Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

 Broad topic but not really. So my question is how many of you have experienced theft while out and about on a hunt? I have been thinking of a tent, and of course gear to accommodate tent camping but am leary of leaving a tent set up with gear in side for anyone to just take at will. I really don't see the point in tent camping if I have too tare down camp every morning either.

I have NO issue with a cheap, Clean motel, none at all. I like the daily shower option, and typically a place close by to find something to eat. Sometimes, a tent camp would be more handy situated, peaceful and relaxing.

We have experienced theft issues in NY fishing several times, seems you can't have anything up there visible and or reachable. Had a friend have a 30 pack of beer stolen from his truck this year close to Albion. Another friend lost a tote with work boots and work clothes in it years ago at Pulaski. We had a hot charcoal grill stolen in Pulaski as well, rough place I guess.

So what's the thoughts on tent camping and leaving a tent set up throughout the day with no one attending it?  Seems like a donation to me.

I have personally never worried about it. However in this day and age you can't guarantee anything. One of those trail cameras that text pictures to your phone could be handy to keep an eye on things and for evidence.

You are correct, I actually thought of that while typing. I would take two, surely the first would be spotted.

Back in the day when it was more than just me hunting, we always looked for state parks to camp in. Now with just myself it is the back of the truck and a state park or truck stop form shower. Last on the list is a motel.

 If it were an organized person I can see the benefits a topper on a truck, but the limitations of one person. Wouldn't take long to break down a canopy and cooker and move on.

Quote from: WV Flopper on March 13, 2022, 07:49:17 PM
If it were an organized person I can see the benefits a topper on a truck, but the limitations of one person. Wouldn't take long to break down a canopy and cooker and move on.

I am any thing but organized. The back of my truck is a suburban. Makes an easy stretch to ignition and heat on them super chilly mourns. It's usually an air mattress and a large cooler in the back. Hunting stuff goes next to the air mattress. Pack of clothes goes next to cooler. Carry a small Coleman stove for beef stew and soup and stuff. Lots of water, bottles and gallons. Sometimes a 5 gallon water tank if I'm remote enough. Dont need a camp set up so to speak. Usually not around the truck much, sleep and moving to the next spot. Most of the time is spent in the woods.

In the times we live in now , leaving stuff unattended is a invitation to certain people , that you were wanting to share it. Sad times.

Quote from: WV Flopper on March 13, 2022, 04:00:57 PM
Broad topic but not really. So my question is how many of you have experienced theft while out and about on a hunt? I have been thinking of a tent, and of course gear to accommodate tent camping but am leary of leaving a tent set up with gear in side for anyone to just take at will. I really don't see the point in tent camping if I have too tare down camp every morning either.

I have NO issue with a cheap, Clean motel, none at all. I like the daily shower option, and typically a place close by to find something to eat. Sometimes, a tent camp would be more handy situated, peaceful and relaxing.

We have experienced theft issues in NY fishing several times, seems you can't have anything up there visible and or reachable. Had a friend have a 30 pack of beer stolen from his truck this year close to Albion. Another friend lost a tote with work boots and work clothes in it years ago at Pulaski. We had a hot charcoal grill stolen in Pulaski as well, rough place I guess.

So what's the thoughts on tent camping and leaving a tent set up throughout the day with no one attending it?  Seems like a donation to me.

Pulaski,  that's a place I havent heard about in bout 30 years.  Born in CT. And lived there until I was around 12.  Have an uncle who lives in NY.  My dad and some of his friends used to salmon fish in Pulaski

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I have spent hundreds of nights camping and hunting in recent years, finally in Arizona someone stole my cooler full of food and water, luckily I had just gotten to my hunt and did not unload any of my camping gear.

The past two season prior I spent a week in the same spot and left camping gear all week without issue, the scum bags could have left my water in the freaking desert!  Was on a deer hunt.

I put my gear back in my rig most of the time now.

I've spent nearly 30 years dealing with scum of the earth  in my career.   I've always said a thief is as bad as a child molester and I'd be happy to pull the trigger or flip the switch on every...  one of them.  People just suck and it gets worse as time goes it seems.  In my retirement I'd kinda like to be given an unlimited tag for scum and meth heads and sit on the high bank overlooking a wma parking lot with my Creedmoor.  Just for fun of course.....

Just depends where I'm at I guess. Lock up as much as you can. I'll assume the truck will be close by. Anything with real value gets put in there before leaving. The stuff with little/no value...no big deal I guess. Regardless, losing stuff sucks.


