public land question
 

All right guysI try to be in my tree long before anyone shows up not to be accused of walking in on them or stealing their spot.I've even had guys tell me that was their spot not to hunt there.My opinion is first come.

RE: public land question
 

That's how it works. Early in.;)

RE: public land question
 

Last week I walked into the woods after a guy I know did. I then heard it thru the grape vine that I wronged him and ruined his hunt.

uhhh... last time I checked the regulations it never said anything about the state park belonging to any one person.

RE: public land question
 

Thats why when I hunt public land I look at a map and try to think where "weekend warriors" would not walk, and that is where I go. The extra distance kind of sucks, but it's worth it not seeing others.

RE: public land question
 

These days you don't have to walk in too far to be in further than most other hunters.:D

RE: public land question
 

Public land first come first serve.

RE: public land question
 

If someone is hunting an area(for a length of time), and I know they were there first, I'll stay away even though it is public. I don't want to be accused of "stealing" a spot. But it's a public woods. Go out and hunt it, if you walk up on someone or someone walks up on you, well sorry bout your luck but that's going to happen sooner or later.

During turkey season this spring I met a guy who told me he'd been watching this big tom fora week, and asked if I'd not bother him. Well, one I didn't because where he was hunting was a part of the public forest I'd never been and didn't intend to go, and two, he was just being honest with me and nicely asked not to...soI respected that.

RE: public land question
 

One tract of public land I hunt you have to sign into an area on the map, this way you know where people are and you don't hunt near them. I still have people come and sit 30yds. from me.

RE: public land question
 

first come first serve and ive had my fair share of people walk under me or ruin a hunt on public land. normally you should sign in to the area you are gonna hunt but i guess to some people it doesnt matter, if at all possible respect others and their hunt

RE: public land question
 

I was hunting public land this morning and had parked where most would not see my truck (parking area across the street from the entrance). This land is pretty empty during the weekdays - not sure about the weekends, tho. Some guy parked on the street right near the entrance and, since he didn't see any other vehicles there, he thought he was alone. He happened to decide to stroll right past where I was set up (about 6/10 mile in) and as he was passing I said "Good Morning". This guy jumped about 5 feet, brought his hands to his face and screamed like a girl. It was really funny. I wasn't meaning to scare him - just wanted him to know I was there - but dang that was funny.:D

I had seen three deer in that field this a.m. - they just wouldn't come close enough to say hello. By the time that guy walked by, I was about to pack it in anyway.

RE: public land question
 

X2

Hatchet Jack

RE: public land question
 

Yep first come first serve on public land. It's disappointing as hell to head to your prime location, only to see somebody else there already, but it happens. That's why on public land you need backup locations just in case. So if somebody is in my spot first, I move elsewhere.

That being said, I've known guys who put stands up in the woods, and then think that they are entitled to hunt there whenever they want, regardless if somebody else is already there "because they took the time to build a stand".

What is even worse though is when you are all set up, and some idiot sets up right next to you, with full knowledge that you are there. Unfortunately as in all walks of life there are crappy people out there. In my younger day I would just grab a big branch and start bashing a tree I was at just to make noise, or even confront the guy.Now with wife and kids at home not quite so quick to get in a fight with a crazy. Mostly I try and go where others don't, and seeing another hunter like that just motivates me to move in thicker/farther, etc.

Sometimes the situation warrants a discussion with somebody else (ie you both get there near the same time) Mostly I think you treat the other hunter as you want him to treat you.