Author Topic: "Uncomfortable" experiences in the outdoors... (Read 4560 times)

Victor3 · « **on:** December 22, 2008, 03:15:32 AM »

I'm wondering how many have had encounters with strangers in the outdoors that made you uncomfortable (or worse). I've had a couple.

Hopefully this is something "Unusual" for most, but I believe it's more common today than in the past.

In the late 60's - early 80's, my Dad and I spent most every weekend together camping out in the mountains and deserts of Southern California. We always went way out from civilization. Dad told me once - "If I wanted to see people I'd stay in town."

We rarely met up with anyone while we were out; I only remember pleasant experiences when we did interact with others. Usually when we did, I became bored to death as Dad talked at length about rifles, war stories, snow tires and such with hunters or Rangers.

Dad was wary though, and avoided contact with certain people. He seemed to have a sense about people that I couldn't understand when I was young. We would sometimes turn back or hike way around some groups after Dad observed them through binocs. I asked why, and he would say - "They look like bad news." I always wondered how he could tell.

When we did have to pass them a couple of times, Dad's persona would change - He reverted back to the gruff WWII Vet who didn't take no $#it from nobody (which wasn't hard; he looked the part with his flat-top haircut, pistol and Ka-bar on his belt).

Now (nearly all growed up), I'm glad for the education Pops gave me about sizing up people on the trail. I've had a couple of bad experiences, and have hopefully avoided many more by being careful.

A few years back, my Wife, Son and I were hiking a switch-back and heard a group of young guys (four of them) hootin' & hollerin' down below. They were coming up toward us, we were going down. I got my Wife in front, Son in the middle with me at the rear. I told them to look ahead and don't say anything. The guys were holding beers and appeared to be "bad news." I said hello as we walked by. They all looked at the ground and didn't say a word as they passed.

When they got one level up above us on the trail they started whistling, cat-calling and throwing pine cones down at us. My Son (7 at the time), asked why they were doing that. I told him - "They're just having fun."

What I wanted to tell him was - "Because they're cowards."

Specklebelly · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2008, 11:45:46 AM »

I was duck hunting once with my hunting partner and out of the blue someone shows up and asks if he could hunt with us.

We let him stay but you could tell my dog didn't think that was a good idea. She growled and showed her teeth the whole time until he left. This dog is a lab, not some hard headed Chessy so I knew something was wrong. It was almost as if she "sensed" something as she is not usually like this.

The whole experience made me wonder if she knew something I didn't. Either way we were glad he left.

bilmac · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2008, 01:23:51 PM »

I did warden work, other duties as assigned, for thirty years. We were always checking hunters with loaded shotguns and thought nothing of it, city cops go all bug eyed when they have to deal with armed people. 99% of the time the hunters I checked were salt of the earth folks and dealing with them was a pleasure. Even when I had to write a ticket most of them were gentlemen. But a few times I ran into people who made my skin crawl. These people weren't hunters, they were doing something else, and something made me wanna growl like speckles dog.

Once I contacted a young man who was in a closed area, so I had to write a ticket. I carried my 6 shooter in a cross draw holster at that time, and I saw his eyes go to the butt of my gun. I believe he thought about going for it. We were about the same size but he was flab and I wasn't, I could almost see his mind size up the situation and then give up the idea.

IOWA DON · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2008, 02:04:06 PM »

One time my buddy and I were hunting turkeys in north-central Nebraska and decided to ask permission at a house next to an area with a lot of turkeys. My skin crawed and it felt like my hair was standing up as I got out of the vehicle and went towards the house. I turned around, got back in the vehicle and we left. I think something was very wrong there. Also, in Iowa we have roadside hunting and that's the main area I hunt for pheasants. About once a year or so we have a bad experience with a landowner who resents us hunting next to his farm. Sometimes they just do a little harrassment like drive along side of you when you're trying to flush a pheasant or stop and honk their horn to scare away game. However, sometimes they vent their rage and one time a screaming farmer had a gun with him. And about a year and a half ago a crazy farmer tried to play bumper cars with me, or at least make me think he was trying to run into me. I wonder how much these guys go down to the local cafe and complain to their farmer buddies about hunters.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2008, 04:44:10 PM »

I recall an incident many long years ago when I was still young and strong full of piss and vinegar able to climb tall mountains and leap large trees. I was hiking way back in the Talladega National Forest in a very remote area. I doubt there was a house within 5 to 10 miles of me. I was more scouting than hunting really and had with me only a .357 Magnum revolver. It was hunting season and I could have taken a deer with it had the opportunity arose but mostly I was just exploring and looking over the area I had not been to before.

