Nature Boy Hiking Assaulted

**pistol p** · 06-07-2011, 17:32

Originally Posted by hikerboy57

see thats why I like to carry a blowgun and a few poison darts.

Hikerboy, I see that you, too, are a ninja.

**Hoop Time** · 06-08-2011, 10:39

Having spent many years as a cops reporter, I can tell you that there are very few random assaults. Most victims of violent crimes are targeted and most are committed by someone who knows the victim.

The biggest exceptions are cases where the victim is attacked during a theft, whether someone is home during a burglary, or a mugging/robbery on the street.

In those cases the perps were targeting something of value and the victim was "in the way."

I know we all think our hiking gear is very valuable, but in reality, crooks are not roaming the great outdoors looking to steal steripens and alcohol stoves.

For many years I have camped on fly fishing trips at a Pa. state park that is relatively easily accessible by car. Folks there routinely leave valuable fly rods and other gear unsecured and the only thing I have ever heard of being taken was a cooler.

That was recovered later the next day in the woods not far from the owner's camp site. The meat and food that was inside was gone. The cooler had big marks on each side and on the top from the claws and teeth of the bear that had taken it.

If carrying a weapon helps you sleep better at night, that is up to you. But the likelihood you will ever need/use it for protection is slimmer than a New York fashion model with a heroin habit.

**Buffalo Skipper** · 06-08-2011, 10:45

Originally Posted by Hoop Time

Having spent many years as a cops reporter, I can tell you that there are very few random assaults. Most victims of violent crimes are targeted and most are committed by someone who knows the victim.

The biggest exceptions are cases where the victim is attacked during a theft, whether someone is home during a burglary, or a mugging/robbery on the street.

In those cases the perps were targeting something of value and the victim was "in the way."

I know we all think our hiking gear is very valuable, but in reality, crooks are not roaming the great outdoors looking to steal steripens and alcohol stoves.

For many years I have camped on fly fishing trips at a Pa. state park that is relatively easily accessible by car. Folks there routinely leave valuable fly rods and other gear unsecured and the only thing I have ever heard of being taken was a cooler.

That was recovered later the next day in the woods not far from the owner's camp site. The meat and food that was inside was gone. The cooler had big marks on each side and on the top from the claws and teeth of the bear that had taken it.

If carrying a weapon helps you sleep better at night, that is up to you. But the likelihood you will ever need/use it for protection is slimmer than a New York fashion model with a heroin habit.

Very well put. Thanks.

**swjohnsey** · 06-09-2011, 13:38

Originally Posted by darkage

I sleep with an un-clicked blade next to my body, someone would have a rough night tryin to jump me in my sleep ... this is a very very rare occurance, yet by a punk ... still ... its very unlikely this would happen, yet the chance is still there ... otherwise this forum wouldn't be 11 pages+ .... but with trail journals and whiteblaze and facebook/twitter and any other source of information basicly within public reach, its the chance people take using those methods of updating family/friends ... you don't think this sort of thing will happen, but being prepared for it is a must ... be vigilant of those around you ... being caught by surprise is what will get you killed ...

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight.

**double d** · 06-09-2011, 13:56

Looks like NB has some explaining to do and he ain't been talkin' or so it seems.

**darkage** · 06-09-2011, 14:07

Originally Posted by swjohnsey

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight.

i hear ya ...

**weary** · 06-09-2011, 18:24

Originally Posted by darkage

I sleep with an un-clicked blade next to my body, someone would have a rough night tryin to jump me in my sleep ... this is a very very rare occurance, yet by a punk ... still ... its very unlikely this would happen, yet the chance is still there ... otherwise this forum wouldn't be 11 pages+ .... but with trail journals and whiteblaze and facebook/twitter and any other source of information basicly within public reach, its the chance people take using those methods of updating family/friends ... you don't think this sort of thing will happen, but being prepared for it is a must ... be vigilant of those around you ... being caught by surprise is what will get you killed ...

Neither in these 11 pages, and nor in scores of pages in similar threads, no one has yet reported an incident in which a weapon had protected them from harm.

**Pedaling Fool** · 06-09-2011, 18:44

Normally I like thread-drift, but find it irritating for two reasons on this thread. 1. Lack of originality, i.e. weapons on the AT...yawn 2. Normally thread-drift takes place after the initial issue has been answered, but I'm still confused about the whole thing. I have no more clue about this topic than when it was first reported.

**hikerboy57** · 06-09-2011, 18:55

Originally Posted by weary

Neither in these 11 pages, and nor in scores of pages in similar threads, no one has yet reported an incident in which a weapon had protected them from harm.

Thanks, weary, its about time someone brought that up. now lets see....

**Red Hat** · 06-09-2011, 19:17

Originally Posted by double d

Looks like NB has some explaining to do and he ain't been talkin' or so it seems.

He owes no one any explanation! He told what happened, then he went home to rest and recover. If you choose not to believe him, that is your problem. Why you think he owes you an explanation is beyond me. And anyone who knows Nature Boy will agree. He's no publicity hound. He's a quiet guy. Has been as long as I've known him.

**Red Hat** · 06-09-2011, 19:24

Originally Posted by double d

So what do we know now? Did NB get attacked or not? Did he (or someone else) file a false report to the police? Did he run off to Ohio for good? Fact is indeed more stranger then fiction.

1. Nature Boy was attacked
2. He did not originally file a police report, but when contacted by the local authorities, did give them information as to the incident
3. He went home to Ohio temporarily, but has since returned to Georgia

According to a mutual friend (with rescue experience) who saw him the morning after the incident, he had obvious injuries and a concussion. There was no doubt as to the attack.

**max patch** · 06-09-2011, 19:31

Originally Posted by double d

Looks like NB has some explaining to do and he ain't been talkin' or so it seems.

Why? Because some internet trolls said he was lying about the whole thing with no proof to make those allegations?

**double d** · 06-09-2011, 20:45

Originally Posted by Red Hat

1. Nature Boy was attacked
2. He did not originally file a police report, but when contacted by the local authorities, did give them information as to the incident
3. He went home to Ohio temporarily, but has since returned to Georgia

According to a mutual friend (with rescue experience) who saw him the morning after the incident, he had obvious injuries and a concussion. There was no doubt as to the attack.

Red Hat: Thanks for the follow up because I hate to see anyone attacked, especially someone hiking the AT. I'm glad that he has returned to the AT and we bring those who attacked him to justice.

**Lone Wolf** · 06-09-2011, 21:41

Originally Posted by weary

Neither in these 11 pages, and nor in scores of pages in similar threads, no one has yet reported an incident in which a weapon had protected them from harm.

Originally Posted by hikerboy57

Thanks, weary, its about time someone brought that up. now lets see....