Re: Trip report 07/28/2011 + Helicopter rescue

Mark, regarding " any " guns being illegal in the surrounding area of DCHS, I know there are certain times of the year that are the hunting season for various game, bird, deer, etc. So during those periods you will see hunters at times walking around with their guns, shotgun, rifles. I like you do not like seeing any guns at DCHS.

One time years ago I was driving home after a day at the springs and was on the open public dirt roads roughly south west of the Bowen Ranch. It was just after sunset and as I crested a hill up high were I could see the Victor Valley city lights I noticed vehicle lights coming in my direction up ahead of me. The vehicle came closer then stopped ahead of my truck, then a door opened and this guy started coming in my direction pointing his hand gun at me and he was yelling " stay in the truck ". It was dark so I could not see the vehicle except for the headlights and could not tell who this guy was. He came around to my side of the car and told me to put my hands on the wheel. At this point I didn't know if I was being robbed, or maybe something worse perhaps. Long story short it ended up being a Fish and Game officer who was patrolling the area and thought I might be a poacher. Once I explained my situation, where I had been, and he took a look in the back of my truck and saw I had only pooches he apologized and went on his way. Thats the only time in my life I have ever had a gun pointed at me.

I have been at DCHS on a few occasions where people with guns have actually fired them off. One day this guy had some sort of automatic rifle and he suddenly just fired it off against a hillside above the Arizona pool really spooking all the visitors sitting around. Thankfully I haven't seen myself anyone with a gun for quite a while down there. Would be nice if the USFS were more available and easily contacted to deal with people like you mentioned Mark, with those intimidating rifles with scopes.