Simple Methods to Ensure Your Outdoor Equipment is Safe & Secure

To the person(s) who stole the fishing gear from my garage on July 17, 2010: May you rot in hell. Strong words, aren't they? I have no tolerance for thieves, and would like to have used much more graphic language. Several explicit examples of improper grammar come to mind.

Last Friday, my garage was broken into. The thieves picked the low hanging fruit; they took a couple of backpacks left sitting on the toolbox of our ATV trailer. Within those packs was 15 years of accumulated fishing and outdoor gear. When we began to calculate the cost to replace the missing items, we were dumbfounded. It is amazing how much we spend on outdoor gear. Typically, quality outdoor equipment is amassed over a long period of time. A lure here, a lure there, it is tough to walk out of a sporting goods store without dropping at least $20. And when travelling, the savvy angler will always browse the local sporting goods vendor for specific lures indigenous to the area.

The problem is, many of the items in our packs were not replaceable. Like my dad's fishing lures or my grandfather's hand tied flies. Or the anniversary addition Leatherman I received as a gift several years ago. And then there's the Florida Gators sweatshirt I bought during our anniversary vacation last spring. Outrageously expensive - no. Priceless sentimental value - absolutely. I wonder if the people that stole our property gave it a second thought. Do they feel bad? Do they steal because they are poverty-stricken fishermen? I don't think so. Chances are, the knives & multi-tools will be pawned and everything else will be thrown away. So in the end, it is likely that they stole over $1,500 of outdoor gear to net $100 at the pawn shop.

Aside from the outright anger associated with the crime, we are concerned that the thieves will return. Our garage is packed full of outdoor equipment. A canoe, kayak, 2 pontoon tubes, a trolling motor, an ATV trailer, 2 motorcycles, 2 4-wheelers, tents, sleeping bags, life jackets, lanterns, tools, and countless other outdoor treasures are stuffed into our 2-car garage. My wife's fishing license was tucked into the pocket of her backpack. Listed on the fishing license is our address, her date of birth and driver's license number. This makes identity theft a realistic concern.

We live in a middle class neighborhood in a small town. I can remember growing up on the farm. We didn't lock our home or cars, and the keys were left in the ignition most of the time. Much has changed since then, and I fear we have not seen the worst. The methamphetamine epidemic that plagues the nation combined with rising unemployment and the worst economy in my lifetime creates a recipe for increased crime in every area of the country. Here are some tips to help keep your hard-earned property safe and secure:

Only open your garage door when absolutely necessary, and don't leave it open any longer than required. This will prevent would-be thieves from inventorying your equipment and seeing something that catches their eye.
Be sure to keep all outside light bulbs replaced and leave them on at night. Well lit property is less appealing to a criminal.
Keep vehicles locked, and don't ever leave valuable items in them at night.
If you have a toolbox on your truck, keep it locked at all times.
Always remove receiver hitches when not in use.
When you get home late at night from the day trip to the local lake, take the time to unpack your gear. Fishing poles, tackle boxes, and coolers left in the back of a pickup are irresistible bait for dishonest pedestrians.
Boats are magnets for thieves. Unless yours is secured in a garage or shop, store all contents indoors.
Use locking wheel chocks or other locking mechanisms for boats and trailers stored outdoors.
Do not leave garage door openers in vehicles parked outside of your garage. If you park outside, take them in with you every night.
When you travel out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to pick of your mail and paper and check on your property every day.
If you go on vacation in the winter, be sure to make arrangements to have your driveway and walk shoveled every time it snows. A foot and a half of accumulated snow with no footprints or tire tracks is a sure indicator of a vacant home.
Do not leave hide-a-keys in obvious locations on your vehicles or around your home. Would-be thieves will likely search for your extra key under the bumper of your car, inside the bed rail of your truck, under the doormat, on the porch light, inside the BBQ grill, and under the little frog on your front doorstep.
Get in the habit of conducting a security check every night before you go to bed. Ensure windows and doors are locked, garage doors are closed, vehicles are locked without valuables left inside, and outside lights are on.
Keep your homeowners or renters insurance current and ensure the limits are sufficient to cover the contents of your home and garage.
Install an alarm system if you can afford it.

Common sense, consistency, and diligence are the most effective methods of keeping your property secure. Why was my garage broken into? Because I was complacent and let down my guard. One of our vehicle doors was left unlocked, and the thieves used the garage door opener attached to the visor. The day before the burglary, our garage door was left open most of the day as we lazily prepared for a weekend fishing trip. Prior to the break in, my family had been diligent in keeping vehicles locked and property secure. But it only takes once. Don't let it happen to you - quality outdoor equipment should be passed down through posterity as family heirlooms; not stolen and pawned by thieves lacking morals and values, devoid of the pride and integrity that is inherent in most outdoorsmen and women.