I hunt on public land so I have to expect the worst from stupid "hunters." For the past couple years, a group of 6-12 "hunters" show up sometime in October and begin doing drives each and every weekend. I absolutely hate drives because it makes the deer much more difficult to hunt since it makes them even more nocturnal. Yesterday, these so-called bowhunters did another one of their drives. Once the deer get pushed, they bed down for the rest of the day, and don’t move until after dark…I’ve seen it happen many times already.

Without going into much detail, I know most of you guys would be ashamed to call these people “bowhunters.” They are the people that ONLY hunt (bow and rifle) by doing drives. They don’t get to the woods until midday and are gone by about 3 pm. No sitting on stand for these people. They wonder why they don’t see any big deer. I want to so very badly ask these people why they think they must do a drive in order to kill a deer, and enlighten them on how they are making a difficult sport even more difficult.

It turns out that I know one of the individuals doing the drives. I know talking to this individual is my best opportunity (albeit not a very good one) to maybe change their methods. But I’m not sure it will be wise of me to say anything. It is public land and everyone is entitled to hunt how they want.

It is so frustrating, I spend a lot of time in the woods learning everything I can about the deer movement in these woods…but it all gets thrown out the window this time of year because the deer are constantly being chased and have no patterns. Rifle season hasn’t even opened yet and they are already very spooky.

I guess I’d like everyone’s opinion as to what you would do in this situation. Say something or keep quiet? Sorry for the long post, I just needed to vent a little.

I'd find another spot.


I doubt talking to them would do much good. After all they have the right to drive, but it is worth a shot. It can't get much worse.

Maybe request a phone number and try to keep in touch with them to find out the days they plan on doing their drives.

That's tough. If it's legal to drive with that many people (it's not in Maine) there is little you can do. Sure you can talk to them but if these guys don't want of haven't taken the time to learn about there quarry and think driving deer is the easiest or only way to shoot an animal you in for an uphill battle. I wish you were close to New Hampshire. I posted my 50 acres to keep the neighbors out this year. What you've describes is exactly their game plan. They'd push the animals all over the place and I found a couple of unrecovered animals which was the straw that broke my back. If you were close by I'd say come over and hunt.
Personally I'd look for some private property to hunt. With public land your hands are realy tied IMO.

Are they Amish or Menonites? I know they use driving as a hunting tactic very often. I have seen them have women driving areas, while the men post. I'm not dissing or agreeing with these actions. It's not how I hunt, but I don't live that lifestyle so who am I to judge as long as they are within the laws.

I would find another area once the "pushing" started.

Put out some bear traps!

If it is legal to do so,,, then you might want to try and get the laws changed. I know this is not much help ,,,

I like your thinking

It's funny you should mention that because the person I know in the group is a female, though not Amish.

adams, I wish I was in NH to hunt too, that would be great!

It really burns me that one of the guys wounded a deer yesterday. It was raining when he shot it, wasn't sure of the hit, and they "lost" it in the rain...after having looked for no more than 45 minutes. [:@] I gave up on my hunt as they were "tracking" and yelling back and forth at each other within sight of my stand.[:@]

I don't think I'm going to say anything. It is public land and drives are legal so it's not my place to suggest to someone how to hunt. I'm going to be hunting during the week more so I won't have to deal with this as much. I will only be hunting there for a couple more weeks also, then I should have permission to hunt some private land. Finding private land has been my goal, but getting permission (and where there aren't many other hunters) hasn't been as easy as I thought. Thanks for the replies!!

Well, like others have said... it's public land. I look at it in another light. Sounds like they're in there mid day and leave you with a quiet woods in the AM and the last couple hours of daylight. I look at it as they're moving deer that would be bedded anyway more than likely unless it's frigid weather. Deer still love to follow favorite escape routes and find hideouts. Position yourself correctly and these folks will help you....and then they're gone. Deer aren't as paniced over such stuff as most people think. Yes they move and get out of the way, but they don't leave for the next county. Hunt smarter and these yahoos can help you.

IT IS NOT L;EGAL TO DO DRIVES ON PUBLIC LAND HERE IN ILLINOIS