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It depends on the area and the type of people who live nearby. Most of the time I'd say it's locals who steal your stuff but there's a few bad apples amongst us who would steal from a fellow hunter. I've never had anything stolen or pilfered at a campsite but I don't leave much laying around. I only leave chairs, cooler, water container, and whatever is inside tent but I do put a small lock through the zippers just to keep the honest ones honest. Cell cameras are also an option. Put one higher than normal in a tree overlooking your camp site. You'd at least get a look at them while they stole your stuff.

 Kind of what I figured...

Tents almost a K, add gear well over a K. Tent would be easier for two or more people but who wants to spend an hour in the dark packing up camp and then an hour in the evening setting camp back up.

Did I mention I like a cheap Clean motel. Maybe I should just stick with that method and leave the girls canvas tent at home.

Sad times we live in.


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Quote from: WV Flopper on March 14, 2022, 07:13:52 PM
Kind of what I figured...

Tents almost a K, add gear well over a K. Tent would be easier for two or more people but who wants to spend an hour in the dark packing up camp and then an hour in the evening setting camp back up.

Did I mention I like a cheap Clean motel. Maybe I should just stick with that method and leave the girls canvas tent at home.

Or...just find the right guy to go with. Just saying.


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Quote from: dublelung on March 14, 2022, 08:50:16 AM
. Cell cameras are also an option. Put one higher than normal in a tree overlooking your camp site. You'd at least get a look at them while they stole your stuff.

Never had anybody steal anything, but we seem to see this happening more and more as time goes on.  I find myself wondering if the next camping trip will be the one where my stuff disappears.  Anymore, I try to put my camp in an as inconspicuous a location as possible. 

Using a trail cam is a clever idea, but the actual value in catching a thief is probably limited.  This does remind me of a Facebook post I saw a couple of years ago, though.  A guy set up a trail cam on his camp and went hunting.  Came back later and the ENTIRE camp was gone!  Checked the trail cam and had photos of a man and woman taking down his camp, loading it up, and leaving.   The hunter posted the photos on his Facebook page showing it all!  Never heard whether the culprits were later caught or not. 

Some people have an awful lot of nerve!  For me, it does bring to mind the statement I saw on a T-shirt a while back.  "I am old enough now that life in prison is not all that much of a deterrent"  In my case, potential thieves would be wise to take that statement seriously when contemplating stealing from me!   :angel9:

I've camped out of a tent a lot and never had anything come up missing.  I always leave my camp setup.

Quote from: roberthyman14 on March 13, 2022, 08:46:02 PM

Quote from: WV Flopper on March 13, 2022, 04:00:57 PM
Broad topic but not really. So my question is how many of you have experienced theft while out and about on a hunt? I have been thinking of a tent, and of course gear to accommodate tent camping but am leary of leaving a tent set up with gear in side for anyone to just take at will. I really don't see the point in tent camping if I have too tare down camp every morning either.

I have NO issue with a cheap, Clean motel, none at all. I like the daily shower option, and typically a place close by to find something to eat. Sometimes, a tent camp would be more handy situated, peaceful and relaxing.

We have experienced theft issues in NY fishing several times, seems you can't have anything up there visible and or reachable. Had a friend have a 30 pack of beer stolen from his truck this year close to Albion. Another friend lost a tote with work boots and work clothes in it years ago at Pulaski. We had a hot charcoal grill stolen in Pulaski as well, rough place I guess.

So what's the thoughts on tent camping and leaving a tent set up throughout the day with no one attending it?  Seems like a donation to me.

Pulaski,  that's a place I havent heard about in bout 30 years.  Born in CT. And lived there until I was around 12.  Have an uncle who lives in NY.  My dad and some of his friends used to salmon fish in Pulaski

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I still fish there and there's a lot of thievery. Keep a close eye on your stuff in that town.

At least a trail cam will monitor you site. They are still going to get it though.

I heard of a guy that stole a cell cam at 3 lakes in Florida . He was an older guy and he brought the camera back to camp . Well the owner of the camera was hunting that day and easily caught the guy as he was still sending pictures to his cell phone . Not sure if he called the warden on him . They are making trackers smaller and smaller going to be a problem for the scum bags .


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the way a lot of the country is heading, what's the point of catching the thieves?

as the government cares less and less about property rights and it's own people those people need to start taking things into their own hands

 So, your three days into a week hunt roll back into camp, and camp is gone. You have trail camera pics of the thieving SOB's!

So you call the cops..........when are you meeting the cops, making a statement, showing your pictures! Now your in a motel, mad, madder. Finish out your week and go home.

Two weeks later the cops call and have solved your case! They have your stuff and want to ship you 200#s of your stuff at your expense. That is the best outcome, the best.

I see it as really going down hill from there.
I would like to camp, but just reading here, what I thought, makes me say stay in the motel.

N.Y. along lake Ontario is a bad place for theft. Never had anything broken, but you can't leave anything out either.