"Stolen" Decoys

[SnowDog]

On Sunday I was hunting in a spot that was about 1.5 miles from my rig and I had to make two trips in carrying my bag, layout blind, dog blind, and deeks. I shot my limit by about 9:30, packed up all my gear and made the first trip back to the truck with the layout blind, dog blind, gun, and bag. The decoys were packed up and sitting next to the trail for less than an hour, and when I returned, they were gone!!!! 

So I started walking further up the trail to try and find the person that took them and I hear voices and the splash of deeks being thrown out. It turns out three "20 something", beer drinking / cigar smoking, "hunters" were walking along jump shooting and decided to help them selves to my deeks. When confronted, they first tried to deny they were mine until I picked one up to show them my name. Then their story changed to "we thought they were abandoned". Needless to say, I was pissed and demanded they pack them back up and gave them a lecture on ethics and pointed out that it was highly unlikely they were abandoned at 11:00 AM on a Sunday. The worst part is that they tried to lie about it to begin with, which in my mind is intent to steal.

So, what do you all think the right thing to do is if you come across a bag of deeks at mid day in an area where there are obviously other hunters?

Cheers!
SD

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

So, what do you all think the right thing to do is if you come across a bag of deeks at mid day in an area where there are obviously other hunters?

The only thing some one should pick up in the outdoors that does not belong to them is garbage !

[Wile E. Hunter]

The right thing to do is wait a couple of minutes to see how their hunt went. Might learn something, might make a new hunting partner. Other than that, nothing, go about your business. These clowns you encountered were thieves. Stupid thieves.

Wile E.

[woodman]

These sound like the kind of guys that pick up other litter in the woods, like trail cams mounted to trees. 

[whitey]

3 S's...
 
What???

[Crispy]

The only thing some one should pick up in the outdoors that does not belong to them is garbage !

Well put. I always get really annoyed when I find people's garbage out in the field and I try to pick up all my empty hulls if I can find them, too. It would be great if everyone left blinds the way they found them (provided they were clean to begin with).

[Dustin07]

that's frustrating. I worry about that at a spot I hunt. Boat access only, and then about 1/2 mile hike in the dark to my blind. I usually make 2 or 3 trips with all my gear, having to chose which stuff to leave in the boat while other hunters pull in and park theirs next to me.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The only thing some one should pick up in the outdoors that does not belong to them is garbage !

Well put. I always get really annoyed when I find people's garbage out in the field and I try to pick up all my empty hulls if I can find them, too. It would be great if everyone left blinds the way they found them (provided they were clean to begin with).

I actually teach my kids to pick up others garbage, leave it better than you found it...
But I don't duck hunt, so dont use blinds..

[banannaclip]

I HAVE MY OWN GEAR TO PACK OUT WHY  I WOULD PACK YOURS OUT TOO. WELL COMMON SENSE TELLS ME THEY BELONG TO SOMEONE OUT HERE AND I AM LEAVING THEM . BUT NEXT TIME YOU MGHT STASH YOUR BAG COVE IT UP.

[dpdub]

I probably would have taken them and left a note on in the parking area with my number on it so no one could steal them.  I would like to think that if I forgot (not saying you did) about my decoys someone would pick them up and do the same for me.

[h2ofowlr]

I would set the decoys in the back of your rig or hide them in the bushes.  If they are just left there your asking for trouble.   

[carpsniperg2]

bum deal. at least you got them back. i will always leave my stuff off the road in the brush, and never take it all the way out because of that reason. or lock it in my truck/canopy