STOLEN!!!!
 

I went out on Saturday and put a bag of minerals, a brand new 20 ft ladder stand and a new moultrie. I always chain my ladders, and even had a smaller chain linked to my camera box.

I went back today to check my camera and sit for a spell this morning and all was gone! I first thought I was lost, and trekked for an hour, but the tree had the scrapes of the ladder stand, and my ribbon markers that marked the trail from the field were all gone as well.

I can only tell you that when, and if I find the stuff...someone is not going to be well enough to hunt this year. At least not able to walk, hold a gun, much less pull a bow back.

I have neighbors on the look out...wish me luck!

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

That sucks, but it happens way to often. I hope you find the guy!!!!!!!!!

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Somebody really needs a life if they have nothing better to do than to go tromping around the hot and muggy (at least in southern Illinois) woods to steal stuff this time of the year. I'm just thankful for the area whereI hunt. It turns out that my dad left a stand on my land that is only about60 yards from the road and is clearly visible, and no one has touched itsince last october.

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Every hunters worst nightmare

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I guess my first mistake was putting up ribbons to mark the trail. It is a good 1/2 mile trek in the muck, briars, sapplings, etc. Someone must have followed my ribbon trail.

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That sucks! It is the reason I won't use obvious markers to my stands.

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That kind of stuff just gets under my skin, I hate a theif.....I haven't everhad any stands or cameras stolen but I have had trucks and other stuff like that....It makes me mad enough to do serious damage.....Sorry to hear bro,I know you just put that stuff out and were pretty excited....

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This stuff makes me sick.[:@]Let the headhunting begin.

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Always my worst fear, too...

I went and retrieved my last stand yesterday sincemy lock had frozen up on it and I couldn't the lock to open right after season. I took af pair of bolt cutters with me and quickly discovered why my dad always told me "locks are for honest people"... I couldn't believe how easily I snapped the lock off and freed up my stand.

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I wouldnt be able to trust people that much

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Bingo Jeff.....Not directed at you, but I can't understand why anyone uses flagging tape/ribbon to mark anything anymore. Its like a big sign that says "Follow me!" With all the good and inexpensive GPSs out there, there's no need for tape.

Again, not directed at you Jeff, just a broad statement.

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RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

i've had ribbon trails cut down and it really steams me but i haven't had any property stolen as of yet. Good luck tracking down this jerk. hope everything turns out well for you

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that sucks!
good luck catching the guy

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Yeah Greg I can vouch for that. I knew where that stand was and still couldn't find it, didn't help it wasn't light yet! :D

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Yea thats no crap. I am on all private land and had 3 stolen already. i don.t lock them anymore! Just put a note on them that reads...Smile your on camera:D

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Ahh yes.. the treestand thief. One of natures most brave creatures.

I've had them strike me as well over the years. All I could do to spite them was write in their honor.

http://www.huntingnet.com/articles/p...rticles_id=508 :eek:

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Well, guess what? I hunt on State land,and have on numerous occasions, and probably will again,REMOVEDred surveyers tape wrapped around trees. These ribbons are unsightly as hell, not to mention it's littering, which is illegal!That crap is NOT BIODEGRADEABLE![:'(][>:]
Sorry if this mind-set bugs anybody, but I stand firm on this. Bottom line, learn how to get to your stand site or get a GPS.;)

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Every piece of flagging tape I see up here gets pulled off the tree, put in my pocket and thrown in the garbage when I get back to camp.

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Dan, I've been doing exactly that for years. I used to come out with my pockets full,literally!I feel bad for anyone getting their things stolen, but marking a trail to your stuff is like leaving a trail of bread crumbs behind. If ya know what I mean.:D

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that stinks i hope you catch him but highly unlikely. I bolt mine to the tree with a 10 " bolt through the back where you can't get a cutter. plus they are hardened and have a special bit to remove them

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Sorry for your loss. Maybe get a GPS . Hope you catch the M&^%$$%r

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Another one here who removes the tape.
Illegal and unsightly as well.

Steve

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Hoyt Viper....I feel your pain and anger, a week agoI went out scouting a new area, and upon walking the edge of the field, the land owner drove through the field to see who I was, once he knew, he told me that a few days before, someone had driven in his muddy field rutting it all up, so he was just checking who I was....resumed walking and noticed the truck tracks stopped about where I usually cut into the woods at, on a hunch I went to check my stand, it's all gone...stand, climbing stick, bow hooks, everything. I assume someone mushroom hunting found it, and came back when the fields dried up a bit more. I'd LOVE to walking to my stand and see some idiot walking out with it....I promise you I would not hesitate to unload a Muzzy 100gr just below the knee.

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Droptine,

100% private leased land with me as the sole lessee!

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I never planed on leaving the ribbon there. It was a way fo rme to locate where I was so I could make the second trip to spill the mineral and set up camera. On the way back I remove the ribbons, but the guy never gave me 24 hours to get set up and get bearings of where I set up. This is about 100 acres of hardwood and thick sapplings to get to where I was going. never planned on leaving a trail to my secret spot!

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

100 acres???? You really don't need to be marking stands with tape. It's an invitation to follow. If you feel you really have to, use some tacks and stop them when you get within 100 yards or so. Pick terrain features, openings, or something to follow. Why are you putting in stands in June? You're way early. And when you put them in I wouldn't be making trips in to sit in them to see what you can see. It creates a pattern and stink.

P.S. There is no such thing as a secret spot in 100 acres. LOL

P.P.S. Isn't it illegal to bait in Virginia???? Your minerals count as bait.

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RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Sorry to hear that but you marked the path right to your stand I guess you have yourself to blame in a way..sorry about your loss.

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

That bites - sorry too hear...
This is the major reason I do not mark my trails.
It invites curious people and there is probably a thief amongst a curious crowd.

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

that really sucks. i hope the guy gets what's coming to him.

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

Im sure your intent is good, but the spot I mentioned is 100 acres of almost 300. This set of hardwoods is on the edge of one field that is roughly 30 acres of bedding, and the other side of the field is at least 250 acres. If you understood the layout of this piece...you would definately consider this a secret spot. The hnt clubs hunt the surrounding 900 acres, so yes...this is my secret spot, or should I say my sanctuary where deer go to escape the pressure of the hounds.

As far as putting up stands in June, call it boredom. No I dont plan on sitting in the stand eating peanut butter watching the surroundings. I have 6 otherstands that we are putting out this weekend so the deer will become acclimated to the surroundings. Im not going to wait until the last month to put stands up. Too much walking in deer country, and it also gives us opportunities to switch sites if need be.

I have one other hunting partner that will be hunting with me, and that was the reason I put the ribbons up. Once he knew where it was, the ribbons come off. The only entrance to the field, where the ribbons started is chained and padlocked, so I wasnt expecting joe blow to be looking at ribbons on a tree.

I may have contributed to my own loss, but still will have someones ass if I find them!

As far as baiting...mineral sites and corn feeders are considered baiting...if you hunt within 500 yards of them. It is simple to cover the minerals up, and the food plots (2 of them) are also consifdered baiting...if you hunt them. I have already spoken with the warden about what I can do and cant do. As a matter of fact he says I can keep the food plots as long as I add some turnips, corn, beens, and such that I can use for my own consumption. If its pure biologic, or simply clover...its a $2500 fine!

RE: STOLEN!!!!
 

ya know...there are some real ass holes in this world