Marked out 2 trees 2 weeks ago,been scouting for 4 weeks.Saw no one out there,no other stands,markers,nothing over the lat 4 weeks.Went out the other day found bolt on tree stand 100 yards behind my first tree,tree still marked,second tree had nothing around it.Went back today found both tree markers had been removed,second tree had yard markers around it but about 50 yards away from my tree.Trail to my second tree has been marked since january(scouting in 2 feet of snow and I know no one else was out there all winter).I found another tree a good 300+ yards form tree #2 and 200+ from tree #1.I do not know either hunter but do know #2 may be a neighbor.First yr hunting out there(behind my house).No notes,no contact with either,yet.I will give the #2 guy the benefit of the doubt that maybe his stand was up with no yard markers,but he had to have seen my trail markers,#1 hadnt even been by my marked tree in 2 weeks.If my current markers are removed both tree stands will be taken down and tossed out.There is plenty of room for 10 bow hunters there and there was only the #1 guy there last year but he move 75 yards closer the main trail.I am in no means a bad guy,but if other hunters want to play games so can I.Whats everyones opinions on this?

Is it your property ?

That makes me think. I'm new to the sport, and could easily do something like that with out knowing it. What do people generally use for marking trees? I hunt public land, so I guess it's first come etc., but I wouldn't knowingly invade someones space.

Hunter etiquette seems to be an unknown term to some people! Today I went to move my trail cam and check out a spot that I'll be using during the pre-rut/rut. The first thing I have to mention is this is State Park land and the RULES say you must carry your stand in and take it out when you leave each day. This enliminates "staking a claim" which can result in confrontations between hunters. Well, sure enough I come across a ladder stand! This was unlike most that I've encountered in the park. It was right off of a hiking trail (typically lazy) and there was all kinds of litter/crap around it!! There were empty plastic/cardboard containers from various accessaries (sp) for the stand and an empty soda can. I didn't remove the stand, but I'll just say it won't be getting used again. Some people have to learn the hard way. The stand was bad enough, but the litter put it over the top. I HATE LITTER BUGS!!!!!

First off no its not my property,it is town land.Which brings up another point,its a bolt on tree stand with screw in steps(both of them) on town land(i use climbering stands).Most people use orange tape to mark their trails/shooting distances along with brite eyes(reflective thumb tacks for seeing trail at night).This tape was not up by either of the 3 hunter(myself or the 2 others) 2 weeks ago,I do not mark out trees unless its a perminant spot/tree,I had used reflective tape in front of the 2 trees I was going to use.Both were missing,not on the ground but in someones pocket missing.Like I said hunter #1 moved his stand towards the main trail,which I was off of but leads to my property,so he had to have come in from that side to have seen my tape.His stand is also 75-80 yards from the trail I use to my new stand,which has been marked since january with red electrical tape.Someone mentioned staking a claim,well you would think hunter #1 had a stand on a run last year,and common sense would tell me(since he cut down a bunch a trees) he would use that again,but he didnt,so that is why my first stand was where it was,away from him but he changed things up.BTW I would never leave my stands in the woods unless it was private property and I trusted the propertyowners/hunters in the surrounding areas.Brings up another ?,does a bolt on tree stand take precedence over a climber?

I've always taken public land as first come gets the spot each day. Sorry but you go marking "your spot" on public land here and it was the same spot I was going to use it doesn't matter I'll sit there. Here in Iowa it is legal to put stands up on public land and leave them, I still don't see that as "their spot" Sorry if I get there two hours before light and decide to put my climber up a tree next to your stand or taped off area I have every right and will if its the spot I want to hunt. Its PUBLIC land, you can't claim a spot on it. Now most times I will avoid other hunters to avoid the confrontation, and them ruining my hunts anyways, plus the best spots are a lot farther back in the woods then they'll go.

On public land I would never tip someone off as to where I'm gonna hunt. That is just asking for someone to hone in on your spot. Everyone seems to think the other spot is better, the grass always greener.

If its public land, go hunt. You have just as much right as they do. If they don't like it (or you don't) someone will find a new spot. Good luck

I did find a better spot farther back(was going to try that spot last since I saw a 6 pointer by spot #1 4 weeks ago) actually on the same run as spot#2 so if the deer use that I should see them first.WhitBri,so if you were in your tree and I came a sat 50 yards from you,knowing you were there you would be fine with that?You are right first come first serve,my tree was marked he found it AFTER he put his stand up,ripped my markers off,not to mention he was 100 yards away.Thats not too close for bow,shotgun/blackpowder yes not bow.Then are him and I going to be hunting the same times/days,most likely not.Now if I was to climb up and unbolt his stand and lags because I was there first is that right?No,I wouldnt want that done to me and I wouldnt do that to him,UNLESS I find my other spot messed with.WV Hunter,that is why I dont mark out my yardage,cause you can see it from a mile away and it draws attention to your spot.My new spot has markers(green or red electrical tape not the orange tape) to the tree,which isnt marked this time so no one know which it is,and I have to trek through the swamp to get there.

Don't mark up trees or leave things. Don't tell people. Takes care of most problems.

Really can't blame people for hunting anywhere on public land and it's only smart to hunt a spot that looks good to not only you, but other hunters if ya like all the company, I don't. Public land stinks some times.

I use a gps and mapping software to create, up and download way points.

Is it ethical to claim a public ground for your own personal use? I don't think so. You don't have to remove a stand, but you can. Just use it if you want to trust it and the guy who left it there, not me. Guys an idiot for leaving it there and I wouldn't want to hunt anywhere near them gun or bow, might shoot me. Just tell the GW.

Around here the GW will and does go through the lands and remove stands left behind on there own, locks don't effect them much.

How do you know those people aren't here?

"Don't tell people"

You might have left a trail to the spot. When you scout in the spring enter the way points and then when the day comes you want to hunt, go and hunt.

With mapping software you can scout based on terrain features and create a route and stand location-s. The first time in is the first time and your hunting. With google maps you can almost pick the tree. In some area's you can get a view as if your walking on the ground. There's a little man at the top left of the map, grab him and put him on the map, just like you're walking the place.