I came to an area where the old logging road forked and there ahead of me was a dog standing his ground like he was defending home territory and growling rather fiercely to let me know he really meant business and wasn't just funning me. I pressed him a bit and he backed a bit but mostly stood his ground giving me an indication that to continue I'd like have to first take him out. Then ahead a bit further I heard yet another and that one appeared to be tied to a tree not free like this one.

I still dunno exactly what I had come up on but I suspected even back then it was drug related and the dogs were guard dogs for the drug operation. My guess from those long ago times would be weed not meth as it might be today. I'll never know tho as I decided that descretion was really the better part of valor here and backed away and went no further in that direction.

If I had been right and it was a drug operation I suspect the folks guarding it would have been better armed than me with a revolver only. It just didn't feel like the time to find out.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2008, 05:48:08 PM »

i was walking down a trail along a Field

about 100 yards ahead were 5 big black cows/bulls

they were lined up shoulder to shoulder and giving me an evil eye

i have no idea where they came from but they acted Territorial in their stance

i had 5 OOO buck shot in my Ithaca pump for deer and a 44 mag smith with 6 in it

after about 30 minutes of the stand off i turned around and left....i don't know much about cows and bulls
but they are big and looked bad

Gun Runner · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2008, 09:50:12 PM »

Couple years ago was tromping thru the boonies and back road and met 5 people (2 gals and 3 guys). First thing I noticed was the GUCHI shorts, shirts and hats. Me in b/jeans T-shirt and tennies. Right off the bat they started in on me about carrying a pistol. They said I dint need one in the woods, and wanted to know why I was carrying one. First impulse was to tell them where to to. But said I carried it for defense agains bears. They told me there were no bears around this area. I mentioned the fact that there was one about 300 yrds behind and above them going the same way they were. One look at the bear and there were 5 dust rtrails going down the road. (I grew up in this part of the woods and have seen many bear and mountain lions). Maybe I should have told them about the mountain lions in the area. I also mentioned that I carry it for the 2 legged vermin that grow pot in the area

Gun Runner

bilmac · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2008, 02:17:07 AM »

I really hate people who start in on you for carrying a gun. Just you and them out in the woods, and they start flapping their jaws about your gun. They must know that gun owners are the big gentile dog that never does anyone any harm, otherwise why would they be so obnoxious and provocative.

We were in a boat once and pulled up to another boat because they were looking for someone. One of the guys in the other boat had a 1911 on his belt and the others were giving him a bad time about it. Well, the gunman and I kinda got into our own conversation and the nuts were in a conversation with others in my boat, and I got the idea that maybe a gunshot would get their lost party's attention and they could get reconnected. The gunman thought that was a good idea too so he draws his piece and shoots a round in a safe place. Oh did his "friends" light into him then. They were going up one side and down the other, when the lost guy starts hollering at them. As they were pulling away to go get their friend, problem solved because of the gun, they were still working the gunman over.

1911crazy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2008, 04:53:45 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on December 22, 2008, 04:44:10 PM

I recall an incident many long years ago when I was still young and strong full of piss and vinegar able to climb tall mountains and leap large trees. I was hiking way back in the Talladega National Forest in a very remote area. I doubt there was a house within 5 to 10 miles of me. I was more scouting than hunting really and had with me only a .357 Magnum revolver. It was hunting season and I could have taken a deer with it had the opportunity arose but mostly I was just exploring and looking over the area I had not been to before.

I came to an area where the old logging road forked and there ahead of me was a dog standing his ground like he was defending home territory and growling rather fiercely to let me know he really meant business and wasn't just funning me. I pressed him a bit and he backed a bit but mostly stood his ground giving me an indication that to continue I'd like have to first take him out. Then ahead a bit further I heard yet another and that one appeared to be tied to a tree not free like this one.

I still dunno exactly what I had come up on but I suspected even back then it was drug related and the dogs were guard dogs for the drug operation. My guess from those long ago times would be weed not meth as it might be today. I'll never know tho as I decided that descretion was really the better part of valor here and backed away and went no further in that direction.

If I had been right and it was a drug operation I suspect the folks guarding it would have been better armed than me with a revolver only. It just didn't feel like the time to find out.

Ever think it was moonshiners and you were nearby a still? Whitelighting........

