Found a stand and pack on our property.
Coffee in the thermos in the pack was hot, so I knew it hadn't been there
too long. Whistled, hollered, no one would show.
Loaded it all on my back with my crap and headed to the truck, looking
over my shoulder. It was archery season and I kept imagining an arrow
through the back.
Cutting down the ridge switchback to my truck, I heard a limb crack and saw
someone coming at a good clip, then he hollered. When he caught up, he said
it was his, and answered all my questions. Actually was one of the nicer
guys we've dealt with over trespassing, despite the fact that I was holding
several hundred dollars worth of his stuff. He finally ask if he could have
it back, and I gave it to him.
My intention was to take it to the State Police and declare it "Found".
Figured it was "found" and if I didn't damage it or keep it, I couldn't
be accused of anything.
We have had some locals put up stands, they took them
down very quickly after they were discovered.
This stuff is rough on me. I grew up hunting where I wanted and if we
bumped into a landowner we were invited to hunt in deer season on drives.
Almost no one said no if ask. Few posted. Those who did were
commonly regarded as pricks. (First time I heard the word my Grandfather
was talking about a posting landowner.)
I hate posting, hate trespassers, hate dealing with them, hate what
hunting has become through all of this. Honestly there are days I
hunt an hour or two, find some butthead trespassing, and after
getting rid of them, I leave. Just ain't in the mood anymore.
