A good reminder about hunting and gun theft

A good reminder from the OPP.

https://www.theobserver.ca/news/loca...e-to-gun-theft

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Hunters vulnerable to gun theft from vehicles
Author of the article: Monte Sonnenberg
Publishing date: Nov 25, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police have expressed concern about smash-and-grab thieves making off with firearms from unattended vehicles during hunting season.

The OPP have recently responded to multiple calls where firearms were left in a vehicle overnight and discovered stolen in the morning, Const. Conrad Vitalis of the Brant OPP said this week in a news release.

While your firearms may be out of sight, other items in the vehicle could be appealing enough for a suspect to force entry where they will discover firearms. Hunting-related items can signal the likelihood of firearms in the vehicle.

Thursday, Acting Sgt. Ed Sanchuk of the Norfolk OPP said he knows of no recent instances in Norfolk County where firearms were stolen from a hunter's unattended vehicle.

However, we have had an incident that I recall where a vehicle was entered and a secured shotgun with a trigger lock was stolen, Sanchuk said in an email.

With that said, the OPP always encourage vehicle owners to lock their vehicles and remove valuables.

The OPP offer the following tips to minimize the risk of vehicular break-and-enter:

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• Always roll up your windows and lock your doors when you are away from your vehicle even if only for a few minutes.
• Park your vehicle inside a secure garage if you have one.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a security alarm system, ensure you activate it when you are away from it.

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I know we should not be victims of theft by criminals but some of us do advertise we are hunters and that guns may well be in the vehicle or home. Its great to have OFAH decals in your back window of your pick up truck or any other number of gun rights logo's, but is it smart.

I agree....not to mention the anti-hunters/others damaging your vehicle while out hunting

In our neck of the woods, you never leave a vehicle unlocked. Even when running into a corner store for a minute. Thieves have been seen running over to recently parked cars at a store, and check to see if it’s locked. My truck has been broken into twice this fall. My video security has nice pics of the idiots….police just need to come across them.

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

I know we should not be victims of theft by criminals but some of us do advertise we are hunters and that guns may well be in the vehicle or home. Its great to have OFAH decals in your back window of your pick up truck or any other number of gun rights logo's, but is it smart.

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I agree that it's NOT smart. Every time I leave to go hunting,there's no outward signs that that's where I'm going. There's no firearm cases visible in the vehicle. There's so many people around who are on drugs and flat broke that they'd steal the reins off a nightmare. Having said that, I really question the wisdom of storing a firearm in a vehicle for any length of time when not immediately in use,but,especially,overnight.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

I agree that it's NOT smart. Every time I leave to go hunting,there's no outward signs that that's where I'm going. There's no firearm cases visible in the vehicle. There's so many people around who are on drugs and flat broke that they'd steal the reins off a nightmare. Having said that, I really question the wisdom of storing a firearm in a vehicle for any length of time when not immediately in use,but,especially,overnight.

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The pro-gun, pro-hunting decals can attract more than attention from bad guys. They have the potential of needlessly complicating a traffic stop should you be pulled over for speeding or a RIDE program.

Leaving a firearm in a vehicle overnight is also not smart and why when I'm hunting out of town the guns come into the hotel/motel room with me and are properly secured in the room.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

In our neck of the woods, you never leave a vehicle unlocked. Even when running into a corner store for a minute. Thieves have been seen running over to recently parked cars at a store, and check to see if it’s locked. My truck has been broken into twice this fall. My video security has nice pics of the idiots….police just need to come across them.

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Yeh when I was away hunting the wife's car was entered in the driveway, she had left it unlocked. the suspect just took loose change and no damage. I know up in Bancroft they are getting a lot of theft from auto, usual suspects homeless/drug users and generally grabbing what they can. Firearms are stolen pretty regularly up there from residential break enter and thefts.

Not only is not a smart idea to leave a firearm in a vehicle overnight, it is also ILLEGAL!
Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.
The official interpretation is: a vehicle is a means of transportation, NOT a storage device for overnight storage!

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Originally Posted by genec

Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.

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With a good lawyer...arguably in court , it can be justified for us as secure/safe storage (in a hunt camp).

Did they take their case to court ??

Another reason why I have zero hunting or gun stickers on my truck.

Had a buddy park on a sideroad to go into a county forest few years ago. Comes out to find his truck keyed on every door and driver window smashed out. Bow case in the ditch. He still dreams about catching them in the act.

Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by genec

Not only is not a smart idea to leave a firearm in a vehicle overnight, it is also ILLEGAL!
Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.
The official interpretation is: a vehicle is a means of transportation, NOT a storage device for overnight storage!

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Not according to That firearms lawyer, Ian Runkle.
He goes so far as to say a non-restricted firearm could be more secure if stored properly, than in a motel room, where you really have no control over who can enter when you are not there. He did a YouTube video about the issue……I always take our guns into the room with us…

I often pack the night before I leave for hunting in the morning.

However gun or bow is kept secured in my house and packed in the truck on my way out in the morning.

