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lalan45
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# Posted: 20 Dec 2025 10:02am
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We’re in the middle of stripping down a 1970s hunting cabin in northern Wisconsin, and right now it’s completely down to the studs. New windows are coming, but the place sits right along a dirt road that doubles as an ATV and snowmobile route, so there’s regular traffic passing by.
The cabin has a history of break-ins (even before we bought it in 2020), and our shed was hit again just this past February. There’s no electricity anywhere nearby, which really limits alarm or camera options. At the moment, we’re using exterior plywood panels on hinges, bolted through the window frames and secured from the inside with wingnuts. It works, but it feels more temporary than secure.
I’m trying to figure out a smarter, tougher way to protect the place while it’s under renovation and unoccupied for long stretches. Has anyone dealt with a similar off-grid setup? I’d appreciate any practical ideas that don’t rely on power or constant monitoring.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 20 Dec 2025 01:50pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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What you’ve done sounds pretty good. (Those hinges can’t be just unscrewed?)
However it is in a way a fun challenge to defeat or scare away the criminals, so you can always do a bit more. I’d say your biggest concern would be securing tools and equipment and new appliances. Driving all the way there to only find that you’ve been robbed of critical tools would ruin a whole trip.
Rule #1: Don’t use basic hasps or regular padlocks on anything. We’ve learned that a pair of bolt cutters or a small pry-bar makes them totally useless.
Buying a small shipping container might be the best bet. Add a protected lock.
For small stuff could you plan (build in) a way to securely chain them down in a spot that would be overlooked? eg. Make one of those fake wood-stack hiding places.
Maybe leave a visible gap somewhere so snooping people could look inside and only see an empty space. “Nothing of value here folks. Move on.”
Maybe put up a couple cheap old security cameras that appear to be connected or transmitting. Mount them high and fake it all. Put up a couple small cheap solar panels with wires going to the cameras and then a line going to a little metal box or something that makes it look like it’s transmitting. Mount a small siren too maybe??? Then of course, add a couple “you are on video” signs.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 20 Dec 2025 02:35pm
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I carry mission critical tools with me back and forth (well, I may need them at home too, right). The rest I have to consider are expendable because there is NO way I can secure a remotely sited cabin from determined thieves. The cordless/bat op tools now can defeat ANY lock or hingeset or even cut through a wood wall Quickly!
I do love the remote aspect but it sure gives all the cover for extended time if someone wants to rob.
You being exposed as you are to that multi use dirt road is just BAD.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 20 Dec 2025 02:56pm
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Consider anything not bolted down bait for theifs and cover the place in cameras. I have a very cheap PTZ solar cellular camera I got on amazon 2yrs ago. It works well and with an Eiot club sim card cost me $120 a year. I also used $25 Walmart tasco cameras. There going on 5yra but need lithium AA batteries to work in winter.
If you dont have a gate and block any way onto the property I would do that.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 20 Dec 2025 04:02pm
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Our place is on a lake. Fully accessible especially in winter off the frozen lake.
Cameras like alarm signs have limited value due to hoodies, masks, darkness, etc. nonetheless they are better than nothing.
Unfortunately the best we can do is limit the value stored out there and make the sheds, garage and boathouse visibly more difficult to get into. So have replaced the old and damaged wood doors with steel doors, reinforced, shielded hasps and the like.
A cabin in the subdivision next to our property resorted to adding a hidden pull-cord to un-pin their boathouse door. A crook could grind off the lock and hinges and it would still be hard to open.
To reduce our insurance costs we’ve removed insurance off several buildings and their contents. We’ll just swallow any cost from loss.
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