Parking/Base camp property protection?

[RKS]

Newby here and really enjoying reading and learning all I can about what to expect when I head west in a few years.

One question I have and it never really seems to come up is what do you do with all your gear left at the truck/base camp by the roads? Is there much theft that goes on or is it usually pretty safe to leave things like coolers in the bed of a truck?

 

[Boddy1]

I've not had any issues, but it all depends on who comes by.

 

[amp713]

Ive not had much issue thankfully but i keep stuff in the vehicle down to a minimum and make sure nothing is visible for sure.

 

[Beastmode]

I haven't had any issues. Anything of value "extra gear" is not left in plain sight. If they don't see something they want you should be fine.

 

[Schnagelbagel]

Scum can be anywhere!!! Keep the expensive stuff hidden or under lock and key. We have been pretty fortunate so far but usually someone is at our base camp daily. Never really just parked and been gone an extended period.

 

[Finch]

I'm going to run a cable lock through the handles of my coolers and secure to my truck bed's d-ring. Not super theft proof but hoping to keep an honest man honest.

 

[Archerm]

In 22 seasons I have never had any problems when I pack in. I am normally away for two weeks. I don't leave anything of value in the truck.

 

[Curtis C]

There's so much looting and car burglary going on out here I'm more concerned about cutting a tire on all the broken glass scattered through the parking areas.

 

[amp713]

Lately i just run up the mountain in my jeep and sometimes i go without ever putting a top or doors on. Giving a would be theif a good idea that nothings there sure seems to work too ha

 

[Elkfever]

It depends on where I hunt. Ive never had an issue but there are some areas that I will not leave a wall tent base camp set up. When I do leave my wall tent set up, I don't leave critical gear for the hunt or anything too expensive at camp thats not locked in a truck and out of sight. Anything that is too precious to be left in camp but not needed for the hunt that day, I throw in a tote and leave it locked in a truck. As far as leaving gear like coolers or anything else in the bed of my truck, I have always done what I could to lock it up in the cab, use my Roll-n-lock over the bed or now, a locking canopy. I don't let the idea of theft overrun my thoughts for the day but I do what I can to limit my vulnerability.

 

[HunterHawk]

I was thinking about this because last year I set up a base camp usually I just pack everything in. I decided I will put up a trail cam this next year so I can at least get them coming and going... just a thought...of course if they see it that's gone too... but if not it sure will be helpful

 

[Dancermatt]

There are bad guys out there that will come into camp, open doors, take stuff. I've seen guys looking into my truck while I'm looking down on them from 800 yards away. Put a note on your window telling your "friend" that you're just doing a little scouting and will be back in an hour. Never leave anything of value in vehicle. I had a safe built into the back seat of my yukon just in case I have to leave some things in my truck while traveling. If the bad guy gets into it...they've earned it but they'll need special tools to get into it. A wireless motion detector is good for nighttime or those battery operated things you put on your doors to alarm you if kids open a door.

 

[Ironman8]

Are most of these issues seen at well known (well used) trailheads? Or more at remote and less used trailheads? What areas of CO does this happen most? Closer to the big cities (Denver/Springs)?

 

[5MilesBack]

Years ago we used to leave all kinds of supplies and such in our camping spots all year. Come back the next year and there it is still. These days, I usually leave my base camp up most the season but I worry about it. Times have changed.

 

[LaGriz]

RKS,
So far have never had a problem. I was warned that some places in NM could be prone to theft. I have never had a problem hunting there in my favorite state. It can happen anywhere really, if the wrong guy gets ideas about your camp. I make an effort not to leave anything of value but lets face it, all camping gear is expensive. I have heard stories of guys in Colorado returning to a "cleaned out camp sight" after a long day hunting elk. That would really suck to have no place to sleep, no cooking gear, food, or even clothing remaining after such a major theft. I once positioned a trail camera pointed at my tent, but after a couple of peacefull days pulled it down. I have asked other campers to keep an eye on my site when I was solo in the NF off of a busy FS road. I abandoned plans to do a overnight bivy once, because my base camp was in my mind ,too much at risk. Cable locks on any trailer would be a good idea. A vehicle parked at camp could discourge a would be thief.

LaGriz

 

[xziang]

I too have never had an issue in CO *knock on wood* It also helps me that I have a locakable camper shell on the truck too. I have been concerned sometimes about leaving some gear at the spike camp but usually I'm so far off the trail that the likely hood of seeing someone is slim. It has crossed my mind putting a trail cam on my truck before though.

 

[6mm Remington]

It's always good to try and limit what might be tempting to someone. I do worry about it when I'm away from the truck or camp, but try not it take over my thoughts and ruin my trip. If someone wants it bad enough, they will take it! I cable lock the generator to the camper and lock the door, but that only keeps the honest ones out.

 

[Bar]

I have a Jeep Wrangler with a soft top. I don't bother locking the doors. That saves a cut soft top from happening. A thief would have to be desperate to steal anything from me. I don't leave anything worth taking. Everything is on my back. If they want a cheap gun case. They're welcome to it. I have a dozen of them.

They better not let me see them take it though.

 

[Finch]

I have a Jeep Wrangler with a soft top. I don't bother locking the doors. That saves a cut soft top from happening.

Hopefully they would check your doors to be unlocked first. Now wouldn't that piss you off if they didn't?

 

[orionsbrother]

I had a window broken on my truck at a trailhead in the Green Mountains when I was snow camping.

Historically, I have not had many problems. I believe most of that is due to the fact that most of my gear is beat to the point that nobody would want to steal it. To the contrary, upon seeing my gear, negative individuals would probably laugh and mock my chit. One of my buddies used to tell me that if I just sat down at a busy trailhead, people would toss some change my way.

As I replace and upgrade gear, I do think about the fact that I now have some stuff worth stealing. I try not to dwell on it.

One other thing that I have going for me is my wife and kids. If they use my truck for a few days, it ends up full of crap and looks like two homeless guys and a raccoon lived in it for a month. If I were to refrain from cleaning it, anyone looking in would just shake their head and wonder, "WTF? How do you get Cheerios to stick to everything, even the glass?"