What deterent for the unwanted visitor that prowls around the camp?

On our recent trip along the Gary Junction, Dingo's were occasionaly hanging around. I just sent the missus out wearing her best birthday suit and seemed to work pretty well.
I now carry a bait and lure caster with a few marbles just to protect the Dingo's.
I haven't hit her yet.

Hi Axle - what do you do at home? (That is assuming you don't live out in the bush like i do.) Odds on you'll be fair more likely to have a prowler or burglar in a suburban street that out in the sticks.

Des Lexic's reply gave me a good laugh.

Motherhen

In 3 yrs on the road we only ever had trouble at the caravan park in Devonport by a guy who was known to police for doing it before. Never ever felt unsafe anywhere else. Spent a lot of time in remote areas by ourselves. Not saying it doesn't happen. We were careful where we camped and if an area looked/felt unsafe we went somewhere else.
I've heard of people setting rabbit traps around their van. Having string with bells on them. recordings of a gun being cocked. Met one guy who carried a flare gun (for his tinnie of course).

Josh

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We just do not have any problems Axle..

MJ

Axle!! I hope your'e not thinking of defending yourself? I dont think that's legal anymore.. I think the laws are that you turn the other cheek and report it to the Police if you survive the ordeal. :) Michael

fire extinguisher is the way to go. either end would do the trick.

plus would be easy to identify.

george

A very worrying idea.

Hi Axle, I think most "Prowlers" around parks & camping areas are basically "Thieves by opportune" that is,they walk around see open vehicle scrounge for money,phones any think of value or venture into annex or outside van & see what they can help themselves to. Most won't try and carry off a very large Waeco or Engel but will most certainly relieve you of the contents!! A Dog is probably the best "Early warning system" even if it is only a little yapper!!! Be careful arming yourself & or setting traps!!! You may come under notice of the Police if things go pear shape...I think there is something written in the legislature about setting "Man traps"....the song "Copperhead Road comes to mind"!!! You can only meet or deal with the force inflicted towards you by the offender & it must be reasonable in the circumstances....if he comes at you with a lump of wood send him on his way with a long handle shovel under the jaw line ( I have a very sharp end on my LHS blade) If you catch someone ransacking your vehicle you cannot club him to death that would be disrepropriate to the circumstances...unless he was found by the cops with a very large knife in his hand!!! Remember if you decide to tackle someone first of all realise...we are not 19yrs old anymore...what if that person turns out to be persons!!or they get your Maglite baton torch off you and use it on you? I think a fire extinguisher is a good thing too...."Well Officer I am sure I smelt smoke"!!!! Don't fire weapons at the wild life!!! It's their country too. If Dingoes come around & rip into your rubbish expect to get fined for being a fool in charge of food/rubbish.

I usually keep quiet about my former profession on this forum, but for 36 years I was copper in N.S.W. and not in one place either.

Firstly, I'm dead against traveller's carrying firearms. They will get you into more strife, even if you and the weapon is legal, than you can possibly imagine. Even if you do shoot someone who is up to mischief around your camp it doesn't stop there. You will be greeted by some usually very polite young men or women who will take a keen interest in what you say, and they'll be accompanied by some people who closely resemble C.I.S. TV show operatives, the only difference with them is that they don't solve the incident in 35 minutes, commercials excluded, they'll be there for hours & hours. Then there the is a coronial inquiry, and quite possible a trail. So is it worth it? Taking another persons life is looked at very closely, and seldom do people get away with it.

A dog is a good idea, and I travel with two of 'em, but dogs have their problems also. You can't go into national parks with them, there are still caravan parks that won't allow them, and then there's the frequent stopping for them to go wee wee's etc..... I won't admit this, but my two are all bluff, and though they'll bark, I reckon that they would open the van up and assist the thief carrying my possession out the door. But people who are usually up to no good around a camp site are thieves of opportunity, that is move in quickly, knock off whatever they can, and get the hell away just as quick. So a couple of dogs tied up near the van can act as a very good deterrent. But don't let them run loose, clean up their 'do dars', and keep them under your control, not theirs.

Don't believe for one minute that caravan parks are secure either. How many people here have ever been challenged by park proprietors or staff when they walk in the gate, after being up the town? I don't see too many hands up in the air. So, when you go for a tub or go to the loo, leave someone at the site. Place your possessions well away, out of view in a place that's difficult to access, and that includes mum's jewellery, because they do need it travelling, as you never know, they might meet the Queen. So think security, and spread the cash around, don't have mummy holding all the readies in the 'big' handbag, because it's usually the first thing that's grabbed. Lock you wallet up in the vehicle's glove compartment, and lock the bloody vehicle.

