|
What would you all do??
Let me set the stage....I have a place close to work that I can get into quickly. Been there since I started bowhunting 15 years ago. Deer are everywhere. This past fall, a guy, my COUSIN no less informs me thru someone elsethat HE is going to hunt there as he lives in this town and its his right. Igot permission before he did (law) so he went to the guy and gotit (after he threw up a stand). Ileft a message for him to please contact me, ive been in the spot for 15 years and heard he was goingto putup a stand there. He showed up at my work, telling me he didnt give a SH&%how long Id been there and he was going in there andI could go F$%^ myself and drove off still swearing at me.He said he was watching and I hadnt been in there in a couple years...guess he's not too observant, I use a climber and I HAD been there. He said he works and lives right near there so its his right to hunt there. I chalked it up to him just being a loser and went elsewhere. I felt like going in while he was there and sitting in the next tree over just to piss him off!
Now the problem...I dont want to give in and plan on getting back in there this season. What do you all think I should do? just put my stand in there and hope he doesnt bother me or use some other tactic? I thought of asking the landowner not to grant him permission this year. Fact is, this small area will be the only huntable area this season as they are developing the other parts of the property this summer. It will probably make it even better in my area as it will push the deer into it. D |
RE: What would you all do??
Well, first I would never speak to your cousin again. Second, I would ask the landowner why he would do that behind your back. That was wrong on both their parts. I don't know if I would trust either of them.
|
RE: What would you all do??
I havent spoken to the cousin and wont any longer.....
Im thinking, giving the benefit of the doubt, that the landowner didnt expect he was going to put his stand in the next tree over from where I put mine. The land is many acres. In fact, not only did he put a stand in my spot, he put one on the other side of the property in a couple spots. D |
RE: What would you all do??
put up a couple decoy stands in some off the wall spots. that way he will think thats where you hunt. then take the climber in to your good spots. ole tactic we use. sometimes out foxing the other hunters is more of a challenge then the hunt itself
|
RE: What would you all do??
Talk to the land owner and see if he would consider cash renting it to you. Then you decide who hunts it.
|
RE: What would you all do??
Why can't you share the land and work together? I dont' want to sound like an arse, but he does appear to have the same right as you to hunt the land. I understand the fact that he should have consulted with you about it since you have been there 15 years as a courtesy. But, being there 15 years unfortunately doesnt' give you ownership of the land or any leverage IMO. I'd try to keep it civil and see if you can work something out without it turning into a war.
|
RE: What would you all do??
NY,
Two things, first and most important, it isnt the fact of him hunting the land in general, it is the fact that this one area of that land is where he chose to put his stand, knowing thats where I put mine. He could have put 15 stands up on any other part of the property as far as I was concerned. second, its the way he did it, trying to keep it a secret, did he think I wouldnt notice his stand in the tree next to mine? Im kicking myself for not calling the game warden when I first checked and saw his stand in there after hearing about it. At that point he didnt have permission. If I would have known he'd run to the landowner after the fact and get permisson and then act like an ass, I would have called. In fact, being that I am in law enforcement myself, I would have taken joy in busting him myself but we dont do Fish & Wildlife's work for them. I personally didnt think family would do that. He's always been friendly with me. D |
RE: What would you all do??
Man I keep hearing about this stuff and it really must take the fun out of hunting for you guys. Next thing he will be stealing your stands, flattening tires on truck, etc. What a joke. Do you have any public land in your area to hunt? If you do, walk in farther than the average joe to get away from this crap. You have too many other stresses in life to deal with to have to deal withstress in your hobby.
Does this guy have any reasoning to where you could talk him into working as a team. I know your first thought is forget that, but think about this...He could hunt one side of the property and you could hunt the other. Sounds like he is trying to compete with you. He's probably tired of hearing all the talk of your past success and he wants a taste of it.Best way to nip that in the butt is to make him a team member and put him to work.Use him to your advantage. You know the property better than he does, you know where the deer run to when they are spooked, you know what the nautural wind directions are, etc. Take all that info and use it to your advantage and keep a smile on your face. You don't have to be best friends with this guy, but trying to resolve this issue in another way may be more beneficial in the long run. You don't want to be sitting up in your tree stand all day filled with hate woundering what he will do to you next. That will not make hunting fun.Ifhe won't leave,I say make him a team mate. One that will assist you without him really knowing that.:D I find that everything in life is a test and once we get past the difficult part you would be amazed at what good could come from it. Once agianour natural insticts are not the best (I'm still learning this). Fightyour first instict that is based off of angerand get to the good that will come. All of us crave camaraderie, this could be the person you receive it from. |
RE: What would you all do??
