HACKED BY CYBER-ATTACK - ALPERENBTN

[SurfRanger95]

Hows it going?
Been wrestling with this post for a bit now because I did not wanna come off wrong or seen as being paranoid; decided to hell with it -- so here goes:

I am beginning to plan a more southward trek down PINNs for my next overnighter . . . however, since I head out solo most times, was wondering how safe PINNS is say at the 50 plus mark to remain over night by myself. Reason I ask is because I have read some things on other sites regarding "suspicious activities" and some strange goings-on down there. Any truth to that? Sorry for asking such a question but safety is important. I would especially appreciate any input 'specially from you PINNS veterans to help a newbie stay out of trouble.
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"I don't wanna live on that kind of island, no I don't wanna swim in a roped off sea. It's too much for me, too much for me; I gotta be where the wind and the water are free." -- Jimmy Buffet

"GUINESS IS GOOD FOR YOU!"

[Big John]

I wouldn't stay by myself or with a group that far down PINS without a gun - don't forget to make sure you comply and it is not loaded.

It is very rare that you might be messed with, but there is a lot of illegal imigrant activity. They are more likely to mess with your camp during t he summer months when they are seeking water. Not as hot now, so not as big a problem.

Also, make sure the beach is wide and you have watched the weather, that way you don't get caught up in a storm related tidal surge. That water can come up to the dunes pretty quick during a strong storm - much faster than you can make it safely back up the beach from 50 miles down. So its better to make sure you have a wide area of beach were you can camp way above the high tide line if you plan to fish a frontal passage.

The biggest issue is all the nails in the hurricane related debris on the beach. Apparently, many have suffered flats, escpecially if driving the high road. So carry in 4 cans fo the large tire fix-o-flat, a small compressor, and a patch kit, and make sure your spare is in good shape. Seems like overkill, but I have seen posts on this board of people getting 3 or 4 flats on one trip, sometimes at the same time.
_________________
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish, he'll be broke and hungry the rest of his life!

John Sullivan
Native Corpus Christian
Currently Displaced in San Antonio

[Big Sherm]

Well I agree with Big John. I take a small firearm and leave the bullets in a clip real close to the gun, at night only though. Also if you are that far south and a storm hits and the surf is on the rise the best bet is to hi-tail it to the jetties and take the dune road just before the rocks and get to higher ground and wait it out. Plus you can fish the channel if you get bored waiting on the water to drop .

[Grandpa]

A couple of years ago, Federal Executive Magazine rated PINS in the top 10 most dangerous national parks. The problems sited were illegal aliens and drug running. The biggest obstacle sited was a lack of communications. The rangers radios are VHF and have limited range (approximately 20 to 25 miles) without hitting a repeater.

The scariest noise in the dark - a slide bolt on a 12 ga closing!

[southtxhunter]

Yep pack heat.... I'm usually packing. I fished to today and there must have been a border patrol Christmass party down there. At least 30 unmarked vehicles and a choper.

[51baldeagle]

Ask your self is it worth taking the risk going alone?I haven't bean over the 4x4 mark hadicap now,but to me take someone or let somebody like coastguard even park ranger you'll be out there,take it from a BALDeagle my pennie worth.of advice,hunted many moons ago in a ranch with illeagles crossing the ranch,you get a few that think very macho like and some that are very humble like any race. It's the
DRUG DONKEYS you should worry about they don't give a rats behind,hope I didn't change your mind just looking out for my fella fisher guy or gal .

[SurfRunner]

I camped out on alone around the 20 or so........There were no problems at all....just very very quiet and lonely. I might would do it up on the northern end but I don't think I will do it south.

[SurfRanger95]

Hey y'all: Thanks alot. Now I can plan appropriately and not have to worry bout breaking any rules. Will head down, fish the area in the day/evening and cruise back up the beach a ways -- at least till I can get me a fishin buddy or 2 to go with me. Thanks again.
_________________
"I don't wanna live on that kind of island, no I don't wanna swim in a roped off sea. It's too much for me, too much for me; I gotta be where the wind and the water are free." -- Jimmy Buffet

"GUINESS IS GOOD FOR YOU!"

[SportFisher]

I have camped alone on the North end when I only had a two wheel drive and nobody wanted to go with me and didn't have any problems. Get ya a 4X4 and you'll have more buddies....on a serious note though, if you are going to venture past the 4X4 sign, I would have a buddy, too many obstacles that you could encounter, not just folks, but debris, soft sand and mechanical problems. Get a CB, most folks monitor channel 1 on PINS.

Be safe and have fun!

See ya on the sand,
SportFisher
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See ya on the sand! Just look for a gray Ford F150 FX4, a raggedy Atlanta Braves hat and ya found me.....add a yellow Malibu II to that.

[TTRR]

the only thing you have to worry about past the 4x4 sign is coyotes
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Fish hard or fish elswhere!

[Yardgnome]

So, straight story: is it or isn't it legal to have a firearm in your truck/tent on PINS? I was under the impression that posessing a firearm (loaded or otherwise) on PINS is illegal. Not that I would or wouldn't have a firearm down there, I just like to know what exactly the rules are before I make a decision.
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"Never refuse to do a kindness unless the act would work great injury to yourself, and never refuse to take a drink-- under any circumstances." -Mark Twain

Hook 'Em

[RodBreaker]

[mako]

I have to say that the Park Rangers and my handgun have had first hand encounters with each other. I frequently go down south by myself and usually take a pistol, unless it is just a day trip with buddies. I was down early spring of this year and while we were yakking baits out, two rookie rangers pulled up and started their usual spiel. I was holding my 12/0 while my bait was being yakked out and the ranger kept insisting I show him my license, which I told him I would as soon as my bait was dropped. The ring leader was very new to the service as his partner was telling my buddies, he kept questioning me about my bait. Apparently he thought that using a Jackfish was illegal. Anyway, after he saw all of our licenses he asked if I had any weapons, which I said yes. Immediately I knew I should have said no. He grabbed me and threw me towards his car and then started tearing through my car. I told him that it was in a backpack behind the back seat of my suburban. He also asked if it was loaded, which I responded "Not in the chamber," another bad answer. After considerable time having my ID run for warrants and my gun registration authenticated, he luckily gave me back my pistol. He later told me that it was legal to possess a handgun, but it may not be loaded and the gun should be locked in some sort of container and the clips in another secure part of the car. Makes no sense to me, if you ever needed it and were following the rules, there would be no chance of getting it all together to defend yourself. But rules are rules and they are just doing their job but I have seen plenty of shady things go on down there and have run into at least 20 illegal immigrants over the years. I have never worried about staying the night down there, just keep an eye out for suspicious activities.

[Dos Pescadores]

[Hardhead]

There was a gang up at the North sticks also with a dog looking back in the dunes ..if I had to interpret what I saw it appeared that they were looking for illegals hiding in the dunes.
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"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?
I think not."
Hardhead / aka Garry Bujak