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Stupid wrote:Aren't glad that it didn't turn out in a different way? He could have just killed you, right?

TX Rancher wrote:But there have been cases where it was not a benign situation. Once, it was someone who fancied the tools in my workshop . Another time it was a poacher, equipped with a high power rifle and night vision (that was an interesting night in the woods) .

Mr S:

Possibly, but in both cases I would have bet on me, but as you state, nothings a sure thing…

All situations can be looked at from many different directions. What if the tool thief had a pistol? Then the situation could possibly turn out different. But the reality is, he didn’t, and my tools stayed where they belonged, and the would be thief left to continue his life elsewhere. Based on the outcome, my actions were fine…that is not in dispute, it’s a historical fact. Even if he had a gun, there’s no guarantee he would use it, or I would lose if he did…

The poacher…I really doubt I was in serious jeopardy. He was operating a very bright IR light, so I just stayed passive and followed him around with my NV gear (Gen 3 rifle scope and a MUM). He never knew I was there. If he looked like he was going to take a shot in the direction of my cattle, house, or horses, I would have fired 3 quick shots in the air, and I bet he would have hot footed it off the property. What I did learn that night is the tactical need to take a communication device with me. Most of the time, he was between me and the house, so I couldn’t get to a phone to call anyone. Stupid of me, I now carry a radio so I can talk to my wife (I’m far enough out my cell phone can be unreliable).

I’m not advocating that you go and investigate anything in your domain. Respond as you see fit…your property, your dependents, your call.

I’m also not stating going out and investigating is ultimately going to be the safest action, only time will tell. But pulling out of the driveway is risky too, and every time I get on a horse and enter the sorting pen full of cattle I take a risk. These risks are acceptable to me, but not to everybody.

I understand your points, and I agree bad things can happen. I just don’t see the probability as high as you do, and that becomes the decision point. If I knew, or even suspected there were 3 hardened criminals out there, armed with AR’s, of course I wouldn’t go.

I’ve got to admit, this has been a very interesting thread! I kind of like the ones where folks have strong, but opposite opinions…make’s for a rather lively debate .

My situation may be a little different then most of the folks who have answered so far. I have a little ranch operation (little being the operative word) so I don’t live in a town, LEO response would not be very quick.

I would say on average, I go to investigate “noises in the night� 4-5 times a month. The vast majority of the time it’s a raccoon on the roof, a calf separated from its mother, coyotes where they don’t belong, a skunk in the horse barn, etc. In many cases action on my part is required to solve the situation, so sitting in my house is not an option. They are also situations I do not want to bother the LEO’s with.

But there have been cases where it was not a benign situation. Once, it was someone who fancied the tools in my workshop . Another time it was a poacher, equipped with a high power rifle and night vision (that was an interesting night in the woods) .

Another time, it turned out to be feral dogs, and that was a very dangerous situation and proved the value of having a ranch rifle with high capacity magazines, a good flashlight, and a pistol.

Cattle rustling is alive and well in Texas. It’s a very lucrative trade since the stolen goods sell for high dollar, and there are not a lot of safeguards to detect stolen goods at the cattle auctions. When these guys show up on your ranch, in some cases there are a few of them, and their not adverse to carrying weapons.

Most ranch equipment is rather high dollar. My tractor cost ~ $70,000 and the baler was around $20,000 for the round and $17,000 for the square. Rakes cost several thousand…even a cheap post hole digger will cost $600 - $1100 new. All of this stuff is easily sold on the open market. In many cases, the same key works in a given manufacturers tractors, making theft rather easy.

I can’t put cameras everywhere on the property, it’s just not a feasible solution for my situation. Buying insurance makes a lot more sense to me. But that’s a different story…

The bottom-line for me is if I knew there were bad folks out there with weapons, intent on doing me harm if I show up, then I wouldn’t go. But that’s not been the case the vast majority of the time, only once have I run into someone armed with a firearm. When there have been folks out there with theft on their mind, and not armed with a gun, the situation was actually deescalated by me being armed, and leaving no doubt I would use my weapon if required. It’s amazing how looking at someone over the sights of a 45 can often change their demeanor.