Posted by WEKurtz Snow storms can provide great cover for getting into an abandonment. For an additional measure try walking in backwards. Anyone seeing your footprints will assume you've left!.

Waking in backwards is a must.

I would second always dressing “normal”. If it’s not jacket or coat weather I always wear a polo. If exporting before or after work I wear a button down shirt. Being dressed respectfully has gotten me out of so many situations. Also, do as much research on the property as possible. I have run into security guys and plenty of prop managers or owners and being able to use the Jedi Mind Trick and sound informed and genuinely interested in the abandonment has always been a positive thing.

When I explore at night I also dress normal, but in darker clothes. Fall/winter is the best because a non-dark polo shirt can be hidden by zipping up a jacket. If approached by someone, just unzip. Looking like you are in stealth mode when getting spotted by someone doesn’t reassure anyone. If seen by other explorers or srappers I try to address them first, be friendly and let them know I am just walking around taking photos.

[Almost] Every time I've been caught, it was because of my car. Two, maybe three times, I've screwed myself by being lazy and parking somewhere that seemed easy (i.e., close to the location).

That said, any time I've ever gotten caught at a location, I've never received more than a ticket at the time because I did what I was told (especially if I'm being confronted by police), and treated whoever I was speaking to with respect. I've been searched one time, and it definitely worked in my favor that the only thing in my backpack was a bunch of camera gear - which, incidentally, coincided exactly with what I had just told the officer searching me. I went from being thrown against a wall with my hands up to being let off with a warning simply by not acting like an asshole and not stealing anything.

*That last part is critical to not going to jail if you get caught, btw.

Posted by Dee Ashley [Almost] Every time I've been caught, it was because of my car. Two, maybe three times, I've screwed myself by being lazy and parking somewhere that seemed easy (i.e., close to the location). That said, any time I've ever gotten caught at a location, I've never received more than a ticket at the time because I did what I was told (especially if I'm being confronted by police), and treated whoever I was speaking to with respect. I've been searched one time, and it definitely worked in my favor that the only thing in my backpack was a bunch of camera gear - which, incidentally, coincided exactly with what I had just told the officer searching me. I went from being thrown against a wall with my hands up to being let off with a warning simply by not acting like an asshole and not stealing anything. *That last part is critical to not going to jail if you get caught, btw.

Autos and tripods, destroyer of worlds...

I've found it helps to always have a plan. Establish beforehand what you're gonna do in various situations. What do you do if the landowner or security guards confront you? Run? Hide? What if the cops are circling outside, or if they bring in the dogs? Wait them out or give yourself up? Where are your exits, and where do you rendezvous if you get separated from any other explorers going with you?

A plan, even if these situations rarely ever come up, makes things go a lot smoother.

Run like hell!!

Posted by Aran I've found it helps to always have a plan. Establish beforehand what you're gonna do in various situations. What do you do if the landowner or security guards confront you?

Fluid situations are well... fluid with endless variables you can't predict or control many times once you're there.
If it's people... not so clear cut.
You're assuming you will know what they're thinking and that is a mistake.
You need to think on your feet and run with what is presented to you as it appears.

Hide your tripod, go straight in don't hang around outside too long, if you use tools ditch them as soon as you are in, don't stream video from inside live because you have a finsta, local cops can see all of it, keep your eyes peeled for cameras, don't park near people's homes, don't park near the spot, stagger people going in if you have a bigger group, don't talk to the police tell them politely but firmly that you are invoking the right. I've never seen an admission of guilt for trespassing work out in anyone's favor.

Posted by uLiveAndYouBurn Hide your tripod ~//~ I've never seen an admission of guilt for trespassing work out in anyone's favor.

More than one way to skin the cat... don't act like a dud if you got the wherewithal to do more.
I've had several runs ins with cops and once the FBI.
Being silent never helped me with any of those.
In the notorious high powered tripod incident I eventually got a sit down visit with the Chief of police. He talked with the prosecutor and let me plead no contest to municipal misdemeanors rather than lawyer up to state felony charges. Net result is I saved at least $600 maybe a lot more.
Plus an invite back to the Nike site where I got busted, the Chief had literally had the keys to the gate. It fascinated him as well.

In the case of the FBI they give you one chance to come clean. They have the resources to bust your balls wide open if they want.
I knew I hadn't done anything illegal the days in question so I let them see the pics and interview me.
I learned more from them than they did me.
It was a polite and enlighting encounter.
The FBI does make unannounced house calls...

You need wherewithal and to keep your head together when dealing with LEOs.
Know if you crossed the line and how far; limit that exposure before you cross a line you can't afford.
Wait for them to ask the Qs, follow the WYSIWYG strategy.
Remain calm, keep your hands in plain sight, promptly obey all commands; nervous/pissed off cops are no fun.
Avoid lying to them; if you must lie do so by omission only.
Cops hate busting a nice guy.

Being straight up with LEOs has always served me well.
Any time one said they help me out... they did.
Remember if it's serious offense a senior ranking lieutenant or higher will be involved; building/maintaining a good rapport and being honest with them makes it far more likely they will help you even if things initially started off badly.
They observe your behavior and responses closely; stay calm, quiet, don't squirm around, ask dumb Qs and wait for them to do their thing.
Carefully gauge their mindset; bare that in if you do ask them any Qs
Cops look for compliance.
Using this strategy has gotten me unrestricted shoots where they initially were trying to arrest me.

