Had a 3D Target Stolen from our club. Targets are mounted on reinforcing rods. Looking for any ideas to "lock them down". We will try some trail cameras. Any input welcome.
Sorry to hear that. There are some real scumbags out there. Hopefully you can catch whoever did it.
Wow, that stinks, as theft always does. Only problem with using trail cameras is, I'd worry about those becoming a target of thieves,too.
Every club around here including mine picks them up after each shoot and locks them away in a shed. Too many dirtbags around here.
The Baltimore Bowmen had a few stolen during the big Traditional Classic a few years ago by thieves entering from the road. They now brand each target with large conspicuous letters burned into the target and use random trail cameras. They would be impossible to resell.
Black Knights archery club in NJ had a (2day shoot) and had several :banghead: taken over night last :mad: year!
Set up a treestand 20 yards out and set up a schedule to sit on different shifts.
I remember years ago my club had 8 new 3D targets stolen the night before a 3D shoot.They skipped some old targets that have been shot a few times and only took the new targets,sad thing that happens sometimes.
If you find out who did it, are there any swamps around Queensbury New York?
Ugh I HATE thieves.
Personally I would put out a brand new nice looking target and stay out there hiding possibly with a friend until someone comes by to pick it up.
I'd put it in a spot where it would be easy for someone to steal that way they are more likely to try and take it.
weld them right to the reed bar stands they slip over, now place a bar across the bottom then weld that to connect the two stands together but ad a big washer or chain link and weld that on somewhere,,, now chain to a tree.
I have personally laid in wait overnight, trying to catch thieves. Thieves don't want to be caught, or go to jail - so don't do it unless you are prepared to get physical, and don't do it alone.
The sad part is you might know them.
I hate thieves!!!! We leave some out at one of our local clubs, but we take them down and hide them in the bushes so no one can see them from the road or trail.
Bisch
It's sad these dirtballs exist. Even if caught they get a slap on the wrist and will do it again. If caught they should have a hand chopped off, that will have them thinking twice but in our country we have to coddle these idiots and look where that got us...criminals everywhere...i'll stop there.
Sorry to hear that. Your best bet would be to put out trail camera's and hope to get a good pick. Yes you could sit out and try to catch them but is it worth it, no. You will not know if they are armed and you life is worth more then a target.
Our local COs stuck a GPS unit on a quadrunner, tracked it right to the thieves after it was stolen...
QuoteOriginally posted by The Whittler:
The sad part is you might know them.
That right there is the truth. Our club has a garage that is bolt locked shut. We put targets out morning of a shoot.
If possible, dig some holes and fill them with sackcrete. While the crete' is wet, place a U shaped rebar and keep it upright until set. Cable and lock the 3d targets to the rebar. You can't stop someone from stealing if they really really want to, but thieves are lazy and a little bit of effort might deter them. Sorry to hear about your targets.
Thanks for the ideas, Looks like some concrete and welding should make it hard for these jerks.
We have lost a couple over the years; we put them out on Saturday, take them down and store them in locked shed on Sunday after the shoot - there is only so much you can do.
almost forgot,, set a nice target up right where everyone who visits the club can see it,,, put a trail camera high up in one of the adjacent trees looking down and start weeding out the thieves one by one..
Cost being a factor, this one around $25 could be hid inside (under head). You may find smaller and less expenses tracking devices.
http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStor/sep/9810?gclid=CPPHpfjx_84CFQmRfgodJdsHhA
Buy some fake trail cams. Put them high in trees with clear signage indicating that the area is being monitored with camera.
http://www.bigsupplyshop.com/Spy-Point-Dummy-camera-for-security-useCamo-DUMMY_p_67412.html
Unfortunately targets get stolen but we had one mistaken for a real hog shot. But there was revenge, sheriff got the guy. He was charged for firing a weapon to close to a hwy., Trespassing was another charge besides having his weapon taken. Sad part for him it was one of ourtargets made from a boar and bear target.
Earth Anchors. Made for canine trapping but have other applications. Too much work to pull them out by hand, that's for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAb-rIkUrME
I had a 3D deer stolen off my back lawn a few years ago. The best way to avoid theft is not to leave them out...but wiring them to an active 240V power source would probably be more rewarding.