What do you do?
 

What do you guys think about this photo? What would you do? I went up to hunt my spot in North Central Kansas last weekend and it was like someone was playing a prank on me. Nothing was seen but small immature bucks and a couple does. I usually see 30+ deer in a day in this area and now it is only around 5, a couple small immature bucks and a couple does. Looks like some sort of AR strapped to his chest. Can't tell what the patch is on his shoulder. Maybe a coyote hunter? Nobody else should have permission to this property (good faith/long standing permission, not leased). This property is owned by a very old farmer. It is an area that is notorious for getting driven for 3-4 miles (heavy creek bottom) by hunters that trespass on anybody and everybody.

I sat 4 days along this area. It is in the middle of a 4 square mile section with no roads. It is a deer paradise, loafing ground as they make their way back to the bedding areas.

Any ideas?

I'd be very thankful that they didn't steal your camera

Isn't much you can do as you do not own the land. Your also not there full time so even if you had so sort of document to say you had rights to have trespassers arrested your just not there.


Grin and bare it is about it.


My wife asked if I was going to post no trespassing signs at my UP deer camp. I told her no I live 6.5 hours away so could not catch ANY one any way. also the people who would trespass on land not theirs would just use the signs to set the place on fire.


:D Al

Probably all Hillary supporters. Heck of a world we live in with all the people who think they are entitled to things that belong to others.

Yeah, Hillary supporters packin AR's. That's rich! We know who it really is.

1. Maybe the old guy gave permission? It's possible... check with him to see if anyone stopped in.

2. I would do is try to be more selective and careful about where your cameras are. I'd suggest hanging them higher (out of line of sight and off to the side of trails) and if possible screw them or chain/cable them to the trees. A downward angle for deer works really well also, it can give a better perspective of tine length, and they rarely spot the camera.

3. If you know (and trust) people in the area, show the pic to them. There can't be too many people in the area with a rifle like that.

4. Perhaps post the picture in area bars and stores. Make a note that you have pictures of their face, but don't want to publicly humiliate them. Remind them that it is private property (along with an aerial photo showing boundaries) and they do not have permission to hunt or shoot there. If caught again authorities will be contacted.

Some suggest doing nothing. Unfortunately that never does anything. Be proactive and creative.

Around these parts having someone afield dressed like that with that type of platform and carrying it that way they wouldn't be hunters.

Handles, now you are an expert on who carries rifles? :happy0157: On the real side, after looking at that picture it looks a bit like military style clothes. Many game department's WCOs now wear military style clothing patrol and many carry AR style rifles and most times there patches are camoed as well so you can't read them until you are real close.

Kind of the way I looked at it. All areas are probably different but our f&W wardens don't dress like that while on patrol and normally don't carry the AR type platform unless on a direct mission with a likelihood of having to use it. The DEA guys looking for drugs do dress like that and carry that type of weaponry. Perhaps there is a pot grow somewhere on that piece of land which has come under surveillance. Kind of late in the year though from a harvest standpoint.

Our guys do dress in OD fatigues while on patrol but they do,not break out the ARs unless they have an idea they will need them. It could well be another law enforcement type as you have noted.

I'd post no trespass an huntin signs as well as a poacher reward sign with your number .might scare and you might find a guy like me . If I lived there I'd make a deal with you and hunt them . I hunted a property and while in the stand , photographed and held two young men till my landowner and police came , he had had a rifle stolen from that stand that was found at the 17 year old poacher theif house. Something to consider , find someone local who has the time and maybe they can help you for hunting or reward ? Worth it for your deer back ,good luck hunting , maybe you can catch a human. Post it so if you do you can legally do something

If not a human, who else would he catch? An alien? :) Seriously, unless you have some kind of authority on the property, and even if you did, I would not recommend anyone try to hold someone until the police arrive for trespassing. Exactly what would you do if they told you to shove it, they were leaving other than standing there with egg on your face? If you tried to hold them at gunpoint, it would be you going to jail, not them.

Pretty good advice. Success as an untrained "cowboy" is not guaranteed.

The first thing to do is to check with the landowner. It may be someone authorized and a good way to lose hunting permission is to cause a ruckus with somebody the farmer knows and likes.



Let me add to that, as a Kansan as is the OP. Our laws are such that trespassing isn't automatically an offense that can be ticketed unless there's signs already posted, or the landowner makes the complaint when it isn't.


My gut feeling is coyote hunter.

I would talk to the local police, just to see if it is an officer. There could have been an esacpee in the area, a person could have fled the police on foot, etc. There could be any number of reasons law enforcement could be in that area without you hearing about it. They might recognize the clothing/uniform.

Uh, where do you see an AR? I see the handle of a knife in the pic but no AR. I spent a lot of time carrying an AR type rifle on active duty and if you're talking about the handle of the knife near the armpit you're way off track if you think it is an AR butt. Enlarge it and look again.

I kind of thought the same thing flags but the more I looked at it it I could see what I perceived to be some sort of butt plate. Add in the location and angle and it looked like some sort of tactical weapon. In addition the stitching on the shirt looked more military than a store bought camo. Most of the stuff I own doesn't have that stitching on the sleeve. It appears that there is a type of camo insignia on the sleeve which makes it look military to me. Regardless of what is on the carry I doubt that person is a hunter.

I think what you're seeing is one of those 'Rambo" type knifes with a funky hand guard. One thing I'm certain of it that no part of an AR type rifle is in that picture. If you enlarge it you can see the knurled end of the handle of the knife. It looks like one of those army surplus store type knives with the rubber grips.

I carried an M-4 carbine for years on a one point sling and and I don't think there is a firearm or part of a firearm in that photo.

That would be a pretty big knife handle. It looks similar to a Daniels Defense buttstock but not quite. It has a very similar looking lever on it https://danieldefense.com/furniture/buttstocks.html

Looks exactly like the trail cam pic.

Quite possibly right. That stock... if it is one isn't something I am familiar with but I am more of a hunting rifle person than a tactical one. What is your take on the camo fatigue shirt and which way do you see him walking? At first glance it looked like he was walking away with that weapon hung on the back military hiking style and after I blew it up there might be a collar which as I look at the arm angle makes it seem like the person was actually walking towards the camera and possibly reaching for it. If that is the case it would be an odd position for a large knife to be carried. I have a lot of camo and none of it has the reinforced stitching for an insignia on the sleeve. Also the camo isn't all the way around the sleeve which is kind of strange. Almost looks like an F at the top possibly F&W??? My old USAF fatigues were Vietnam era and didn't have anything like that.

I blew it up and now i think it is virtually the same when i can see them side by side.

Would that kind of buttstock be on a private ownership or military type issue?

Their website has pricing and not just AR either. They also sell a rifle in 308 and 308 Blackout with the same stock.

Seeing that new photo I admit I may be wrong. But you still can't tell if it is an AR type. Lots of aftermarket products out there these days.

Whats your take on the camo. Do the ROTC guys get an issue? Just wondering whats out there these days. The pattern looks more middle east issue than the older style I am familiar with.