You’ve spent a lot of money on a piece of property you and your family and maybe a few close friends to hunt on. You’ve erected a storage shed or barn to keep your 4-wheeler, tree stands, saws, mowing equipment, etc. in so you’ll have it there when you need it so how do you make sure your stuff will be there when you get back? Although nothing is 100% theft proof, here are some tips to help secure your property and hopefully deter thieves from ruining your hunting paradise.

  * Make sure to take as many of your valuables home with you to eliminate the risk of them being stolen.

  * Make sure all your valuables are locked away. Spending a few more dollars on quality locks and dead bolts will deter thieves and vandals that much more. Though costly, installing a security system is another way to have peace of mind that your possessions are safe. It only takes a little more to go first class.

  * Place trail cameras around your “storage” area. The price of cellular trail cams have come way down the past couple of years as well as the cost of their “storage plans” You can either set them to upload pictures to your account at certain times or every time it takes a picture. A good thing about them is you’re not locked into a long term contract but can pay month to month for the plan. Also, the cameras will take and store pictures whether or not you have an account.

  * Record all serial numbers from all farm equipment, ATV’s, generators, log splitters, appliances, electronics, etc. Buy a small electric engraver and engrave distinguishing marks on all items in inconspicuous places or apply labels made from a label maker and stick them in hidden places. Keeping a record of serial numbers will help police recover stolen items. And don’t forget to mark your tree stands, ground blinds and trail cameras.

  * Take photographs of all items and keep them at home. Also take pictures of the engraved markings or labels you’ve attached to your property to help you remember what is marked and where it’s marked. Photographs can help police identify stolen items.

  * Make sure you have insurance. Keep your policy up to date and make sure it covers the stuff you own and includes ATV’s, tractors and equipment, boats or any item that may not be covered under a standard homeowner’s or renter’s policy.

  * Make friends with people who live in the area or a neighbor and ask them to keep a watch over your property. Offer them a trade like a place to ride their horses or allow them to cut hay in one of your fields, in exchange for keeping an eye on your place.

  * Post no trespassing signs at all entrances and along property lines of your land. Some states have purple paint laws but you still need to mark all of the entrances of your property.

  * Install gates at all entrances to your property and keep them locked. Criminals are less likely to steal large or heavy items, such as appliances, if they have to carry them long distances.

  * If possible, store your ATV’s, tractors and equipment, mowers, and boats inside locked sheds or barns. Then lock and secure these items inside the barn as well. Put tongue locks on trailers. Run a cable through the wheels of your 4-wheeler, mower, etc. and lock it. Kind of like locking up a bicycle. If thieves break in, having everything locked up separately may frustrate them and deter them from stealing everything.

  * Hide keys (or keep them with you) to outbuildings, gates, ATV’s, tractors, etc. If someone breaks into your house or cabin, you don’t want to provide them with easy access to everything else on your property.

 * If a break-in does occur, contact local law enforcement immediately and stay clear of the crime scene until they arrive. Moving around the crime scene and touching things may destroy critical evidence that might be valuable in the case.

  Hopefully some of these tips will help you avoid a break-in or at least slow down the bad guys and help reduce the damage.

  When I was much younger, I had a hunting companion named Earl. Earl had just drifted into my life and hung around with me for several years. He loved to hunt just about any kind of game. Squirrels, grouse, fox, but he especially loved to chase cottontails.

  Yes chase 'em! Earl was a mix beagle-basset hound. He wasn't the prettiest dog you ever saw, kinda squat legged and colored like the floor of a hickory woods in October. He had the most unpleasant voice you could imagine, especially when he chimed in with a police or fire truck siren. He could hear ‘em long before I could and always started harmonizing well before they were audible to me.

  One warm October morning, we started out in search of bushytails. When he wanted to be, Earl was very quiet, even when the leaves were dry and crunchy. This morning Earl just wasn't 'with it' and was making too much noise for us to get anywhere near those always cautious squirrels.

  As the morning wore on, the sun got warmer and warmer.

  After another hour or so, I decided that Earl's short little legs were tired so we decided to take a rest. We found a depression filled with leaves alongside a fallen oak log. After sharing a bologna sandwich, we lay back to study the tree tops.

  For whatever reason, I don't remember hearing anything, I snapped alert and sat up abruptly. My eyes were just about level with the top of the log. Not more than two feet away were a pair of the most vicious eyes I have ever had the misfortune of staring into. Caught in mid stride, with one paw still raised, was the biggest, most ferocious, evil lookin' animal this ole boy ever saw. Those yellow, glaring slit eyes seemed to be staring deep into my soul.

  The message I got was, "Go ahead, human, make a move and I'll tear your face to shreds!" The bobcat daring me to breathe was so motionless that he could have been a mounted trophy.

  Nothing moved. Not daring to even exhale and moving nothing but my eyeballs, I glanced to see if Earl was ready to spring to my rescue.

 He was still asleep! And snoring!

  I chanced to blink my eyes and in that moment, the cat virtually disappeared! Only the slight movement of a nearby bush gave an indication of his passing.

  I woke the "wonder dog" and commented on his uncanny abilities to detect wildlife. Earl yawned, licked a bologna crumb from his mouth and grudgingly stood up. He walked a few steps and turned back to give me that master-you're-always-right look.

  I swear it seemed as if I could tell from his expression what he was thinking.

 It came across as, "Hey, you know I don't do cats!"

  I have noticed that in this so called modern world we have a Hi-Tech gadget for everything...it will do everything...and we all must have one! I believe it is called marketing or starting a trend and herding people so someone can make millions. It is thought that we cannot live without one. Is this truly to our benefit? Is it all worth our time or could we do without at least some of the trend? After all, it seems to change every few months, so we need to update and spend more money!

  Well...since the beginning of time, nature and nature's creatures have never had Hi Tech or needed it! They seem to get along very well without it...and always will! And they, after all, have been around long before us and will be here long after us.

  Look at his beautiful bald eagle, our American Symbol. It soars on high...rests in a tree...searches and finds its next meal. These things are so simple and down to basics...nothing Hi-Tech needed!

  I wonder if we got back down to basics if our lives would be simpler, less jammed with what we are supposed to do, as we are told? Would we be better off? Happier? More Content?

  Would we have more time to do as we want too, enjoy more of what we want too, and be more content within ourselves?

  Think about it. Don't be pushed into a fad, a trend, or do something because you are supposed to do it. Be happier...look, listen, learn and enjoy nature and its creatures. Nothing Hi-Tech about it! I believe you’ll be happier, better off, and more content.

  Do yourself a favor. Break the trend. Look to nature and enjoy!