How Low Can Someone Go?

[Bruce L]

My Father got a call from his life-long friend last night, he taps about 80 buckets to show his grandchildren how to make syrup, enjoys making a little syrup for himself. Sometime during the night some low-life stole 28 buckets,lids and spiles from the trees in front of his driveway along the road, turns out another sugarmaker down the road also lost some buckets. I guess buckets for scrap metal might get you a "fix"? My son asked me today if we were gong to put our buckets up at the road, I did tap them today but hopefully these low lifes aren't in there when I am going into the bush, my rifle might not agree with their vehicle, but then I would be charged instead of them. Also if I were to catch them they would probably come back and ruin the pans or burn the sugarhouse down, as they have nothing better to do and wouldn't want to work for anything like the rest of us do.

[brass maple]

BruceL
Sorry to hear about the loss of your stuff. Hopefully karma will pay them back. It's best to keep your head like you said, no sense going to jail. Leave the rifle home and bring a camera. Grand kids can't help make syrup when you aren't there. Keep you head up and make lots of syrup.

Matt

[John c]

Very frustrating indeed!

[buckeye gold]

It is sad what thugs will do. My family quit sugaring in the 90s when some punks burnt down the shack. They were mad because they got run off from the property for riding 4 wheelers through the lines. My cousin just didn't have the heart to rebuild and none of his kids wanted to sugar. I missed the syrup so that is why I started my hobby operation in 2008. From my father to my cousins they had around 20 years invested and it was all gone in one night.

[jrmaple]

Had the same problems, not just with maple related stuff, also other farm equipment and products; this year I put a trail camera on my vacuum system that is off of a road away from the main farm, I'm not worried about them stealing the tank as it is almost too heavy to move with a backhoe but more worried about the vacuum pump, releaser, moisture trap and vandals… We have tried it all, best thing to do is either to just scare them away and verbally teach them a lesson (but always be prepared for the worst) or use a camera like brass said and also get their names, license plate, and call the cops if you can (not that they will do much about it in such a small case). Best of luck.

[KV Sappers]

There certainly are a ton of low life's in our world. Hopefully their due karma will come soon.

[saphound]

That's pretty darn low. You know, being new to this I was wondering about theft when I discovered how much all this equipment costs...even new buckets with lids are expensive. Trail cams definitely a good idea. I've had a problem with low lifes dumping all kinds of junk on my property along the road where they throw it over a steep bank and take off. I put up a sign that said "Smile For The Camera". There wasn't one, but it's worked pretty well. Just an idea.

[maple flats]

Don't think your tank is totally safe either. A couple of years ago, some tanks were cut up presumably for scrap and stolen. As others have said, some people have nothing better to do. My guess is that we, the tax payers even pay for their food, housing and cell phone too.

[Tom59]

That sucks for sure. Just a thought, how bout using plastic buckets near the road? Dont think plastic brings too much at the scrapyard these days.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

canadians can have guns? sniper them shoot the engine and then run hide the rifle what are they going to say, umm mr mounted officer i was stealing these buckets when some one shot my engine block.
I most likely have my SKS with me in the woods and a pistol you never know when you might be attacked by a coydog or mountain lion or druggy