Ever had an issue with theft while tent camping off forest service roads during hunting season?

[S.Clancy]

They key is to drive a rig that looks like a homeless person lives in it. No money, no problems

 

[Rich M]

We do campsites sometimes and carry small neon or odd colored zip ties. Few folks can replicate those and the will show if someone has been in your stuff.

 

[mtnbound]

I’ve seen it on and off for years, trucks and trailers getting broken into. Wall tents being stolen, racks being taken and of course trail camera theft. I have found footprints in camp that indicated people were snooping around. It sucks because I do remember a time when that was not an issue.

 

[Westslope406]

Carry any expensive stuff on you, lock up rest in vehicle but don’t be surprised if it’s broken into. I minimize expensive gear left behind

 

[Macintosh]

Would be helpful if folks have had problems to provide some context, ie season, approximately where, proximity to city/town, etc. Do you think this is people out to steal stuff, wandering trouble-making kids, etc?

 

[Macintosh]

Carry any expensive stuff on you, lock up rest in vehicle but don’t be surprised if it’s broken into. I minimize expensive gear left behind

I mean, its all expensive. Sleeping bag and pad, tent, etc for two people is easily in the thousands unless you do all your shopping at walmart. To say nothing of what the cost is of having no shelter or sleeping bag on the 2nd night of a 2 week trip, after flights, rental cars, years of points, etc.
But yeah, wallet, gun, optics are with me.

 

[ChrisA]

We do campsites sometimes and carry small neon or odd colored zip ties. Few folks can replicate those and the will show if someone has been in your stuff.

I'm kinda dense and wonder what you are talking about? I know what a zip tie is but what else are you saying?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I like to cover anything in my topper or in cab with a blanket, just to obscure what’s in there - I do not trust anyone.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

If you take the Texas plates off your truck chances of vandalism decrease by 250%!!

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I'm kinda dense and wonder what you are talking about? I know what a zip tie is but what else are you saying?

I read that to mean he's putting it on tent zippers so they'd have to be cut. I used to put a tiny padlock on mine, obviously if they want in they can but it keeps the sneaky ones out.

 

[CaribooBC]

One area, about 2-3 hours from home is so notorious for thefts, that the only way to go and camp/hunt the area is to go with a group and one person stays behind at camp. Vehicles are the #1 target, any vehicle left behind in camp will be stolen. As such, this area does not get much pressure from legitimate hunters, just the local poachers and thieves work the area. Very common to see pit lamping happening in the area.

 

[TaperPin]

The closer you are to town the more likely local kids will snatch something. Along straight stretches of road where approaching cars can be seen for a long distance is not good. Any location that gives people an excuse to drive by you is not good. There is a difference between campers and homeless encampments, it’s good to know which is which. If there is a mine or oil patch nearby, all bets are off. If your spot is littered with beer cans it might be a party spot and that’s not good.

One friend broke down late at night on a straight stretch of road and took his guns and left everything in the open bed of his truck thinking if he returned early everything would be ok, but they took anything that wasn’t tied down including in the cab.

I’ve seen a lot of trucks over the years up on blocks. Cordless impacts make snatching tires and rims quick and easy.

Like many thefts, they are opportunistic so you don’t have to be perfect, just a harder mark than other campers. Drive your expensive truck with a tailgate full of stickers for expensive

 

[TaperPin]

If you tape up the tent with duct tape or cover it with a frayed tarp it will be less likely to grow legs. Same with an old cooler. Old drop cloths for painting make good covers for things in your cab or camper shell.

 

[CMF]

never had issu, but keep things out of sight

 

[cnelk]

I will add that there are times when I will put up a trail cam watching camp

 

[rayporter]

many years ago i remember passing tents with rifles in them and/or leaning against the pole out front.

there was a time sitting in camp and i was telling one of the guys that not everyone locked their doors. he was amazed and shortly asked one other fellow hunter [ who was 1500mi from home] if his door was locked. the reply was 'no'.
even he would likely lock up now days.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I will add that there are times when I will put up a trail cam watching camp

Solid idea. I wonder if the law would give us any crap in areas with trail cam bans for putting a cell cam covering camp.

 

[Zeke6951]

I lock some valuable (to me) stuff in the back of my pick-up. Under the cap, with the tailgate locked, but a cap is easy to open even if locked. So I back the truck up close to to a big tree. Even if the topper door is breached, the door nor the tailgate can be opened.

 

[WVTrooper]

I will add that there are times when I will put up a trail cam watching camp

I have done the same thing. I’ve never had any issues but I always thought that if something did happen, the trail camera would hopefully aid in tracking things down.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Have not had an issue in our 5 years out west.

The only thing we really do is avoid campsites right off the main roads, but that is as much for the peace and quiet as anything else. …out of sight, out of mind.