This is part of my ad hoc legal training, as well as most the traffic tickets I took to court. Each of those times I got what I wanted sometimes much more.
Mix it up if think you can and learn.
I encourage you to talk with LEOs on a casual basis when you can.
Most cops are people persons.
Learn their mindset, walk in their shoes.
It helps when you find yourself on the wrong side of that line.

Spend time around the spot and see what people on the street would be able to see.

Find the most subtle way in. Under/through a fence is best. Over is more sketchy.

Move slowly. Stick to the walls and avoid windows. Make as little noise as possible. Watch your step.

Keep track of hiding spots in the spot and nearby.

If you stop moving, crouch or take on an odd, non-human-looking shape. Go with as few people as possible.

Peep out from the bottom of a door/curve, not to the side with your head all the way up where it's visible.

Use height advantage to see what's going on around. Keep track of what's going on below often if it's that kind of spot.

Use the cover noise of rain/snow. Alternatively, wait for clear, moonless nights, or fog.

Cover your flashlight/camera display.

Make sure no one will see you going in.

Don't use a car if possible.

Actual good advice ^

As far as hiding a tripod is concerned, I found that as long as you're using a small enough one that can be attached to the side of your backpack, you can cover both backpack and tripod with an $8 rain slick from Amazon. Something like this: https://tinyurl.com/uusr57f

Not only does it hide the tripod, but it also downgrades your overall profile if you're alone or if you don't want to be targeted for your gear..

Posted by blackhawk More than one way to skin the cat... don't act like a dud if you got the wherewithal to do more. I've had several runs ins with cops and once the FBI. Being silent never helped me with any of those. In the notorious high powered tripod incident I eventually got a sit down visit with the Chief of police. He talked with the prosecutor and let me plead no contest to municipal misdemeanors rather than lawyer up to state felony charges. Net result is I saved at least $600 maybe a lot more. Plus an invite back to the Nike site where I got busted, the Chief had literally had the keys to the gate. It fascinated him as well. In the case of the FBI they give you one chance to come clean. They have the resources to bust your balls wide open if they want. I knew I hadn't done anything illegal the days in question so I let them see the pics and interview me. I learned more from them than they did me. It was a polite and enlighting encounter. The FBI does make unannounced house calls... You need wherewithal and to keep your head together when dealing with LEOs. Know if you crossed the line and how far; limit that exposure before you cross a line you can't afford. Wait for them to ask the Qs, follow the WYSIWYG strategy. Remain calm, keep your hands in plain sight, promptly obey all commands; nervous/pissed off cops are no fun. Avoid lying to them; if you must lie do so by omission only. Cops hate busting a nice guy. Being straight up with LEOs has always served me well. Any time one said they help me out... they did. Remember if it's serious offense a senior ranking lieutenant or higher will be involved; building/maintaining a good rapport and being honest with them makes it far more likely they will help you even if things initially started off badly. They observe your behavior and responses closely; stay calm, quiet, don't squirm around, ask dumb Qs and wait for them to do their thing. Carefully gauge their mindset; bare that in if you do ask them any Qs Cops look for compliance. Using this strategy has gotten me unrestricted shoots where they initially were trying to arrest me. This is part of my ad hoc legal training, as well as most the traffic tickets I took to court. Each of those times I got what I wanted sometimes much more. Mix it up if think you can and learn. I encourage you to talk with LEOs on a casual basis when you can. Most cops are people persons. Learn their mindset, walk in their shoes. It helps when you find yourself on the wrong side of that line.

There is probably some wisdom here, but I think. I'll listen to the guy that explores some of the coolest shit I've ever seen.

I agree with a lot of what's been posted already.

Some stuff that's helped me in cop situations:

-Play dumb. "Action Squad? I've heard of those guys, they sound really cool!"

-Ditch / hide anything incriminating at the first sign of trouble (or right after using it). Hiding $50 lockpicks under a rock and losing them is still cheaper than a $100 burglary tools fine.

-Be honest as long as it's not too damaging. "We heard there were some cool caves around here!"

-Don't stay in one place too long.

-Don't shine lights out windows or make noise in obvious areas.

-Keep your TWO nearest exits or escape routes in mind at all times in case someone unwanted enters through one.

Posted by tiftastic I wouldn't recommend this. Typically, I like to wear "normal" every day clothes and (with the exception of a certain few locations that demand it) go on a nice Sunday afternoon or Saturday morning. I found that the more I look like a housewife out for a hike, the easier I can slip in and out of places undetected. Wearing dark clothes and prowling around at night is just inviting unwanted attention.

I second this. It’s way easier to explain that you are documenting an abandoned place if you are wearing “everyday” clothes and not dressed in stealth mode.

Posted by Bilvavi I second this. It’s way easier to explain that you are documenting an abandoned place if you are wearing “everyday” clothes and not dressed in stealth mode.

Hard to explain sploring at night to cops or a pissed off property owner especially in Texas... if you get a chance to.