After 20 years, and dealing with all kinds, I have made friends with the regulars. Most even wave to me. Generally, they sleep on cots outdoors, not tents, don’t have campfires, and finally respect me, my land, and my critters.
Last night, I ran into a different breed.
I ran into a UFSF patrol, a guy I have known forever, he even went to our school. He told me about these guys camped outside my gate, and how he had asked them – nay, told them – to move. I ran into them, also, still on private property. They confirmed “oh yeah, we are leaving.” I went around a corner, they went out of sight, and I saw they had left their tent and two chairs set up. I honked and honked. They ignored me.
I grabbed the small pop-up tent, the two chairs, and loaded them in my Jeep. I took them down past the private property to a flat spot right next to the road and unloaded them. I left a note.
I let my neighbor know, my dog sitter, checked my .357 and took out the snake shot and put in .38 hollow points. I was ready. It didn’t hurt that I will have the Ox, and the ex-Marine Mountain Man here at 7 am.
Really, nothing new, just haven’t had to deal with these kinds of idiots in 10 years or more. I do have a great early warning system in my dogs – NO ONE, and I mean NO one can sneak up on me here -EVER.
I do finally find guys like this funny. They really think they will find deer up near my property where there are 5 dogs barking, scenting, and otherwise warning? The deer don’t even come into my garden!
Well, I’m looking at this half past 7 AM and expect the troops have arrived and only need a cup of coffee instead of military strategy. There’s so much to be said for being armed, and you sound loaded for bear and reprobate. NYers have their guns taken away and are perpetual victims. In the woods, you never know who’s down the dirst road, sitting on the porch with a shotgun and the law behind them and there’s very little trespassing. I think it’s a fabulous reaction to move their camp, hoorah!! You’re so gutsy. Keep us updated. Hope the dawn is all blueberry pancakes and peace.
“I let my neighbor know, my dog sitter, checked my .357 and took out the snake shot and put in .38 hollow points. I was ready. ”
One of the greatest sentences ever penned, anywhere.
I love it also, that you have come to the point in life that you find it laughable, instead of getting yourself all riled up. Love ya
Honking is ingenious, so much for their hunt. But the bigger problem remains. Here on my isolated ranch in western ND, hunting season can be a nightmare; trespassing, and with an attitude, is rampant. Taking down license plates helps, though law enforcement is virtually nonexistent. A person feels under siege, constant patrolling, solitude disrupted, peace of mind and heart broken.
Thanks, Mike. Gun stayed on my night table, without need. 😉
With the exception of gun shots down the mountain for about an hour after sunrise, it has been very quiet. Dogs and I are happy.
Dakota would defend me to the death … Unless gunshots are involved … Then one can find her hiding under the bed. bigsurkate
Warren, 20 years ago I got riled up. Now? I laugh. Love you, too!
Rancher, I take photos often – men, their trucks, their license plates – and post them on the internet. But honking works well. You scare off the game, and the hunters with one action. Make LOTS of noise!
Remember, it took 20 years to get where I am with these guys. I once had to chase off 3 Hmong hunters with rifles who were walking within feet of my house in the dawn fog and who didn’t speak English! This was the days before 5 dogs.
There is an advantage to being a woman alone up here – we are seen as being crazy enough to shoot!
bigsurkate
And likely we ARE crazy enough to shoot if need be! Wishing you peace and quiet for the rest of the season!
About 20 or more (!) years ago, after many unpleasant and unsuccessful encounters with poachers, we got one of the early video cameras—a huge thing that you held on your shoulder. Previously, if we carried a gun and walked up to a poacher, he just laughed because he knew we couldn’t shoot him over a trespass. But! When we walked up with this big camera saying, “Smile! You’re on candid camera,”—the guy ran or stammered apologies, and left the ranch fast. They don’t like to be held responsible for their actions. Do you have blinding spotlights, Kate?
My sympathies, hope the worst is over.
Other than the hour after dawn, it has been quiet, no one messing with my gate, and the Ox and ex-Marine here each morn at 7. I think the worst is over. Gun is back in the drawer, but have not traded out to snake shot just yet.
bigsurkate
What is snake shot?