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2008, 05:31:15 PM »

Nope. It wasn't that long ago. That's a dead business down here now it's dope.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2008, 08:41:04 PM »

I think from now on when I run into somebody that complains about me having a gun in the woods and why do I need it, gonna tell them cause a couple hikers got mauled about a 1/4 mile from where were standing. Wounder what kind of reaction that would bring.

Gun Runner

Oldtimer · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2008, 02:48:19 AM »

GB, moonshining might be dead in your area, but it is still strong in my area of Virginia. I was mountain biking with some friends several years ago and we topped a little knoll only to spot a still. If there had been anyone there, we would have gone down and given them a hand. That way, the owner would have had something on us beside a front sight, and we would have been all right.

We once had a still about a half-mile down the road we live on, in an old barn about 20 yards off the road. It got raided and we took the girls down to see it. I think every wasp and yellowjacket in a mile was there. If you think yellowjackets have a bad temper, you haven't seen anything until you see them tanked up on spilled mash.

Sadly, many of the folks here have also gotten into producing meth. Now that is a deadly situation no matter how you look at it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2008, 06:23:09 AM »

Since it is perfectly legal to sell alcoholic beverages down here and about every town has a liquor store and many many places to buy beer moonshining is a dead deal here. Why would you make it illegally and try to sell it when it can be had legally within a mile or two of where ever you are at any time?

Victor3 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2008, 07:56:41 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on December 24, 2008, 06:23:09 AM

Since it is perfectly legal to sell alcoholic beverages down here and about every town has a liquor store and many many places to buy beer moonshining is a dead deal here. Why would you make it illegally and try to sell it when it can be had legally within a mile or two of where ever you are at any time?

I had the same questions when I saw a mason jar being passed around at my Sister's wedding reception in NC in around 1990. It was just a pig-pickin', but the folks there were mostly medical professionals from Duke. I was surprised to see moonshine there.

I asked some of the guys about it and they said it was mostly just tradition anymore, but that there were still a lot of folks producing the stuff in some volume for local sale. That was how they got theirs.

Victor3 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2008, 09:49:47 PM »

Another lovely day of mine...

Several years ago two buddies of mine and me were out at one of our favorite spots doing some target shooting. We were there about an hour, and a pickup with two 60ish year-old guys park about 30 feet from my truck. Driver gets out and I notice he's got two revolvers on his belt. He walks up to me and without so much as a hello, says, "This is where we shoot all the time." (as if we're in their 'private' spot or something). I just responded "Really? Us too."

The other guy gets out (he's a little more friendly), greets us and immediately starts picking up our brass. After he gets a handful he says "I like to reload these. Do you guys reload?" My buddy says "Yeah, but only OUR OWN shells." Mr. reloader's smile disappears as he dumps his handful of brass and dirt onto our bench and walks back to their truck.

The guys shoot for a while, with The Lone Ranger shooting both of his revolvers at the same time for the most part, and Mr. reloader playing machinegun with his Mini-14 until we ask him to kindly keep his shells from bouncing off of our vehicles. By this time me and my buddies are just standing with our arms folded looking at the pair of them.

I finally figure I'm just going to ignore them, and go out to set some new targets. As I'm out at about 50 yards bending over a target frame, a bullet whizzes past me about 10 yards away. I jump up and turn around to see the Lone Ranger (gun in hand) turning to Mr. reoalder and yelling at him "Why didn't you tell me someone was out there!?" No appology to me, mind you.

That was it. I yelled back "HEY!!! WHAT THE F#$% IS YOUR PROBLEM???" (Later I figured that probably wasn't such a good idea, me with nothing but a target in my hand and him with a loaded gun). I saw that my buddies had ducked in between our trucks, both with guns at the ready.

They finally got the message I guess; they slammed the tailgate on their truck, jumped in and were gone. I had to sit for half an hour before I calmed down.

