how "ethical" is this ?
 

I am getting into my new home and 5 acres and I walked it again yesterday. Along the line between my property and the next (we all have 5 acres) I bet theres 15-20 scrapes from last year - very nice rub/scrape line. So ......... what if I plant a row of food plots and mineral licks, maybe a feeder or two ......... and then throw up a 6-7 foot high chain link fence along that line and open at either end ? That would kinda force the deer to funnel onto my property and off his. Its only along one side of the property, and the deer have the choice to come on my side of the fence or his ........ I'm going to make sure and give them enough incentive to come onto my side and the fence will make sure they stay on my side

Ethical or not ?

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

go for it

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Save your money on the fence and do your food plots. There will be plenty of deer for you to shoot. Hunt these deer for the convienence factor. Wack them as you have time to deal with the after shot.

Good luck

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Forcing deer to funnel isn't a bad idea but I have a couple of diffrent takes on it. The first is it works both ways. Your neighbor could be setting up on his side of the funnel and chopping down the buck you want before it gets to you. Another is the disruption you cause the environment while putting up the fence. It could have possiable negetive impacts.

If this is something you are seriously considering I would consider making your "fence" out of debris from you property and woods. Fallen branches, grass clippings, leaves, ect,ect,ect. You could build an "ECO WALL" out of free waste your land provides you. It'll take longer but cost less and it would keep your property natural.

As to the ethics of it, I would prefer to do it naturally(without a chain link fence) but I don't see it as unethical. I cut out deer paths on my property to encourage deer to travel a particular route through thick cover. This is really no diffrent. If I were in your position I would plant the plots and watch. You may not need to create funnel. The deer will may well have one already picked out that you will just need to find.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I don't see an ethics issue here.... Perhaps a fairchase issue, but not ethics.....

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

As long as its legal, go for it.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

hmmmmmmmm


Is it fair chase then ?


What if I put up the fence, and leave a 20 yard gap in the middle for the deer to come through ? A funnel, man made, very unnatural ........... but has potential to really be a productive spot to hunt ?

I'll likely not do either ......... my serious idea is putting a 4' high fence around my property at some point, low enough to allow animals to come and go but high enough to keep stray dogs off etc

Just wondered what everyones take on the above scenarios were .......... something to ponder

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I would say fair chase is opinion based. For instance, I would consider it more fair chase to use a natural barrier than a fence. However, in the end, the same results are desired, to funnel deer.

I once new a guy that would fence off his food plots, except for one gap about 20yds wide. he would put his stands in that gap. Any deer that came to the plot had to go through that gap. That is not fair chase IMO.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Fair chase as defined on the Pope & Young website:

The term "Fair Chase" shall not include the taking of animals under the following conditions:

1)Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice.
2)From any power vehicle or power boat.
3)By "jacklighting" or shining at night.
4)By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons.
5)While inside escape-proof fenced enclosures.
6)By the use of any power vehicles or power boats for herding or driving animals, including use of aircraft to land alongside or to communicate with or direct a hunter on the ground.
7)By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating, or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game, or by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic device is attached.
8)Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors as unacceptable.

So the only real question is in #8. Since the provisions (as I observe them) spell out in #5 "while in an escape proof fenced enclosure" I interpret it as an enclosure that is not ecsape proof would be ok. A segment of fence certainly dosen't fit the "escape proof enclosure defination".

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Personally I find the idea disgusting and selfish

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

not something I'd think of doing or be proud of doing to obtain a deer. That's just me, do what you want.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

don't like the sound of it. I'll move a stick or two to help the deer by me, but I am not going to go to the effort of building a fence. to me that is a bit too much work. food plots, go for it. I use all that sort of thing as a supplemental source only and don't hunt over it.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

You got real good chance that this buck(assuming he made it through the year)will be using this same scrape line again.Deer tend to use the same line each year if they are not bothered.Does the next door neighbour hunt?If not then you are in luck.
I would go ahead and plant the food plot,but would skip the fence idea.Maybe a small fence to keep the stray dogs off.This would allow the deer to enter where ever they want .Then you would just do your homework and see where the deer are entering and exiting.It shouldent be to hard to do this on 5 acres of land,especially with an area tore up like you said along with a food plot.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I know where you are going with this, seems like a Stealthycat is no more due to this topic. Ill let you play, its fun to watch the fire works. Ill only contribute this, The set up you propose will limit you greatly. Not only will you funnell a few in, but block out a bunch more.


Yall have fun. Ill come back when the smoke starts rising.;):D

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

The food plots are one thing, but the mineral licks and feeders are illegal in some states, including mine. (Maine)

How are the laws in your state?

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I wouldn't put up the fence but would hunt it. As long as you just have 5 acres It shouldn't be hard to get one crossing to your property even without the funnel. It is up to you in the end though.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

First of all, fair chase can be and is defined. Ethics are subjective and will vary from one person to the next.