Well, your question was what would I do...
In the "before" part when he came to see you, I would have discounted how long I've been hunting the spot, explain that he put a stand really close to mine and ask if he wouldn't mind not hunting his stand while I'm in mine. More along the lines of what MilDot had to say. If he didn't go along with that, well then I'd just have to find a way to work around it myself. If he's that much of an ah@le, I don't wanna be hunting anywhere near him. Now though? I'd simply call him, tell him that I'm sorry we had a disagreement, I hope to see him in the woods when I'm out there (oh and by the way, this is when I'm usually there) and leave it at that. |
RE: What would you all do??
Whoneeds enemies when you have cousins like that?
|
RE: What would you all do??
What would I DO? Well, I'd stay pissed for a LONG time (which is stupid, I know), and I'd find another place to hunt. In my opinion that spot would be totally blown. When you're not there, you have NO IDEA what he's doing in there, how much noise he's making, how much scent he's leaving...I wouldn't hunt there anymore.
|
RE: What would you all do??
what i would do is tellthe land owner that he put up a deer stand on his land b4 asking permission. That might make the landowner see that the guy is a jerk. I would also tell your cousin what this guy did and if your cousin sides with the jerk than your cousin isn't a nice guy.
|
RE: What would you all do??
Because of your cousin's behavior, I would certainly bring it the landowners attention, if your close enough to the landowner. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior towards me from non family members, I sure as heck wouldn't from my own cousin...he deserves no respect from you and the farther away from him the better and if that means getting him kicked off a good hunting area, then so be it....I've read here people writing of "right"...neither of you have the "right" to hunt there, the landowner gives you permission....remember that and perhaps remind your pathetic cousin of that same information....if you are successful at terminating your cousins permission, be prepared for backlash...and good luck.
|
RE: What would you all do??
Sure would be a shame if that "cousin" of yours turned up missing...:) joking. I would do what some of the others would do, and talk to the landowner. After all, he does have the authority to change your cousin's plan.
|
RE: What would you all do??
Walk away and be the bigger man. I know its easy to say but if this escalates into something bad how will you feel later? Leave the bugger alone to gloat in his excrement. Ask yourself if it is really worth it. Do you want your kids to learn how to be an adult or act like a testosterone filled teenager? Who cares? Just walk away. You sound like a reasonablle man. Stay that way and smile. Tit for tat is for children. An eye for an eye is for hill billies and countries that are at war all the time. You will enjoy a peacefull hunt. After all isn't that why you started bow hunting?
|
RE: What would you all do??
ORIGINAL: bighorns35 put up a couple decoy stands in some off the wall spots. that way he will think thats where you hunt. then take the climber in to your good spots. ole tactic we use. sometimes out foxing the other hunters is more of a challenge then the hunt itself |
RE: What would you all do??
dtabor...
