if you're fortunate enough to encounter them again in season, shoot first, then act stupid after &quot;Uh, geez officer. I thought it was a deer&quot;....<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Seriously, I think if leaving the equipment behind, the idea of the &quot;smile for the other camera&quot; is the best....

I like the two camera idea or carry a bigger machete<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I agree with most here. If it were on State Land, I would take it down. But since it was on your land screw them, don't let them change your mind about where to hunt. You may even want to set up a camera where they excited and entered the woods.

I agree somewhat with Bruce. I didn't even get past the headline before I started thinking .44 mag revover <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Hopefully it won't be neccassary, but if they know you carry a gun with you they might think twice. My folks tell me of a happening with my grandpa a while back. He was having problems with someone siphoning his gas from his vehicle. One time he caught the guy, put a gun to his head, and never saw him again! Moutain folk might not know good english, but they sure know how to get their point across! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

God bless,
Brandan

I'm thinking you should have let the camera get his picture, then at least you would have some evidence. As they say a piture is worth a thousand words. I hate to say it but there is a good chance your stuff may not be there, they know where it is now. they will most likely come back at night and get it when no one is around. I've had more stuff stolen off of my private property than I have hunting public land. I've left hang on stands in the trees for a couple of seasons on public land before. It got so bad on my private place that I wouldn't leave them there over the weekend.

Good Luck.

As a side note, I always carry a sidearm when in the woods, unless it is during bow only season. Not only do you have to worry about whackos but depending on where you live, some of the wildlife is not very friendly.

Rackluster do you really want to take a chance on losing your stand and camera just because it's on your property? Would you really want to file an insurance claim on it and, oops, get ripped off again, file another claim then have your insurance rate increase?

Take the camera and move it somewhere else. Take the stand home. they are not hard to put back up, unless it's a strap on. Climbers are so easy to put on, I do mine in the dark in 20 seconds without making a sound.

Find out what the local law says on the proper way to post property and do it. For example, in Fl. where I am, one must put signs up not more than fifty feet apart,if someone were to come upon the property line they should see a sign within 25 feet in both directions. and the property line boundary must be clearly marked(paved road, dirt road,logging road, fence, fire break, etc.) I know, it can get expensive but sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do.

Good luck, and I hope you don't have any problems!

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

punji sticks around that tree.


seriously though man...I'd keep the glock 40 cal on my side during these times when out there on your land.

This type of stuff just gets my blood boiling.

I'd take down your stand and camera and put up very visible NO TRESPASSING! signs possibly in a couple of different languages so no one can claim &quot;no habla&quot;. Maybe even a trespassers will be shot sign might send the message home.
OK that might not look good in the event you did shoot a machete weilding trespasser.

Kinda makes me think with 3 guys and a machete they werent there to steal stands or squirrel hunt! Is it possible they got some whacky tobacky growing out there? Id be moving all my equipment five minutes after I called the local law enfocement to report it.

Lock the tree stand on and wrap single edge razor blades in duct tape around the lock and clamp. Had a psycho buddy with same deal and he did this. Came back to find a lot of blood on the tape but stand was there and doubt it was deer blood up that high. Good luck.