Opinions On Returning Rock Throws

[VAfooter]

Instead of returning rocks, try candy bars or pancakes next time.....

[Guest BastetsCat]

Strictly an opinion, but I wouldn't do it, but for reasons you may not have considered.

It's just my opinion, but others I've talked to have experienced it in similar fashion as well. I don't think it's always about "aggression". In fact, there have been times when we *think* something has been tossed into camp around us, we simply haven't been able to see what it was: or if it even was a rock. The few times I've heard *what ever it is* hit and bounce, we learned to just go on and ignore it and continue talking and acting like we never heard or saw it. I think sometimes it's a tactic to literally see how WE (humans) react to things and if we're aware of 'them' hanging around our camp.

While I don't have stats or proof to back it up, it seems like on the nights when we've had something like this happen, by ignoring it, it both extends the time frame they seem to come in to *spy* on us, and may bring them in even closer as they ramp up some of their tactics to see what it takes to get you to react. If every time you hear a twig snap or you have something happen and react, or you've got people jumping up and running to the edge of camp (with nightvistion) looking off into the woods like they're on sentry duty, they'll back off. If you really want to extend possible encounter possibilities, ignore what may be their coming in and acting out. I think it frustrates or interests them even more and can ramp up.

If you jump to your feet and take a defensive sentry type stance, clearly aware that something is out there in the dark, they'll back off or just move on. It's awkward to just sit there and NOT do anything, but it can have benefits. (I M O)

I think that this might be why I have so many sightings....I simply DO NOT REACT. Ignore Ignore Ignore. By the time I do react they are acclimated to me. I grew up with older brothers, and learned that if you reacted they got worse....If you didn't react they stopped. That part of my childhood carried over into my adult years. I might react inside, but you don't see it on the outside.

Realize when they are throwing rocks that if they wanted to Hit you, they would. Squirrels are more random, so are coons.

By the way....Rocks work really good against animals. Training working with horses I used rocks. Gently toss a rock at the horse that is not listening on the gound and you get elevated to God status, "She touched me from over there...OH wow." No pain and no whip, but I got your attention. The psycology of it is interesting when you wrap it over to another species. The intelligence of tossing a few pebbles at a person without the intention of hitting them....I can't believe that just in that there are those that do not see the relation to human intelligence.

In my opinion,,, they are trying to freak you out. Depends on the individual. Kind of a Oh look at the hairless little human run. Similar to counting coup. Run up and touch your enemy and run away. Something to brag about, a story to tell later. What will they do if? Just how long do you think they have watched and followed, before they tosssed the first rock?

[ShadowBorn]

See V knows... these squirrels are dangerous....

fear the squirrels!!

Yes I fear the squirrels and acorns. But them darn acorns can hurt! yes those pesky chip monks. and woodpeckers.

[BobbyO]

Cool

I guesss it would have a lot to do with the circumstances....

The first thing I assume in my adventures or want to eliminate is am I dealing with a person.

I typically say hello if I'm dealing with an unknown.

If the presence persist without acknowledgement I'll let it be known verbally that I am armed and will defend myself.

The only time an encounter has gone beyond that, I did my own bluff charge in an attempt to get what I assumed was an animal to move, it didn't or it had already left the area.

If something was throwing rocks at me, again it would have to do with my perceived intent, and the context of the situation.

Just like my squirrel vid what I percieved was small pebbles being tossed into my camp, finally realized it was coming from above and what it was.

If it had been baseball size rocks whizzing by my head please see above.

I have yet to have a situation in my 40 some years of kicking around the woods that I've had to point a weapon at another human being to resolve a conflict.

I have been shot at point blank range in a different situation when not armed so I do have healthy respect for the responsibility that a weapon brings to the table.

Not sure if that helps and would gladly add more if I missed something.

It helps, thanks.

If you don't receive a reply to " i'm armed and will defend myself ", that eliminates a Human right ?

