especially if you are spotted carrying a shot gun or they hear one being fired.

You literally said "I am always polite"!