Originally Posted by Rowan

My farm manager has been running the property for over a decade. He knows it like the back of his hand. Likely every branch on every tree, and every rock on the ground. He can spot a two-inch red and white fishing float under seaweed on the property foreshore from 50' away.

There are all sorts of clues as to what people are up to. A gravel road is very revealing, for example -- tyre tracks that veer off and never reappear, and footprints. Then there is trampled grass, the unclosed (or closed) gate. Startled stock. A rising flock of birds. A glint in the sunshine from a place where there isn't anything reflective.

And there is the bush telegraph -- you think you are alone out there in the forest, but maybe not. A quick phone call to say two characters on bikes have just gone down a track they shouldn't have will set off a search to see what it happening.

It's always better to check. Farming families generally are a pretty friendly and helpful lot and are quite willing to accommodate if the right approaches are made.