Rifle Found - California D17

[WrstMuleHntr]

Found a rifle this weekend and attempting to reunite with its rightful owner. Found in California D17. Message me and let me know the model, caliber and where you lost it and we can arrange getting it back to you!

 

[robby denning]

Good on you @WrstMuleHntr

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Indeed. Good on you. I would love to hear the story on this one. As a Marine, I am always morbidly fascinated by stories of lost rifles. It’s nightmare material.

 

[WrstMuleHntr]

It Looks like it has been there 1-2 years. The bolt was rusted closed so I could not make sure that it wasn't loaded, although I was able to pull the trigger, hear a "click" and nothing happened. It added almost 10 lbs to my pack and I carried it around for the remainder of my day (~ 3.5 miles). The sun-damaged stock left annoying little pieces of fiberglass in my hands. I was slightly concerned with a warden giving me a hard time for carrying around a rifle during archery season, but I didn't run in to another human while out in the field.

 

[go_deep]

Is there anyway to run the SN and see who the last registered owner was?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

In California...YEP!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

It Looks like it has been there 1-2 years. The bolt was rusted closed so I could not make sure that it wasn't loaded, although I was able to pull the trigger, hear a "click" and nothing happened. It added almost 10 lbs to my pack and I carried it around for the remainder of my day (~ 3.5 miles). The sun-damaged stock left annoying little pieces of fiberglass in my hands. I was slightly concerned with a warden giving me a hard time for carrying around a rifle during archery season, but I didn't run in to another human while out in the field.

I bet you could ask the game warden if anyone reported it missing.

 

[robby denning]

It Looks like it has been there 1-2 years. The bolt was rusted closed so I could not make sure that it wasn't loaded, although I was able to pull the trigger, hear a "click" and nothing happened. It added almost 10 lbs to my pack and I carried it around for the remainder of my day (~ 3.5 miles). The sun-damaged stock left annoying little pieces of fiberglass in my hands. I was slightly concerned with a warden giving me a hard time for carrying around a rifle during archery season, but I didn't run in to another human while out in the field.

most wardens are very reasonable in my experience. Just seeing the shape of the gun would'a backed up your story. Only Judge Roy Bean yields a rusted weapon lol

 

[AM_Hunter]

I second reaching out to the Game Warden. I believe theres only 2-3 that work D17. Depending on the region it was found. I have the contact number for one of them, his name is Josh. If you need it let me know I can PM it to ya.

 

[robby denning]

and OP! Don't forget about us when this story concludes. Too many do!

 

[sierracharlie338]

Is that a bushnell lrhs scope?

 

[WrstMuleHntr]

Is that a bushnell lrhs scope?

No, it is a Vortex Diamondback.

 

[Axlrod]

No, it is a Vortex Diamondback.

There is the missing piece on info! Owner didn't loose it, he left it!

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Maybe it was stolen. Hunting equipment gets targeted by low life thieves to be resold often.

 

[WrstMuleHntr]

Maybe it was stolen. Hunting equipment gets targeted by low life thieves to be resold often.

Anything is possible, but if that is the case then this particular lowlife went through a lot of trouble to drive to the middle of the desert, then hike even farther into the middle of the desert, to ditch this gun.

My guess is that it fell off someone's pack and they didn't notice until they got back to their truck or to their glassing spot. Must have been a bummer to realize you lost your gun off the back of the pack. Hopefully they didn't miss an opportunity at a buck out there because of it!

Another interesting thing to note is that it has the little rings where a rifle sling would go, but no rifle sling attached. I considered that maybe the strap broke and that is how they lost it, but in that case I expect they would have noticed.

I usually hike with OnX tracker on, mainly to see how far my hikes were, but now I have an even better reason to use tracker regularly. If I ever lose something like this I should be able to track back and find it.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Anything is possible, but if that is the case then this particular lowlife went through a lot of trouble to drive to the middle of the desert, then hike even farther into the middle of the desert, to ditch this gun.

My guess is that it fell off someone's pack and they didn't notice until they got back to their truck or to their glassing spot. Must have been a bummer to realize you lost your gun off the back of the pack. Hopefully they didn't miss an opportunity at a buck out there because of it!

Another interesting thing to note is that it has the little rings where a rifle sling would go, but no rifle sling attached. I considered that maybe the strap broke and that is how they lost it, but in that case I expect they would have noticed.

I usually hike with OnX tracker on, mainly to see how far my hikes were, but now I have an even better reason to use tracker regularly. If I ever lose something like this I should be able to track back and find it.

Yes Anything is possible, I just imagine another low life knowingly bought a stolen rifle for cheap, took it hunting then decided it wasn’t worth packing back. I would report it to the authorities.

 

[sierracharlie338]

No, it is a Vortex Diamondback.

Ahh sun damaged I guess.

 

[Nine Banger]

Ahh sun damaged I guess.

I was thinking gold spray paint or paint pen... like something my kid would do (did do) to personalize his rifle. It looks like it was sprayed purple too which may be another kid decoration.

It's youthlike to set something like that down unnoticed and then the group had no success locating it.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I was thinking gold spray paint or paint pen... like something my kid would do (did do) to personalize his rifle. It looks like it was sprayed purple too which may be another kid decoration.

It's youthlike to set something like that down unnoticed and then the group had no success locating it.

Could definitely see that also

 

[WrstMuleHntr]

Definitely looks like it was manufactured in that color, it’s consistent throughout all sides.