Giver of Doom · « **Reply #15 on:** December 25, 2008, 12:36:05 AM »

A few years ago myself and a few of my buddies decided to go white water rafting. The DNR was gonna be building a dam soon and this part of the river would be closed. We were all avid hunters but since this was a rafting trip all we had was my buddies bow. When we got to the river there was this kid, oh maybe 14 or 15 strumming the banjo. That sure was a nice welcome. We clapped when he finished his song. The first part of the trip was fantastic!! Some fast water some slow beautiful winding parts. We had stopped for lunch and me and a bud were just scouting around, looking at all the wonderful hunting grounds that would soon be flooded. Well I heard something it was the crack of a twig as if someone stepped on a fallen limb. Then the bustling of leaves. I knew were weren't alone. Then it got real quite, not a sound in the world. You know when it is quite in a forest something bad is up. FOOT STEPS to my left, two back woods mountain men step out. These guys were the real deal! Could have been living in the woods for years. One was had a shotgun cradled in his arms. They smiled at us and you knew that dental hygiene was not there strong point. They were asking us where we were from, and what we was doing. When the taller of the two looked at my buddy and said "You sure do have a pretty mouth" I knew it was time to get out of there. Tapped my buddy on the shoulder and said we had better get back to the river before the other men come looking for us. We turned and almost ran from those two "Mountain Men". Don't know what would have happen if were would have stayed. I'm sure they were just a couple of good ole boys out for a good time, but they made my skin crawl. The rest of the trip was great!!

D00M

bilmac · « **Reply #16 on:** December 25, 2008, 02:25:36 AM »

Come on Doom, That is straight from"Deliverence" with a happy ending. You're pulling our leg , right.

Skunk · « **Reply #17 on:** December 25, 2008, 04:26:18 PM »

Quote from: bilmac on December 25, 2008, 02:25:36 AM

Come on Doom, That is straight from "Deliverance" with a happy ending. You're pulling our leg , right.

Sure hope Doom didn't have to do what Ned Beatty's character did in the movie.

CannonKrazy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:00:40 PM »

Dome I was wondering if you ever get the shakes when you smell bacon frying. Or maybe you heart skips a beat when you hear a pig squeal.

mtnbkr1 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2008, 03:04:43 PM »

Once , the Wife , kids and I were canoeing on a local stream in Ms. This place is pretty popular around here and even has a couple of canoe rental places close by. When we were about halfway down we go by several 20'ish guys out swimming in the river. They spoke to us and seemed friendly , all the while eyeing my wife in her swimsuit and shorts. I really didn't think much of it at the time. My wife is very pretty and is a really nice and friendly person, this happens often . As luck would have it [or someone above watching over us] , shortly thereafter we hear thunder and notice black clouds building in the distance , needless to say we really kicked in the afterburners on the paddling . We arrived back at the rental place just as it was starting to rain . We waited for it to slack, turned our canoes in and started to leave........the car wouldn't crank. To shorten this some it turned out to be the starter and I got it to work by tapping on it with a tire tool. In the mean time these guys show up at the place and walk over and try to start a conversation [I could tell that I wasn't the one that they were interested in talking to]. While there,they made a comment like.....hey you guys must have really been moving on pretty quickly , because we tried like hell to catch up to you and couldn't do it . When they said this my antenna really went up , I almost asked them what they thought they were gonna do if they could have caught us . Anyway I informed them nicely [but in a way that left no doubt] that we needed no help and ended the conversation , and at this point I believe they started to get the message , as they left . I really didn't want to be a jerk , but it had become pretty obvious to me that this wasn't genuine concern on their part , but more an excuse to hit on my wife. I've often wondered how they would have felt if they had known that I had a .45 caliber Glock on me the whole time. This event and several others , is the reason I am usually armed anywhere I go...especially if my family is involved.

IOWA DON · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2008, 02:22:56 AM »

A couple years ago my buddy and I were going down the highway an hour or so before light on the way to hunting. It was very cold and there was a guy standing in the oncomming lane trying to flag us down. His car was parked on the shoulder. We stopped and the guy was probably in his early 20's and there was a gal inside. He explained that he thought he ran out of gas but wanted us to give him a jump. Not sure why that would work, but think he may have been on drugs. I got hy head lamp on so we could see the battery terminals. Before we got the hood of his car opened I noticed blood smeared on it. Without saying anything to the young guy or my buddy, I went back to our vehicle and got my Walther PPK out from behind the seat and put it in my coat pocket. (I have a permit to carry concealed.) Of course trying to start his engine did not work. I suggested that it was very cold and that maybe we should call 911 so they could at least get a ride to someplace warm. He declined. We left and I called 911 and explained about the blood on the hood getting me alarmed.

Victor3 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2008, 01:21:44 AM »

Another one...

About 15 years ago a co-worker and I were on the way to Las Vegas for some training for our job. We ran out of gas on I-15 somewhere past Barstow, CA out in the desert at 3:00 AM. We were in a rental. The gauge still read ~1/4 tank, but it appeared to be out according to the symptoms.

