Crown land ethics question.

[CritterCommander]

I know of at least 1 very nice set up that I found completely by accident that looks very expensive, has been brushed out and re-seeded that no one has been to for at least 2 years. In mind that's fair game.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I hunted a stand abandoned on public land. Made sure it was safe first, was left behind by a guy who moved away.

LC

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by schian

So a friend and I were scouting crown land about 2 weeks ago and came upon a nice blind and a perfect cutline for whitetail. It's a raised platform with a snowcamo blind and a pivoting chair inside to go along with a propane tank. It doesn't look as though it's been used this year.
Would it be way out of line to use this stand seeing as how it's on public land? I want to hunt that cutline anyway and this would give be a much better vantage point. Thoughts and opinions welcome!
Please don't judge because you can't tell me you wouldn't consider it! Haha
Definitely leaning towards no at this point.

Schian

At first I was going to respond with "absolutely not."

Got me thinking though, anyone who leaves anything on crown land opens themselves up to this. Not the same by a long stretch, but last year I had a significant amount of gear stolen from my camp on crown land when I was away for a few weeks (thieves could have gotten there 10 minutes after I drove away for all I know). I came to two conclusions:

1. Some people are just plain jerks
2. Don't treat crown land like its solely your own, or expect to "share"

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by last minute

Whats the big deal no one around use it someone shows up leave .

Kinda like your car sitting in the parking lot, some will use it, no problem eh after all it's on public land.

Best post on this thread was if its not yours don't touch it...unless you have permission.

[alpinebeers]

If its not being used then heck ya go ahead. If the fellow who built it shows up then move along. If you do use it leave it in the shape you found it. No big deal.

If you came across a duck blind on private land would you use it?

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by Moo Snukkle

How about if I come across your camp while you're out hunting. Can I hop in your bedroll for a quick nap and grab a bite when I leave? Me thinks the answer will come to you as you're laying there at night, smelling my aftershave on your pillow.

that's not the same thing at all and if you don't know the difference between the two scenarios then your part of the problem. if I had a stand up on public land then I don't care if someone uses it, just don't steal stuff or wreck things and that's where the problem lies, not that they used it but damaged it. Of course they leave if I show up to hunt my stand.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by alpinebeers

If its not being used then heck ya go ahead. If the fellow who built it shows up then move along. If you do use it leave it in the shape you found it. No big deal.

If you came across a duck blind on private land would you use it?

on private land you should know its there before you go in or you know who to ask for permission. if its there without permission from the land owner it should come out.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Kinda like your car sitting in the parking lot, some will use it, no problem eh after all it's on public land.

Best post on this thread was if its not yours don't touch it...unless you have permission.

its not like that at all

[Wiz]

I had a tree stand of mine moved by someone... funny thing is they moved it to a BETTER spot!!

I don’t know, I don’t care if anyone uses my stands/blinds just as long as they leave it when they’re done (or move it somewhere better and leave a map ) ...It is crown land after all.

[play.soccer]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Kinda like your car sitting in the parking lot, some will use it, no problem eh after all it's on public land.

Best post on this thread was if its not yours don't touch it...unless you have permission.

Parking lots are generally private and owned by the business which are in the area.



It's crown land, the guy building the blind is basically trying to say "this is my spot get lost" which actually since it's public land it's anyone's spot. Hell just say you thought it was a public blind cause it's on public land. Socialism, it's for everyone. Lol

[Kurt505]

it's simple. If you don't want anyone sitting in your stand, take it with you. If you leave it on public land unattended, don't get upset if someone uses it.

I guide, I have several stands set up on public land, it's just something you have to accept. If I don't want anyone in my stand I just have to be there first.

[honda450]

I used one way back in the bush. It was very high. And old, could not believe a guy hauled all that material in. Used it a few hours a day, never saw a dang thing, never used it since. Probably too rotten to use now anyhow.

[last minute]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Kinda like your car sitting in the parking lot, some will use it, no problem eh after all it's on public land.

Best post on this thread was if its not yours don't touch it...unless you have permission.

I realize the world is full of what ifs, might be, could happen etc. This is not about a car sitting in a public lot throw whatever scenario you want to each there own use the stand don’t use it your call .

