Who Steals Trail Cams?

[bobcat]

There seems to be a part of the story that some are unaware of or have forgotten. I believe Dave did say that the camera was returned to the owner, after removing it from the tree. Still doesn't make it right, but it's not as bad as outright theft. Apparently Dave and his brother felt they were doing the guy a favor.

[Seahawk12]

It's all about personal codes of ethics. Some people live by stronger codes than others.
Some people will keep an eye open for an opportunity to steal other peoples stuff. Others need little scenarios to justify working around what is right to do what is wrong. Then there are those that have integrity and choose to live with honor. I would like to think that the majority of people would overcome the temptation to take something that isn't theirs regardless of any justification that they may dream up.
I personally reject the justification given.

We hunt it both muzzle and modern and were pretty sure to run into the owner at some point during the seasons. We did and gave it back to him.

First, I wonder if you hadn't "run into the owner", would you have thrown it away? Put it back? Used it yourselves.
Second, I find the justification and claim that it was returned smacks of the bullstuff. Perhaps I should take the word of a person that unapologetically brags about stealing another persons property. 
 In my mind though, a solid code of personal ethics and/or a sense of honor tie thievery and honesty together.
For what it's worth that's my opinion on this subject.

[Woodchuck]

There seems to be a part of the story that some are unaware of or have forgotten. I believe Dave did say that the camera was returned to the owner, after removing it from the tree. Still doesn't make it right, but it's not as bad as outright theft. Apparently Dave and his brother felt they were doing the guy a favor.

I hope he doesn't do me any favors.

[vandeman17]

Man some people. ...I catch you stealing one of my cams Ill tie you to the tree...dip your fingers in honey and let the ants chew on you for a while.  Hard to steal with no fingers...

If it was on private property, go ahead, but on public, dont go to far. A person who did that like what you are saying could be the one who ends up in jail.

If I am not mistaken, even placing a paint packet on a tree is considered a booby trap. No way would I ever threaten someone, or commit a crime when it comes to protecting a trail camera.

As soon as a person steals something of mine all bets are off, especially knowing they are proud of it. Why you keep trying to protect and justify a thief is mind boggling

[Buckmark]

I don't know why you guys are so up tight about someone coming out about commiting a crime, but I have props for this guy coming on here and saying what he and his brother done. Not many people have the guts to say what he did on the internet. Yes you shouldn't take something from the woods as that is a crime in some leo's eyes, but I find that people that come out the past are upfront about it and admit guilt. I helped an ex felon out last year as he was packing a bull out of the wilderness by himself, and admired him of becoming a better person than has past as he overcame obstacles of having a prior drug life.

And thanks being said, you cant judge what is on the internet. Dave could be saying this to get some chuckles out of responses. You never know who the type of person is behind a keyboard and shouldnt be to quick to judge.

My best friend used to post a lot until you guys started making threats against him and bullying him, so he doesn't progide the useful information that he did anymore.

You apparently have never had someone steal from you, like your bike as a kid, or your tackle boxes from your truck, or your trail camera put up on a tree, you think its ok because he had the cahonies to admit it and go even further to say its is ok and tuff...and the person who's property was taken deserved it? Seriously if the person who took my stihl weed eater i just bought last spring and my stihl chainsaw i use every year to cut wood to heat my house came on here and admited he took them you would be ok with it....because he admited it? So if he takes my trail camera i bought with money i earned by making a honest living its ok becasue it is my fault i did not lock it up good enough? I dont care if it is locked or not IT IS NOT YOURS, LEAVE IT ALONE, i am glad you or dave do not hunt or hang out in my area... i would have to lock everything up...

If they had admitted it and have worked to overcome the obstacles associated with their past.  Why are you calling me a nogooder? There is no reason to.  People make changes for the better and hopefully dave does.  I am not a person who thinks it is o.k., but I think it is good that people ADMIT to their past.

You have condoned what Dave did, that puts you in his camp as far as i am concerned which is camp "NoGooders" (need to make a sign), This is not about him making changes, he has never said he was in the wrong, just the opposite, that the person whom he stole from deserved it..and he would do it again...what? why? because he trusted people to leave stuff that is not theirs alone?
Admitting your past, or apologizing for your past crimes does not make them go away, it does not make it ok... Sorry but just because making amends makes (the person who commited the offense) feel better it changes nothing with the person whom the crime was commited against...
Yes we are only talking a trail camera, but is this the kind of morals and values dave and you teach your kids?
I HATE THIEVES....
I work hard for what i have, whatever it is and taking it from me is not ok in any way shape or form.
A 50 dollar trail cam, 400 chainsaw or a 40k truck....
If you find a wallet (or dave for that matter) do you keep it and the money because hey he lost it, it was not secured well enough, tuff......

Im out on this subject

[zwickeyman]

I haven't read every post on here but like Buckmark and many others have said " stealing is stealing " it is definitely people only caring about themselves and is one of the biggest problems we have with todays youth and society in general. Too many people feel entitled and think they don't have to earn what they get.

It's a real shame

[kentrek]

Well this thread got interesting....i can't help but be reminded of the thread about people messing with other peoples camps....while Dave worded his post very poorly, and I have no idea if he indeed gave the camera back...that's all I have to go off...no different than what alot of forum members said they do every year when people set there camp up before season....

[stevemiller]

   This isnt gonna end well.      

[3nails]

There seems to be a part of the story that some are unaware of or have forgotten. I believe Dave did say that the camera was returned to the owner, after removing it from the tree. Still doesn't make it right, but it's not as bad as outright theft. Apparently Dave and his brother felt they were doing the guy a favor.

I hope he doesn't do me any favors.

Three chuckle comment!

[trophyhunt]

I can't believe I just read this entire thread, really can't believe some people think it's ok to take stuff that is not yours.  Unreal 

[netcoyote]

[Curly]

That's funny.

There are many threads longer though. One I'm thinking of would take months to read it all........

[Curly]

There seems to be a part of the story that some are unaware of or have forgotten. I believe Dave did say that the camera was returned to the owner, after removing it from the tree. Still doesn't make it right, but it's not as bad as outright theft. Apparently Dave and his brother felt they were doing the guy a favor.

I wonder how that return went down exactly? He said they figured they'd run into the owner of the camera during season. Do they just ask everyone they come across if they had a trail cam stolen?

[Dave of TDG-Farms]

Actually it was much easier then that. We told the neighboring land owner if anyone showed up looking for a trail cam to let em know someone "found it" and to give em our number. Even though the property is free to hunt, its not posted as such and you pretty much have to go through this neighboring land owner to hunt it. Whom we know very well. So it played out as expected. They showed up, it was gone, they swung by the land owner to cry about it. He called us and the next day we dropped it off so they could pick it up. We had a chuckle about it when we dropped it off with the land owner. End of story.

Now I know many of you wanted to assume there was a much more devilish story or motive. And as entertaining as its been reading the comments, Im sorry to have to kill that and disappoint. But feel free to continue on. Just let me get some popcorn first. 

[jackelope]

Why take it down in the first place?