Hunters,

This spike was visiting the feeder last year in November. He also showed up in the morning around 8:30 AM. Unfortunately, this is the last picture I have of him because my camera was stolen shortly after I put it out again. Never to be seen again. Terrible - Trespassing and Theft. This was in Deep East Texas near Hemphill.

Is Deep East Texas safe, unsafe? Or is this very common in this Deep East Texas area?

Many of the locals have no respect for fences or purple paint. I stopped hunting there years ago because of this. Got fed up with it.

It can be pretty common in all parts of east texas. All my cameras are in steel boxes with 3/8" lag bolts goin into the tree.

Hi Marc,

I have fences, purple paint, locks and chains, and no trespassing signs everywhere. We will see how it goes this year. Going forward I will set up multiple cameras in a mesh formation. Hopefully they will miss one or with my luck get them all who knows. If I am lucky I will present the evidence to the local game warden and Sherrif's office. Although I am sure they have more important issues to worry about than a stolen game camera. However, If the trespassers are poaching I am sure that's an etirely different story.

Since I am not from the area I don't want local enemies, but I also respect other people's property and I expect the same in return from the locals.

New Hunter

Good idea. I realize I need to hide and secure my cameras better. This camera was most ikely taken during the day because it was visible in plain sight. If they were passing through at night they would not have seen it. Also the fact that it was in front of the feeder didn't help.

New Hunter

It could have been at night, your camera likely has a small red led light that lights up when it senses motion. Cover it with a piece of electric or duct tape

unfortunately, there are douchebag thieves and vandals and poachers
in every county in the state and in every state in the country. if
you're not there all the time, someone will eventually get to you.
neighbors to the property watch you come and go, and talk about you
coming and going, most of the time innocent, but often the wrong ears
hear it. if i see deer, or put out a blind, or a feeder, or anything
i keep it to myself. i've had folks ask about if i had put out feeders
when the only way to see them is if that person were trespassing.

Good luck in E TX. No respect and even if you get evidence I wouldn't expect much from LEO. Now if you get a game/poaching evidence the GW should be good help. One should not have to put up extra hidden cameras on their property. Just stinks. I'm headed out this weekend to check my cameras and hope all 7 are there.

I wouldn't say what you experienced is common, but Deep East Texas IS a little behind the times with respect to Deer Leases, Property Lines and Land Owner rights being observed. I've been here 32 years and little has changed.

I moved here from the Hill Country...where most folks wouldn't dream of crossing fences. It has been a learning experience, I'll just leave it at that.

Most dirt bags really don't care about fences, paint, locks/chains, & no trespassing signs....or laws!

They might care about lead. Too bad more Of them ain't shot, stacked like sandbags, & used as examples..

Thanks for all the feedback and guidance. We will see what happens this season. I will keep you all posted on any new security incidents, it makes for interesting deer camp talk.

New Hunter

You would think that would stop it....

One thing for sure....Deep East Texas is beautiful. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Toledo Bend Reservoir, The Piney Woods, 2 National Forests, public hunting lands, it has tons of potential.

Need some IED or bungee sticks set up along with bear traps. I had a bunch of lumber stolen once while building a new house, told the state police I was going to put a bunch of nails in 2x4s and bury them just to cover the wood. He ask how much insurance did I have.

This maybe a dumb question, but what's up with the purple paint?

Purple paint on a tree or a post is the same as No Trespassing.

http://www.easttexasland.com/what-do-purple-markings-on-fenceposts-in-texas-mean/

Cool, did not know that. Thanks

got any pics??

have the same problem in Bastrop county, to many inbreds

I'm sorry I can't resist ..

East Texas dirt bag lives matter!! Just cause they are cheating laws and thieving everyday doesn't mean they don't deserve respect...

Ok now that I got that out of the way. Put your cams up high in the trees. A broken ladder nearby and lots of boards with nails sticking up through the ground. They pray you get it all on film:)

Just curious rickym, did you have cameras stolen before the metal boxes and did you find this to eliminate the problem afterwards? I have had my camera stolen the last two years and was going to buy the metal box hoping to stop it. Where I hunt a thief pretty much has all the time in the world to steal it. I feel lucky that my feeder has not been stolen but think it is because it would just be to much trouble.

Ya dragging a feeder through the wood is just too much. Its tough work stealing other peoples property and reaping the rewards of someone else's hard work

If a road takes you right to itt, odds are it'll walk off in that area. Meth is a prob but so is letting kids run free.

I got a free doe one day. Caught two fellas sliding it across my pasture towards the fence line. They didn't want to leave it at first but my friends Smith and Wesson changed their minds. I tagged it myself just to be a dick. I think they got the point. Haven't seen them since.