[pkmckee]

No,but as has been said in this thread nothing is stopping you from hunting the area .

[alpinebeers]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

on private land you should know its there before you go in or you know who to ask for permission. if its there without permission from the land owner it should come out.

Ha sorry I meant to say on Public not Private. Your 100% correct on private land

[Stinky Buffalo]

For me, there are two aspects to the situation:

1. If I build a stand on public land, I would not be surprised if someone else would use it, if they find it (at their own risk, of course).
2. If I find someone else's stand, generally I would leave it be, especially if it is a commercial (store-bought) stand, or shows signs that it may currently be in use (as in the OP's case, the propane tank and chair etc.) That being said, I might hunt near it.

[pikeslayer22]

Wonder what the Sask guys thoughts are on this. Not only do they have the stand set up, they also have a bait pile.

[West O'5]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

it's simple. If you don't want anyone sitting in your stand, take it with you. If you leave it on public land unattended, don't get upset if someone uses it.

I guide, I have several stands set up on public land, it's just something you have to accept. If I don't want anyone in my stand I just have to be there first.

This^^
I also guide,mainly for moose and bear,but have several deer stands hung on both private and public land.On public land,I wouldn't be thrilled if somebody was in it when I arrived,but that matter would be resolved simply,and carry on.I'm actually just happy to arrive at a Crown stand and see that it's still there these days.

Originally Posted by pikeslayer22

Wonder what the Sask guys thoughts are on this. Not only do they have the stand set up, they also have a bait pile.

I can give you a NB boy's thoughts,where baiting is also legal and permanent stands very common.
I've found literally hundreds of permanent stands over 4 decades of tramping thru the deer/moose woods of NB,in various states of (dis)repair,from luxurious tree condos with heaters and sliding windows,to half rotten death traps that haven't been used in years.
-if it looks like it's not actively being hunted,and is not too rickety/appears safe,I have no issue sitting in it if it's in a good location(many are not in good locations and are useless without bait imho)
-if it's obviously being hunted/baited,I won't use it,but I may hunt nearby?
a)throwing a piece of plywood up in a tree and lugging in a sack of apples doesn't give one exclusive rights to an area
b)I often as not hunt from makeshift/5 minute ground blinds to watch a cutblock/pipeline etc....just because you spent an hour building a halfass (and illegal i might add) permanent stand,don't expect me to abandon the very same cutblock/area that I've hunted for years since before it was even cut.

In a nutshell,if you build or hang a stand on Crown land,you can't realistically have any expectations of privacy or exclusivity to the area,all bets are off.Some guys seem to think that because they spent an afternoon nailing a few boards up in a tree,that gives them claim to the location for life.

[tacomama]

Originally Posted by alpinebeers

If its not being used then heck ya go ahead. If the fellow who built it shows up then move along. If you do use it leave it in the shape you found it. No big deal.

This^

I don't see a big deal with it. Public crown land means everybody has access to it, pure and simple.
Comparing a tree stand in the middle of the woods to a camp or a parked vehicle are very different things, not quite apples to apples comparison.

Make sure you leave it as you found it and if you see something that needs a quick fix then fix it. I wouldn't move it, take it, or alter it in any way, it's not mine. But what's the harm in using it for a while if no one is around.

I wouldn't mind if someone used my stand if I left it out, we are all out there to have fun and enjoy the outdoors, so if a stand is not being used, why not use it.

P.s. Maybe leave a note that you used it, thank the owner and wish them good luck in their hunts. That's a lot better than some of the replies....

[DiabeticKripple]

I would use it, but I wouldn’t use the propane. If buddy shows up, I’d leave

If he gets mad, then he shouldn’t be leaving his stuff on public land.

[scudder]

Originally Posted by last minute

Whats the big deal no one around use it someone shows up leave .

this

[Kawibunga]

What a about leaving a "guest book" and "tip jar"??

"Dear Joe, I used you blind Nov 15th. It was awesome, my boy tagged out his whitetail doe. If you're ever in Calgary I owe you a cold one 867-5309"

Great in theory...........