As far as drawing deer to your property, that is fine within the constraints of your state laws. I disagree with putting up a fence for several reasons. First, it's not very neighborly and if I were your neighbor and hunted I'd be severely ticked at you. Remember, you'll be living next to this guy for a long time and bad relations with a neighbor can make for an unhappy home. Second, it's not a natural obstruction. On some of the properties I hunt we will make brush piles and natural obstacles with downed trees and brush to guide deer one way or another, but a fence isn't natural. Third, any local anti-hunting groups would make an issue of it. It may be legal, but they would turn it into a nightmare for you. So, do what you can to naturally attract the deer to your property and enjoy hunting it while keeping on your neighbor's good side.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Is it even legal to hunt on such a small patch of land. . . .I can see it now. . you having to chase/find your downed Deer on other folks land. That is a tough sell to enter others land in the state of Texas. Good luck to you.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Good thing your not my neighbor!!!...Bob

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

If you make them then they aren't natural either. Either way you manipulating the deer's movement. The type of material is really irrelevant IMO.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

You going to use acrossbow by any chance??[8D];):D

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Interesting thoughts huh guys ? Some won't build anything but a natural manmade barrier, others say they wouldn't build it ........ but would hunt it, some say they would neither build it nor hunt it but if it were a natural funnel (like a boxed canyon) they likely would , some wouldn't build a fence, but drawing deer in with feeders or food plots is okay ........... as far as I know, its legal in Arkansas to construct a fence as high as you'd like, open on both ends, and if deer "follow" that line so be it. No problems with feeders in AR or the size of the land or the community I'm in either.


How differently people view things huh guys ?

I've actually thought about going through the woods, and creating a scarpe line by tying over limbs that would attract bucks to make scrapes.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

What are you getting at Data? I know you've got something up your sleeve.............

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I think he's trying to bring us together. See Data, we can disagree in a civil manner.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

DC,

That's what I am waiting on. You know with most of the questions data already has something in his mind, he just likes to lead you down the primrose path before he springs it on you[8D];) You gotta give him credit though he does stir up some interesting debates.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

this is gonna get GOOD

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

well, part of this thread is to see the differences in peoples take on ethics and fair chase and in turn they can see the same.


The other part of this thread is to amuse myself by creating a thread that is literally nothing more than what it is, at face value, and watching you guys wait to see me twist it into something it isn't and never was :D


But seriously ......... just exploring the differences in what goes and what doesn't. Nothing more, nothing less.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I do not have a problem if you do it, but I would not do it personally. I think it is a bit selfish. Also, when I go hunting I want to see trees and bushes, not a fence.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Zak there isn't anything wrong to sit above a tennis court, pool or even a golf tee. When I go hunting the first thing I want to see with in an half hour or so is a deer. I will always use that as my first criteria for choosing a hunting spot.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Hmm, I don't remember saying it was wrong.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I dont personally see anything wrong. I would do it in a heartbeat. Honest to God truth I could care less about pulling deer off my neighbors property. As long as your shooting them on your side I think its ethical. I would even put up a timed feeder so I knew when to hunt them.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I think that you should do some serious scouting. Most good, no very good hunters use the movements of others as a type of fence or funnel. There's one thing you have to ask yourself. How good are you?

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

How about, how smart are you. You see my friend, putting together a good food plot is not a simple task. In a way it takes more dedication and effort than scouting. And as far as the fence, its just a funnel.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

IMO , not ethical!
My ethics go further than fair chase. If your neighbors on either side deer hunt , it's a great way to pi$$ them off.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

I think you should just go talk to your neighbor. If he hunts, then you have someone to hunt with and more land to do it on. You will also build not only great hunting memories but a friendship as well. If he doesn't hunt, by NOT putting up a fence that could possibly piss him off he may just let you hunt his land as well.

Either way you will be in good standing with your neighbor and that's important because sooner or later you will stick a deer and it will run on to his property. I'm not up to speed with Arkansas law but here in Illinois you cannot trespass on anothers land, not even to retrieve a dead deer without permission.

Now if he's a tree hugging lefty..........your on your own!:D

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Oh GAWD thats SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tempting to post a picture .............

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

The way I see it its your land and you can do what ever you want.....

Like the others have said, the last thing in the world anyone needs is a pi$$ed off neighbor. Trust me on that; I've been living a family feud for the past 15 years.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Yea it's takes some work and I think Data has some ideas on that front all ready.

A far as the fence goes, in this situation I think a natural one is better, funnel that is. A fence between neighbors, unless mutually agreed to, is more than just a funnel or better said may funnel more than game into your life.

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Go ahead, make our day.:D

There's no doubt that your are tecno enough to do it. I really enjoyed the "Master of Disguise" one

RE: how "ethical" is this ?
 

Yes, but brush piles and trees are less likely to tip off the bunny huggers and create tension with the neighbors.

If datamax spent half as much time scouting and hunting as he does trying to stir up controversy and posting smart a$$ remarks he'd probably own the P&Y club.;)