Hunter Ethics - Help Required

Avidhunter · #1 10-15-2007, 10:15 PM

I am in a bit of a hunting ethics quandary and Id love some help from you guys.

My 3 friends and I have been hunting moose and deer in the same half section that is 3 miles from my house for the last 10 years. Currently we have 5 treestands and 6 cameras in there, and have groomed the area for bowhunting. Last week I find 2 new treestands in the area approx. 15 feet away from the nearest camera. I gave the new person/s the benefit of the doubt that they did not see the cameras or treestands, so I left a note on each of their treestands politely asking them to call anyone of the 4 of us.

However, today I get a full frontal face picture of the hunter staring at the camera and a telephone call.

The "new" guy said he saw the cameras and treestands, but "the area is big enough for the 5 of us." I told him we had cut shooting lanes during the summer, we had cameras set all year, we had hunted the land for 10 years, but nothing seemed to phase him. Short of telling him we just didn't want him there, he just didn't get the blatant hints.

The landowner is too busy dairy farming and he doesn't care about our situation. I asked him for help, but was not interested.

When I originally saw the treestands I said, either these guys / guy is either very aggressive or just plane dumb. Well it appears I have not found the aggressive hunter.

What am I to do?

Avid

russ · #2 10-15-2007, 10:17 PM

If you don't own the land and he has permission it ends there.

Don't **** off the land owner by making him/her referee.

Avidhunter · #3 10-15-2007, 10:23 PM

Im not worried about the landowner as I help him out quite a bit during the year. I requested his help as I thought it best to inform him and advise of the curent situation.

Bull Shooter · #4 10-15-2007, 10:29 PM

I agree with Russ. It's unfortunate that they would not show a certain level of respect towards your hunting experience, however, judging by your post, they do have permission to hunt on the property. I think you handled the situation very well, and I think most hunters would have responded favourably to your hints or requests... it appears these guys are the exception. I guess the best advice I can offer is to get into your stands early and hope they get the message. As it is private property you have very limited options to respond, particularly if you wish to continue hunting there in the future. Perhaps some alternative arrangements can be made for next season?

As Russ stated, don't get the landowner involved; it will likely turn into an ugly situation for all parties. Regards, Mike

Jamie · #5 10-15-2007, 10:31 PM

Sorry for all the work you put in......
But your S.O.L

Only final solution is to buy your own place.
Jamie

Full Curl Earl · #6 10-15-2007, 10:43 PM

I too have had to change my bow hunting spot this year due to what I deem interfeering with my personal space. I decided I could do 1 of a number of things. I could say to heck with him I was here first, cut down his trees, leave a note although we spoke when he drove by my stand, put in some sharpened Bamboo sticks in a pit or do what I chose. I decided that my hunting time was too prescious to be wasted on some form of negative response, and that it was probably time to start a new adventure anyway. My guess is that this type of hunter has probably already made some huge hunter errors and Loused your special spot already. I know it's awful late in the season to be hanging new stands, but the weather is about to turn and the best hunting is just around the corner. Remember, your not leaving to help the bone heads, your leaving to better your days to come.
If this suggestion seems ridiculous, let me know, I still have some left over Bamboo.
Shoot Straight!

Jamie · #7 10-15-2007, 10:54 PM

OK, I took a moment to think about this again..
and

BAMM!!
it hits me...
Get to know this guy, become friends and perhaps you will have a new hunting partner.

There is nothing you can do about this guy, so you might as well make the best of the situation. Who knows, he might turn out to be a great fellow... And even if he isn't, he will not want to hang out around you guys if you don't get along..Just don't get confrontational with him, as he might take that as a challenge.. Once he sees the work he might have to help you guys with, he either will help out or just acquire a respect for the spot and feel like he is intruding...

Thats some really good advice if I do say so myself!

Very proud of myself right now..

Jamie

Bull Shooter · #8 10-15-2007, 11:09 PM

I would caution you to be a bit careful how you deal with these other hunters. You say you know the landowner, but he must have had some reason to let these others on his property knowing that you were already there.

Several years ago I was hunting my neighbor’s property with him, his two sons and a couple of others. We were pushing a couple of pretty heavily wooded hills and I had set my wife up on the top benches. I get a call on my cell phone and she informs me that some guy just drove on to the property and is about 400 yards behind her. I told her to get out in the open and to make certain the guy can see her so that he doesn’t fire a shot in our direction. She moves out and waves her arms, but the guy doesn’t leave. I told her I would talk to the chap when I reach the top of the hill.

My good wife decides to take matters into her own hands and she is not too pleased. She goes over to the guy and tells him he is trespassing on private property and that we have a hunt in progress and that she is taking his license plate number and going to report him to Fish & Wildlife. About half way through her tirade, I am cresting the hill and the guy looks at her and says, “Isn’t that Mike coming up the hill?” My wife goes silent as I approach the truck and I recognize the “trespasser” as the landowner’s first cousin who of course has permission to hunt all his properties.

We all had a good laugh… except for my wife and it only cost a very good bottle of whiskey and several contrite apologies. Regards, Mike

Avidhunter · #9 10-16-2007, 09:18 AM

Thanks Gents.

I agree with Full Curl. My hunting buddies and I are going to seek pastures new. Its an unfortunate situation. However, short of sharpening those bamboo sticks and acting like Rambo - First Blood, what else are we to do?

If a hunter introduces himself and creates situations such as this, then they are either ignorant of the implication or don’t care. Either way it looks like we are going to seek Whitetail Boonies in pastures new.

Wish me luck.