Hunting stickers on your vehicle might as well say "Hey Mr lowlife I have guns please follow me home and steal them when I leave for work"... lol

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

Not according to That firearms lawyer, Ian Runkle.
He goes so far as to say a non-restricted firearm could be more secure if stored properly, than in a motel room, where you really have no control over who can enter when you are not there. He did a YouTube video about the issue……I always take our guns into the room with us…

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Any time I'm away hunting and staying at a motel,my firearm(s) always come in with me. I have a locking steel toolbox on my truck that's excellent for carrying firearms and backpacks unobtrusively from snoops. It's also real handy for going through festive R.I.D.E spot checks when Police are shining flashlights into the back seat. There's nothing in plain sight for anyone to ask about.

I agree with the sticker thing Terry. I see way too many trucks with Ruger, Remington, Beretta or Browning stickers on the back of it - glaring target IMHO. For the controlled hunt we take the guns home with us but I sometimes leave my crossbow in the Chalet hanging on the wall because that is where we get dressed to hunt anyway.

Leaving your gun in your car/truck over night, would that not be considered carless storage?
Just saying

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Originally Posted by genec

Not only is not a smart idea to leave a firearm in a vehicle overnight, it is also ILLEGAL!
Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.
The official interpretation is: a vehicle is a means of transportation, NOT a storage device for overnight storage!

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I don't believe that is true. May have been charges laid, but I bet if fought in court they would have been dropped.
Many people tent camp, what is safer, locked in your car or left behind the zipper in your tent. Not everyone stays in motels.
I'd fight that charge all day long with 100% confidence I'd win.

What a bunch of nervous Nellie's. I am proud to sport OFAH, Friends of Hullet, Delta Waterfowl on my truck never had a problem. I've been stopped by RIDE programs with encased firearms in the backseat of my pickup never had a problem other than have a good evening sir. You can worry about this,that and the other things. Worry never solved anything.

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Originally Posted by lazyman

What a bunch of nervous Nellie's. I am proud to sport OFAH, Friends of Hullet, Delta Waterfowl on my truck never had a problem. I've been stopped by RIDE programs with encased firearms in the backseat of my pickup never had a problem other than have a good evening sir. You can worry about this,that and the other things. Worry never solved anything.

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Don't confuse "worry" with "prudence". Some of us know that the less others see and know,the better,especially,those of us who have been in law enforcement at some point. Would you hang a sign on your truck that advertises you have expensive jewelry stored in your home? It's never wise to "poke the bear".

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Don't confuse "worry" with "prudence". Some of us know that the less others see and know,the better,especially,those of us who have been in law enforcement at some point. Would you hang a sign on your truck that advertises you have expensive jewelry stored in your home? It's never wise to "poke the bear".

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Agreed, there is a big difference. I can't be home all the time to protect my stuff, so I don't advertise what stuff I have in the house. If we lived in a world with no crime, it would be a different story, but sadly there are people just waiting for an opportunity to steal your hard earned belongings.

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Originally Posted by lazyman

What a bunch of nervous Nellie's. I am proud to sport OFAH, Friends of Hullet, Delta Waterfowl on my truck never had a problem. I've been stopped by RIDE programs with encased firearms in the backseat of my pickup never had a problem other than have a good evening sir. You can worry about this,that and the other things. Worry never solved anything.

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Sometimes I go over the speed limit. That doesn't mean that one day I won't get caught.

One of the ways I don't worry about my car being broken into or being hassled by police is not parading my affiliations and associations on my car.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Don't confuse "worry" with "prudence". Some of us know that the less others see and know,the better,especially,those of us who have been in law enforcement at some point. Would you hang a sign on your truck that advertises you have expensive jewelry stored in your home? It's never wise to "poke the bear".

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Agreed….I got the CCFR rear window sticker last week and wouldn’t be posting it on my window, although I’d love to show my support

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Originally Posted by 73hunter

Agreed….I got the CCFR rear window sticker last week and wouldn’t be posting it on my window, although I’d love to show my support

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I still recall a restaurant up in a northerly area that had an ATM and a sign out front advertising the fact. When querying the owner about the advertisement out front. and the ATM he responded: It's nothing to worry about, we just call it bait. I would think displaying your CCFR might just deliver a similar notion, and convince any thieves to maybe give your property and vehicles a wide birth. Then again I argue it is firearm owners that help keep non-firearm owners safe, because if home invaders aren't sure who might have a firearm, they might be taking a risk of having to deal with a firearm situation, when they attempt to bust in.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Originally Posted by Gun Nut

I still recall a restaurant up in a northerly area that had an ATM and a sign out front advertising the fact. When querying the owner about the advertisement out front. and the ATM he responded: It's nothing to worry about, we just call it bait. I would think displaying your CCFR might just deliver a similar notion, and convince any thieves to maybe give your property and vehicles a wide birth. Then again I argue it is firearm owners that help keep non-firearm owners safe, because if home invaders aren't sure who might have a firearm, they might be taking a risk of having to deal with a firearm situation, when they attempt to bust in.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Other than those who are specifically looking for firearms. In that case those truck stickers advertise which houses are worth considering.

