Reported Booby-Trapped Trails Pose Risk For Idaho Hikers

Hiking and mountain biking are two activities many Idahoans enjoy taking part in during the warmer months. There have been numerous reports of people booby-trapping trails throughout the Pacific Northwest for what is believed to be a response to the increasing population booms in states such as Idaho.

Utah and Idaho are two western states that are experiencing population booms presently. Fed up residents of surrounding states are leaving to escape the high costs of living and buying property elsewhere, and some locals are taking exception to this reality and playing a dangerous game.

Can you imagine taking a hike at a new spot and coming across a chest-level portion of barbed wire strung between two trees, or wood blocks with nails protruding up from beneath the dirt? People are using nature to sabotage others with the goal of causing serious injuries.

Booby-Trapped Trails Reported Along Washington, Idaho Trails

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This practice of concealing potentially life-threatening objects along hiking and biking trails with the intention of injuring or killing someone is the act of a very troubled person. Reports of these booby-traps have surfaced in Washington State and Idaho, and luckily, no one has been seriously hurt as a result.

READ MORE: Warning Issued For Idaho Hikers

Landowners in these states have been responsible for hanging threatening signs along trails to warn people to keep away, but arming public space with dangerous, handmade items meant to maim people is breaking the law.

Please be careful this summer when out on trails and watch out for anything that looks out of the ordinary. It's perfectly acceptable to contact local police if you find a makeshift object in a public space that was obviously created to inflict bodily injury.