Disappointing scouting weekend

[Tbob]

So went out with my brother this weekend for our final scouting mission before the archery opener.. We've been scouting a new unit to hunt this year. Ive been hitting it hard since early February. So we were on the closed down road right where we needed to cut into the timber to go get my trail cam. I pop up in the timber and my brother is standing on the road still as a statue. So I sneek back down to the road and there's a cow feeding off the side of the road about 30 yrds in front of us. We sat and watched for about 5 min an I think she must have smelled us. Her head popped up super quick and she moved off the road real quick. Behind her came 11 other cows, a small 4x4 and a spike. They came down right past where my camera should have gotten them all on film.. So after they leave, we hop up into the timber and make our way over to my salt block and camera. Well the salt block is there and camera is gone!! I looked all over around the tree and did a 50yrs search around the tree and nope some *censored* stole my camera! I was about 2 miles down a gated off road and about another half mile off into the timber.. I'm bummed about the camera being stolen of course,  but I'm most upset that somebody else gets all my pics from the hard work I've spent out there and now some jack wagon is going to be sitting in the spot where my tree stand was going to go! So much for hunters looking out for hunters! Puts a bad taste in my mouth about hunting.. It's like why even bother any more?! I mean, dummy camps, theft, arguments over "spots", hoof rot, numbers are down, wdfw.. Blah blah, but seriously, I could go on a sweet tropical vaca every year with what gets spent on hunting. Just doesn't seem like how this should all be.. I know most folks out there are good people, but it's the other POS that will make me stop spending my hard earned time and money so people can just jack my stuff and be all good with it!
     On a side note, my brother said it sucks about the camera being stolen, but maybe it was gods way of saying you don't need that camera and showed us that the elk are here to hunt ( it was 11:30am and about 75 degrees and sunny when we saw all those elk on the road feeding)... I told him that was a very solid point! I'm going to put my tree stand up in that spot an when buddy shows up, I think I'll have my man!

[coachcw]

you could have had a bear drag it off . I had one mess with my camera pretty good. that guy will have balls hanging a stand there .

[steeliedrew]

I'd still set up there on the opener and wait to see who else comes to set up there.  Then ask them where your camera is...

[bullcanyon]

I work with 2 guys that both had their cameras stole this weekend. Real pieces of trash hanging out in the woods with us.

[WapitiTalk1]

That really sucks pond water Tbob.  I hate thieves and liars.  I'd certainly question anybody who you see there during season and see how they react.   

[elk247]

Its too bad you guys have to get ripped off just for doing what you love. You know there are elk and legal bulls in the area. Just don't be the guy that gets his elk stolen. You already know some looser has no problem taking what someone else worked for. 

[ctwiggs1]

I convince myself that no hunter would ever steal my cameras.   Probably a tweaker who's going to pawn it and use the cash for meth supplies.

You clearly found a great spot.  It's just two weeks till archery and you know right where they are!

Curtis

[Blade]

Even with all of the negative things you mention about hunting these days, once you get out there and here that first Bugle...it is all worth it.  We are here but for a short time every year, enjoy the good stuff.

[rittem1]

Hopefully you get that 4x4. I hate thieves. I would like to think whoever stole your trail cam isn't a hunter but that it probably naive on my part. I think its more likely they are tweakers and hopefully they will get theirs.

Good luck this season

[Buck_Nasty11]

im sorry for your loss thats not fun at all... i have been studying maps for months now and finally get a day off to get in and do some scouting today and not even 50 yards off of a great game trail someone had already clamed the area.  had some crushed beat feed out in what was turning into a nice wallow and a camera up on it, great spot i might add. but i just waved at the camera and headed back out to continue my search.

wish people would be respectful of others areas that have been clamed and there property and hard work...

[jason stevens]

I would love to see someone double down on cameras one in plain sight one hidden and chained down catch them ...............then blast there pics everywhere I hate thieves..

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Thats why my cameras are still in my truck, But seriously you cannot let "A" holes ruin you own time.

[Tbob]

Thanks for all the encouraging words! I hear you guys, just super disapointed! I thought about the bear issue, but I've never gotten a bear on camera in this area before nor have I even seen any sign of bears at all, so probably a no go on the bear thing... I did look around though just in case... I'm hoping it was a tweeter and not some a-hole hunter.. We shall see.. My brother said, maybe it was Bigfoot ? Got his pick taken and couldn't be havin that! Well I'll be in my treestand come 9/2 so we shall see how this plays out... Thanks again y'all for keeping me positive! 2 weeks to go!!

[mburrows]

Dont let those guys ruin your hunt and your hobby, karma will pay them back for you. Good luck this year.

[kodiak06]

I'd still set up there on the opener and wait to see who else comes to set up there.  Then ask them where your camera is...

Just because someone else hunts there don't mean they stole a camera...

[kodiak06]

Sorry about your cam tbob. I've been a little more careful this year compared to years past and have been putting mine about 12-15 feet off the ground with a wedge in back. Hoping no one looks up. If they do, they'll have to cut a cable while clinging to a tree.

[Yankee]

Sorry about your cam.  I had mine about 2 miles into a wilderness area overlooking what looked to be a well-used stream crossing.  Came back two weeks later, excited to see what was on the cam, and some *censored* nozzle stole the memory card and batteries out of the cam.  He couldn't take the camera because that was cable locked to the tree.  I was pretty bummed to say the least. 

[HunterStrait]

Wow that sucks.
 
You also forgot about road hunters!
I get them every year when i go out, they drive through camp and spook all the deer down in the draws.
Some people, just don't know how to hunt and respect others property. 

[northcoast]

Wow that sucks.
 
You also forgot about road hunters!
I get them every year when i go out, they drive through camp and spook all the deer down in the draws.
Some people, just don't know how to hunt and respect others property. 

   So annoying.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Wow that sucks.
 
You also forgot about road hunters!
I get them every year when i go out, they drive through camp and spook all the deer down in the draws.
Some people, just don't know how to hunt and respect others property. 

   So annoying.

??
Roadhunters ? I love them !!  Less feet in the woods, no crowding !!   I often get free rides back up to my camp after hunting downhill all morning.
I am down in these draws, they drive past me an other animals all the time, I have had deer and elk run into the woods, stop and stand still and watch the "Hunters" drive right on past, any game animal that lives through his first couple of years figures out pretty fast that roads are dangerous (the dumb ones get killed)
Also, a trick I have learned about setting cameras up is to set up on trails leading to attractor.
Animals will be less wary while walking past something than towards something, providing a better shot op.
Some yahoo sees your pile of apples, mineral block, etc... and starts looking around.
Put cameras up on approach trails, not only does this not only catch them going past, but they would not be as likely to see the camera and actually have to actually be looking for it.