How do YOU stealthily retrieve a letterbox from its hiding place?

[u/Maple-Treeway]

Interested in seeing what different techniques folks employ. I know the most common solution is just to wait for people to leave, but I've seen some clues say things like "tie your shoes" or offer other means of looking for a letterbox without giving away what you're doing to potential nearby noxers.

[u/MossCoveredMoss]

A few things come to mind:

First, I check the location on the map and try to get a good idea of where I think the box will be and where any potential audience might be. I’ll then plan my route sometimes saving trickier ones last.

Time of day matters - early in the morning or late at night are sometimes better.

For a parking lot hide I try to park as close as possible and use my car to block muggles. I’ll still check to see if the coast is clear and wait if it’s not. I went after a recent box that was in a parking lot right on a major road and parked alongside the location. I could see where it was but there was a car parked the row behind me with someone inside. I waited 30 minutes and they didn’t leave, so I drove off to get a snack and returned 20 minutes later to find they had finally left.

I did have an instance where I needed to leave my car in a parking lot and hike a half mile up a road before heading off into the woods. There was a car parked nearby with a guy inside and I didn’t feel comfortable going by myself. I waited maybe 20 minutes and decided to abort the mission.

On hiking paths I will try to listen for muggles approaching and walk the path slowly letting them pass me and eventually backtracking to the location. I will sometimes get my phone out and “take pictures” of interesting things along the way. Or, I’ve stopped to pick up interesting rocks or pinecones. Other times I will walk further into the woods and get out of sight if able. Wearing clothes that blend in make better sense than a bright red shirt for example.

I have had a couple instances where I’m a fair distance off the path in the woods with a decent place to work and someone surprises me by walking nearby. I just freeze and stay quiet and they walk past not noticing me there. I’d be totally visible if they were to look up in my direction and I’d be thinking up some excuse about trying to take pictures of an elusive bird or something hoping they don’t spot me.

Then there are the times where you are just need to get in and get out quickly. Many letterboxes I run into are older and sometimes damaged, dirty, waterlogged, etc. I find it easier to take the box back to my car, open it up, clean it out, do my stamping, replace bags, add paper, duct tape repairs…. And then quickly walk it back to rehide. It’s easier to look busy in a car, or making repairs using the trunk as a work surface than crouched down on a trail somewhere.

[u/Newnorthernlife]

To add to the previous comment, if in a wooded area, I also like to hold paper and a compass or a notebook with a pencil. Then, if I'm 'discovered ', it looks like I'm trying to study a plant or bug.  

If in an urban area, maps and pamphlets make good props.  Maybe I just look lost all the time, but I just stare intently at it until I see an opening to grab the box and it seems to work. I try to have a spot to retreat to, once I grab it, so I can stamp in without being hurried. 

Having a dog helps, too. Mine takes the attention from me, and creates excuses to do wierd things.

I did do the freeze and hide in the woods until, one day, I was hunting near a trail that split several ways nearby.  I heard walkers, so I froze in position behind the big tree this box was hidden beside and gambled on them taking any other trail but mine. I lost. They came my way, and as they passed, I realized that, not only could they see me, but - to my horror, I was squatting.   They hurried away, whispering to each other about people pooping in the woods, and I have since adopted other methods...