I think you'd be mad to, for example, have rocks being thrown at you, not to be able to identify the thrower and open fire, but that's just me.

If something is throwing rocks at you ( baseball sized ) it can only be something with a thumb, i'm pretty sure of that.

& for it to be something with a thumb it can only be two things in North America, a person or a Sasquatch.

Now bearing in mind that you are having to resort to the English Language to work out what one it is and it wasn't responding ( this is all hypothetical from what you said C ), i think you'd be a brave man to open fire at it ( your intent ) or even rush it as you'd be either shooting teenage kids screwing around, or rushing a Sasquatch which i don't think you'd do too well at.

Of course it could be the other way around and everyone would be a winner, but if it wasn't, you'd be going to jail wouldn't you ?

[Guest]

This is for the "knowers", or, "experiencers".

I believe this is a risky venture, unless your familiar with the BF your working with.

They are individuals like you and me.

Are you familiar enough with the subject(s) to not cross a line?

Do you know, for certain, this would not set off an overly aggressive response from your subject(s)?

I would not want to be trading rocks with a BF with a bad attitude, or, mental illness, only to find out after the fact, this BF doesn't have a sense of humor. They are far too physically powerful to be trifling with.

Just sounds like some of y'all are playing a form of Russian Roulette, if the BF are not familiar with you, or you, with them.

Please be careful, use good judgement, and, trust your gut.

Better safe than resting in pieces.

[Guest]

Yes, at one point my 4 year old had a good 30 pounds of rocks in her bedroom, finaly convinced her to only keep the smooth pretty ones, took it down to about 4 pounds. I can live with that! And yes, bags of leaves, feathers, etc.

On behalf of my sister the full time career geophysicist whom professors discouraged because she was only going to get married and have children: tell her she can keep all the ones that are not quartz or quartzite. That will whittle it down pretty quickly, as I recall from rock collecting experience as both a child and a parent of a rock collector. And she can keep them out in the yard or in a box in the basement......?

Leaves = larvae

feathers = bird lice

Edited January 8, 2013 by Kings Canyon

[Guest Cervelo]

It helps, thanks.

If you don't receive a reply to " i'm armed and will defend myself ", that eliminates a Human right ?

I think you'd be mad to, for example, have rocks being thrown at you, not to be able to identify the thrower and open fire, but that's just me.

If something is throwing rocks at you ( baseball sized ) it can only be something with a thumb, i'm pretty sure of that.

& for it to be something with a thumb it can only be two things in North America, a person or a Sasquatch.

Now bearing in mind that you are having to resort to the English Language to work out what one it is and it wasn't responding ( this is all hypothetical from what you said C ), i think you'd be a brave man to open fire at it ( your intent ) or even rush it as you'd be either shooting teenage kids screwing around, or rushing a Sasquatch which i don't think you'd do too well at.

Of course it could be the other way around and everyone would be a winner, but if it wasn't, you'd be going to jail wouldn't you ?

Well like I said BobbyO it's all about context, but I knew this is where the conversation was headed (sigh).

Let's just say the weapon I normally carry with me hiking has very little to do with any concerns with wildlife.

If your asking me would I shoot someone who is attempting to do me bodily harm, yes.

As far as Bigfoot goes I'm going to push the envelope everytime within reason, flush and find, I'm not trying to kill something when I'm snooping around, I want to know what it is.

Now if I think it could be a bear I'm probably not going to go rushing in, make some noise, throw a rock.

If a rock comes back then maybe move forward (see above)

If biggies there, my assumption is he could have done me harm a long time ago.

So I might be scared, might pee my pants and run home, but I don't think his intent is to do harm.

Buying into the premise of the situation, them being able to ghost right up to you, it's assumed on my part if hurting me is the intent, I'm just going to wake up dead LOL!

But again after 40 some years of hunting, fishing, hiking, all I've seen is deer, bear, squirrels ect.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Cervelo