More public land frusturations

[fishuhalik]

To all those reading this, this post isn't meant to be a debate, arguement, or anything like that. It's an honest-to-goodness question.

Alot of you know about some of the frusturations I have had on the land we've hunted for several years this year. So this year we decided heck with it, we'll look for a different area. My dad does most of the scouting since he lives up there, and found a couple of really good areas. Great scapes, rubs on 5-6" trees, really good sign. We thoroughly looked around for sign that anyone else was in the area and found nothing, so we put up some portables (first time I've hunted out of a portable) a couple days before opener. When we got there at 5:00 in the morning, no one was parked anywhere near us so we figured we were good to go. I got in my stand at about 5:30 and thought I was in for a great day. At 6:15 a guy comes walking through the woods about 50 yards away and I hear him set up a stand probably 200 yards into the woods. I was really bummed cuz I figured he probably ruined the morning for me, but I figured I'd stick it out. 20 minutes later another guy come walking through the woods and set up a stand about 100 yards from me. Now it's almost 7:00 and I'm getting a little frusturated. Being that I didn't wanna get shot, I took my stand down and went home. I didn't wanna approach the guy being that I knew he had a gun (obviously!) and I'm all for avoiding confrontation. I ended up hunting our old area all weekend. Saw one little 8 and 8 does that I passed up on, never saw a decent one or much sign from anything mature for that matter.

Anyways, my question is this. How do you guys that hunt public land avoid situations like this, and what do you when it happens? Do I need to have 4 back-up spots every year just in case someone ruins our hunt at a spot? Buying land is out of the question at this point in my or my dad's life. Obviously the guys saw our cars parked there, being that theres were parked 5 ft. in front of ours. My dad's getting so frusturated that he's starting to talk about hanging up his rifle, and on a scale of 1-10 on deer hunting obsession he's a 14. If people don't start learning ethics soon, we're gonna loose ALOT of hunters, both young and old.

[puckey]

happens to me all the time, like last week, pheasant hunting, i'm in the field 300 yards from the truck, a guy pulls in behind me on the gravel road 100 yards away and cuts me off to where im going to walk, guess it doesn't pay to go out early, or be the first one there.

[gr8icefishinmind]

One of the problems is that there are ALOT of new hunters that didn't grow up in hunting families and don't know about hunting ethics and really don't seem to care about infringing on someone whether public land or not!!

I hunt on private land so i don't run into this very often but do deal with trespassers!! People need to realize that if land in not there's, they need to STAY OFF!! It's all about ethics whether public land or private. I would think that if a person shows up to public area and sees that there are others there, they would do their best to not disturb the others and find their own location.....200 yards is reasonable i think, but anything under that is un called for!!

[Steve Foss]

Do I need to have 4 back-up spots every year just in case someone ruins our hunt at a spot?

Yes, that's the reality on public land, especially P.L. that's showing excellent deer sign. Tough situation for you, for sure.

Several times on opening weekend around Bemidji I had people walk within a couple hundred yards of me. Didn't bother me a bit because I knew what I was in for. I'd actually rather have a few people moving around a large tract to keep the deer moving than to be hunting it all by myself.

At one point, I was about 150 yards from another hunter for about 3 hours, until last light. We just waved to each other and kept standing where we were. As far as I was concerned, we were a lot safer with each other in sight than we would have been out of sight. It's the hunter you don't see who you accidentally shoot, not the one you do see.

If I'd have been on my stand and those guys came in that distance away, I'd make sure by waving or by a quick short whistle or blow on the grunt call that they knew I was there. Or if I couldn't get their attention that way I'd have gotten down from the stand and walked over just to let them know that I saw them from my stand and to point out where I was.

Then, if they stayed, they'd at least know where I was, and vice versa. And they both might have turned around and left the area. But we won't know that because you didn't talk to them.

Walking up to a hunter like that need not provoke any type of confrontation, unless you were mad at the time.

And people in that proximity won't necessarily put off the deer. Often they will if they don't know what they are doing, but smart hunters can set up within sight of each other and still be effective. We all have stories, or have heard stories, about how deer often don't seem to care too much if there's human activity around.

It's just the way it is on public land. This is particularly true as landowners tighten up restrictions on who they allow to hunt in recent years. Fewer people being allowed on private land means more of them on public land. The only way to come close to ensuring hunting privacy on public land is to find huge tracts without much road access and dig your way deep into the heart of them, where fewer hunters have an interest in going. Even then you might not have it to yourself.

[Arctic]

Another thing is to ensure that lots of the Outdoor Amendment money goes into purchasing lands for public hunting, especially in those parts of the state where public lands are few and far between.

