I know your pain. My Dad has property just around the bend from the gravel bar boatlaunch. I'll have my boat sitting out ready to go for the next morning (well not anymore). One night last October my dog was barking up a storm and ran outside. Found my cat had been disturbed. Luckily they hadn't got to rods yet, and were trying to take the cataract oars off. My savior was they're pin/clips and take some know how (or a hard push) to get them off. I normally have them up on boat in pins with blades cinched down off back of boat. They had been untethered and sitting on ground as if someone was rowing it. I lucked out and no gear was stolen, but I'm ALOT more careful now. Especially being in a private area and having this happen.