sounds like your getting a lot of good advice from a lot of different angles. I can give you a landowners point of view.I own and operate a pretty good piece of prime whitetail ground (not bragging, just for basis) and have dealt with the public all of our lives in terms of hunting permission and the like. We have had haystacks burned down to the ground, fences cut, cattle shot in guts, and a whole ball of b.s.. It led us to shutting it off to the public actually. I would bet, and correct me if I am wrong please, that the only time the landowner hears from you is right before hunting season. You call him to get permission or talk with him once in a while about the deer population, etc.. Its a fact the locals here griped about us letting public hunting on (for nearly 33 years...managed, of course) and they gripe just as much now that they are cut off. It is also a fact the even when we did let the locals on, as well as out-of-staters, the only time we heard from the locals is the night before season or 5:30 a.m. the morning of. It is a more important fact the the "out-of-staters" were the only ones who kept in contact year round, sent us jerky and homeade stuff with cards at Christmas, bought us hunging gear, sent us gadgets, or even offered to come a few days early and help out with the work. Wow. In over the over 40 years my family has owned this land, not one local offered these things. It's not that we need or even want those things, its the point. Where I am going with this? I agree with the suggestions that you should try and heal up with the cuz...give it an honest effort. When it doesn't work out, plan ahead and don't be a short term general. You need to get on a more personal level with the landowner...my guess is that you are already after hunting this place for 15 years....but get closer, and be sincere about it. Don't be shallow, we see through that. Ask if he needs help around the property, be observant and suggest your labor for things like mending fences, piling deadfall, posting signs, feeding stock (?), planting acres, etc.. Don't address your current situation with him yet. I suggest letting this year pass and work on next year...if your cuz doesn't come around with a sincere :)attempt, then try and preserve your hunting for you and yours, but don't let it be a blood bath. I know hundreds of people like your cuz, and he will only ruin it for himself in time. His loss. You move on if you must. But be careful with the landowner, he'll get fed up with the both of you because he has much worse problems of his own, I am sure. He'll end of leasing it out to someone with a lot more cash than the both of you and you will both be up the creek. Befriend the landowner, even if you don't hunt there, because you never know what the future might bring. Give something for something in return. You sound like a good enough hunter that you can adapt to any situation. Your cousins misery is his own, don't let it infect you, but man your assets. |
RE: What would you all do??
Good stuff there stickman. Do you own along thatfamos Milk River? BTW, welcome to the board;).
|
RE: What would you all do??
Thanks everyone for all the great input on this.
I think the decision Im going to make on this is to talk with the landowner, or as the case may be, his caretaker, as the landowner has passed away and the caretaker is who I now deal with. Ive known him for years and he is aware of what went on this past season. Im not sure just how well my cousin knows him..... After that, I'll see where he (caretaker)is coming from on this. If he seems to be pissed enough to ban my cousin, I MAY get back on there but as someone said, it may be ruined now anyway and if he loses access, he may (is) vindictive enough to sabotage the area for me anyway. After this all happened, I gained access to a pretty good chunk of land about 3 miles away from all this. The landowner has known my family for years, worked with my sister, so that makes it easier. It borders a HUGE posted area that manages the area for deer/wildlife so in the long run it may work to my advantage. Thanks again everyone! D |
RE: What would you all do??
If it were MY cousin he'd have a black eye. Luckily I get along and am really close with my cousins because we grew up hunting together. I couldn't imagine one of them ever acting like that. I'm sorry for you. I'd keep my chin up and try to work it out....I guess.:eek:
|
RE: What would you all do??
Well turtleshell, I had a good relationship with this cousin before this too. He just started bowhunting about 3-4 years ago. I helped him put up stands, scout etc. He was always in here comparing cam photos etc. Kind of why I was in shock that he pulled this stunt....just showing his true colors I guess.
|
RE: What would you all do??
I agree there's a couple way's around this NYBowhunter had a great idea in putting up mock stand's ,but I'd removeyour stand that's nearthe one he put up beside your's, and make him think that he's won or double think his choice thinking you may have found an even better spot in this bush .[Just use your climber there }
But I also agree that you could come to some agreement so as though your not running into each other .It's really best for both parties to be able to work together .He got permission and regardless how long you've been hunting there he still has the right .Who know's what he told the landowner ,he may have told him that you were cousin's and hunt together all the time ,and the landowner probably thought that there was no harm ,so he was misled so to speak. This could be a touchy thing ,because if the landowner think's you guy's are fighting ,he may just boot the both of you's . It's best if you's can work together and come to an agreement ,I'm sure there's room for both of you's. I've been through this myself and I've been able to work out a great agreement with the other guy, we're able to hunt together and in opposite location's of the bush and still have good success. You don't have to share all your secret's with him and it could work to your advantage . I hope you's are able to work out a compramise , this could work to your advantage ,he may walk in and spook up a deer in your direction without realizing it . Iknow your pi--ed about the way he spoke to you ,but you can salvage this without hard feeling's,just try to work detail's out as a team. nubo nubo |
RE: What would you all do??
