Ethics question
 

This area is public land. I scouted a water hole just before the start of the season and saw alot of signs.Since the season started another guy has been hunting it pretty regular so I just left it alone. I happened to be by there the other day and scouted it again and noticed where the guy has been hunting with his climber and think that he has it all wrong. I know it is wrong for me to go there once he is all set up. Is it wrong for me to hunt it on days when he is not there? Or for me to hunt it and 'beat' him there as I don't know what days he plans to hunt it? Or should I just forget about it?

Here is a rough diagram of the area-

Blue spots are water holes
Red spots are where he has been using his climber
Green is wood lines
Black is deer trails
Yellow is where I would put my blind to hunt

My blind would be about 130 - 150 yards from his nearest stand tree.

RE: Ethics question
 

If you would be that far away from him I think it would be fine. Heck he probably won't even know you are there.

RE: Ethics question
 

Why not? It is public land and you are not using his spots or even going on the same days. I really don't see a problem.
Brandon

RE: Ethics question
 

Public land...all is fair. If you beat him to it so be it. No sense on missing out on a good opportunity to accomadate him when he may not even be hunting. Have at it

RE: Ethics question
 

I would say go for it. If he's hunting it wrong, chances are he won't have much success and will give up on it anyway.

RE: Ethics question
 

I dont think there would be anything wrong with you setting up your stand that far away from his two locations and if you beat him to the punch so be it, it is public land so he really cant say anything. At least it wouldnt bother me if i was the other hunter, good luck with your situation and lets hope you beat him to the punch.

RE: Ethics question
 

It's public land and you would be stting up plenty far enough away from him. I only wish most hunters were half as considerate as you are being with this guy. Go for it!!!

RE: Ethics question
 

Unless you're dryer than dirt, you're both probably wasting your time hunting a water hole in Missouri. You've had rain and then some rain. Deer find it every where. You're fine hunting where you want. You're just as fine hunting where he does if he's not there. It's public land. BUt I think it's a waste of time usually. Unless it's dryer than dirt, waterhole hunting isn't the way to get a whitetail.

RE: Ethics question
 

This I have heard before, but the trails leading to and from them are worn down to bare dirt. This is enough to make me consider it worth while to sit a morning/evening or two.

RE: Ethics question
 

Hunt it up