Potential hunting site turns out to be a squatters den

[Jeffrey]

Thanks to my job I get a lot of chances to spot potential hunting sites in my home state of New Jersey. Scouting is a definite perk to driving for a living!

On Saturday, I was working in the Northwest corner of the state and drove through a ski resort town. I passed by an abandoned, mostly boarded up church on the corner of two major roads, and wanted to check it out.

As I pulled into the drive, I noticed two men entering the church through a broken window. I pulled right back out. Better safe than sorry, right? I told one of the locals what I had seen, and they informed me that the old church is a rest stop of sorts for drifters and runaways.

Unfortunately, I'll just have to wonder what the grounds may have given up. Unless I hear that the police cleared the place out, I won't be returning. I've gotta put my safety first. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that all or even most homeless people are dangerous, but I'm not about to go back and find out if these particular squatters are.

I appreciate any comments you might have. Thanks, and HH!

[RobbieD]

You did, and are doing absolutely the right thing. You can't be too careful these days. Hopefully, the chances are that the cops and/or the property owner will clear out the squatters one day, and you'll get a shot at it.

[Kentfb]

Sounds like the smart thing to do.

[Buster]

Jeffery, you did good...better not to take a chance...your time will come at that spot....Buster........

[Ric-san]

Jeff...small world. Kinda same same thing here in Fl today. My neighbor and I hit a few choice spots today and a local man came over bright and early to meet/inquire what the hell we doing today...So we tell him as this was a older site kinda overgrown. Anyway we introduce ourselves and we start to shoot the breeze and come to find out this gentleman grew up in our town...he helped us catch up on some of the history and then he recommends a site right around the corner that use to be a older baseball field for the local kiddies. Anyway, my buddy and I thanked him and made a beeline strait there. We are working this site and walk around swinging our md's and we happened to meet in what would have been the right field foul line (severely overgrown as this hasn't been used in what seems to be decades...) and my buddy tell me of a campsite...we walk over and it seems a homeless person was there not too long ago. Clothes were hung on hangers, garbage was in a bag hanging from a tree, camp fire built with fresh kindling wood, etc. Well as we stood there and gazed from this spot strait ahead and had a clear view of about 250 yds. to the car we had just gotten out of 1/2 hour previously...I guess the moral of the story is to be prepared...keep a swivel head and be careful...

[Jeffrey]

Thanks for the replies, all.
I was more surprised than anything, to tell you the truth. The area I was in was practically the last place on earth I thought I'd see drifters. I guess it goes to show that we can't take anything for granted, and to expect the unexpected - always...

[EBCIII]

For sure Jeffrey you did the right thing. Much better to be safe for sure. I have felt that way on some spots myself. It pays to be careful, Beale.

[certified male]

With people stealing copper right out of functioning homes when the owners go out of town, they may not think twice about rolling you. You did the wise thing. You don't want you tombstone to read " He died doing what he loved ". Better to look and drive away so you can live to MD another day!

[The TINMAN]

Asolutely the Right Thing to do ! ya can't be to careful these days and if ya saw 2 there are probably more so Good for You for being Cautious and Smart !!!!!!!!

[Digging Fool]

Churches can be a fine thing(in more ways than one). I often find it ironic that some folks in my community go to Church every Sunday, but will put a knife in your back on Monday. Homeless folks may be a little better than some of the ones that don't have to enter through the window.........Food for thought, anyway. Of course the fact remains that in reality, we don't REALLY know who we can trust. Better safe than sorry.