Went to the Desert on Saturday

[frostbiker]

Used to be a time when the family would head to Colorado or New Mexico to fly fish. We'd get information about some neat out of the way spot where game was plenty to watch and the fish were biting. Most of the time this was way back on logging, mining roads. Dad had a habit of leaving the car keys under the back right tire in case someone needed to get back to the truck for supplies or just got tired of fishing. Don't think we'll be doing that anymore considering what I read here. My how times have changed.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Most of the time this was way back on logging, mining roads. Dad had a habit of leaving the car keys under the back right tire in case someone needed to get back to the truck for supplies or just got tired of fishing. Don't think we'll be doing that anymore considering what I read here. My how times have changed.

I used to do something similar (had a hook screwed into the vehicle frame to hold a keyring). Got to a trailhead, hid my keys, and started hiking. Oh damn, left my water bottle in the truck. So I turned around and walked back to see this seedy guy unlocking my door with the keys (I guess he'd been lurking in the brush or something). He saw me and took off running. Damned if I didn't spend the next half hour trying to find my keys where he'd thrown them in the brush when he took off


Thank God it was still daylight!

 

[Axman]

Get ya one of them magnetic boxes to put a spare set of keys in.

 

[kungfuhippie]

Get ya one of them magnetic boxes to put a spare set of keys in.

I keep the keys in my pocket and the truck locked. I've always thought those lock boxes were asking for trouble, I also often give a spare to my friend when he tags along.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Get ya one of them magnetic boxes to put a spare set of keys in.

That was the idea of the hook in my post. I had it attached way up at the top of the frame, well hidden. But apparently not hidden enough for when some lowlife is hanging out in the brush watching you.

 

[Axman]

I've used those magnetic boxes before. I have always hid it while at home when in the garage or making it appear as if I'm doing maintenence on the car. That way it's there when I needed the keys. Also, move it to another location occasionally. However, I think the best bet is to just carry the keys on you in this situation.

 

[mbt2001]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=esl2NNOtHQE&mode=related&search=




"You sure do got a purty mouth...."

"Squeele like a pig!!"

Watch out for locals...

 

[hagar]

My biggest fear hunting coyotes in AZ was to find a dead body in the desert. The news was full of it, every week or two a hunter or highway worker would find a body. While I have seen people shot, burned to death and killed in car accidents, finding a body in what I considered my personal tranquill place would have been upsetting.

I had to pull a rifle once on 3 of our "finest southern neighbors" that followed me and my blonde wife for miles out in the middle of nowhere, and even after I tried shaking them by making random turns, kept dogging me. I guess they did not like the fact that their "easy prey" turned into a camo wearing person with a FAL cursing them in a strange language.

One of my coyote calling friends collected a fine 357 magnum from a party of our "southern neighbors" that he caught in the process of breaking into his truck, and tried pulling it on him. He had a rifle, and a friend with a shotgun, and told the guy drop it or die. Took the 357 home with him.

Always took my dogs when I went camping. I loved the desert, but it is a dangerous place, and you better be your own law out there, or be a crime statistic.

 

[mbt2001]

"Usted tiene una boca bonita"


It is just as hair raising in spanish

 

[kungfuhippie]

That'd be

"Tienes uns boca linda"
usted is a sign of respect
"Gritas como un cerdo"

I think I'd hear that sooner in the California Desert.

I related this to my geology professor (not a leftist wierdo) and he told me of a time when he stumbled on a meth lab out in the high desert, and luckily no one was there, though it looked like people had just left. He got the hell outta there and aparently since then got a revolver and never forgets it now.

 

[Zoogster]

I loved the desert, but it is a dangerous place, and you better be your own law out there, or be a crime statistic.

Exactly. It is even worse in places like PRK where the laws are designed according to left thinkers in large cities but apply to the entire state.
Even deceptive and appearantly friendly people can decide at some point the time has come to turn you into a victim. Criminals assess the situation before acting sometimes too. They do not all walk, talk, or look a certain way that allows you to anticipate thier actions either. They may even not be planning to victimize you and think it is a good idea after assessing your vulnerability.

There was a reason the pioneers approached every visitor armed and suspicious. They could not afford to make a mistake when they were the only line of defense they had. No police will be coming, no witnesses will deter. It is you and your companions, if that fails your out of luck.
Yet acting this way in modern times would not be acceptable, even in the middle of no man's land, because it is inexcusable in a city, and the laws are designed by people and for people in the cities.

 

[kungfuhippie]

They may even not be planning to victimize you and think it is a good idea after assessing your vulnerability.

That's why when in those places it's good to have a pistol, but better to have a rifle, or even better to have both. Make sure they're obvious. My 9mm was on my hip with two reloads and my sks was over my sholder. It's worth the weight and the effort, and when someone asks why you have guns, this is a perfect example.

Oh, and a rifle with bayonet is even more intimidating!

(would using the bayonet in selfdefense get you in worse trouble with the leftist hippies?)

 

[Zoogster]

(would using the bayonet in selfdefense get you in worse trouble with the leftist hippies?)

I imagine so. The trick in court is for the jury to be able to relate to acting the same way in a similar situation. While some of the public may be able to relate to pulling a trigger under the right circumstances, you are are less likely to find people that can relate to gruesome use of bladed weapons even in situations warranting lethal force.
Another reason for this is the blades require thoughtful application where as the gun can be viewed as (though not necessarily correctly) being an "oh my god" split second reaction. More sheeple can relate to split second reaction involving pressing a button/pulling a trigger than to constant thoughtful application of a blade, even if the blade was used to perform many things in a couple seconds, and under the same circumstances.

So yes blades and other similar weapons are more likely to get you prison time in self defense, especialy if thier main purpose is as a weapon.

