A New Low

[Little Joe]

Headed up to the "Deer Shack" this weekend to open things up, cut firewood, etc. Upon my arrival, I could tell we had some unwanted visitors. Unfortunatelu, this is not unusual, we're broken into atleast once a year. Usually, it's just kids lookin for booze and/or a place to party. After so many break-ins, we never kept anything of value up there - or so we thought. The most recent unwanted visitor took two sets of bunk-beds (mattress and all), kitchen chairs, dinner plates and some old spoons and forks!

I guess it's to the point where we can't leave anything up there anymore. I would never have thought someone would want these items!

[leechlake]

Back in the 70's my folks' cabin was broken into a few times. My dad finally put a door on that was really easy to get into so he didn't have to spend a whole weekend fixing the door after they broke in. If you're in the middle of nowhere their going to get in so you might as well make it easy to fix once they get in. That was my dad's thoughts anyway. It stinks lugging your stuff home every weekend but it's the way it is. Sorry it happened to you.

[bigbucks]

That kind of stuff really ticks me off. Why are some people such inconsiderate slobs? If it's not yours leave it alone.

[Perch Jerker]

Our place (250mi north of the cities by road) was broken into 5 times in 4 yrs. Basically kids drinking the booz and stealing easily pawnable stuff. After getting hit 3 times one summer where they would break in, leave the doors open, AND leave the lights on - it got old quick, especially when we wouldn't know about it for 2-4 weeks. The bugs and animal [PoorWordUsage] was horrendous. Also the fact that they took outboards, chainsaws, dozens of decoys, boats, and lots of other misc items didn't help. We had a security system installed that is monitored in Bemidji and has a LOUD alarm speaker if the alarm is tripped. This along with plenty of signs showing them it's 'protected' by the local heat has deterred them so we've never had problems since. They see the signs and figure it's easier to hit unprotected cabins where the chances of being caught is substancially lower.

PJ

ps. We asked the cops up there if we should have a silent alarm so that they could catch them. The police said it would be worse. If they caught them the kids would only get a 'slap on the wrist' and then probably come back a month later with a tank of gas and burn your place to the ground. Sure you'd catch them for breaking in, but you'd never catch them torching your place and you'd still be on the loosing end. It's better to have a loud alarm they might 'test' once and scare them off so they won't return. Less trouble in the long run.

[echotrail]

It's to bad that some people just can't leave anothers property alone. All you can do is hope they fall out of the upper bunk and break a leg on the opener.

Even in the middle sixties it was the same. The father of one of my high school friends owned a cabin on 80 acres near Willow River. The cabin was alway getting broken into. When the sob's couldn't find something to steal they would break things and knock holes in the walls.

[Riverratpete]

Some peoples kids......just wish you could catch the little S*^& in the act sometime. Too bad you could'nt put a trail camera around the entrance somewhere and leave a note saying "SMILE! YOUR on camera!" if nothing else it may get them to think twice.

[icehousebob]

A guy I worked with had a travel trailer parked way back on his family's hunting land, to use as a hunting cabin. When he went up to get it ready for hunting season, he found someone had hauled it away. It seems to me it would be hard to explain to others how you misteriously got a free trailer. Its not something that is easily hidden.

[Little Joe]

Thanks for the empathy fella's.

After being broken into so many times, we never lock the door anymore. Years ago, they did catch some high school kids that were breaking into shacks/cabin in the area (Aitkin Co). We got some of our stuff back and they had to pay restitution.

Given the things that were taken this time around, I can't help but think it wasn't kids. I sure hope I didn't end up furnishing another hunters cabin this year!

[Sarge]

Yep it sucks!! After a few broken widows and kicked in doors, I got feed up too. I put in a custom reiforced steel door and cut plywood to cover all the windows. Strung a heavy chain accross the drive a put up a few no trespassing signs. I've made it a couple years now without a break in, its been well worth the little $$$ I had to spend.