Went to check my camera yestarday and to put up another stand when I heard something walking in the woods. Right away I thought deer! But I thought it was weird because I just walked down that trail 2 minutes before. Then I heard people talking in another language. I peeked up a little and there were 2 guys looking at my new $130 deer stand. One stood there while the other kept walking towards me and my camera. I had just turned the camera on. When he got about five feet from getting his picture taken I jumped up and blurted 'This is private property!'. Then I noticed he had about a 12" machete. Then my tone changed a little. hehe! They played dumb and asked to squirrel hunt on the land. I said 'no, you better leave now'.

The guy was staring at my camera, even while I was talking to him! But they left and I followed about 50 yards behind them. I tried to get a closer look at their vehicle but they took off before I could. They pretty much turned around in the ditch rather than to drive by me and turn around the way everyone else does. I have a bad feeling about my stand and the possibility of it not being there on Saturday morning.

What are the odds of me happening to catch them? I think that is only the second time I checked that camera on a week day all summer! I've never had problems with trespassers out there that is why i bought a nicer stand this year.

Stand....$130, Camera....$250.....picture of machete wielding trespasser....ok, won't go there.

anyway, good luck all!

I hope everything works out for you RackLuster.
Is the stand chained and do you have marking tape out near the road?
If the stand is not locked I thik I would do that today and if there is a marker flag on a branch I'd remove it and or move it a couple hundred yards or more away. Keep in mind whatever you use to make it easy to find in the dark can also be used by those with less than honorable intentions.
Good Luck


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

I would move my stand If I were you,or get a pitbull to stand guard.They will be back Its time to set a few snars and dead falls.<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

You've got to go with your initial gut response. They were looking at your stand, showed interest in your camera, were on posted property, avoided driving by you when it was obviously easier, etc.

I agree with texastracker, they will be back.

I'd take my stuff down and move it or take it home. You really don't need the camera up this close to the season and the stand you can put up early on Sat.

I'd suggest spending a little more time on site at odd times just to let people know that someones watching.

I AGREE YOUR STUFF IS PROBABLY GONNA DISSAPEAR IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE IT. IT SUCKS THAT YOU HAVE TO WORRIE ABOUT IT ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY.

First thing I would do is make dang sure that the property is properly posted as private, check with your state laws. We see alot of people who trespass because they know the land isnt marked properly even though they know better,they know the landowner cant do much about it.

I would also go move your stand to another location just to be safe, and alert you law enforcement to the violation.

Rack,

You should at least let the County or local authorities know about the confrontation on YOUR property.

You'd be surprised how many times those same guys have been seen and reported. Not only will they take your stuff, while on your property, if given the chance, they'll probably poach as well.

I have experienced the poacher/thief and if not confronted by both you and the authorities, they will be back.

Good luck.

The guy(s) who poached on our property would come in and bring a bunch of friends, drive the deer and then shotgun them as they went past the gunners. Last year they got 4 in a space of 30 minutes. Our area is bow only, so it was easy to tell when they were on they property.

We called the county sheriff, but did not get them that time. They came back a month later and we busted them then.

Still in court.


&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;

If you choice to keep your stand and camera in the timber take a black marker and write on them &quot;Smile for the camera&quot; On the camera write &quot;Sorry I meant the other camera&quot; It may only keep the half way honest people away but it may make the idiots think twice.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
If you choice to keep your stand and camera in the timber take a black marker and write on them &quot;Smile for the camera&quot; On the camera write &quot;Sorry I meant the other camera&quot; It may only keep the half way honest people away but it may make the idiots think twice.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
I love this! Let 'em think that they are being watched by another camera. I must say that I disagree with the suggestions to move your stand/ install it the day of your hunt/ etc. This is your property damn it! You have worked hard to set it up, scout the deer movement and plan your path of entry/exit. Now two guys are going to throw a monkey wrench into your whole plan just before the season starts. That is total &quot;BS&quot;. Notify the local authorities of the confrontation and mention both your stand and the camera in the report. Get a good chain or cable lock and if anything happens to your equipment in the future, let your homeowners insurance cover it.

In the future, you should have &quot;gone along with them&quot; and said that they could squirrel hunt....gotten their names and License # so that they were &quot;on record&quot;, and then after you had their info, tell them that they were S.O.L. for trespassing before getting permission.

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> &quot;

Some one on my property, comeing toward me with a machetee, and not anounceing him self........more than likely he'll ether had craped his pants and stoped as I pulled out my pistol, or in the morge if he didn't. There are some wackos out there and I for one aint going down easy!
Good luck with your place and make sure the local law knows about this.

Hurry up and wait.