 

[TallPine]

"Usted tiene una boca bonita"


It is just as hair raising in spanish

or how about...

tha beul breagha agad

There was a reason the pioneers approached every visitor armed and suspicious. They could not afford to make a mistake when they were the only line of defense they had. No police will be coming, no witnesses will deter. It is you and your companions, if that fails your out of luck.

That's still pretty much the way it is in rural/wilderness areas.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've spent some time out with desert rats out in Slab City, most of them are honest folk who just want to be left alone.

But those people living on the fringes deserve a bit of your respect, rather than your unmitigated fear. You play nice, they play nice for the most part.

However, I don't go out in the boonies without a firearm. Ever.

 

[kungfuhippie]

But those people living on the fringes deserve a bit of your respect, rather than your unmitigated fear.

First off, respect is earned, not given. I am polite and I do not disrespect desert rats.
Second "unmitigated fear" where did you get that from? I was not overcome by uncontrollable fear, I was instantly sent from condition yellow to orange.

According to wikipedia that means;

* Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You are simply aware that the world is an unfriendly place and that you are prepared to do something, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to SHOOT today." You don't have to be armed in this state but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six". In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep.

* Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot HIM today." In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that goblin does "x", I will need to stop him." Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

(I mispoke earlier to say I was at condition red, since I did not fight/shoot anyone)

Had they shown up and not acted suspicious I would have not worried, I'd have tried to make some new friends. It is not normal in any setting (except a car show) to go and peer in the windows of another's car like that. Basically, if someone is there inside a mine a quick smash and grab would be ideal for a crook. So "admiring" the inside of a truck with no tinted windows by bending at the waste shading your eyes and almost putting a nose mark on the glass is not normal and is not "friendly"

 

[Ryder]

That does sound excessively nosey. I've had people turn around and leave when they saw me armed and others who purposely sought me out when they heard shooting. The only thing you need to trust are your instincts. I'd probably not return to that spot, just call me superstitious.

Air horn? A gun shot makes a pretty good attention getter.

 

[thexrayboy]

I have spent lots of time in the ghost towns and desert areas of the Owens valley and vicinity. I always went armed, a revolver with shot for snakes and another weapon for 2 legged varmints. 99% of the people you meet while
exploring the desert are regular people, the problem is the 1% who victimize the unprepared. Whenever I parked the 4X anywhere I would activate an ignition kill. I also kept the hood locked to prevent theft of parts. Keeping the contents of the vehicle secure and out of sight was always a priority also.

When you are in the deserts of the great basin you can literally be a 100 miles from the law. You must be prepared to fend for yourself regardless of the laws. Reality must trump liberalism when going into certain environments.
Even now when hiking or 4 wheeling I go prepared for contingencies. Defense against criminal attack is a contingency to be prepared for no different than heat, thirst and injury.

 

[kungfuhippie]

Air horn? A gun shot makes a pretty good attention getter.

Yes, supersonic shock waves make a lot of noise, but I can imagine that someone might think that I'm shooting at them...If they wern't "evildoers" they might feel a need to tell law enforcement that a "gun nut" and his "redneck" buddy we shooting "assault rifles*" at them. Then I'll wind up in jail and "get" a "boyfriend"

*John Kerry refered to a Mosin Nagant as an Assault Rifle.

 

[Zoogster]

I always went armed, a revolver with shot for snakes and another weapon for 2 legged varmints.

Huh? I never understood this myself. Most snakes are not agressive(as in actively coming at you to attack, not attacking when they feel threatened), especialy in America. If you get hurt or bit in the desert it is probably because you did not see it and walked too close. If you see it beforehand the threat does not really exist as you just go around and they will not stalk or hunt you, and in fact are afraid of you.
I have been cruising the desert and stopped and got off my vehicle to admire sidewinders and rattlesnakes, being sure to keep my distance as I am in the middle of nowhere and these are large highly venomous snakes with concentrated poison in such enviroments. However I never once felt in danger.
If I was bitten it would be because I took a risk, something no gun would have saved me from, or I stepped on something without seeing it, something else a gun would not have helped with. If I see it there is no real danger posed to me. Why do you feel differently?
These animals keep the rodent population down and large numbers of rodents are far more destructive and dangerous than the snakes, spreading and harboring disease like rabies when they overpopulate in dense numbers.
Now on private property or not wanting them around your home I can understand, but out in the middle of the desert you feel the need to kill an animal simply because it is dangerous but posing no harm to you? I repeat if it did pose a threat it means you did not see it and are already bitten, at which point shooting it does you little good.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Sorry KFH, my intent wasn't to single you out, my response would have probably been similar to yours.

But before this thread devolves further into a 'shtf' conv. featuring 'Deliverence' freaks and 'Hills Have Eyes' mutants, just wanted to point out that most folks out there on the fringes just aren't looking for trouble. That goes for hillbillies, desert rats & homeless folk.

Being wary of strangers is prudent. Doubly so at night.

There is some good advice here... go armed, take a friend, tell someone where you are going, don't leave your keys, have water etc.

Oh and it's hot in Slab City, even in May.

 

[thexrayboy]

I shoot rattlers and sell their skins. They make nice boots, hatbands etc.

The risk of a bite is small if you pay attention. Though I have come across a couple while climbing steep slopes and had to shoot them due to the inability to avoid them due to terrain. This is a rarity though.

 

[mohican]

kungfuhippie "....until I realized that she's a recovering liberal..."

now that's funny

 

[kungfuhippie]

mohican,
what's sad is that she comes from a conservative/republican family. THe public schools around here ruin a lot of the kids, and then a psycology degree didn't help her much. Her job is actually helping her realize that .gov is not the answer to life's problems.
The desert/wilderness is one of the last places you can go where .gov isn't invading much of your life. Ever notice how most the tree huggers have never been camping/hiking/exploring