[SledNeck]

To all those reading this, this post isn't meant to be a debate, arguement, or anything like that. It's an honest-to-goodness question.

Alot of you know about some of the frusturations I have had on the land we've hunted for several years this year. So this year we decided heck with it, we'll look for a different area. My dad does most of the scouting since he lives up there, and found a couple of really good areas. Great scapes, rubs on 5-6" trees, really good sign. We thoroughly looked around for sign that anyone else was in the area and found nothing, so we put up some portables (first time I've hunted out of a portable) a couple days before opener. When we got there at 5:00 in the morning, no one was parked anywhere near us so we figured we were good to go. I got in my stand at about 5:30 and thought I was in for a great day. At 6:15 a guy comes walking through the woods about 50 yards away and I hear him set up a stand probably 200 yards into the woods. I was really bummed cuz I figured he probably ruined the morning for me, but I figured I'd stick it out. 20 minutes later another guy come walking through the woods and set up a stand about 100 yards from me. Now it's almost 7:00 and I'm getting a little frusturated. Being that I didn't wanna get shot, I took my stand down and went home. I didn't wanna approach the guy being that I knew he had a gun (obviously!) and I'm all for avoiding confrontation. I ended up hunting our old area all weekend. Saw one little 8 and 8 does that I passed up on, never saw a decent one or much sign from anything mature for that matter.

Anyways, my question is this. How do you guys that hunt public land avoid situations like this, and what do you when it happens? Do I need to have 4 back-up spots every year just in case someone ruins our hunt at a spot? Buying land is out of the question at this point in my or my dad's life. Obviously the guys saw our cars parked there, being that theres were parked 5 ft. in front of ours. My dad's getting so frusturated that he's starting to talk about hanging up his rifle, and on a scale of 1-10 on deer hunting obsession he's a 14. If people don't start learning ethics soon, we're gonna loose ALOT of hunters, both young and old.

2 options. Build a permanent stand or make one where you cant get back to with a 4 wheeler.

I have both. The one you cant get back to with a 4 wheeler is nice cause most people up here are too overweight/out of shape and drunk to make it back that far so we have the area to ourselves. The only downside is its a solid 30 minute walk up hill..but hey, all downhill on the way back!

[castmaster]

I've often wondered how that all ends up working which is why we havent hunted deer since we lost our access to private land. We do a lot of grouse hunting at various spots in northern MN with tons of public land but have always been reluctant to deer hunt there as I dont want to set up in an area someone else has been hunting for years.

That said, many areas of PL in northern MN are some BIG woods, pretty tough to know where someone else is just by where their vehicle is parked. How much area is it "ethical" to lay claim to or how much area should others avoid because of a vehicle being parked somewhere? Stay out of both sides of the road for 1/2 mile up and down the road and a mile or more into the woods? Further? Less?

You know what will cause a loss in hunter #'s even faster than folks like your dad hanging it up because of situations like you describe? Folks like my dad hanging it up when they lose access to the private land they have hunted their entire lives. As frustrating as it may be, PL does belong to everyone.

I guess I'd have done what others have suggested and went and talked to the other hunters, asked how many were in their party and tried to figure out a way for it to work out in everyones advantage and interests rather than go home.

Kind of sucks reading something like this though as it makes it even tougher to finally pull the trigger and give hunting PL a shot as Idont want to be the one to ruin another families hunt by making them feel we pushed them out of an area.

[castmaster]

Originally Posted By: fishuhalik

To all those reading this, this post isn't meant to be a debate, arguement, or anything like that. It's an honest-to-goodness question.

Alot of you know about some of the frusturations I have had on the land we've hunted for several years this year. So this year we decided heck with it, we'll look for a different area. My dad does most of the scouting since he lives up there, and found a couple of really good areas. Great scapes, rubs on 5-6" trees, really good sign. We thoroughly looked around for sign that anyone else was in the area and found nothing, so we put up some portables (first time I've hunted out of a portable) a couple days before opener. When we got there at 5:00 in the morning, no one was parked anywhere near us so we figured we were good to go. I got in my stand at about 5:30 and thought I was in for a great day. At 6:15 a guy comes walking through the woods about 50 yards away and I hear him set up a stand probably 200 yards into the woods. I was really bummed cuz I figured he probably ruined the morning for me, but I figured I'd stick it out. 20 minutes later another guy come walking through the woods and set up a stand about 100 yards from me. Now it's almost 7:00 and I'm getting a little frusturated. Being that I didn't wanna get shot, I took my stand down and went home. I didn't wanna approach the guy being that I knew he had a gun (obviously!) and I'm all for avoiding confrontation. I ended up hunting our old area all weekend. Saw one little 8 and 8 does that I passed up on, never saw a decent one or much sign from anything mature for that matter.

