I'm not sure if this is in the appropriate forum, and please move it otherwise. I just couldn't really think where else to post it.
I'm taking a trip in late August/early September out west and am wanting to camp/hike/fish at as many of the vast BLM lands out there as possible. After doing some further research on the internet and planning my itinerary, I came across more than a few disturbing articles that recount how unsafe and downright dangerous some of these lands are due to human and drug smuggling through them by our neighbors down south.
From what I've gathered, most of these lands are in or occurring within a radius of 100 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Some of the ones mentioned in the articles were Organ Pipe Cactus Natl. Monument, Ironwood Forest Natl. Monument, Sonoran Desert Monument, (Damn, is Phoenix even safe!?), Buenos Aires NWR, and the Coronado Natl. Forest.
Basically I'm wondering if anyone from the southern AZ/NM area can verify this or add/subtract from this list of dangerous BLM lands. Should I avoid this beautiful area of the country all together? Has it gotten better/worse?
I will be bringing my rifles with me, but I'd like to avoid any confrontation, if possible, as these smugglers seem indiscreet in their choice of targets!
Thanks for your time and I look forward to your replies.
I'm taking a trip in late August/early September out west and am wanting to camp/hike/fish at as many of the vast BLM lands out there as possible. After doing some further research on the internet and planning my itinerary, I came across more than a few disturbing articles that recount how unsafe and downright dangerous some of these lands are due to human and drug smuggling through them by our neighbors down south.
From what I've gathered, most of these lands are in or occurring within a radius of 100 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Some of the ones mentioned in the articles were Organ Pipe Cactus Natl. Monument, Ironwood Forest Natl. Monument, Sonoran Desert Monument, (Damn, is Phoenix even safe!?), Buenos Aires NWR, and the Coronado Natl. Forest.
Basically I'm wondering if anyone from the southern AZ/NM area can verify this or add/subtract from this list of dangerous BLM lands. Should I avoid this beautiful area of the country all together? Has it gotten better/worse?
I will be bringing my rifles with me, but I'd like to avoid any confrontation, if possible, as these smugglers seem indiscreet in their choice of targets!
Thanks for your time and I look forward to your replies.