So I guess the honest hunter now a days has to resort to not using his cameras for deer anymore but to find out who is stealing and messing with stands. I've had over a half a dozen Dlc coverts stolen this year alone and basically every single one of my stands either stolen or messed with. I use ladder stands and they either just take them or take all the straps so when you get in at 5am it's unusable. And this is on private and public land. At first I thought it might be anti hunters but no way it's other hunters. Do you really need a deer that bad or a spot you resort to steal and mess with other people property???? I just don't get it. Sorry for the rant but I'm just fed up with it. Are you guys experiencing the same thing. Are hunters just getting too jealous or is it just jerks getting into hunting that are thieves already. What do you guys think. Rant over ha ha def interested in other people's stories or ideas to stop it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
File theft reports for every camera....yes they most likely won't go anywhere but you never know and it leaves a recorded trail. Write down the serial number for every camera (most models have them on the camera) and location placed (just keep a spreadsheet or something). Hang dummy cams with a cam over 10 feet high and as hidden as possible watching it. Visit some neighbors and make no implications but seek if they've had anything messed with or stolen so when you file the police reports you can include you are not the only ones....passively informs everyone you are seeking the law's involvement. Lock all stands to the tree...won't stop someone that really wants it but will slow them down dramatically. We've had 5 cams and a stand stolen this year all off of private ground.
I do not get the concept of someone finding a stand...and taking it. Never will. I assume these same hunters, would break into cars and homes to steal as well. Can't be just when they are hunting. All of my cameras and stands have locks on them to help keep people honest. The chain for my hang-on might even weigh more than the stand itself. It is a pain to move around but, keeps it in place. I leave my steps on once in a while and know I'm taking a chance. Couple weeks ago, I walked up on someones climber. No lock on it. Thought....they are hunting a good spot...good for them! Last thing I would think of is to mess with it. I think that is a normal reaction.
There are scum bags in all walks of life and it's unfortunate that good law abiding citizens have to deal with them. I had my lifeline stolen and my stand messed with this year on public ground. I know if was done by another hunter in the area. I've had some stuff stolen off my property in the past, but that been several years and the little SOB got what was coming to him. His petty theft escalated into full blow burglary and he is now serving time in Prison for it. Hopefully the same will happen to the scum bag stealing from you.
That sucks, hook a battery up to it with an electrical charge to give em a good shock...maybe that will help. Seriously though I know I've had people using my stands but luckily they've never been taken. I do know others that have had it happen though.
I also put a heavy chain and lock on my stands now due to having one stolen. The sad part is I am about 99% confident it was our neighbor but didn't have a camera or anything pointed at the stand. Best of luck in the future though and hope you catch them!
Yup all good suggestions and I'm going to do them locks on both cams and stands it just sucks that it's got this bad. I've been hunting for over 30 years now being 38 and never remember dealing with thus bs as a kid. My stands were always where we put them and never had them messed with. I've actually had them cut the strap on the top of the ladder stand just enough to support me going up but would of snapped if I sat in it. I noticed it on the way up. That's scary guys out there trying to hurt you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Might be a good time to invest in a gsm trail cam, set it up 10 feet in the air (previous suggestion ) and then you will get pics texted and emailed real time . Catch that SOB!!
We had a meth head that robbed us for like 4 years, finally he got caught doing something else and landed in jail. Very frustrating...
Makes me want to let the old me out of the cage in the basement and just pummel someone. Unfortunately since we arent kids anymore we have to go through the proper channels. Definitely make police reports as mentioned above. Document everything. I dont know though. On second thought an all black ninja suit and a louisville slugger might be the only way......
I use a climber as well, especially on public and leases in areas where I know their is heavy hunting pressure. It takes a little extra work and planning for sure, but I like the fact that you are not tied down to one spot and you can hunt the wind. I love my lone wolf climber, quiet especially for morning hunts. I do understand having a fixed position stand is easier and sucks to think there are people who have to go that low to steel other hunters stands and cameras. As for Camera theft, I do lock cameras to the tree and buy cheaper cameras for those same public and high pressure areas. I like cameras (I am a tech and gear junkie) and what they can do for the hunter, but sometimes hunting with my climber off fresh deer sign is the way to go (old school). I agree stinks to have to adapt to the messed up situation. It is personal when someone steels from you. I just hope that if you ever catch whoever is steeling from you, they can be stopped from doing it in the future. Good Luck!
I pack my stand in every hunt (unless I plan on hunting the same tree the next AM). It has been the only way to ensure that I have not had another stand stolen. the worst was the 2 man treestand I had stolen the day before the gun opener a few years ago. Made for an interesting opening day for my kid and I....
I'm def going to check out summit and lone wolf climbers sounds like a great idea. And it's not just one guy all my hunting buddies that hunt different areas that I do are experiencing the same thing. One of my buddies found his stolen camera being used 100 yards from where it was stolen. He checked the card and he was on it from when he had it in the woods. That's just stupid so someone steals a camera and then puts it that close to where he stole it from. That just proves to me these hunters thieving don't have a clue. They probably justify stealing cameras and stands saying they thought it was abandoned and they didn't know better. Well I'm going to check my cams today lets see if I have any one on my cams they are 15' up in trees now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Checked my cams everything was still where I left them 9 in all but they are all 15' up in trees kind of a hassle checking them all but anything to make sure they are still there on a good note bucks are starting to go nuts hitting trees and scraping in my beck of the woods. Can't wait to get in the woods tomorrow a.m. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