Anyways, my question is this. How do you guys that hunt public land avoid situations like this, and what do you when it happens? Do I need to have 4 back-up spots every year just in case someone ruins our hunt at a spot? Buying land is out of the question at this point in my or my dad's life. Obviously the guys saw our cars parked there, being that theres were parked 5 ft. in front of ours. My dad's getting so frusturated that he's starting to talk about hanging up his rifle, and on a scale of 1-10 on deer hunting obsession he's a 14. If people don't start learning ethics soon, we're gonna loose ALOT of hunters, both young and old.

2 options. Build a permanent stand or make one where you cant get back to with a 4 wheeler.

I have both. The one you cant get back to with a 4 wheeler is nice cause most people up here are too overweight/out of shape and drunk to make it back that far so we have the area to ourselves. The only downside is its a solid 30 minute walk up hill..but hey, all downhill on the way back!

I thought permanent stands were no longer legal on public land?

[CRAZYEYES]

I have'nt even bothered to deer hunt the last few years and this is exactly why. I dont care to get shot by some [PoorWordUsage] or just deal with people in general. The last 2 years I deer hunted I have had bad experiences on public land that we never used to see anybody on because its way back in. I have been considering leasing potlatch land but I can't see puting that much into deer hunting and none of my friends want to either. If you want to have a good quiet deer hunt theese days you almost need to have the dough to lease or buy land, and people are still going to trespass so you really cant win. I know the utmost majority of deer hunters are good honest guys but deer season brings out a half million people and a lot of yahoos that have no buisness being in the woods. Just read the CO reports.

[fishuhalik]

That's the one of the reasons I love perminents. Besides the fact that they're safer, more comfortable, and more ethical, since you always have a rest for your rifle and you're not making off-hand shots. It's not that it marks that it's "your" territory. It just lets people know that you'll be there opening morning so hopefully they won't set up right next to ya. I'm to the point right now that I don't care if someone sets up a little ways away from me in "my" area, say 250-300 yards in the woods, as long as I can't hear or see them. I always thought everyone else shared my sentiment, you know, getting into the woods to get away from everyone else and have some time to myself.

[fishuhalik]

Crazyeyes, it's sad, but my dad's almost to that point. After deer hunting for 45 years he's just about had enough. I guess I just need to win the lottery so I can buy 200 acres and set up a security system all the way around it.....although, I guess I'd have to play the lottery to win, eh?

Oh, and sledneck, all the spots we find like that are so full of wolves that it's pretty much desolate of any kind of deer populations. That's what makes it so difficult. You need to stay next to some kinda civilization so the wolves stay away, but if ya get away there's so many dern wolves that they eat a good majority of the deer.

[bhuntr]

I hunt public land in SE MN and have put up with many other hunters that have little to no consideration for other hunters. It will take a couple of years in any public spot to get used to the pressure, be patient, stay longer, be quieter, and make sure you are by some security cover or escape route. All i can say is I know your pain, I am on a low budget and love to hunt but I know owning my own hunting land at least for know is out of the question. I have taken many great bucks on public land that is " to hard to get to, or doesn't seem like the normal deer hangout" find those spots and hang in there. Also this was my first year trying to take my ten year old daughter in these types of spots, it was tough! We sat on the ground, I had to take extra steps to make sure we sat in a visable spot, to make sure some other hunter would see use from every possible direction. We still had a great time!! Now I just have to see if I can get her to shoot a smokepole!

[Gordie]

as far as perm stands go I do belive they are not leagle on state or puplic lands and if they are they are not yours anyway they are puplic property so dont be to discusded if someone is in that thing on opening morning. I know first hand the problems associated with puplic lands and deer hunting I have run into many situations in the past and have come to expect that hunting for deer isnt the only thing that I need to hunt for if you know what I mean. I used to hunt up by mille lacs on puplic land and the guys always told me that I was crazy for hikeing in 2-3 miles back in the woods for a deer but you know what I always seemed to get one and didnt see anyone the downside was I had to leave early to get to my spot and ussally had to sit in the stand four a couple hours in the dark but I learned to use the other hunters in the area to my benefit when they would move around the woods so did the deer and I learned where to be when they were moving around.

Not only do you need to learn the deers habits now you need to learn about other hunters habits and most of them are pretty predictable.

Puplic land can be some of the greatest hunting around but you have really got to do your home work.

Good luck fishaholic and all the other guys that hunt puplic land

[DinnerPail]

Quote:

Not only do you need to learn the deers habits now you need to learn about other hunters habits and most of them are pretty predictable.

