Stolen trap recovered

[Humptulips]

Pretty rare to get one back but success.
Trap was set right on the boundary of F&W land and Merrill & Ring land. I was sure it was M&R foresters who took it because they were laying out a sale there and had been using a 4 wheeler. A new 4 wheeler trail was built across F&W land and happened to cross the creek on an old beaver dam just below where my trap was set.
Any way, I called M&R today and talked with them. The were very nice and said they would see what they could find out.
I got to thinking about it and there is a house down there so I went down today and stopped to look at the guys driveway. There were 4 wheeler tracks going in that looked like the ones on the trail.
I had never been to the guys house because there are a ton of no trespassing, shoot on sight, beware of dog signs but I drove in today to talk with the guy. I could see him working in his shop behind his house so I walked back to talk to him and lo and behold there is my trap by the far corner of his shop.
I told him I was there to get the trap he had stolen. Choice words were spoken but I walked by and picked up my trap. Of course he said the trap was abandoned and he was not a thief. I said he knew good and well what he had done and he gave me a parting shot of "you better watch your back" so if I disappear you'll know what happened.
I called M&R after and apologized for suspecting them.

[Lucky1]

That’s awesome! Good detective work. I don’t think I am assertive enough to just walk in there and take it back. Good job. Hope the guy learns a lesson.

[Fl0und3rz]

Next time, take a friend or witness.

[Fl0und3rz]

Next time, take a friend or witness.

[lewy]

  You got balls ol timer 

[Angry Perch]

That guys shop sounds like a prime place to release some skunks.

[Pegasus]

I would imagine that if you continue to trap in the same area that your traps will get broken or disappear again. Your rig might also encounter many tire punctures. It ain't over just because you got your trap back. Maybe a game cam close to the traps might help.

[KFhunter]

He needs a hickory shampoo

[Skyvalhunter]

Don't take this guys words lightly by your description of the no trespassing signs and his words. He would probably be the type of guy that would go out of his way to do harm or think he needs to "get even" for standing up to him. Did you have a tag on your trap and if so did he remove it?

[Humptulips]

All he would have is my trapper ID #. I'm not going back there trapping at least this year. Used to be a great spot I trapped every year but  to tell the truth it doesn't look like much now. I might never go back.
Interesting side note, I pulled up an aerial photo of his place from the County GIS site and according to the  maps lines his entire house and shop are built on Green Diamond land. Can't say I wish the guy luck on any boundary disputes.

[hollymaster]

That guys shop sounds like a prime place to release some skunks.

[huntnfmly]

That clanking sound you just heard was humptulips walking by.
Good for you getting your trap back

[Naches Sportsman]

Us foresters are good peoples. 99.5% of us don't mess with traps period.

Should of backed out and called a game warden and county sheriff to get him with harrassing a trapper and theft . I'd contact a game warden anyway at this point and maybe he/she will visit with that guy.

[Machias]

Glad you got your trap back and I hope you don't have any further issues with this moron.  I think I would let the Warden know, just in case you have future issues with this guy. 

[Bango skank]

All he would have is my trapper ID #. I'm not going back there trapping at least this year. Used to be a great spot I trapped every year but  to tell the truth it doesn't look like much now. I might never go back.
Interesting side note, I pulled up an aerial photo of his place from the County GIS site and according to the  maps lines his entire house and shop are built on Green Diamond land. Can't say I wish the guy luck on any boundary disputes.

Are you going to call green diamond and initiate the boundary disputes? I would.  Especially after the thief threatened you for retrieving what he stole from you.