what is proper Etiquette?
 

Ok I just got permission to hunt a new farm. It has 165 acres. The first day I go to hunt, without ever walking the property I come over a ridge and see a tree on a field edge. I say to myself, that's where I'm going to hang my stand, so I can observe the most area and see where the deer are moving. Now bear in mind it is pouring rain, and although the farmer said 6 other people, also have permission to hunt this property, i know no-one is silly enough to be in the woods today. Besides where he told me to park there were no other vehicles. So I know I am alone. Now as I get to the tree, I see a stand already there, with tree steps to get up to it. Of course no one is in it. Now is it oK to use this stand in this situation? I didn't, I moved on down the tree line a ways.

So what do you guys think?

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I would have done exactly what you did. I have in hunting public property in the past come across the "perfect set up" only to find someone has beaten my to the punch. I know that I'd be upset to find someone in my stand and becasue of that I simply move on. On private land with 165 acres there is plenty of room for 6 guys. It might have been the perfect vantage point but by scouting around you're likely to find a set up just as good. If you're intension was to just scout a bit, moving 50-60 yards away and scouting from a climber or the ground is the proper decision, atleast IMO.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

i would have taken out his first four screw in steps, j/k you did the right thing, cause if people start crying or b*tching about what somebody else is doing, the land owner might decide he dosen't want anybody hunting it:(.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

You did the right thing

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I think you made the right decision. I wouldn't use another persons stand unless he/she gave me permission ahead of time. If the stand owner should show up while you in his stand you he may take it up with the landowner and you might lose your permission for the property.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

Thanks guys. Damn, I hate when I do the right thing :D. But it was such a nice tree[&o], oh well, the dang thing was so high I'd have needed a parachute instead of a safety harness anyway.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

you did the right thing, moving down the treeline a bit. consider yourself lucky, you can now do your scouting and determine deer movement and set your stand to intercept deer on the way to the other guys stand :D

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I certainly hope you were just kidding. Some sorry S.O.B. has done this to me twice on a private lease. Never hunt a stand you do not have permission for or have paid rights to the land.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

hey whiskey just kidden, i hate a thief[:@], i've had 3 climbers stolen in the last 5 years

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I think I'd have a hard time climbing and sitting in someone else's stand for safety reasons among other things.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

You did the right thing. I also agree with BobCo19-65, you don't know how safe that stand is unless you put it end. That would suck to go set in it and have it fail resulting in a fall and a broken leg. I know a guy that fell from his own stand over a year ago. He was in a wheelchair 3 months, crutches 6 and he's limped ever since. He still might have to have his leg amputated.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

This shouldn't even be a question. IMHO!!!

However, I do realize that it is because on many occasions i have seen that people have been in my stands.

I don't even want to hunt them because if I can tell, you better damn believe that a deer can tell.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

You may have permission to hunt the farmer's property but you don't have permission to use the other hunters personal property. There have been plenty of times i have walked up to find people sitting in my tree stands on public property and private to. The tree may be public property but as far as im concerned the hunk of metal chained to it, ISN'T. Finding people in my tree stands makes my blood boil. There was an instance were i became so mad i yelled at one guy i found in my stand- " What would you think if somebody just came and took your car for a spin while you were sleeping?? You weren't using it at the time." He replies with "Sorry man, i didn't know it was yours." Well guess what jackass you certainly know its not yours...You deffinetly did the right thing by moving on.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

Just assume the person using that stand is a terrible hunter who fidgets alot, makes to much noise, doesn't control his scent, and doesn't pay attention to the wind. Now all the deer will pass by your stand when avoiding his. This has always made me feel better when faced with the same situation. You did right by not getting in the stand.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I'm going to come down on the oposite side. If it's open hunt it. If he comes late as is normal, leave. I don't have this problem with hunting other peoples stand because they are always to low for the area. I have many of times climb theirs only to attach my climber and go up higher. Never have I had a problem and if it was I wouldn't care. There is plenty of woods to hunt. I have no problem moving. On the other hand when I pick a spot for the evening I'm hunting that area.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

Absolutely...You did the right thing!!!

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

I would be just almost pissed off enough to shoot the SOB out of my stand. I put the time in and some one else hunts my stand WRONG ANSWER!!! you did the right thing

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

the only time it would be proper to use his stand is if you have permission from him to do so ..

If you treat people the way you would prefere to be treated yourself, you are on your way to proper etiquette.

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

Ditto from here

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

You know the right thing to do is probably not hunt the stand,,and move down, But on the outher hand Whats to say the Guy hunts yours? The first thing we dont want to do is Piss the land owner off, Probably a good thing too do would be and try to meet the other hunters and go from there. As far as public land where i hunt there are so many stands but most are gun stands and i bow hunt and i never see people in them, Just my 2 cents .

RE: what is proper Etiquette?
 

This has happened to me. If you know the area and how the deer travel, set up to intercept them BEFORE the get to the other guys stand. Don't make a war out of it and NEVER sit in another guys stand.

My Dad sits in mine while I'm at work, man that makes my blood boil! You can't even trust your old man nowadays! (I'm happy to let him)hehe