I would like to know why Wisconsin fisherman feel like its ok to vandalize peoples belongings and steal just because we are from out of state? Do you really think you own the lake? Do you think you are better than others? Ive heard of people getting their tires slashed or deflated along with other things. I didn't think it would happen to me until last Friday. I was up fishing and while my boat was tied off so I could go get my truck and trailer, some jerk stole my $200 rod and reel off the deck of my boat! Real nice.... why don't you people grow up and stop acting like 10 year old girls.
Wisconsin Fishing Discussion
Theft and vandalizing
Yep, unfortunately, it's the world we live in. I lock my front door if I go to my truck in my own driveway (can't see my front door from the driveway). They say if a thief wants to get in, they will get in no matter what security measures are taken, and a lock only keeps honest people honest. Got news for for the reader: If it takes a lock to keep an honest person honest...then they aren't honest to begin with!
And as far as 50% of people being thieves, it's nowhere near that. Ten percent? Even farther from the truth. If I have ever "rounded up" on my timecard, if I have ever stretched out my lunch break, if I have ever given less than what is expected of me and agreed upon by my employer, I'm a thief, because time is money. When I am on the clock, my time doesn't belong to me. I sold it to my employer, and it belongs to him. The real percentage of the population who are thieves is closer to 100%. Now, if you want to make a distinction between this kind of thief and one who is characterized by thievery, that's easy sometimes but other times it's a grayer area....
Nevertheless, it's frustrating to the nth degree what happened to you. One thing is for sure: If we didn't have to take all these extra measures to protect our stuff, we could buy better gear plus spend more time fishing!
I like the feedback on this thread. I too believe the thieves are just opportunists....and would happily steal from a Wisconsin boat as they would an Illinois boat.
My experience is that the percentage of people that are thieves is less than 10%. If it is near 50% as claimed then it is time for God to end the world right now.
Bruno
If you around long enough you will find out about 50 percent of people are dishonest thieves. It does not have anything to do with being out of state. My own experience with employees and salesmen stealing from my company. When my Dad had his 6 hp tiller stollen off his boat. That was in Crivitz WI. I think if you are honest with yourself. You will realize that some of your friends steal stuff also. Pretty common people grabbing stuff from their employer.
Why do you say it was a fisherman? It was a thief, and wherever you are from, they make thieves there too. Your statement is rash.
I have had things stolen, trailer vandalized so my bunk fell and almost let my boat hit the road. It wasn't sportsmen that did this, it was the same sort of subhuman that is just waiting for an opportunity at every gas station, boat landing, parking lot, neighborhood - you name it.
Take a few weeks and think the whole thing over. Some form of what happened to you has happened to almost everyone on this site, and they did not do it to you.
It's too easy to place blame on the issuing state of your boat or car tag - i.e. you're an out of state target? Safe bet that if the boat had WI tags and unlocked gear it would of also been stolen...Thieves are equal opportunity opportunists...they're not going to pass up an easy grab due to where the person is from..
Rule of thumb for me is, if it holds any value, and unlocked, unsecured or unattended, someone will try and steal it. It's sad, but its the world we live in. I lock my truck when I park right in front of the door at a gas station, even if I only go in for a minute. I have zero faith or trust in people anymore. I always secure everything below deck and lock it away before I put my boat back on trailer. Even a minute out of my view is time enough for someone to swipe something.
Can't tell you how many planer boards I've returned to their rightful owners. Found a tackle box once with 2 credit cards in it. I drove it to the local sheriff's dept. I gave a crying kid one of my fishing rods when his got stolen from the bank he was fishing. And Holy Crap! I'm a Wisconsinite!
Thieves are among the lowest criminals out there. I put them right down there with pedophiles. It's a shame we can't shoot them if caught in the act.