Not only is not a smart idea to leave a firearm in a vehicle overnight, it is also ILLEGAL!
Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.
The official interpretation is: a vehicle is a means of transportation, NOT a storage device for overnight storage!

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Originally Posted by FishHog

I don't believe that is true. May have been charges laid, but I bet if fought in court they would have been dropped.
Many people tent camp, what is safer, locked in your car or left behind the zipper in your tent. Not everyone stays in motels.
I'd fight that charge all day long with 100% confidence I'd win.

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X2 FishHog
Either there is more to the story -or.........

This is straight from the RCMP.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firear...aying-firearms
Leaving any class of firearm in an unattended vehicle

Lock non-restricted firearms and locked containers carrying restricted or prohibited firearms in the trunk or in a similar lockable compartment.
If the vehicle does not have a trunk or lockable compartment, put firearms and firearm containers out of sight inside the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
If you are in a remote wilderness area and cannot lock your non-restricted firearms inside your vehicle, unload them and put them out of sight. Attach a secure locking device to the firearms unless they are needed for predator control.


While i am not sure in the legality of leaving unattended gun in a zipped up tent though. Also i do not think it is really advisable .

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Originally Posted by gbk

Not only is not a smart idea to leave a firearm in a vehicle overnight, it is also ILLEGAL!
Over the past few years several hunters in northern hunt camps were charged for doing that while in camp.
The official interpretation is: a vehicle is a means of transportation, NOT a storage device for overnight storage!




X2 FishHog
Either there is more to the story -or.........

This is straight from the RCMP.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firear...aying-firearms
Leaving any class of firearm in an unattended vehicle

Lock non-restricted firearms and locked containers carrying restricted or prohibited firearms in the trunk or in a similar lockable compartment.
If the vehicle does not have a trunk or lockable compartment, put firearms and firearm containers out of sight inside the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
If you are in a remote wilderness area and cannot lock your non-restricted firearms inside your vehicle, unload them and put them out of sight. Attach a secure locking device to the firearms unless they are needed for predator control.


While i am not sure in the legality of leaving unattended gun in a zipped up tent though. Also i do not think it is really advisable .

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Unrestricted with a trigger lock, out of sight, in a locked vehicle is fine. I bet those charges were for guns left in the truck cab, no locks and truck insecure…..

To be honest, I have an OFAH sticker on my truck, it's the only one. It doesn't worry me one bit since if I'm hunting, I'm carrying my firearm and my gear is on my person. There's very few scenarios where I would leave a firearm unattended in my vehicle and it sure wouldn't be for long. Vehicles get broken into nightly in my neck of the woods and even during the day parked at plazas.

Everybody and their brother had a browning sticker and most of them never hunted in their life.

I think being low key in general is the best defense against thieves.

I miss the good old days of having a gun rack in the back window of my half ton.
Used it during hunting season. 30-30 hanging there.
No concern from anyone.
Deer in the bed of the truck.
Pulled into the parking lot of the local tavern and had a couple of brewskies with the locals.
The tales were tall and bragging rights even bigger.

What the heck happened to society?

My house I have no concern as It's almost impossible to tell if someone is here or might show up any minute. My friends are my alarm system.
My neighbour is over here quite often and watches the house when I am at work. His kid's come over to watch the chickens a best friend of mine stops by at times to borrow, return or loan tools and my hunting partner stores tools here and comes by quite often. cars and truck are moved around at times and left wherever I turned them off last and might sit there for a day a week or whatever. friends might call me to borrow my truck and leave their car it's just not possible to know if someone is here. Plus the cameras help as well.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

My house I have no concern as It's almost impossible to tell if someone is here or might show up any minute. My friends are my alarm system.
My neighbour is over here quite often and watches the house when I am at work. His kid's come over to watch the chickens a best friend of mine stops by at times to borrow, return or loan tools and my hunting partner stores tools here and comes by quite often. cars and truck are moved around at times and left wherever I turned them off last and might sit there for a day a week or whatever. friends might call me to borrow my truck and leave their car it's just not possible to know if someone is here. Plus the cameras help as well.

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Put anything valuable near the woodpile. That'll keep the buggers at bay!

What I gather from reading posts like this that there is a lot more stealing going on up there than down here in the states - I guess that is because when caught the crooks are given a slap on the wrist and let go and down here anyone entering a home to steal something can get shot - makes them think twice -

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Originally Posted by JoePa

What I gather from reading posts like this that there is a lot more stealing going on up there than down here in the states - I guess that is because when caught the crooks are given a slap on the wrist and let go and down here anyone entering a home to steal something can get shot - makes them think twice -

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There's a lot of theft up here for reasons you mentioned......the slap on the wrist thing. Make no mistake,though,home invaders can still get themselves ventilated by residences up here,too. Canadian law is full of instances where it's happened and in most cases after investigations are complete,there's no charges laid if all legal conditions are met. The prevailing general notion that Canadians aren't allowed to protect themselves with deadly force is nonsense.