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Meth labs pose new brand of threat to hunters, wildlife

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By Chris Bates | Thursday, October 19, 2006 |

AFTER receiving a disturbing e-mail last week, I thought I would share my thoughts with my fellow outdoorsmen on an issue that is all too real.

The e-mail explained the dangers of deer hunting, turkey hunting and rabbit hunting as well as fishing in the backwaters of the Mississippi River and streams. So, of course, I was wondering how this could be dangerous.

As I continued to read the e-mail, it became clear to me that we have lost a part of the outdoors to the criminal element. We outdoorsmen take every precaution when we head out to our favorite tree stand, ground blind or our backwater trout stream without ever considering being seriously injured by stumbling upon our worst nightmare — the meth lab.

Because of the seclusion in wooded areas, this has become a breeding ground for this type of dangerous criminal activity.

After looking at the map of Iowa broken up by counties, I was in awe of the concentration of meth labs in some of our more popular hunting and fishing counties.

Blackhawk County leads the way with 67, and Dubuque County has 28. Both counties are hunted heavily for deer and turkeys.

I have heard stories about deer hunters in their tree stands who have had the owners of meth labs walking right underneath them. This is obviously not a safe situation for the hunter.

Please do not take matters into your own hands as these dangerous criminals will protect their operation to the fullest and I am sure you know what that means.

Should you see one of these operations while wading your favorite trout stream or walking to your tree stand, simply leave the area and call 911 or get to the closest law enforcement agency.

We outdoorsmen have enough to worry about with shrinking land to hunt on, the animal rights activists and now the criminal element in the areas we hunt and fish.

Spending time in the great outdoors is one of the greatest gifts Mother Nature could provide for us as well as the future for our up and coming outdoors youth. Just be aware of your surroundings. It might just save your life.

Chris Bates hosts “Hunting he Midwest” on (1230 AM) Thursdays at 6:05 p.m. He can be contacted at ChrisBates227@msn.com.