On Monday, Troy James Knapp, known by many as the “Mountain Man,” was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison in California. Knapp had evaded police for over six years, living off the land and occasionally looting the random cabin for guns or food. But alas it was him shooting at a search plane that ended in his lengthy conviction. (note to self, don't shoot at police aircraft)
As impressive as his feat was, he's not the only character who's done this sort of thing. Here's our top threefave "bushmen":
Troy James Knapp, aka Mountain Man
Troy James Knapp, 46, roamed hundreds of miles across Utah, breaking into remote cabins and stealing firearms and food.
He was captured in April 2013 after a shoot-out at a cabin on Ferron Mountain, south of Salt Lake City.
He admitted several charges including burglary and a firearms offence.
Knapp had been likened by some to 19th-century US frontiersman Davy Crockett for his outdoor skills and hardiness.
Defence lawyer Jay Winward told the court in St George, Utah: "There is an admiration for somebody who chooses to live off the land, because he does it while the rest of us wouldn't. Even if he needs a little help from some cabin owners."
Result: Ten years in prison
Colton Harris-Moore, aka The Barefoot Bandit
This young dude stayed on the run for two years in Washington State and BC, breaking into cabins and living the good life. He eventually stole a plane, crashed landed in the Bahamas and got into a high-speed boat chase with the police. James Bond shit, no?
A teenager who became a folk hero while eluding police both in the U.S. and in B.C. for two years was captured in the Bahamas on Sunday during a high-speed boat chase.
Colton Harris-Moore, 19, was dubbed the Barefoot Bandit because he reportedly often went shoeless during his suspected crime sprees and left chalk footprints as a calling card.
Harris-Moore is accused of stealing everything from luxury cars to powerboats and even five small planes after teaching himself to fly.
Result: Seven year prison sentence
John Bjornstrom aka Bushman of the Shuswap
A man who avoided police capture for two years while raiding cabins in the B.C. Interior was sentenced in 2004 to 23 months house arrest and three years probation.
Justice Robert Metzger also prohibited John Bjornstrom from travelling within 45 kilometres of Shuswap Lake, where he broke into at least 32 cabins.
The so-called Bushman of the Shuswap will serve out his sentence in Williams Lake, B.C. at his sister's home.
Prosecutors had pushed for a stronger sentence, but Metzger said there was a low to moderate risk Bjornstorm would re-offend.
Bjornstrom, who pleaded guilty to 10 charges of breaking-and-entering, threats and escape from lawful custody, must also submit a DNA sample.
He started raiding cabins after escaping from correctional camp in 1999.
The Bushman eluded police, foiled their attempts to trap him, taunted them on television, and coming face to face with them once, pepper sprayed them.
Cabin owners say he'd leave notes demanding groceries, supplies, and gasoline or else.
RCMP Sgt. Jim Harrison said capturing their suspect on Sunday night took some careful planning.
Result: 23 months house arrest and three years probation