When I'm travelling and I bush camp wherever I can, I NEVER stay within 15 km of an 'Aboriginal Town', and that's right across Oz. I always park so that the van's door cannot be blocked, as I've heard of instances where a vehicle will be parked across the van's door, thereby preventing egress, and the towing vehicle is broken into, and meanwhile you are powerless to prevent the theft.

If you do have an instance where something occurs don't stuff about looking for the number of the nearest cop shop. Dial 000 if you are in mobile range, let them work out where your help will come from. That's what they get the big bucks for, and don't concern yourself about the magnitude of the problem. Little things can quickly develop into big things.

One think that be used as a pretty good defensive item is your fire extinguisher, and every van should have one ready to rock' n' roll anyway. A face full of white powder will do wonders, and there's few after effects.

But I believe the best advice I can give anyone is this, don't compromise yourself, try not to camp alone, and if you are not happy with the place you have selected, find another.

You should know better Axle. It’s been done to death and I’m at a loss why we always have to have this persistent scaremongering about the “danger” of camping in the middle of nowhere where we end up with the standard response of “I sleep with my loaded gun”. If that’s what you do, I really think you need a valium and a lie down sport. A reassessment of your suitability to own a firearm might be a good thing as well. Bad people exist everywhere and yes bad things happen in the outback (usually perpetrated by a loony European tourist who’s liberated a high powered rifle from the dickhead who was sleeping with it loaded next to him!) but the incidence is rare and certainly a lot less likely than wandering down a city street. You are more likely to encounter the obnoxious drunk or even worse, inconsiderate generator user than someone who is out to do you mischief.

Sad to say but camping in a caravan park has the same risks of theft as you encounter in your own street. If you leave your valuables on the front veranda in plain view, they are just as likely to disappear as they are if left out the front of your annex. This is why most caravan parks caution you on entry with big signs advising you to be mindful and take responsibility for the security of your property. Mobile phone or GPS in view on the dash. The chances of it disappearing in any suburb of a major city are far greater than in Warburton, Wiluna or Tennant Creek.

How about some reasoned consideration. If you are that worried, travel with friends or in a group or do your research before travel and stay in recognised and well patronised camping spots (get a copy of Free Camps, you can guarantee any site selected from there will be crowded ;-) If there are like minded individuals camped out on the track, ask if you can join them for the night. Beats digging a bunker and standing shifts with your loaded gun waiting for the hoard of thieving , pillaging axe-murders to come charging over the nearest sand dunes as all Len Beadell Roads are renowned for ...NOT! Or, better still, stay at home and buildbunker in the back yard for the caravan. Now there’s an idea.

Yes, it is really common sense. And yes, do not think caravan parks are safe. Low life scum are about and they do target certain parks. Also being a retired copper, I know caravan parks where grubs were targeted fridge/freezers, no matter what the size. Good resale value! Usually from annexes or beside tents. And don’t rely on signs warning to lock up. Some councils will not allow such signs as it may put tourists off.
We have travelled a fair bit and the only time we have felt a little unsafe was in Borroloola and Katherine.Katherine we used an ATM and were followed by a car full of suspicious persons. We just kept an eye on them and went and did our shopping. They did not like being watched.Borroloola we went to a local boat ramp and suddenly a car load of suspicious males came screeching up. We just drove off and found out later that we went to the wrong boat ramp; that was their boat ramp. My point, again, just use common sense, it can happen anywhere, and in any country, but we always feel very safe when travelling.
I do recall reading a blog from way back about a security measure. Hang a Hells Angel jacket outside and leave a note saying that you are out testing your rifle’s scope and will be back soon....

If you are thinking about some sort of weapon...the law takes a very dim view of anything specificaly carried with the intent of using it as a weapon.

If for instance you produce a wheel brace from under the drivers seat, you are very likly to be zipped for carrying an offencive weapon because that is not where it is "normally stored"

But something that "came to hand" when you were threatened...Oh thats fine!!

The fire extinguisher is something I have looked at with a view to self defence for ages....have ya seen how much white powder comes out of one of those things.....but remember it all comes out very quickly..so if you are going to use it make it count.
The other thing is that if you dust someone with a fire extingusier, it is clear your intent was not to cause "grevous bodily harm".
That is unless while they are stagering blinded and choking you dong em on the head with the empty canister.

As far as dogs.......
If ya want real good deterant value, find a dog with different coloured eyes........quite a lot of people with "certain cultrual views" will not come near a pi-balled dog..they think its a "devil dog".

