friendly direction
 

I just want to see how other people stand on this matter. I love the outdoors and anytime i have an opportunity to take someone hunting or share what knowledge i have i always jump at the chance. Now to my question. Am i the only person who spends as much time out in the woods scouting and then show someone a nice spot. Or someone asks me to come out and check an area out and hunt it with them. I find a good area and the guy cuts me off and places a stand where i was going to set one,not to mention you spend all that time scouting and using your cameras and he lets some other retard come in who hasnt done any leg work and hunt the area. How about a guy who you have helped out in a similar way gets access to some land just to rub it in your face and not even invite you to hunt with him. Dont know about you but i aint doin it no mo.

RE: friendly direction
 

Its happened to me a few times, but i keep on taking people out.guess its just our good nature and the love of hunting that we keep doing it.:)

RE: friendly direction
 

Happened to me last year. In the yearspast i was the only person hunting this farm during archery seasons. There was an older crew who hunted shotgun (lots of drives and crazy shots). Anyway, these guys never scouted. One of them this past season was hunting archery. I couldn't make it opening weekend. I get there the next weekend and a truck is there and someone is in one of my stands (I saw the flashlight going up). So, I hunt a different stand. I talked to him in the morning. I told him I'd been scouting all summer and didn't appreciate him using my stands. He didn't seem to care, it was'nt either of our land. I knew no one hunted the weekdays, so Sunday afternoon I went to all six of my stands and moved the steps. I MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CLIMB UP!!!! This guy was only 5'7" give or take an inch. I'm 6'2". It was difficult for me to get up. Anyway, he stopped using my stands. however he knew i had cameras a such and was more fimilar than he was with the land. Two weeks later I get there and at 4 of my stand locations...he put stands in neighboring trees. I was pissed. Again...what can you do...I don't own the land nor did he. We both had permission. So, I joined forces with him [:@] Made sure we were'nt hunting the same stands over and over and he agreed to that. It worked out in the end, but it still pisses me off that he had the nerve.

J

RE: friendly direction
 

justhrowit I can see why you were a little pi$$ed.I dont know how that guy had the nerve to use YOUR stands,and it didn't seem to bother him in the slightest,hmmmmm,I just might have dealt with it in a different way;)
I do also scout out my areas and found a real honey hole a few years back.Well to make a long story short,my friend hunted my stand last year with permission of-course and this year he asked if he can place his stand about 75 yards down from mine.I polietly said no because I dont want to show up some day to hunt and be looking at each other in the eyes all morning.I did help him scout out a few areas though and helped him hang a stand.He told me he completly understands about my choice and would have done the same thing himself.Maybe i am greedy but its my honey hole;)

RE: friendly direction
 

I have a few friends with walls full of monsters. They have consitently been setting me up in some fine areas. I was able to return the favor by setting them up with hunting in my area I call the Petting Zoo.

There is so much opportunity out there to hunt I have no problem when I run into other hunters. It doesn't happen too often but it does happen. I use a climber and don't have an issue with people in my stand. I had my neighbor hunting my back yard the last few years. Oh well, I'll go some where else.

RE: friendly direction
 

I'm a selfish bastard;):D Fishing is a sport I like to share with others but hunting is one I prefer to keep to myself and mostly because of the reasons you've mentioned. I'll certainly give my time to help someone learn what to look for and I'll gladly check out someones set up and give advise but my honey holes are mine. This is espically the case if you hunt public land. There are enough variables that come into play without inviting more into the mix.

IMO alot also has to do with what type of hunting you do. If you've want to put someone on a animal to get them into hunting you can put then on a stand that will turn up lots of doe and generally they'll be happy just seeing deer. But if you've got the leg work done and are just waiting for mossy horns to give up a shot I personally wouldn't tell a soul. It's amazing what an otherwise intelegent person will do if you let them in on where the big one is. Common sence and sportsmanship go right out the window when old mosshorns is at stake.

For the record I'm not against putting others on quality animals but I have no intension of giving up a honey hole for someone who hasn't put forth the time and effort to find it thenselvs.

