Hunting out of others stands in the 'off season'?

[Perch Jerker]

We hunt in the Natl forest for deer, bear, etc and see some pretty nice deer stands.

This year I baited bear out of a nice stand (plywood sides, roof, bench, etc) and am thinking that next year the stand owner might be [PoorWordUsage]ed off and visit 'his' stand come Sep 1st.

I did very little in baiting prep - cut 2 branches 1" thick at stand site level, cleared a 10yd lane of brush shoulder height, and drug in 6' logs from 50yds away for a bait crib. His steps were wobbly so we reinforced the steps with a couple extra nails so there now rock solid.

We have NO intentions of rifle deer hunting there (the only hunting they do) but used it (successfully) for bear and might try it for ML deer if I'm up there at that time.

If they came to use it for ML deer, I'd get out and relenquish the stand for the day. However, if he shows up on opening of bear or is in there on Sep 1st next year, I'm calling the CO to settle things at the site with my regestered bear bait site.

My thought are leave if it's deer hunting and call the CO if he thinks he's going to enjoy a free ride on my bear bait (sweat, time, gas, and money).

What are your thoughts on using someone elses tree stand on public property when they're not there?

[WB make the CUT]

Your practice is legal I myself would hunt elsewere

[merc]

Hunting out of a permanent stand on National Forest land is against the law. It doesn't matter if it is yours or someone elses. Check the hunting regs on page 137. I believe this has been in effect for about four years now. I don't really agree with the law but that is what the rule is!!

[WB make the CUT]

Merc

I stand corrected.

Thanks

[half2fish]

I know that i have a few stands on state land, hmm... 14 but we have had stands up for about 20 years and as long as we keep them clean and dont disrupt anything than the dnr said they dont really care. but i know that behind where we camp a few bear hunters used our stands. I myself as a deer hunter didnt really care, they took care of some preditors that rip our stands up all of the time and they took care of the area. And i know that since it is on stateland you cant kick anyone out of them. Once you put the stands up in national forest they are everyones.

[Perch Jerker]

On page 133 it states that "Cutting, mowing, sawing, digging, collecting, injuring, or removing vegetation is prohibited." Well, the fact that I was walking (and sometimes stepping on and breaking branches) in the woods in search of grouse with my dog makes me illegal. I'm also pretty sure that in the legal process of shooting at grouse, I cut some branches off (yes the grouse got lucky ). I was illegal, but doubt anyone would do anything about it.

On page 134 it also states that "It is illegal to possess alcoholic beverages while hunting on all National Wildlife Refuges." So according to this law, the 6-pack buried under your gear bag in the car for after the hunt at whatever hotel you find for the night makes you illegal IF you are hunting on and park the car in a Natl Refuge.

If CO's HAD to enforce that law, half the hunters in the northwoods would get tickets from either hunting out of a permenant stand OR leaving a portable stand overnight in the woods.

Merc,

I see your point and you ARE correct, thank you for pointing it out. But unless you're cutting a 20ft wide and 200yd long shooting lane from your permenant plywood tree stand in the wooded median of a divided highway in Federal Land, I doubt they'd raise a fuss.

I'm just trying to figure out feelings and how people would react if they were either hunting in or had someone else in the permenant tree stand, especially in an open season they don't utilize.

PJ

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Out group hunts from perm stands and have for many years. I would probably hunt elswhere.

Perhaps a written note in and ziplock left in the stand ...who knows...you may meet a new hunting partner.

[Neiko]

We had this same issue come up at our bear clinic with the CO. He said if you are baiting on Public land and someone jumps in your bait site before you he has the right to hunt it. I find it hard to believe someone would stoop to that level but they are out there. The people couldn't believe there was nothing the CO could do about it. Even if it is your portable it is on state land. Anyhow I ask the CO if I was to call the CO and then take down my bait sign if the guy would be hunting illegally and he smirked and said yes he would and then he could do something. Just something to keep in your head if the situation ever occurs.

[mudman]

Half2Fish - Make the Cut

Email me at [email protected]

[merc]

I personnaly don't agree with all the laws they have for National Forests. They don't want permanent stands, so you have to take a portable, but now you can't drive an atv down a logging road so you have to carry the stand in and drag your deer out by hand. I guess they want everyone to hunt next to public roads. I agree with no cross country travel with atvs but gee on logging roads? It's nice to have all this public land, too bad they make it almost impossible to use in a lot of areas. I agree some people were slobs when it came to permanent stands as they left excess wood, windows etc. in the woods but I have land that joins National Forest land and all the stands I see were very neat and have no shooting lanes. Hopefully the DNR will not ticket people for having a small stand back in the woods.

[Perch Jerker]

Neiko,

I like your response about pulling the sign just before the CO gets there! Very sneaky, sneaky!

[Piker]

One thing about pulling the sign that could get you into trouble is the rule about interfering with a legal hunter. Even though the other guy was the unethical party, if you interfere with their hunt that could be a violation as well.

[fivebucks]

I would think there is nothing wrong with pulling down the bait sign that you put (it has your name on it). Now if that person put his own sign up that might be a different story on interference.