Avid

Okotokian · #10 10-16-2007, 09:41 AM

Well, you don't know for sure he's a ******* yet. At least he's using his own stands, rather than just using yours. Who knows? If you were in place and hunting when he showed up, he MIGHT move off.

#11 10-16-2007, 02:09 PM

From what i have read this person has as much right to hunt there as you do .It dosent sound like he is moveing any time soon you could move but why .

Hunting ethics say's you should "Share "the place plenty of trees even though you and your bud's did all the leg work and this guy walked right into your Honey Hole.

ElDiablo · #12 10-16-2007, 02:44 PM

Edited.

#13 10-16-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElDiablo

hunting accidents happen all the time

Thats not even Funny.

Rackmastr · #14 10-16-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nationwide

Thats not even Funny.

For once...we agree....

ElDiablo · #15 10-16-2007, 05:00 PM

Good point...that was in poor taste. Sorry guys.

ABDUKNUT · #16 10-16-2007, 05:17 PM

If the new guy has the rights to be there too, then not much you can do other than move on... Your secret spot won't be nearly as productive now anyways, if this new guy is a bumbling fool and doesn't use the spot carefully.

If it were me, I'd move on.

I know some areas, where this new guy would get his tires slashed, treestands wrecked and be intimidated out of the area, but this sort of behaviour is of course not legal, and only makes the situation worse.

#17 10-16-2007, 05:20 PM

1

winged1 · #18 10-16-2007, 07:37 PM

One of the other threads commented about southern lands being locked up by owners granting permission to single parties, sounds like a wish in this case.

Personally, I give stands the right of way, however, investing time into a plot, thinking that your actions exclude others access, is not very hunter ethical. You need exclusive access rights for that.

Reminds me of a goose hunt where us and another party ended up in the same field with decs. one morning. One of their party was aggitated and wanted us gone. The rest however saw the merits and our combined spread made for a very successful shoot.

7 REM MAG · #19 10-16-2007, 07:59 PM

if it were me i would find a new spot, that being said before i left i would leave a note attached to his stand telling him how put off i was by his actions and i would depending on circumstance chain or bolt a 50 lbs stump to the tree a foot above the top of his stand

#20 10-16-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50BMG

Post his picture

What would be gained by that ????

roger · #21 10-16-2007, 08:22 PM

avid...sorry pal you are in need of some elbow space...getting into a pizzing contest over what..tradition?!?? leave that poor land owner out of it or he will shut it down for all!!! you included.

the more stink you put up...the more it shows that he needs to be there..(some magicall book deer)
wish him luck. and hunt it harder yourself.
i cannot think of one exclusive bush i know of that someone else cant go in..

hunting a new bush is like dancing with a new girl

#22 10-16-2007, 08:23 PM

1

#23 10-16-2007, 08:25 PM

Can you Please explain you lack the sence to explain your self dont hide with ignorance .

stand junkie · #24 10-16-2007, 09:00 PM

If it was me I would take his stands down and leave them out at the road for him to pick up. My reasoning for this is the simple fact that he knows that u have been hunting their for many years and he should have come and talk to u about his stand placement.

#25 10-16-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stand junkie

If it was me I would take his stands down and leave them out at the road for him to pick up. My reasoning for this is the simple fact that he knows that u have been hunting their for many years and he should have come and talk to u about his stand placement.

Wrong you have no right to take his stand down were you not reading the full post or just jumpping to you own brainy ideas eiather way sounds to me you would get into trouble for moveing a stand that you had no right to..

Quote:

My reasoning for this is the simple fact that he knows that u have been hunting their for many years and he should have come and talk to u about his stand placement.

I have to ask why in the heck should he talk to them "Its not there land they are guest's nothing more did i miss that the fact that the title to the land is in Avidhunter's name ahhhh i dont think so maybe you did

Did you read the whole Thread junkie

stand junkie · #26 10-16-2007, 09:31 PM

sorry I didn't have time to read the whole post and I'm not sure were u hunt but any land that I'm looking to hunt on I find out if any one is hunting so I dont spoile their time in the field.

#27 10-17-2007, 06:37 AM

1

catnthehat · #28 10-17-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

OK, I took a moment to think about this again..
and

BAMM!!
it hits me...
Get to know this guy, become friends and perhaps you will have a new hunting partner.

There is nothing you can do about this guy, so you might as well make the best of the situation. Who knows, he might turn out to be a great fellow... And even if he isn't, he will not want to hang out around you guys if you don't get along..Just don't get confrontational with him, as he might take that as a challenge.. Once he sees the work he might have to help you guys with, he either will help out or just acquire a respect for the spot and feel like he is intruding...

Thats some really good advice if I do say so myself!

Very proud of myself right now..

Jamie

I wouldn't give this jerk the time of day, simply because he thinks he can horn in on your stands before asking.
if he had any class at all he would have backed out as soon as he saw your stands and cameras.
He'll likely just move on after the trails frow over that you originally cut, then you can go back in a few years, but don't plan on this idjit becoming a good partner, I'd split for new hunting grounds....
Cat

Duk Dog · #29 10-17-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

if he had any class at all he would have backed out as soon as he saw your stands and cameras.

x 2 That is the real issue here - a lack of common sense, and respect from this new hunter.

greywolf · #30 10-17-2007, 07:28 AM

What ever happened to courtesy, if you find an area you want to hunt, and someone else already has an active setup, leave and find another area. My father instilled this into me 30+ years ago and I would expect the same.
Reading this thread, I suspect there are individuals who would NOT give other hunters that respect.
Stupidity, or a--hole, they're either one or the other!!!