Anna Coles suggested that there might be unsavory types in the Capitol
Forest area, so I checked with the Thurston Co. Sheriff's Office. The
guy I talked said to stay out of the Lewis Co. side of the Bald Hills,
because there's a pretty active militia group in Lewis Co. that uses that
area, but he didn't know of anything going on in Thurston Co. However,
there have been reports of unsavory types--individual louts, not
organized--shooting up the woods and doing some vandalism in the Capitol
Forest from time to time.

Thanks to all who have responded to this thread. No, I don't know of
anyone who's been killed or injured in an encounter, and yes, there are
all kinds of other dangers in the great outdoors. But I go out birding
for pleasure, relaxation, re-creation; and I'd prefer to avoid anything
that might interfere with that pleasure. :-)

Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794