I am about to give up on gun hunting here in Illinois, I was hunting some private ground located in Clark Co, a county that is usually in the top 10 for BIG deer in the state. Opening gun season was this past friday, and I got up the tree about 30 min before sun rise, about 15 min before, a four wheeler cam right though the bean field, though the old pasture and into the creek bottom I was set up in. Iflashed him with my flashlight, and he yells "Ya, I see ya". Hedrops someone off right in front of me then takes off up the hill with his four wheeler behind me. Come daylight, I notice blaze orage in a blown down tree 45-50 yars directly in front of me, then turn to look behind me and notice the guy that was on the ATV is only 60-70 behind me, they have me totally blocked off. Then the worst part, about 20 min. after shooting time a HUGE 12 pointer walks along the bottom of the hill in front of me, and of course I dont want to shoot over the other persons head just watch as he shoots his muzzleloader but he misses, well about 20 mins. pass and the same deer walks the same path and this time only about 1/3 of his powder goes off and he hits the deer but not having enough force to kill it, in a timely manner anyways. I could have pissed fire at that moment. I am SO sick of these selfish $^@#*#(, think I will stick to bowhunting and bass fishing.

It happens to me bow hunting more then I like.

you re on private ground do they have permission

Yes its private, and I was supposed to be the only one there, but that guys reply was "I've been hunting here 30 years, and the tenant farmer gave me permission". I don't know to go about telling the land owner, since this is my first season hunting there, with out the landowner telling me "This is why I don't usually allow hunting" and kicking me out of there also.

It would be worth it to very tactfully raise the issue with the landowner. Depending on how you are defining "tenant", they generally don't have the authority to grant or deny hunting permission unless they have a written agreement with the owner grantng them exclusive hunting rights.

I thinkif the guy has been hunting out there for 30 years he was probably more bent about you being out there. 30 years is a long time to hunt a piece of land, and you were in his spot. I wouldnt say anything to the land owner, instead be greatfull you have some private property to hunt and move on with the day

And to think that 30 years ago woods in that part of Illinois sold for $400 an acre, often with few takers. If we had only known then what we know now.

After 25 years I get pretty upset when some "new" guy comes in to hunt, but I have no control of it, it's the landowners call. Here's an idea that may help you as well as others. In the name of "safety" print or purchase an aerial photo of the property, laminate it, attatch it to a nice cork board that can be hung on a shed wall or something,and then used colored push pins to identify where each person's current stand location is. As the new guy this should show your concern for the entire group and perhaps a location will pop up where no one is hunting.

I would tell the land owner. He may be unaware of these other guys. Just mention it to him nicely and I don't think you would have a problem. Sorry about your misfortune. I hunt state ground here in michigan, that situation happens to me all the time.

I agree, screw him! Ask the landowner if he is aware other guys are hunting it. I would'nt care how long he has been hunting there, a "tenant farmer" cannot grant permission, unless his agreement with the landowner says so. To drop someone off right in front of you, and then hunt right behind youis bogus!