Our family’s hunting shack is no more.

[scotto]

This last week our family’s hunting shack fell victim to arson and burned completely to the ground. And with tribal deer opener just 2 weeks away it could not have happened at a worse time. The hunting shack was located in a somewhat remote location on a forest road about 15 miles from the nearest highway in the middle of the White Earth State Forest in northern Minnesota. At least once a week or so, through out the year, someone from our family would go out to the shack to mow the grass and check on the place. We never locked it as we never kept anything of value there and besides, if the door is locked some people might think that there is something of value in there and break in anyway. We never minded if ATV’ers or snowmobile’ers stopped in to get out of the elements. Oh there was a few times when we could tell that kids had been parting there and would bust out windows and leave the place a mess with beer cans all over. But up to now the worst vandalism had always been done by porky pines chewing on the siding. They had a taste for the glue that that was in the wood. My uncle, who is no longer with us, built the first structure back in 1974 at that time it was just a 10’X15’ room with 4 bunks. Since then we have added on 5 times and grew to 5 rooms with 20 bunks and a kitchen area.


Family


Last Sunday morning my cousin was at the shack to mow and re-stock the wood pile in preparation for this years hunting season. He finished up left around 0900 or so. At around 1800 hr he returned with a few other family members and it was completely down. It was ruled as arson with gasoline used as an accelerant. Who would do such a thing? There has been a group of hunters (and I use that term loosely) that are resentful that we (tribe members) can hunt deer 2 weeks before state opener. Most all non-native hunters we come in contact with are friendly and we have come to know them on a first name basis from seeing them during deer season year after year. But in the last few years there has been a group from the cities camping down the forest trail a few miles that make there dislike for Indian hunters known when they drive buy the shack. We always have a lot of meat hanging and that makes them even more resentful. That’s just my theory, but this is the time of year that they show up to scout out there spot and build stands.




We got a wall tent to use this year and a few campers so we will be there, hunting, telling story’s around the fire, playing cards, having a good time with family and friends.



Next spring we rebuild.

[EdNigma]

This last week our family’s hunting shack fell victim to arson and burned completely to the ground.

Any suspects, aka targets? This why I am all for booby trapping your own property. The "Well, what if a firefighter needs to rescue you?" screaming can just go flat. This is a shack, in the middle of the woods. Put up signs, "This joint WILL kill you if you get to close."

Or.. "We had problems with animals, so we electrifed the place. Sorry your robbing, law breaking son got killed. But hey, saved the US a ton of cash for jail time."

[Woodmonkey]

I'm so sorry that this happened, Scott. The spoilers out there are disgusting people.

[Harian]

Wow, that has got to suck truely sorry to hear about the lost but look toward the bright side at least you can rebuild & make it better then what it was before.

Hope they find the ones who did this as well.

[Anth]

Harian - I dont think its "how good" it is, I think its the memories in that place for Scott's family.

Sorry to hear of that Scott, but I suppose two weeks before hunting season is better than during it when you are likely to be up there.

[Snowden]

Oh, Scott, I am so sorry this happened! There are people in this world who really need to be kept apart from human beings. Whoever did this is sub-human. I hope they find the people who did it and put them in jail for it.

Good luck this hunting season, by the way. I hope you get your quota.

[herbstin]

Things like this are why I do not discourage people from refering to me as the "crazy old b*****d behind the hill", who'll shoot you.

Stay warm, have a great hunt, & get your limit.