Deer stand thieves caught on camera in Duluth

In the public woods of Duluth, someone has been stealing components of deer hunting stands during this year's city archery hunt. But they forgot to steal the nearby trail cameras set up with them.

Photographs of at least two thieves in action were posted to the Duluth Police Department's Facebook page this week, along with a call for information.

The owner of the equipment, Matt Haas, said the mobile stands were not taken, but the "climbing sticks" or ladders used to get up to them were removed.

It's not the first time some of his equipment has disappeared, though he usually locks most of it to the trees. Hunters are allowed to leave equipment on public lands overnight in the Duluth city hunt, he explained. The model of climbing stick he was using this year would have required several locks.

"This is the first time we were actually able to get a photo of somebody," Haas said. "I think if they would have seen the camera they would have taken the camera for sure."

The thieves include at least one man and one woman, according to the photographs. The bandits wore bandannas on the lower halves of their faces.

Haas said he's guessing the thieves are "anti-hunters, just walking around the woods, looking for stands, looking to make people's lives harder."

Duluth Police Lt. Mike Ceynowa said it's difficult to assign motive.

"You never know the intent," he said. "We haven't had any protests about our city hunt."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Duluth Police Department's Property Crimes Unit (218) 730-5160.

Pam Louwagie • 612-673-7102