CrackHeads

[p2c]

Hi all,
Had a couple hours between work this morning and this evening and I tried to get a short hunt in by where I work and near where Etrac, Pocketspill, and I were last weekend. I guess I was on the wrongside of the tracks or something. I heard from a far something like I'll F you up for .... Then within 5 minutes Crackhead came right up to me. I could only understand something like every third word he said but the gist was this is my place, a whole lot of racial slurs about me being white, and that he was going to f me up real bad and never wanted to see me again.
He kept shouting, I did not really feel threatened by him, I just remained calm and said alright, I'll leave. He kept getting louder. As I walked away, he kept shouting. I think he was looking for a fight or something. Funny I was really calm, perhaps it was cuz I had just gotten out of a Bible Study I was leading, but he kept getting more agitated. I am glad I was safe, that he did not pull a gun or knife, but I also was not too happy about having to cut my hunt short after 10 minutes.

What would you have done in this situation? Anyway, I just don't like the implications that he'd hanging around there where a lot of people like to hunt and the threats may escalate.

Not that I would have pulled it in this situation, but I would have liked it if Illinois was like 49 other states and I could have had my Sig on me in case a knife or something came out... but enough politicizing this event.

[nhagan]

lesche vs. crackhead...
no
you did the right thing but dang i dunno... terrible to think that hunting alone is not safe.. luckily down here south of 80 i have never run into anything close to this (then agian my old man got run out of a park by an 80+ yr old lady). its unfortunate but i guess you will have to fight for your silver..

neil

[Lowbatts]

Yeah, I was up in the woods off a trail once and a bunch of crazed elderly folks with field glasses came by screaming that I'd chased all the birds away by being off the trail and I should be locked up or something.

They were so focused on the fact that I was off the trail, near the bushes where their precious quarry flittered that they missed the grosbeak and the indigo bunting that were within spitting distance of me before they started their rants...

Yeah, I'd had a few chicks and wrens nearby as well just before that. Kinda brought to mind the CCP thing with me too. That and an old episode of Logans Run.

I'm guessing you did the right thing. Hopefully he'll wander into traffic later.

[JGRDHS]

To answer your question; I would have knocked his teeth out with a digging tool...but, I'm in Law Enforcement, and could articulate doing so a little easier. You did well...just wait for the area to one day get cleaned up then pillage the silver? Or stick to larger groups. Sorry you have to deal with that up there in spots. I'm close to East St. louis here, and would imagine it's the same there. I dont even bother, if for no other reason that there is soo much trash and needles there. The mercury dimes can just be re-absorbed back into mother earth!

-James

[Lookn4Seated]

That's why they need to pass the Concealed carry law here, so us law abiding citizens can protect ourselves if things escalate to what you've encountered. Luckily, nothing happened, but if he had pulled out some type of weapon, your digging tool probably wouldn't fair a chance, on the other hand, if they passed the CC law, I'm sure your Sig would triumph his "hot" piece that probably would've jammed. My 2c.

Glad your safe. The good man upstairs was looking out for you.

[Chug And Red]

You Did Great!!!! Always Keep a Level Head!!! I would Have Made A call to the Local Police When I was Safely Out of the Area!!!

This Is one reason, There are Several Parks I Have Not Hunted In My local Area!!! I have Been Confronted several Times at Other Parks But Still Go Back To Hunt them!!! I Have A Little Attitude Also!!!! If you walk Up Behind Me while I'm Digging!! And Don't Make A sound You will see the Pointy end Of An AP Digger ( I Have Great Peripheral Vision) due to Being Partially Hearing Impaired And My Attitude !!!!
works for 1 to 2 Persons Not A Larger Group HH And Be Safe Chug

During this Summer I have Had A digging Partner My Beautiful Wife Red Now She Has Some Attitude!!!

[Produce Guy]

Mase or a Tazer or one of those air horns.

[treasurefiend]

Best just to leave, never worth messing with lowlifes. A few years back I got hit with a bottle while blocking my face while detecting in a park. After you leave just call the cops and they will handle him.

[DPBOB]

You did right....
Glad your safe....
I often wonder what I would do in a situation like that.... I hope I never find out....

[rob.s]

Glad to hear all is ok and it went no further then words..In this hobby are chances are greater for stuff like this happen because we spend alot time in the parks or places were the chit heads hang out..If it was more then one crackhead watch out and be ready..I always hunt with my dog,72#german short haired and kept a few lookers at bay..I always carry my Kershaw clip on my pants pocket as well.

[jeff of pa]

Alot depends on your Definition of "Crackhead"
Somone you Saw take Crack ?,
a Homeless Person ?
A Kid who Questions authority,
because he's been Craped on all his Life ?,
A Wanna Be Cop Type, who Thinks they Own everything in
their Town ? or an All around Jerk ?

I Think I'd just smile and try to
calm him down with conversation,
maybe ask how well he knows the
areas history.
But of course till it happens I can only guess.

do you carry a cell phone with camera ?

#1 Snap pic
#2 call cops

Explain to cops loud enough for him to hear
Who you are being Harassed by, Giving
Discription first & saying you also have a pic
on your phone. maybe lie & say loudly you
just forwarded a copy to your computer
in case.

If he has anything to worry about he's
going to turn tail.

[Gimmie The Loot]

Wow glad you are safe! That is always a concern. I keep my lesche sharp and visible. Never had anyone confront me but I usually check out who is around and if there are bums I just move to another spot. I'm not afraid of high traffic areas so when it gets dark I move to where the witnesses are.

H and SH!