Boondocking security

StG58

StG58

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There is an ongoing discussion on another forum about security in the backwoods. I thought that I would start a thread here to ask a serious question.

Has anyone experienced a security threat while camping off the grid / boondocking / out in the puckerbrush?

I have to say that in 50+ years camping and hiking in the PNW back in the puckerbrush I've never had an issue. The biggest threats have been raccoons and squirrels.

I'd like to hear everyone's experiences. Good or bad.

Thanks!
 
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StG58 said:
There is an ongoing discussion on another forum about security in the backwoods. I thought that I would start a thread here to ask a serious question.

Has anyone experienced a security threat while camping off the grid / boondocking / out in the puckerbrush?

I have to say that in 50+ years camping and hiking in the PNW back in the puckerbrush I've never had an issue. The biggest threats have been raccoons and squirrels.

I'd like to hear everyone's experiences. Good or bad.

Thanks!
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After having my truck stole and attempted to be stole it’s a big worry of mine, especially at trail heads and with my expensive camper in it. I haven’t had a problem yet. I prefer to camp with multiple rigs for security in numbers.
 
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Furry critters are more of a worry up here versus two legged ones but I carry an XDM10 in a Hill People Gear Kit bag to address whatever issues might arise.

Years ago when I lived in the PNW our club had some problems when we stumbled onto a grow operation. Luckily at the time we were able to deescalate the situation without a serious altercation as club rules at the time did not allow firearms to be carried during club events.
 
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B00mb00m said:
After having my truck stole and attempted to be stole it’s a big worry of mine, especially at trail heads and with my expensive camper in it. I haven’t had a problem yet. I prefer to camp with multiple rigs for security in numbers.
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Trailheads are notorious for getting your stuff stole. I avoid those like the plague.
 
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Blackjack said:
Furry critters are more of a worry up here versus two legged ones but I carry an XDM10 in a Hill People Gear Kit bag to address whatever issues might arise.

Years ago when I lived in the PNW our club had some problems when we stumbled onto a grow operation. Luckily at the time we were able to deescalate the situation without a serious altercation as club rules at the time did not allow firearms to be carried during club events.
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Grow operations ARE a thing. That seems to be calming down a little now that the laws have changed.
 
Yes I have had bad experiences before.

Over in Germany camping and asked some people if they could turn their music down. Got into a fist fight with them.

Then was up camping in the Naches area and had a quad run into my grandpa's trailer while I was out wheeling. When I went to address it with the parents of the rider got into another scuffle with the dad.

After the father being killed in front of his kids in CA I'm worried about it. But I carry 95% of the time.
 
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ColoJeep said:
Which is a good idea .........until it isn't.
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Yep another one of the contentious subjects clubs have to deal with along with things like Barley Sodas on the trail. The problem we had at the time was our club was a member of the PNW4WDA and to be a member your club had to have a no firearm rule in your bylaws. This was a big issue for the North Idaho Trailblazers when they were joining the PNW4WDA as the club actually hosted club hunts. Only solution was the hunts could no longer be club sanctioned if they want to join.
 
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It's been a while since I've been camping, probably 15 years or so, but with little kids I'm due to go sometime in the not-so-distant-future. In the past, I've never had any issues other than critters, but with the way people are, I'll be alert and reasonably prepared when I do go. Having said that, I bought a few trip alarms years ago when we started having issues with people stealing stuff from neighbors. I set some up in my sheds, but so far I've only caught a couple family members taking a piss, and maybe a little shit after the BANG. :LOL:

These run 12ga blanks or 209 primers which are fairly loud and what I've been using. They now offer one that blows out OC spray.
https://fithops.com/products/12-gauge-perimeter-alarm
 
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I don't do clubs. In fact I have issues with large groups of people since my military experience, actually.

Dispersed camping is our preffered camping style. We do campgrounds at times. That's only because we full time and need the hookups occasionally to replenish and refresh. Or the salmon are running...
 
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Wildman said:
Yes I have had bad experiences before.

Over in Germany camping and asked some people if they could turn their music down. Got into a fist fight with them.

Then was up camping in the Naches area and had a quad run into my grandpa's trailer while I was out wheeling. When I went to address it with the parents of the rider got into another scuffle with the dad.

After the father being killed in front of his kids in CA I'm worried about it. But I carry 95% of the time.
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Sorry that you've run into issues. That's never a good thing.
 
Blackjack said:
Yep another one of the contentious subjects clubs have to deal with along with things like Barley Sodas on the trail. The problem we had at the time was our club was a member of the PNW4WDA and to be a member your club had to have a no firearm rule in your bylaws. This was a big issue for the North Idaho Trailblazers when they were joining the PNW4WDA as the club actually hosted club hunts. Only solution was the hunts could no longer be club sanctioned if they want to join.
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I honestly don't know if the firearm rule has changed in the PNW4WDA or not. Put I carry a pistol locked and hidden.

You can call me a old fuddy duddy but I have no use for people that have to drink on the trail. If you can't survive the day without a beer then there are other issues. I've seen too many accidents involving idiots who were drunk. And I dislike dealing with drunks.
 
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Wildman said:
I honestly don't know if the firearm rule has changed in the PNW4WDA or not. Put I carry a pistol locked and hidden.

You can call me a old fuddy duddy but I have no use for people that have to drink on the trail. If you can't survive the day without a beer then there are other issues. I've seen too many accidents involving idiots who were drunk. And I dislike dealing with drunks.
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If I could like that twice, I would. I don't drink and drive. I don't carry and drink. I don't drink at rodeos.

I do drink rye whisky, and bottled in bond bourbon.
 
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StG58 said:
If I could like that twice, I would. I don't drink and drive. I don't carry and drink. I don't drink at rodeos.

I do drink rye whisky, and bottled in bond bourbon.
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I'm OK with enjoying your choice adult beverage in camp as long as you are an adult and know when to say when.

Honestly I used to enjoy sitting at a campfire and drink a beer while having a cigar & eating peanuts. After Iraq beer just doesn't taste as good to me as it used to. I don't mind one now and then but not like I used to. Have never been a big liquor drinker but don't mind something now and then either.
 
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srimes said:
I've never had a serious problem while camping, but I still prefer to have a gun just in case. I've also never had to call 911 at home but appreciate having the resource available.
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Campgrounds or boondocking, mostly?

We've called 911 a couple of times. Interesting stories. The wife bagged a pair of escaped convicted felons a bunch of years ago. I got to put hand cuffs on a very upset woman who was the ex-girlfriend of a buddy of mine. Stories for another time.
 
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StG58 said:
The wife bagged a pair of escaped convicted felons a bunch of years ago.
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My great uncle did that one time back in the '60s. I can't recall the whole story right now, but it ended with the convict being 12ga peppered at just the right distance where he rolled around in the yard screaming until the cops took him away. :LOL:
 
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