pushing deer.

[rrb259]

I grew up hunting on leased land w/ 3 or 4 different hunting clubs on it. we always agreed that we would only hunting in our areas. we also agreed that we would not push deer the first week of opening, so as to not enterupt others hunting.
now i hunt state land in michigan. I spend quality time finding a place where there doesn't appear to be anyone else hunting. I get in my tree stand 1hr. before daylight just in case..
about 8 am opening day 5 guys walk rightacross lane in between the rows of pines i was hunting. I had words w/ the one closes to my stand. wasI wrong? I got to thinking about it, it is state land they have every right to hunt there. I just think they should be more conciderate of others hunting.let me know what ya'll think..

[Rebel Hog]

ORIGINAL: rrb259

I just think they should be more conciderate of others hunting.let me know what ya'll think..

There are few and inbetween, just keep on being considerate and don't lower your self to thier standards.

[Champlain Islander]

They have the same rights that you do. People hunt deer differently and they are just as right as you especially on public land. If they knew you were there and they still pushed through then I would say they weren't very sportsman like.

[NY Bowhunter]

It's unbelievable to me the things that happen opening week. In all my years of hunting I could never understand it and probably never will.

[Arrowmaster]

I would be upset about it as well any time during the deer season, but they have every right to be there as well. If they knew where you were located and did it anyway then I would speak my opinion and let it go at that. I would probably relocate to a place with less hunting pressure. Just my thoughts. Arrowmaster

[jimmy the foot]

i know what you mean man. but it is state land and if you think total strangers are going to pull up and see other cars parked on the side of the road and say forget it, no pushing today, think again. thats the bad with state land. i hunt state land and most hunters stay close to the roads or trails (lazy) so i just go deeper into the woods and i usually see deer, but not always. if you frown on going deeper cause of the long drag back process right there in the woods. I'm going to do it this year I've decided. I'm getting tired of hauling my deer half a mile of more to my car to process it in my old mans garage. I'd rather carry 60-90 lbs of meat in my duffel bag than drag a 130+ lb dead carcass. good luck and hope you nail a slob

[mauser06]

you wouldnt say much if they kicked you out a big ole bruiser would you?? i hunt both ways....drives and stand hunting....im not saying your wrong...but theres sooooo many guys that boo hoo over us driving deer it isnt funny....but i cant count the guys not in our group that got lucky....one guy climbed out of the tree and thanked up.....he took a doe...sure its kinda inconsiderate to a point....but hey....if it aint your land what can you do?? sometimes.....ALOT of times around here...its one of the only ways to see deer in rifle season.....either driving or by other hunters pushing deer out unknowningly to you when they come in...go out..or move around...you want to talk about inconsiderate on public land.....one year me and dad set up inthe honey hole a good hour and a half before light....about 20-30mins before sunset we see a herd of flashlights coming!...they turn into the woods we are sitting...me and dad start flashing them to let them know we were there......we holler and say hey theres 2 of us already sitting here....they shut off the lights and snuck all around.....think there was like 4 or 5 in that group...all around us within 100yds plain view....only reason they hunted there was because they followed our drag marks back to our spot the year before!!! but what can you do?? i still hunting that day.....me and dad both took does......took a LONG time for me to get one....think i sat till 1pm that day.....year before when noone was around we saw over 20by 9am and killed 2 does and a buck by 9am...then grampa came over when i shot my doe..it took its death run towards him....he said man...i pulled up and was getting ready to shoot when it tipped over.....come on...that thing was dead as a doorknob when it rain...no lungs in it...stumbling..falling down.......ran into a few trees...and when it fell it smacked into a tree good.....public land is tough......i dont drive on public land....im too afraid to get shot by some of the yahoos around here lol.....and when we drive we try to be considerate.....we dont start driving till about 10am-noonish each day....95% of the guys around here are at home by then and we know that.....but the guys doing the drive in your spot probably had no idea you were there....and didnt MEAN to ruing your hunt......but id never leave when drivers come through....they get the deer moving....and if your in a good spot they just may show up since they are up and moving....i mean......when theres 25elbow to elbow drivingout the whole set of woods making sure eventhe rabbits cant hide then id think of leaving...but a few guys driving out a patch of pines isnt too horrible........good luck....i feel your pain on public land......thats kinda whyi am staying away this opener.....

[rrb259]

thanks for the input people....I'm not totally against pushing just have NEVER done it on opening day..and yes I counted 14 deer that day from my stand thats more then i have ever seen in one day...man what a good spot.