I have had to confront poachers in my dove fields before, too. I live about 8 miles from a WMA and one guy (group of two) claimed he was on the WMA. I had a loaded shotgun and stayed in sight of both guys as we spoke. When I told him it was my land and he was trespassing he turned toward me with his gun. I purposefully moved mine towards him. He got the message and they left. Nothing escalated.

Fishing trespassers usually are not the potential danger. But once, my brother called and asked if I had given two guys permission to be in one of our small lakes. I said no, and asked the location, which was very near my house. It was cool, so I slipped on a jacket and put a .38 Special in the right jacket pocket. I walked up the highway about 1/4 mile to where a truck with an adjacent county tag was parked in the ditch. It appeared to be their vehicle. I broke weed stems and wedged them in the valve stems, letting all the air out of all four tires, then stepped into the woods. Making my way silently towards the water I soon saw them fishing from the bank. Between them they had 5 rods, AIR, in the water baited up. A stringer was stuck in the bank. I was within spitting distance before I spoke, startling them. They were two very fit and strong black guys. I asked who told them they could fish here. He replied he was told it was a public fishing area. I told him it wasn't, that it was mine and that they had to leave. They began reeling in. I asked what was on the stringer. He pulled it up and it held several bass and bream. I told him to take them off and throw them back in the water. He hesitated at that like he wanted to buck me. I had moved up to within 10 feet of him, and turned my back towards him partially, making sure he saw my hand on the butt of the S & W. He looked down and saw it and began throwing them back. He said that the last one on the stringer was already dead. I told him to throw him back too, that the cooters had to have something to eat.

They left, and I stayed there a few minutes. I heard the truck crank, and pull off, then immediately idle back and stop. I smiled to myself, and turned towards home another way.

Don't ever go without heat when riding around like this. Situations arise at the most unexpected times. If you aren't heeled, it could cost you your life. "Country ain't country no more". Drugs have changed the whole world.

SRH

May God bless America and those who defend her.