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I couldn't agree more. Helping others is a good thing, so long as those you choose to help are appreciative of what you do for them. I'll take the time to help just about anyone who is serious about the sport with their gear. My unofficial bow shop opens and people I have'nt seen sice last year magically appear on my doorstep.

I draw the line in giving up what took me perhaps years to aquire in the hunting woods. Only the closest of friends can go along to hunt... other than that, don't even think about using my stand locations without having a primo dental plan. If you're there when I get there, you're leaving.

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Never show your true "Honey Hole" to anyone but Your Kids or respected Hunting Partners or you will get bushwhacked!

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I pick and chose who I have hunt with me. My brother in law brought a guy to our property last year and he killed a nice 10 pt. I am not crying or anything, however, I put the time and effort into hanging stands, scouting...It just pissed me off at the time. I will speak up this year if it happens again!!!

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WOW...what a great topic, I thought I was one of the rare ones to have been burned by "so called" hunting friends. I was INVITED to hunt a rather large parcel with another guy with a bow. The first year was uneventful, and basically just getting a feel for the land. Right after turkey season ended the following spring, he asked me my thoughts on what we could do to make the bowhunting better. I suggested moving pretty much all the stands and a couple of food plots. After having worked all summer on our plans, the one stand I was saving for the right time and wind was invaded opening morning by a kid of one of the other guys. I'm all for bringing youngsters into the sport, but they'll only learn what they're taught and is getting into someone else's stand right?? I DON'T THINK SO!
What angered me even more was the fact that the ONLY time this other guy and his kids were around was during the hunting seasons. I think if you don't put in the time scouting and the stand work, you don't deserve a big one. The one really nice one I have and the other decent ones have all come at a price of countless hours and hard work. It sickens me the way some people try to ride in on someone else's shirt tails all the time. I say grow a pair and DO IT YOURSELF.

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yes that sucks so much,,,, we have a family farm and me being the only one to bowhunt it was great,, then my uncle and cousins decided to start hunting,, they wouldnt spend five minutes before seasen,, but then show up on opening dat and ask me where they should sit. I got tired of it and started leasing a large farm with my wifes dad and uncles,, they wouldnt scout either,, but i helped them out for the first three years,, but after wounding several good bucks, and not finding them,, i quit helping them.. I just go out and scout for myself, hang my stands, and have gotten a really good buck each year on opening morning... year before last one uncle got a little mouthy about me always killing a good buck and no one else never does.. Last year it was the same fight but it got really bad.. but good for me,, they all said they arent coming back this year,, cause they say there arent any good bucks on the farm,lol. now ive got control of the lease and can hand pick my partners, and establish some strict rules,, it can only get better.. cant wait

RE: friendly direction
 

In reading the responces what I see is a clear picture. I don't doubt for one minute than we all would help someone learn what it takes to consistently get on a good deer. Luck plays into it a little but mostly it comes from walking the land and reading sign the 9 months of the year we can't hunt.

Putting someone on a stand and saying shoot the first 10 pointer that comes by dose them no good. Yes they killed a good buck but can they do it again on their own? If someone is willing to walk the countless miles all the time reading sign, studying maps and aerial photo they will learn what to look for and were to set up and what it takes. This is 100% more beneficial then letting them sit in your stand for an afternoon to kill a good buck.