[35 whelen]

NO most likely a outfitters set up . hunt the area but not the stand

[TylerThomson]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

I check it out and then take the ideas and maybe implement them into a build but no I wouldn't use it...car sitting in parking lot might stop and admire it but wouldn't use it same thing.

Not even close to the same thing. If you think it is call the cops and tell them someone is sitting in a permanent structure you illegally erected on public land and you want them evicted and see how far you get. They would laugh in your face.

Saying that having someone jump in your bedroll isnt the same either. A tent is a temporary structure that is a protected domicile.

Fact is it is illegal to build a permanent stand on public land so if you do you got no room to complain if someone else uses it or even if they tear it down for firewood.

[fish_e_o]

i wouldn't use the propane but i'd sit there.

[DJS]

I'm actually very surprised by the amount of guys here who would use someone's set up. I agree that if no one is there hunt the area. Putting out a blind, setting up a stand or building a stand on crown land doesn't give anyone exclusive rights to that spot. But using someone else's stuff without permission..? Really? Since when did this become ok? Someone else bought the blind, took the time and effort to take it out there and set it up. What right does anyone else have to use this setup?

The analogy that someone else used about leaving a car in a parking lot may not be the best but it is easy to see the comparison. What if it was a quad or side by side parked out on some cutline? Is that free to use by anyone? I'm guessing not.

[Johnny Huntnfish]

Originally Posted by Kawibunga

What a about leaving a "guest book" and "tip jar"??

"Dear Joe, I used you blind Nov 15th. It was awesome, my boy tagged out his whitetail doe. If you're ever in Calgary I owe you a cold one 867-5309"

Great in theory...........

wait a sec....that's Jenny's number!

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by DJS

I'm actually very surprised by the amount of guys here who would use someone's set up. I agree that if no one is there hunt the area. Putting out a blind, setting up a stand or building a stand on crown land doesn't give anyone exclusive rights to that spot. But using someone else's stuff without permission..? Really? Since when did this become ok? Someone else bought the blind, took the time and effort to take it out there and set it up. What right does anyone else have to use this setup?

The analogy that someone else used about leaving a car in a parking lot may not be the best but it is easy to see the comparison. What if it was a quad or side by side parked out on some cutline? Is that free to use by anyone? I'm guessing not.

Would you leave your $10,000 quad or side by side in the woods with all identifying marks, ie: plate, serial numbers removed? No? Why not? Because its not the same, not even close.

I once snuck on private land and sat in the guys tower stand with a buddy when we were kids, well 19yr old kids. Wouldn't you know it, the guy decided to drive out into his field that day. Lucky for us he didn't climb into the stand at that time. We left there shortly after, never to return. We left it how we found it. 25yrs later, after getting to know the owners I told them about it All was fine, but would most likely been a different story if they caught us that day.

What I did that day was wrong, it was on private land and I was trespassing. Public land is public land, leaving a stand out in the middle of nowhere is basically abandoning it. If your walking down a cutline and find a 60" flatscreen TV still in the box with nobody around do you leave it there?

[Sooner]

I had my tree stand on a tree, in crown land and left it on a Sunday night. Was going to be back Wed. Got there Wednesday and someone had used it the day before(snow brushed off). I was a bit miffed but hey, the guy cleared more branches so the sight line was better

I had a stand in a tree on a cut block. I took the stand with me but left the foot pegs and base mount. Below the stand and under all the pile of branches, I left a pail with the rest of my foot pegs and harness. Come back the next weekend, most of my foot pegs are gone from the tree and my pail. Easily suspected someone from the camp closest to it(km's away and beside the road, one quad track in the snow from camp) and lets just say, I got my stuff back with a well placed sign on that tree Now I leave nothing over night or for days. It goes up, it comes down.

I would not use someones stand but in my go to zone, an outfitter had used many tower stands. If no windows were open when I looked with binos, I would walk to it and watch the line from there but not go inside. If the windows were open, a wave to the hunter and I went the other way.

[michaelmicallef]

I used a stand on crown land for a few days but I had to fix it up and clear some brush even put a roof on it to keep me dry. When I came back two weeks later to use it there was a note in a ziplock bag thanking me for all the work I did. And the guys name and number. This worked out great as we now call each other to make sure we know when the other guy plans on using the stand.