We pulled over and were wondering how far it was to the nearest call box. It was cold and windy outside, and we were talking about who would hike to one to call AAA.

A big rig pulled up behind us and stopped. I told my friend "Oh great, good makings for a murder mystery, eh?"

The driver got out, comes over and I roll down the window a crack. I mumbled to my friend "Why the heck would this guy stop for us way out here?"

He says "Hi fellas. You're out of gas." I say "Yup, we think so. How did you know?"

He chuckles and says "I've been driving this route for a while. I've seen this model stopped here before. You go up the grade and your gauge says you've got some gas, but on the way down you find out too late that you don't. Along here is about where the car dies. I've got a gallon. That will get you down to the next stop. How much you wanna give me for it?"

I say "Uhhh... $20?"

"SOLD!" He says, laughing. "You know, I would have given it to you for free if you needed it, but you guys are headed for Vegas."

I say "Thanks! We're just glad you came along!"

(Sometimes it's a happy ending)

bilmac · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2008, 03:54:07 PM »

Vick 3 Someone is more likely to stop for you "way out here" than in the middle of NewYork City. Kind of the code of the road in the wilderness that you look out for your fellow man. Where I used to work in Alaska, there was an Indian village that to get to town they had to take a boat down a river to where it went under the highway a few miles from town. Then they would leave the boat and climb up on the road and start walking. I don't think one of these folks ever walked more than a mile before he had a ride, even though there wasn't a lot of traffic.

I've never lived anywhere where the population density was very great, but I learned that people treat each other better the fewer of them there are. Alaska and the Nebraska sandhills are prime examples of places where the best of mankind exist.

IOWA DON · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2008, 09:43:45 AM »

bilmac - That is my experience. Have a car problem or an accident in a large city and everyone slows down to look, but nobody stops to help. Out in the country, especially in the Dakotas, Wyoming or Montana and the first car to come by will stop. - DON

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2008, 10:03:50 AM »

years ago the wife and another couple were camping early in the spring ( still to cold for most ) . We were sitting at a table playing cards , now this site was miles from anyone or anything . Some locals started driving by and calling out what they wanted to do with the girls . After a few drive byes they pulled up , jumped out of their truck and started toward us all the while describing how they were going to beat us guys and have their way with the girls . It was 4 of them and 17 of us - the two girls , the other guy and I , the 7 in my Colt and the 6 in his S&W . We let them get to close to run . They we not armed so we ask they produce their Dri. Lic which we got the name , address and number from . They were kids so we told them to leave us alone and we would not turn their info. over to the sheriff which they did . Looking back alot of different things could have happened . WE WERE LUCKY .

trotterlg · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2008, 05:26:20 PM »

It's sad, but you just can't go any place that you cannot be the baddest person in the woods/place. I have only been scared when I knew I was out gunned or out numbered or did not know, so just go prepared, it works the same if you are in the army or a civilian, if you know you are in control then life is good and you will not be afraid. Also never let anyone know what you will do, if you do, then they can decide if the risk is worth the potential gain. Larry

flintman · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2008, 06:01:10 PM »

Used to take my kids riding through the forest service roads here pretty often,a stress reliever for me as well.
One summer day we were riding and got to the top of a ridge where a trail also crosses the road,and a car stopped us and asked for directions to a town that I just KNEW they knew of it and where it was.I had a bad feeling,like they were about to rob us or something.About then a bicycle rider came along and the spell was interrupted.We did not stick around and now I make sure I have ample means to protect my family at all times possible...

trotterlg · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2008, 06:28:09 PM »

If you go into the woods without the ability to best anything you will encounter then you are a fool. Larry

darrell8937 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2008, 07:57:45 PM »

About the only predator I am worried about in the Maine woods are aliens with a realy weird fetish. Not kidding.. Google search Maine and aliens.. It is bizziare! I have no defence against their tractor beam. How ever My sig 220 or dan wesson 357 always keeps me company. I did meet a Hermit on the Applacian Trail.. about two days from Abol Bridge living in a AT funded lean too thant made my skin crawl.. All I had back then was a walking stick.. Bufford Pusser would have been proud if I had to deploy it! I trust four legged animals alot more than the two legged kind.

flintman · « **Reply #29 on:** December 31, 2008, 04:11:46 PM »

for a few months a radio announcer was seeing quite a few of the UFO thingies just South of Wytheville,VA.This was on "Unsolved Mysteries",the TV show.