dtabor... sounds like your getting a lot of good advice from a lot of different angles. I can give you a landowners point of view. I own and operate a pretty good piece of prime whitetail ground (not bragging, just for basis) and have dealt with the public all of our lives in terms of hunting permission and the like. We have had haystacks burned down to the ground, fences cut, cattle shot in guts, and a whole ball of b.s.. It led us to shutting it off to the public actually. I would bet, and correct me if I am wrong please, that the only time the landowner hears from you is right before hunting season. You call him to get permission or talk with him once in a while about the deer population, etc.. Its a fact the locals here griped about us letting public hunting on (for nearly 33 years...managed, of course) and they gripe just as much now that they are cut off. It is also a fact the even when we did let the locals on, as well as out-of-staters, the only time we heard from the locals is the night before season or 5:30 a.m. the morning of. It is a more important fact the the "out-of-staters" were the only ones who kept in contact year round, sent us jerky and homeade stuff with cards at Christmas, bought us hunging gear, sent us gadgets, or even offered to come a few days early and help out with the work. Wow. In over the over 40 years my family has owned this land, not one local offered these things. It's not that we need or even want those things, its the point. Where I am going with this? I agree with the suggestions that you should try and heal up with the cuz...give it an honest effort. When it doesn't work out, plan ahead and don't be a short term general. You need to get on a more personal level with the landowner...my guess is that you are already after hunting this place for 15 years....but get closer, and be sincere about it. Don't be shallow, we see through that. Ask if he needs help around the property, be observant and suggest your labor for things like mending fences, piling deadfall, posting signs, feeding stock (?), planting acres, etc.. Don't address your current situation with him yet. I suggest letting this year pass and work on next year...if your cuz doesn't come around with a sincere attempt, then try and preserve your hunting for you and yours, but don't let it be a blood bath. I know hundreds of people like your cuz, and he will only ruin it for himself in time. His loss. You move on if you must. But be careful with the landowner, he'll get fed up with the both of you because he has much worse problems of his own, I am sure. He'll end of leasing it out to someone with a lot more cash than the both of you and you will both be up the creek. Befriend the landowner, even if you don't hunt there, because you never know what the future might bring. Give something for something in return. You sound like a good enough hunter that you can adapt to any situation. Your cousins misery is his own, don't let it infect you, but man your assets. |
RE: What would you all do??
sometimes talk just dont cut it...then>
|
RE: What would you all do??
Yea Rickmur, born and raised. Fame has its price, though.
|
RE: What would you all do??
Thanks, TerryM. This fella's in a tough postion, eh?
|
RE: What would you all do??
If my cousin did that, we would be flappin up some dust and the best man win, after all its family. I do believe that senority has the advantage and I wouldn't back down.
How big is this area and how far is his stand from where you put yours. Bobby |
RE: What would you all do??
121,
The property is (WAS) huge until now because they are developing all but the small strip of woods that my stand was in. I have hunted this entire property since I was a kid being taken out by my father. There have always been 3-4 of us on the property during bow season, me in my strip of woods, another local guy in an orchard on top of the hill and another local guy off the edge of a field quite a distance away. A few years back another guy who rents near the land had a stand down the powerline from me about 200+ yards. We always worked together and never got in anyones way. If someone shot a deer, we'd get together and help track it by leaving notes on each others vehicles and meeting after the hunt. It wasnt a friendship thing, just fellow hunters helping each other. BUT, after all those years hunting, I found that my spot was the best for deer sightings, the strip was/is between a powerline on one side and a fence that is around the town highway garage property. It funneled deer right thru those trees. Trails were all thru there right burrowed into the mud. A Mt Bike trail was put in thru the orchard and along the edge of the field so that killed those two stands and they moved on, the renter guy moved away so that left me in my strip of woods. As much as Id like to fight this, Im thinking that even if I do "WIN" the battle, Ive probably lost the war as he would somehow sabotage my hunting there. D |
RE: What would you all do??
I've seen SEVERAL very nice buck, and one booner that had bed down right next to mtb trails...I wouldn't discount a spot just because bike trails are there. ;)
|
RE: What would you all do??
