Gear theft of a different kind [ZZ from Wanderung Newslette]

Apart from being illegal, here's another good reason not to feed ravens, whisky
jacks, chipmunks etc, no matter how cute they appear to be: they might take more
than just your food.

Last Sunday a raven on Dog Mountain stole a hiker's *microspikes* from the top
of their pack. We've heard of ravens making off with bags of trail mix but this
is the first time we've heard of gear being stolen. We'll never know exactly
what the raven was thinking when it made off with a beak-full of red rubber and
metal; maybe it was attracted by the shiny metal, but our suspicion is that the
bird thought that anything sitting in the top of an open pack was likely to be
food and took a chance.

So how could a raven come to think that microspikes might be food? Most likely
because ravens have learned to associate people with food, thanks to some hikers
feeding them, and that food comes from backpacks (which may have been learned by
chance). Whatever the reason, it's worth remembering to keep your pack closed
when you're not getting out or putting away food, clothing or gear, and make
sure that food is never left unattended.

Personally, I've noticed that the ravens on the North Shore have become bolder
over the past few years and now readily approach hikers looking for handouts. In
some places they've effectively displaced whisky jacks as the bird most likely
to show up when you reach a summit or viewpoint. What's your experience? Has
anyone else noticed the same?

So, please - don't feed the animals! Or the next theft might be your iPhone!