Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

I haven't really thought of this, until now. The land I hunt (for the most part) abuts a county parks system that doesn't allow "hunting". The deer I hunt (and the turkeys) utilize this land for bedding and also MUST consider it a safe-haven.

Am I "Hunting" if I take my climber in there and "Scout"?

NO weapon........but I'll be camo'd from head to toe. Am I doing ANYTHING that the average nature lover isn't doing.....other than the vantage point I choose to take?

I will likely check in with my GW before I do this......but the information I "could" gather WOULD be important to me.

Would I be doing ANYTHING wrong? Unethical? People walk through this park all the time (though, admittedly.....NOT through the areas I'm considering).

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

No weapon...no hunting in my book.

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

If you are not carrying a weapon, and you have permission to be there, than a Game Warden could care less IMO

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

EVERYONE has "permission" to be there. It's a County park.

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

I can't see where there would be anything illegal about sitting in a treestand "observing nature", which is all you would be doing. If it were me, I'd take a nice camera so that if things got touchy, I could pass myself off as a "wildlife photographer". In reality, it wouldn't be a lie, and I could post some great pics here also.

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

THAT is the plan!

I've got one.....11 acre section of land.....that I DO NOT have permission to hunt (from the landowner). I CAN, however, scout this piece of property from the PARK side......and this information can be VERY valuable to me. I've spoken to these folks on several occasions (they even let me shed hunt on their property.....just WILL NOT allow hunting, there)....and they KNOW I'm hunting right on top of their property. I could scout this land from the park side, though......perfectly legal (I think).

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

people will just think your nuts....


So what do you have to lose Jeff??? [8D];)

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

Since you put it THAT way...........

NOTHING!;)

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

I agree! hahaha

I dont think theres anything wrong with that. Especially if it helps you bag a big buck, it only makes sense to do it

RE: Opinions: Is "Scouting"...."Hunting"
 

I "scout" several pieces of land that I don't have permission to hunt everyday. When I'm driving down the road and see deer on a piece of property, I stop and watch what they are doing, any big bucks, where they are heading, what time of day, etc..... Same thing that you want to do IMO.