Be careful. I lost a piece of great hunting land after this greedy cousin that inherited 200 acres next to the 300 I was on did not want me hunting there. He started taking about how "unsafe" it was and complaining because his cabin got broken into. They knew I didint do it but it was just an excuse for him. He did not want me hunting out there at all. I guess he thought 500 acres was too small for two people. After complaining enough the landowner just got tired of the hassle. So I was told I could finish the season out and then I had to clear out. Man I miss all the hogs and deer that were out there:(.
My main point is that the landowner probably doesnt want to have to deal with any BS. You may both end up getting the boot especially since yall are hunting for free anyway. I would try to work it out with the cousin and just share the place. Sounds like there is plenty of room anyway. |
RE: What would you all do??
I would try to work something out with your cousin and get along. For god sakes your family....
|
RE: What would you all do??
I agree dont talk to the cousin again, but I also think you need to talk to the landowner and explain what happened. I really don't think he wants a guy like that hunting on his land. Also, if your ex-cousin hadnt seen you in a couple years, why did he place a stand near yours. And yes I would have set up nearby, knowing I might not see anything either but for spite! [:@]
|
RE: What would you all do??
I would encourage him to hunt it. I would even encourage him to shoot the big boy. There is so much land out there to hunt and your bickering over a few acres. Shame on you. If there is one thing I've learned bow hunting all these years, is the fact the 3 people can set up in a triangle 60 yrds apart and still have opportunity at a big boy.
For the mountain bike trail, so what. I hunt a few spots with public trails less then 30 yrds from my tree. Deer don't mind. In fact it's fun to be there while people are walking by. I've shot deer less then 5 mins after people walked by being towed by their dogs. That's where hunters screw up. They think just because someone else has come into the woods, you have no chance of shooting anything. If you did your home work you still should be good. They keep the deer moving and are a great scent cover for you. Good luck. It's not the end of the world. |
RE: What would you all do??
Wow, this has become a hotter topic than I expected!
I have one more question for those of you who say suck it up and move on or make nice and work it out....... HONESTLY, if you were in this situation, your absolute BEST ever stand location that you had worked on and relocated until you got it just right, and a family member came in, told you he didnt care if you were there the last however many years and he was putting a stand up right there, basically pushing you out...you'd just move on? This isnt a good hunting buddy now that you share stands with, this is someone who just moved in and took over your best spot without even trying to talk to you about it and work it out....now you're expected to work it out?........Honestly now. As I said before, Im probably just moving on anyway to another place that I have permission on now. I would rather spend my time this fall hunting successfully than to use that time to screw up his new area and then end up empty handed myself. Not that the vindictive side of me wouldnt love to make him waste his time in this stand with no deer sightings. I guess a few bird hunting trips with my retriever during the day thru this woodlotwould be enjoyable!!! Just a side note on landowners etc in this state, it is only recently that VT law stated that you had to have permission to put a stand on someones land. We are different than other states, if its not posted, its open to hunting...period....the only permission you need by law is for stands and blinds to be erected. I have always gotten permission anyway as that is my style and ethics but by law, you dont have to and my time hunting on this landstarted wellbefore that law came into effect and before it was ever a posted land. I have always worked with this landowner and kept in touch. It isnt farmland, it is wooded and the owner is extremely wealthy and hardly ever in residence at his home so there isnt much opportunity to offer help working the land or otherwise. He hires groundskeepers, housekeepers, land managers, caretakers,whatever he wants. This is in a resort town with tons of money so its a bit different than country farmland where you can offer help with chores etc. D |
RE: What would you all do??
As I said before, Im probably just moving on anyway to another place that I have permission on now. I would rather spend my time this fall hunting successfully than to use that time to screw up his new area and then end up empty handed myself. Not that the vindictive side of me wouldnt love to make him waste his time in this stand with no deer sightings. I guess a few bird hunting trips with my retriever during the day thru this woodlotwould be enjoyable!!! Sometimes it's a very bad habit. I'm in Scotland this week but I'm catching myself looking in the urban areas for whitetail. Like I'm going to see any. |
RE: What would you all do??
Sometimes it's a very bad habit. I'm in Scotland this week but I'm catching myself looking in the urban areas for whitetail. Like I'm going to see any. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:13 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.