Opinions on Arizona Collecting

[neominois]

I was thinking about heading south to Arizona at the end of July to the Pena Blanca Campground near Nogales Arizona for some moth collecting again this year.  I went there in 2008 and it was a great experience.

My question: Does anyone know if it is currently safe down there?  With all the trouble with drug runners and such near the border I've been hesitant on doing the trip for the past 6 years or so.  I was hoping for someone to be able to give an update on the safety of the area.

It is such a great moth collecting site...

Thanks!

[creationdesign777]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I went to Arizona in 2013 and 2014. I stayed around a month each time, mainly in Southern Arizona near the border. I also went to Pena Blanca. I was with some friends, but they did drop me off to set up my own sheet. I wasn't too thrilled with that, as I suggest you always have someone else with you. I will say this, that typically the drug dealers and other bad guys tend to want to hide away from Border Patrol, so when they see a 500Watt Mercury Vapor light, they aren't drawn to it like moths, they tend to stay clear of them because they are easier to see when the light shines on them. I did have an old SUV with two guys pull up to me awhile I was lighting. They asked me what I was doing and how long I would be there. They seemed really fishy to me,but I kept my cool. They had a whole bunch of gear in the back, some was covered. They said they were secret vigilantes for the Border Patrol, looking for drug dealers to bust, but I believe wholeheartingly they were lying to me. I chatted with them about insects, they asked about the other guys down the road lighting and said they would wait around for us to leave. I gave them a Gospel tract with candy and they went on, well and also I saw a Lethocerus I had to capture and that ended the conversation. Anyway, the Border Patrol guys seems to patrol a lot and are use to collectors. THe BP on the dirt roads are always really nice guys, just the interstate ones are jerks, so don't talk much. I am a people person and I guess they thought I had something to hide. They said their dogs smelled drugs on my car, HA! I have never touched drugs. It was the cheeseburger from McD's on the floor board I know. BTW the McD's in Nogales is a good spot for Terlooi Sphinx. But the BP always warn you about the traffic in the area. We can't control what people do, but I am alive because (edit). I am also not worried about going down again in the future. I don't believe any criminals should keep us away from our hobby we so love. I don't have a deathwish or anything, but I know where I am going when I die, so even if they killed my body, that's the worse they can do. They can't kill my soul!
I did have something else happen in Harshaw Canyon, I was by myself , I saw 4-5 BP cars driving down the road at a fairly high speed, only a few minutes after that, about 12midnight, I heard automatic gun fires going off and I said to myself it was time to go, because didn't want a stray bullet to injure me. 
Honestly I know all of this may seem some what uneasy sounding, but at the same time you are missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. To add some amazing insects to your collection. I do hope you decide to go. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, some form of defense, and a good friend. It's always more enjoyable with a good friend and helps makes the break down process of equipment easier as well. 
I hope I have helped.
Sincerely,
Jay

-edit by admin, no religion thanks -

[creationdesign777]

friend, if you have more questions about your trip, please email me at [e-mail], my days using this forum are over, thanks

[chrisw]

I went in July of 2014 and collected at Copper Canyon, Harshaw & California Gulch. I never felt unsafe. Even out at California Gulch.
Border Patrol went by us several times at Copper Canyon. When out at California Gulch we were with 5 other collectors. No problems what so ever. I am going back next summer.

Chris