Greetings,

Thank you for reaching out and for your curiosity around this situation. I can offer some general, educational information from a land‑stewardship perspective, but I’m not able to provide legal advice or make determinations about property rights or enforcement.

No, it is not normal for someone to place beehives on private rural land without permission. Even in agricultural areas, beekeepers are expected to ask first, especially when land is posted with No Trespassing signs. There could be several reasons why someone did this (I’m sharing these as considerations, not as a justification):

• They assumed the land was unoccupied or unmanaged
• They previously kept bees there under a former owner
• They may not realize they are doing something inappropriate

Here are some general steps landowners often take in situations like this:

• Check the hives for any identifying numbers or contact information. Commercial beekeepers typically label their equipment.
• Take photos to document the location and condition of the hives for your records.
• Leave a written notice on the hives asking the owner to contact you or remove them by a specific date.
• Reach out to the Linn‑Benton Beekeepers Association, who may be able to help identify the beekeeper or share a notice with their members. https://lbba.us/
• If you are unable to make contact, you may choose to consult local law enforcement to inform them of the situation and get guidance on next steps, especially since the property is posted with No Trespassing signs.

Because you are restoring wetlands, you are within your rights to require the hives be removed, but any action you take should follow local regulations and safety considerations.