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ok here goes,

About ten years ago I was invited by a friend to hunt one of his friend's private land. I just had knee problems so was a little hesitant to go along but all of them insisted. It was a long hike up the mountain and I told them that I would like to hunt the closest stand if it was all right with everyone. Sure they all said, Take my old tree stand on this hill, and he pointed to a worn down stan only about 10 ft up. I obliged and was starting my climb when the land owner asked me to do a favor for him.
He wanted me to take a doe if I could even though I didn't have a tag for that particular county we were in. I said that I would try but knew in my heart I wouldn't. After first light I hear movement coming from right to left and 2 doe pass in front of me at about 15 yds. I held the bow up but never drew on them. They passed by unalerted. Fifteen minutes later I see 2 deer coming from my right where the next hunter is posted. Thinking it was the same 2 doe I wasnt too excited. The lead doe was actually pushed out by the nose of the second deer whose head was down in the laurels. When it lifted its head I saw a decent rack and went into full draw. He walked right in front of me and I double lunged him at 18 yds.
I recovered him about 50 yds downhill towards the farm house, tagged him, gutted him out, and returned back to my stand.
At 10:00 (out planned meeting time at my stand) I let out a sharp whistle to announce my success.
They never arrived till 11:30, ant the only one happy for me was my buddy.
The young hunter to my right asked me what time I shot and when I told him, he said that he was drawing on that same buck but his arrow hit the riser and the 2 deer ran off. He claims that he heard my shot which is possible since he was only about 75 yds. away. I never asked him why he didn't answer my whistle because I could tell his family was upset with me shooting the buck and not the doe.

I have since invited this same group to hunt with us on a private farm and they did come once and ggot a nice 10 pointer.
But never again was I ever invited back to their property.
Whenever I look up on my office wall at the nice 8 pointer that I harvested on his land I often wonder if had done the right thing.
What do you think?

RE: friendly direction
 

I'm sorry guys but I have a problem with your frustration. There is so much property out there for us bow hunters to hunt. We have access to property that gun hunters dream of. If you have limited hunting oportunity think outside the box.

I travel for a living and come across so much land and opportunity, I can't hunt it all. I couldn't afford all of the out of state fees. Next time your in a casual conversation, bring up the deer population problem. A few months ago I did this in Mississippi and got three offers to hunt in peoples backyards. Next time you approach that choice property you want access, tell them you will donate some or all of your kill to Hunters for the Hungry. See if that won't get you on that property (make sure you follow through with your commitment.).

These are only a few ideas of the many that are available. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. If you do you might find that your old honey hole isn't as good as your new one.

Good luck

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there is always someone out there to do somthin like that. like for me. i feel that way sometimes with my family cuz i live on a farm and i put up all the posted signs and scout and other stuff then they come up and hunt with me. and last couple of years they take a big buck. but i guess i keep doin it cuz there family. but my uncle and my oldest brother both come up regulary and go fishing or hunting with me so i enjoy it hunting with them. some of the other family memebers just come up and hunt with out talkin to me first. and that kinda makes me mad. but what can i do. i guess atleast someone in the family gets a big buck every year.

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or you take them to where the monsters hide out all day. Set them up in a tree the squirrels can't see you in.

Then when you come back it's like Paul Bunyon moved in with one of those dum saws and all the cover is laying on the ground and wrist size trees are laying across the trail they WERE using and there's not a limb left below 30 feet.

"Well, duh, what's the use be'n in a good spot if ya can't shoot any where?"

razaleeeldumfragizzmachalla cumpfra supmeptreh!

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I guess I'm the sucker that friends call upon when their mothers roof is leaking or their sister needs a couch or refrigerator moved. But of all my buddies who have a wall full of nice mounts, none would ever let me into any of their spots; not even offer a lead. Well by way of persistence I recently gained access to a 65 acre farm only five minutes from my front door. I've posted the property for the old couple who own it, blocked entry trails that atv riders have made into their fields, and offered my service(I am a carpenter) to them if ever needed. I've recently moved to this area and have made a few new friends, but I just don't think I'm a big enough person to hand over what I've worked damn hard for without being sure the person is worth it. And please don't judge me because there is NOT alot of land in suburban NY or people willing to let you hunt it, at least not enough to accomodate the ammount of bowhunters. And I've said it before "In NY, it's not what you know, more often it's WHO you know">sad but true. That said I am always trying to be an ambassador to the sport and recruit new people to our ranks. But like somebody said already and I agree, What are you teaching someone by doing all the grunt work and putting them in a stand so they can shoot a nice buck their first time out. I think that kind of sacrifice will probably be reserved for if I ever have a child.