Couldn't have said any better.

I think if you hunt public land you need to do your home work and part of that is spending a little time talking to other hunters in the area. You'll be supprised what you'll learn from them. I hunt one area that a group of older gentalmen hunt and have for who knows how long. They still camp in the area but don't venture as far as they use to. They have showed me some areas they no longer hunt and are always willing to share information about the area. I look forward to visiting with them every year.

Yes, I have run into a few hunters that could fall of the face of the earth and nobody would miss them, but they have been far and few between. I just don't let it ruin my time outdoors as they are usually never around past the first weekend.

It also bothers me when others here get upset with the way others hunt and take it as wrong or as everyone likes to put it now unethical.

Hunting public land comes with alot of issues and people will alwyas be number one. Learn to accept it and take a little time to learn who they are, you'll might just be supprised with who is out here with you. You might learn a few things or even better teach a few.

[knoppers]

perminet stands are no longer leagal on public lands. as far as hunters, it just seems to get worse. I've never have seen so many hunters hunting public land like they are this year. which can be a good thing, as they keep the deer moving.

I know I have scouted out a area well, then put up my portable, and as I was walking out, noticed a portable already set up, about 75 yards from were I just set up. I went back to my stand, and removed it. I won't hunt someones spot that arrived before me. its the ethics for me.

[CRAZYEYES]

I have'nt deer hunted in a while but thats why I am considering going out for muzzleloader seson this year. Sounds a little more peaceful and if I get bored I can always go chase some grouse around.

[Brad B]

this is why I have got away from deer hunting and have switched to doing more fishing. even with the fishing there is still idiots out there that shouldn't be on the lakes. the worst is the people that live on the lakes and think they own the whole lake just because they have a house on the lake.

[CRAZYEYES]

Yeah there are some terrible fishermen, this summer I fishing a small walleye hole and there was not another boat in sight when a rental boat from a local resort pulled in. I had a marker on the spot and theese guys started trolling around it and caught the line. They were either kind of dumb or kind of drunk and after watching them trying to untangle it for a couple minuites I told them to just cut the line and give me my marker back. Who's line do you think they cut?? My marker now has a tire weight on it.

[SledNeck]

Last year we walked into a stand that a pack of wolves ran through not too long before we got there. Sure enough at 7am a 6pt buck walks in over the wolftracks with not a care in the world. This same stand produced 4 bucks last year .we let the 6 go.

[goblueM]

its always a bummer when there's people near you. For me hunting is as much about the solitude and enjoying nature as it is about the chase and shooting something

Not to mention the safety factor for rifle season...

I'd suggest instead of having 4 backup spots, put in a lot of work finding an area that is really tough to access. Sure it might be more work but in the end, i find that it is worth every drop of sweat

The prevalance of ATVs is really a bummer. The great equalizer, they allow the lazy hunters who would never walk a mile through the woods to a spot to zip right into some areas further from roads or access points. Try crossing water, in a boat or in rubber boots, even in waders. That cuts down an awful lot of pressure. Its like portaging in the BWCA, the more you do the less people are around.

[ANYFISH2]

public land hunting can be frustrating at times especially at first or in a new spot. 200 yard distance in high density (hunter) area's is a lot. My best advice is after the morning hunt on opening day Talk to the hunters that are around you, ask if they hunt from the same tree every year, most hunters do! ask where others in thier party are and share where your party is. A little work and personal conversation can take care of your problem in one season. You will soon find out the other will be helpfull as well. Respect goes a long way in the deer woods.

FYI I have hunted public land for 17 years and in area that has hunder desities of 30+ per square mile. We no longer have issues with other hunters.

[KG243]

I too have hunted public land for 17 years and it is hard at times, but I love hunting so much to give it up. I always shine my head lamp and aproaching hunter to let them know where I am. I have never had anyone set up with in 400-500 yards that I knew.

[fishuhalik]

anyfish2, I would never be able to put up with that! 200 yards is a long ways to be from anyone else? I must be spoiled.

On a side note my dad just called a few minutes ago. Shot a nice 8 point, 18" spread. He sounded like some of his faith in humanity had been restored. I new it would be, he just needed to kill a deer to get his frustrations out.

[R. Miller]

I always shine my head lamp and aproaching hunter to let them know where I am. I have never had anyone set up with in 400-500 yards that I knew.

[ANYFISH2]

Like I said before I hunt an area high in hunters. But to think about it, if you had 400 yds between you and every hunter your essentially expecting a 40 acre parcel for a stand you can see maybe 90 yards(in a forest setting) in any direction, that's a lot land. I hope it all works out for you and your party in the coming years. Congrates to your father.