Scary NRA Militia types?!!

[pixelfrog]

Hi All,

I was on a beautiful hike this past saturday morning on the Bluffs Springs Trail in the Sups. The Temperature cooperated, the sun was behind clouds, there was a nice breeze and of course anyone who's been out there knows the scenery is increadible.

The only weird thing about the hike was on the way back to the trailhead at the end of my hike probably within a half mile of the peralta trailhead, I ran into these two guys that were all suited up for war games or something. Camo, Knives strapped to gear suspenders, a pistol at the older man's side who had so much facial hair, you could barely see his face.

As I passed them with my hiking poles out the older guy said to me all suprised, "Ski Poles?!!!" I quickly explained they helped the old knees on the way down after I noticed he had a gun at his side. I pretty much smiled and nodded then continued on my way.

Now I'm all for everyone's right to bear arms and all, but seeing this kind of freaked me out. I know it's legal to carry handguns in Arizona and that's fine, but I was thinking there isn't a very large reason to carry a gun out there, especially if you are with another full grown adult male.

I have no idea what their reason would be for bringing those types of weopons out there, and the whole incident was a bit disturbing. I was glad that I encountered these yahoo's close to the trailhead. Anyone else run into any of these gun toting militia type weirdo's?

Paul

[SuperstitionGuy]

Back in the early 1980's there was a digging/sluicing operation on the right side of the stream as you hiked downstream. A tunnel had been dug into and under a very large tree. Don't know if they found any color but the effort was substantial. High water since as covered up this work however.

[Tough_Boots]

I'm sure they saw my side arm and extra clip on my backpack strap as I had passed the first time but there were four of them so...

One of those situations that makes me think I should carry. Did you report them?

[skatchkins]

I'm not entirely sure who to report the activity to?
You should An SU-16C only weighs 4.7lbs and folds up into 2ft for your backpack

[Tough_Boots]

I'm not entirely sure who to report the activity to?

I would imagine either the forest service or the sheriff's department... but who the pumpkin wants to deal with the sheriff's dept?

An SU-16C

I'll go out and get one tonight!

[Alston_Neal]

WoW! That kinda puts a suck on a good hike.

[Wild Bill]

Contact the forest service,they have more time than the Sheriffs,plus they will contact Drug task force if necessary

[Wild Bill]

Planting season for the Pot season

[azbackpackr]

These guys plant in the dumbest places. A friend of mine has found several patches, both active and old, harvested ones.

I think you should report it. This sort of thing can make hiking very dangerous. It is not like they are just some nice old hippies out growing some stash. It is purely a greedy business mentality, and is run by the cartels. The more you let it go, the more the cartels will continue to move north with the growing operations. There was a big one the DEA found on Boulder Mountain in Utah (near Boulder and Escalante) just last fall. The cartels were in on that one too--even way out there in the middle of nowhere.

[skatchkins]

Reported to the FS Sunday. No word back yet.

[Thoreau]

Considering what's on the table for the fed government right now (budget/shutdown (yay!)) I doubt anything will happen on this case.

[kevinweitzel75]

Considering what's on the table for the fed government right now (budget/shutdown (yay!)) I doubt anything will happen on this case.

All the more reason I carry. I know that in the long run I'm no match for their fire power, but I will at least take one of them down.

[Alston_Neal]

We were part of a nice bust and I'll tell ya they brought out the big guns.
About 15 to 16 Law Enforcement Vehicles came camping with us at 2:30 AM.
They tend to take this stuff seriously, because these people take it very seriously.
Yep yours truly was quoted...
http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/view ... 2bcd8d0a81

[Wild Bill]

Mt Ord, Deer Creek, both had grows last year, and I live right near there, and I know allot of law enforcement personnel after driving tow truck for 32 years,they do take it very serious,they even warned me about it.

[pixelfrog]

Ugh, I was considering taking my dog down Lower Fish this weekend, not anymore. That's distressing to hear.

[Thoreau]

Ugh, I was considering taking my dog down Lower Fish this weekend, not anymore. That's distressing to hear.

Why do I sometimes think that I'm the only one who sees info like this and instead of 'not anymore' thinks 'yay! a chance to carry one of the bigger guns!'

[Wild Bill]

we should organize a hike where we all carry openly and walk right through there,I'm game, my mos in the Marines was 0317

[azbackpackr]

For those of you who want a little adventure and free weed, from what I understand once the DEA goes in and takes out a big patch, if you go to that place a day or two later, they never do get all of it... I personally know someone who has done that several times, both in AZ and UT. There is always a lot of cheap Walmart camping gear left behind as well, and food, trash, etc. The government does not necessarily go back in and clean that stuff up.

[skatchkins]

Ugh, I was considering taking my dog down Lower Fish this weekend, not anymore. That's distressing to hear.

Why do I sometimes think that I'm the only one who sees info like this and instead of 'not anymore' thinks 'yay! a chance to carry one of the bigger guns!'

If same vehicle, you're looking for a seafoam green explorer. Remember if my PM'd coordinates check out you gotta split ;)
I'm so split right now on a 223/5.6 or a new camera.

[Thoreau]

we should organize a hike where we all carry openly and walk right through there,I'm game, my mos in the Marines was 0317

Wouldn't be the first time I've done that (although usually only one or two people carrying.) Name a time/place and if my (social-life-free) schedule can fit it in, I'm there.

PS: Thanks for your service

[Wild Bill]

I'm game anytime, Unless I'm Fishing lol