Just south of Van Horn... lock or no lock cabin..

[mamabearCali]

Bilingual sign: Live rattlesnakes loose in side.

Seriously though, if it is those just passing through, a can opener with cans of beans and an unlocked door might be your best bet to avoid damage. If it is drug dealers then there is nothing you can do your cabin is toast. In any case I would have the Sherriff drop by just before you plan on coming if you can. Don't want to surprise any unfriendly.

[WildBill]

Bilingual sign: Live rattlesnakes loose in side.

[Tallinthesaddle]

Are there any other structures or residents nearby? That might be an asset. Used to work on a farm/ranch NE of there. Nice scenery for mountains and desert. Have to take your own water?

[RoyGBiv]

This thread is depressing me.
The utter failure to control our southern border.

[i8godzilla]

Bilingual sign: Live rattlesnakes loose in side.

Seriously though, if it is those just passing through, a can opener with cans of beans and an unlocked door might be your best bet to avoid damage. If it is drug dealers then there is nothing you can do your cabin is toast. In any case I would have the Sherriff drop by just before you plan on coming if you can. Don't want to surprise any unfriendly.

I would say leave it unlocked. I have no first hand knowledge of where your cabin is, however, we do have some experience with unattended property.

We have a small cabin near Sequatchie, TN. We used to keep it locked down with the windows boarded up and the only door locked. Every time we went back the front door had sustained damage and the cabin had been entered. One time they ripped out all of the copper wiring. There is a full-time resident nearby but he was unaware that anyone had been there. Because of the elevation the county has a water tank and access easement so there is regular traffic to the property. We built a small shed out of concrete block and had the water and electric connections put there. We have not had an issue with it being vandalized. In the summer of 2010 we decided to leave an old RV trailer on the RV pad we had there. Well, last February (2011) we checked in on the property only to find the RV gone. We contacted the local sheriff and discovered that they had confiscated the the RV. If seems that it was being used as a meth lab. We could file the proper documents to get it back but they told us we would not want it back. After seeing the pictures they were right. When it comes to the drug trade, all bets and common sense get thrown out the window. It does not matter what side of the border.

[RioGrandeShooter]

I found a guy north of me that says for rights to hunt on it, he'll check in on it for me..

[speedsix]

...good plan...that'll work...

[i8godzilla]

I found a guy north of me that says for rights to hunt on it, he'll check in on it for me..

That sounds great!

[RioGrandeShooter]

UPDATE..

I found these.. they have a 2 1/2" BOLT length to go thru the door frame directly and into the 2x4 framing (not using the metal thing)..

Do you think 2 of these (with padlocks).. 1 top (going up into header) and 1 bottom (into floor) in addition to deadbolt and locking knob would deter most people??

[jmra]

UPDATE..

I found these.. they have a 2 1/2" BOLT length to go thru the door frame directly and into the 2x4 framing (not using the metal thing)..

Do you think 2 of these (with padlocks).. 1 top (going up into header) and 1 bottom (into floor) in addition to deadbolt and locking knob would deter most people??

Locks just tell them there is something of value. Nothing will keep them out if they want in.

[RioGrandeShooter]

I understand the if they 'want in' theory.. I just want prevention by stragglers whom would say no worth the effort..

There is nothing showing.. would a note saying EMPTY and NO HAY AGUA in spanish/english be better??

[fickman]

Too bad booby traps are illegal. . . I'd vote for a door that closes, locks, and calls the sheriff after they enter.

I'd be afraid that too much reinforcement of the door will cost you a skylight.

[RioGrandeShooter]

Too bad booby traps are illegal. . . I'd vote for a door that closes, locks, and calls the sheriff after they enter.

I'd be afraid that too much reinforcement of the door will cost you a skylight.

The skylight is 12' up near the peak of the roof.. you'd need a ladder or someone to lift you.. but yeah.. I hear you..

I'm 1-2 miles past cell coverage otherwise I'd get a game camera that emails/SMS pics to me with motion..

[jocat54]

Locks only keep the honest thief out

[speedsix]

...I'm not being smart-alec (this time...) when I say you'd be money and peace of mind ahead to buy an old short bus and convert it to a hunting vehicle...anything you leave in the woods is going to be destroyed in all likelihood...I've got friends who've had entire deer feeders and tree blinds stolen...even native born Texans aren't what they were 20 years ago...the days of no locks and leave it better than we found it are no more...