MavNick92
Member
Hey Squatchers!
Recently, I have come into some strange things in the National Forests; sketchy people, plastic bins with empty zip-lock bags inside, and the general feeling of someone watching. So I'm going to try to cover something kind of weird in this month's edition of *drum roll* WILDERNESS READINESS with MavNick and SORAC! *cue the looney-tunes intro*
POV: You're adventuring with your family and you come across some of the ruins within the Davy Crockett National Forest that have been there since the deforestation/logging era and you decide to start taking pictures with your family just as the sun getting ready to start thinking about setting and suddenly you hear some sounds in the distance. You make out two individuals moving at a fast pace away from the ruins. What do you do?
Well, this happened to me. I was out on a trail with Hawk just taking in nature and loving the awesome small ruins we found when we hear some people get up QUICKLY and skedaddle. As I looked through the unevenly spaced trees, I saw two figures; one with a reddish-orange shirt with jeans and the other with a white shirt with jeans running, both darting between trees.
On another one of our trips, we found a plastic bin (like maybe something that could hold some index cards) and inside were just a bunch of empty zip-lock bags near an old cemetery from the 1800s. Very strange. Made me think it was maybe a drop off and pick up place for some crazy drugs.
And lastly, the feeling of being watched...
The National Forests are very hard to monitor and host the likes of people from every walk of life, so knowing what to do when you do encounter someone or something dangerous is essential!
What would be some tips you could give for encounters like these?
I know I probably sound like a helicopter parent, but I grew up in a very bad area, so my head is always on a swivel with that type stuff.
I would love to hear if anyone else has ever experienced something similar and what everyone thinks about staying safe in the National Forests.
Recently, I have come into some strange things in the National Forests; sketchy people, plastic bins with empty zip-lock bags inside, and the general feeling of someone watching. So I'm going to try to cover something kind of weird in this month's edition of *drum roll* WILDERNESS READINESS with MavNick and SORAC! *cue the looney-tunes intro*
Topic
Suspicious Activity in the National Forests, and what to do...
Suspicious Activity in the National Forests, and what to do...
POV: You're adventuring with your family and you come across some of the ruins within the Davy Crockett National Forest that have been there since the deforestation/logging era and you decide to start taking pictures with your family just as the sun getting ready to start thinking about setting and suddenly you hear some sounds in the distance. You make out two individuals moving at a fast pace away from the ruins. What do you do?
Well, this happened to me. I was out on a trail with Hawk just taking in nature and loving the awesome small ruins we found when we hear some people get up QUICKLY and skedaddle. As I looked through the unevenly spaced trees, I saw two figures; one with a reddish-orange shirt with jeans and the other with a white shirt with jeans running, both darting between trees.
Here's what we did:
Mainly, we stayed calm and moved quickly...
Mainly, we stayed calm and moved quickly...
- We didn't PULL OUR PHONE OUT AND START RECORDING... If you're exposed in a threat environment, do not have your phone in your hand. You will want something a lot more useful in your hands in case there is conflict, or you need to run.
- I focused on securing Hawk... I made sure that Hawk was back in the vehicle and secure.
- Armed and ready... pulled my glock from my appendix-style holster (as I always carry when in the woods) and as the gun is in my hand I swivel my head in every direction starting from the direction I saw the figures, and ending in the same direction.
- Once it's clear, we go out of Dodge... after checking my surroundings, I got in the vehicle and skedaddled as well.
- Reported what we saw... since onX Off-Road has the ranger station numbers grouped in with the areas in the maps, I was able to report this to the rangers station with a quick call.
Conclusion
Be safe first, have fun second...
Could have been miscreants, stupid kids, serial killers, hunters, homeless, or just some hankie-pankie goings-on's in the woods. I won't know, and I won't care. My son is safe, I am safe, and no one got hurt.Be safe first, have fun second...
On another one of our trips, we found a plastic bin (like maybe something that could hold some index cards) and inside were just a bunch of empty zip-lock bags near an old cemetery from the 1800s. Very strange. Made me think it was maybe a drop off and pick up place for some crazy drugs.
And lastly, the feeling of being watched...
- If you feel this way, and cannot shake the feeling, leave immediately!
- If something doesn't feel right, it more than likely ain't!
- Your safety is paramount and should be regarded as your highest priority in this situation.
- Be aware and go where you've been, if you can't shake this feeling then it's not the time to take a part of the trail you've never been down just because you think it's a short cut.
- Lastly, record/report your experience as soon as you are secure and feel safe!
The National Forests are very hard to monitor and host the likes of people from every walk of life, so knowing what to do when you do encounter someone or something dangerous is essential!
What would be some tips you could give for encounters like these?
I know I probably sound like a helicopter parent, but I grew up in a very bad area, so my head is always on a swivel with that type stuff.
I would love to hear if anyone else has ever experienced something similar and what everyone thinks about staying safe in the National Forests.
