Great idea if there weren't deer out there all the time.....and wabbits, and birds of all kinds. Motion isn't the word for it. The motion sensor on my pole barn door is good for well over 100'. It goes off when cars go down the road too slow. Good sometimes, but not so good other times. At that price though, might be worth checking out.
Sorry to hear about this Dave. Lots of fun ideas here! IMO, the best deterrents would be the motion lights, and the dog - but you've got to listen to what he's trying to tell you! Clever signs can only be seen during the day and guns only work if you're willing to use them. Booby traps probably aren't a good option either if there will be children around or you're insuring the property where they're located. One of my neighbors around the corner from me is partners in a tree biz, and a month or so ago he put a rack out by the road, with a face cord of firewood, asking $85. The next time I drove by his house, 1/2 of the wood was gone from the rack. I started seeing dollar signs myself, thinking about all that quick cash I could be making. He had it refilled by the time I drove home from work. The next morning, it was tipped over, and it's been laying there ever since. I've heard other stories here about thieves who will tip over your stack to try to hide the evidence; I'll bet that's what happened to him. While I probably couldn't shoot someone for pinching a few splits from my stacks, if you tipped one of them over on purpose, you would not get a warning shot.
I appreciate all the clever ideas and all. Been making some progress moving the wood again today. Stopped for a sammich, and to put up a couple pics. First up is a pic from yesterday though, of these guys. This is what I mean by lots of deer traffic. Here's the pile in the drive so far, but doesn't include the 1/3 cord of Ash I moved first thing. 2 views. The posts behind the pile are about 8' apart.
While moving some more of the Oak a while ago, found this little guy in the stack. He DID NOT LIKE being disturbed. Took him a couple of my trips to fly away. This has happened 2 other times in the past out there.
Only about a cord of Oak left to move, but I'm a crispy critter right about now. Time for a shower and something to eat. If it's raining tomorrow, I'm goin' shoppin', but if it's not, I'll move the rest. Still have the stack of Maple to go after that, but I'm making sure the Oak gets outta there first. I really need to put up a bathouse back there. Perfect conditions for one.
I can understand people needing to have heat but it would be nice if they asked for help instead of stealing; if it was someone needed to heat their home and did not have the money. The propane was probably for a propane lantern; you can get lanterns that run on the propane cylinders you posted. One of the cheapest things you can do is to get the X10 motion detectors that will turn on lights and sound an alarm. When it comes to stealing anything, the people stealing want to sneak in and out without being noticed; lights going on and an alarm sounding will scare them away. Of course moving the wood stacks will do the job as well.
Went on a little scouting mission last night. All I saw was a set of beady eyes staring back at me. Deer. Stayed back there for a bit, but nothing. VERY dark when I turned off the light.
All said, I still would take a look around or have a cop do it. Here in my part of the world if you find a propane can out in the timber, chances are that if you look hard enough you will find other meth cooking stuff nearby. Next thing you know they will be stealing more than some wet maple. Just sayin.
Yeah, now that the cat is out of bag, it's best the wood gets moved where I can be out the door extremely quickly. The dogs let me know when a leaf blows by, so anyone coming up in the drive will not only be in the motion light, but they'll need to deal with me and the dogs. I locked the service door to my shop today for the first time in a LONG time. I did take a walk around the woods.......nothing hinky goin' on. I'm wondering if they just threw those out of the truck 'cause they were in the way or something.
Time for a drill and gunpowder.... That sucks Dave I am sorry to ear this brother!!! Tell me when ill come kick some azz! I hate firewood thieves they are stealing your family's heat period... Its the same as if they stole your fuel oil or propane!
Yeah I hate that. I'm not very big on locking stuff up,myself. Anyhow I missed it if it was discussed. We're those propane tanks filled or empty? Did you talk to the neighbors? I'm not big on meeting the neighbors either but it would be a good excuse. I live on the edge of civilization,,,,,,in Connecticut 11,000 acres of forest on two sides of the house and suburban sprawl on the other two. I'm happier in the woods.
Thinking about this while moving some wood today..........they stole a part of my life. The time and effort, as well as the wood, is gone.
Sucks....I am sorry there are people out there like that, I hope you can at least punch them in there sorry little noses....You moved 5 cord and that is just so sad that you had to do that....It totally sucks....Excuse my english....
Now that is short, sweet and to the point. It explains everything clearly I like it and may borrow it. Right now all I have is a STOP sign before you get to the wood piles curtsy of someone who ripped the Stop sign down from the corner before they installed a light.
I'm over being mad. I'm now just disappointed. I absolutely refuse to let this control my life. That's happened too much in my past. Life is too short....eat dessert first. Sure it does. You don't want trespassers, and you own stuff.
