Vandalism

[bowhunter04]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has ever had to deal with vandalism/theft while they've been hunting in the mountains. Has anyone had issues at their base camp near the road or with a spike camp in the backcountry? Anything you guys do to avoid being vandalized?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[jmez]

Never had a problem. CO, MT and WY. I honestly don't worry about it. Someone is going to steal your stuff nothing you can do about it when you are away.

[Indian Summer]

I have left a bazillion dollars worth of gear in the hills and at trailheads over the years. One time I had a hitch ball stolen from the back of a Suburban. But my guess is that it's because I was an outfitter. It's not uncommon for people to have anti outfitter sentiment.

[under H2O hunter]

My uncle had his coolers full of food stolen before up on the Flat Tops in Colorado back about 30 years ago. Besides that nothing for myself. I camp along a very popular 4x4 trail and I do think about all the money I have tied up in gear. I make it a point to not leave anything of value in plain sight. I think it helps keep honest people honest. That doesn't mean that people couldn't go into my tents and grab something. However they run the risk of getting shot. I assure you that if I came into camp and someone was in my tents or coming out of them. I would take it as a personal threat against my life and I would fear for my life giving me all the reason to defend my life. WINK WINK. When you carry a side arm at all times you are more then equipped to handle a situation like this. I have the local game wardens phone number in my phone along with the forest services number and the stop poachers hotline. Anyone of these numbers would get me who I need if the need should arrive. That being said I sure hope I never have to make that kind of call. " Hey mister warden, I have a situation here. I was out hunting for elk and I came back to camp and now I have a dead man here. Should I gut him and bring him to you? Or would you like me to hang him in the tree and wait here?"

[Pop-r]

I haven't but Cnelk uses a game cameras to secure his campground. A very good idea that would give some peace of mind.

[Pop-r]

This past fall in MT i was studying some maps & doing some business on my phone. I sat mt cooler out of my truck & beside it in the shade. I forgot it when I went to leave. I drove ab a half a mile dwn the Rd & met a USFS truck. Thought nothing. Went on dwn the Rd a mile or so more & remembered my cooler. Turned around & went back & it was gone. The Rd is a dead end so I knew that they would have to return. 2 hrs later this truck blows by me on a dirt Rd with me sitting right where my cooler was &never checked up with me waving my arms! I thought maybe she is trying to steal my food?! I ran her dwn after ab 3 miles & finally got her to stop. Closest I've came to being "robbed." Lol

[Fridaythe13th]

I have never worried about thief much, but I do leave valuables in the truck or out of sight. I well say it might happen, but it take big balls to come into a hunting camp and steal we are all carrying some sort of weapon and can show up at any time.

[elk.addict]

Yep. I went on a hike in late August to a semi remote lake (no trail to it, a few miles from logging road). I fished until late morning. Then I decided to hike to the ridgeline and pick some huckleberries. I left my fishing gear leaning against a tree (along with my digital camera in my gear bag).
Came back a couple hours later and it was all gone. I literally ran down the mountain trying to catch up with whoever was in front of me. I never did. I wonder if they just thought someone forgot their gear in the woods, but still, doesn't justify taking it.

[elk.addict]

This past fall in MT i was studying some maps & doing some business on my phone. I sat mt cooler out of my truck & beside it in the shade. I forgot it when I went to leave. I drove ab a half a mile dwn the Rd & met a USFS truck. Thought nothing. Went on dwn the Rd a mile or so more & remembered my cooler. Turned around & went back & it was gone. The Rd is a dead end so I knew that they would have to return. 2 hrs later this truck blows by me on a dirt Rd with me sitting right where my cooler was &never checked up with me waving my arms! I thought maybe she is trying to steal my food?! I ran her dwn after ab 3 miles & finally got her to stop. Closest I've came to being "robbed." Lol

Wait, you got ripped off my a USFS employee? That's pretty sad

[Pop-r]

Yes sir & when she didn't stop I just knew she was trying to avoid me. (Or thought so) After running her dwn at 65mph on a dirt road & her not stopping I really had myself convinced. Luckily, she pulled over & did know exactly what I was after immediately. Idk??

[Elkduds]

My dad had his whole elk stolen before he could pack it out, above Dunckley Pass CO, about 1982. First elk he ever got, and last. He quit elk hunting after that.

[hike2hunt]

Yes, yote hunting in CA. I came back to four slashed tires...

[ishy]

Last year somebody took a nice brown heavy 5 point shed from behind my camper. It was under foot and a half grass behind my camper so they had to walk around the camper to see it. Any sheds in the future will come in.

[Freebird134]

I've had a lot of vandalism. Four awesome years of Idaho Vandalism! (Suck it BSU!)