Some friends of my nieces, keep huskies (real ones) and they are almost all pi-balled......these domesticated dogs are soft and mild mannered...but the "persons of certain cultrual views" give them a very wide berth.

cheers

This constant thought of carrying a loaded gun, or a gun in peoples possession for self defense is a worry.
This thought process and those individuals who even think that way would appear not to be suitable people to hold a gun license.

I hope the mentality of this country is not heading down the path of the USA and its Texan attitudes!!

I do most of my remote area travelling solo and I have never had a problem whilst bush camping...but I make sure that I am out of sight of the road or track if possible and if I am not, then I may decide not to light a fire and am careful what lights I might show..I am also careful if I am camping between a community and township because of the likelihood of traffic on that track
If I am near or in a town, I will rarely camp in a camp ground but will often stay in a cabin if possible or even a Motel, Hotel or roadhouse.
As for protection, a fire extinguiser or good heavy torch is enough as already mentioned in above posts. Not that I have ever needed them.
I have a firearms licence but would never consider carrying a gun in the car....that would be not only crazy but illegal as well, unless you are carrying it to shoot on a particular property as a condition of that licence, also illegal to carry in National Parks.
The only time I felt threatened was in an Alice Springs inner city Motel where aboriginal youths roamed the Motel grounds half the night. I was more concerned for my car, unnecessarily as it turned out.
I am also careful when stopped for smoko or lunch.
I love my solo journeying and the remoter the area the happier I am. I'm an old fella and whilst I don't really fear anything in the bush, I drive safe, camp safe and anyone I meet on the road, be they black or white, I treat with the same courtesy and respect that I would expect in return.
Tony

Only experience we've ever had that came close to scary was bush camping on the Darling. Three o'clock in the morning and we wake up to hear a car idling in our camp. My husband wonders what took me so long to wake up. He's more interested in why I'm not screaming my lungs out than in the car (although he did admit later that he was starting to get a bit anxious). We heard some voices and after a minute or two they drove off. We chose to believe we were camped in their favourite fishing spot and they were having a discussion about where to go instead. Not everything has a sinister cast. Truck was open and keys were inside. Nothing stolen but we did decide it might be a good idea to lock it and bring the keys in the tent in future :-)
Good idea about the fire extinguisher, thanks.
Lou

I think there will be a run on fire extingushers tomorrow all over our great continent!!! Michael

The red-necks reckon that owning & carrying guns make for a safe society!

In that case USA should be the safest place to live. I don't think so.

Cheers Neil

ps: a tightly rolled newspaper can make a very good defensive weap...ummm...appliance used correctly.

Without posting a resume, I'll just say I am "educated" in this field....
As silly as it sounds, a lot of people leave their vans unlocked at night, so simple yet so many people fail to do it.
Tim

If you don't feel comfortable camping alone just don't do it.

As others have mentioned, don't camp near towns ect.

Most people who have guns to protect them selves end up being harmed by their own gun.

We have external Motion Sensors on the van that are activated before we retire for the night, one is a security light and the other is a controlled volume alarm that wakes you but dosen't wake the dead, (it can if you turn the volume up).

A couple of times they have been set off by four legged critters ect.

Both of these work off the 12 volt system in the van.

As far as protecting our selves go I have a Baseball Bat.

Cheers

Maybe I had better clarify that I don't take firearms with me when camping, before I get tied to the stake and burnt alive.

I am a hunter though and have no appologies for that.

Seems we get both ends of the spectrum.

Those who are generally afraid of being murdered in their beds, and those who seem to camp with no concern for their own safety or security.

It occurs to me like in most things if we take the basic and simple precautions we would in our own homes, we are statisticly most unlikely to have any trouble at all.

We need to know what we are doing, where we are going, don't leave our valuables exposed and lock stuff up.

Of course like anywhere.......looking less like a target always works...the more expensive and pretty your rig, the more you must have to steal....and the low lifes are less likely to take on a bloke in king g, a big hat & boots than a couple in fancy city clothes

cheers

Gday Axle,
Over the years I have carried heaps of items that could be used for self defense or a deterent...rifles, hand guns, baseball bats, tyre levers, knifes, wheel braces ,cattle prods, stock whips, and even a boomerang (I can hear them all screaming REDNECK!!!)
But I reckon the best deterents yet are my Dogs, (Akita and a Red Healer) and my mates........Ive been blessed with a bunch of the ugliest big mongrels for mates you will ever come across. For those that brave the dog ( big puppy he is) and venture into our camp usually take one look at the motley crew and only have happy thoughts......Hahahahaha

Cheers

Capsicum(pepper) spray , similar to the fire extinguisher but more grunt.