Duckmastor2

9/2 was opening day for Resident canada geese in NJ. Here is a post from a NJ Waterfowl chat board similar to this one. I've edited for language and length. If this is whats going on over a couple of wooden posts, imagine blinds!!! I predict someone will get assualted this year if not killed. Make permanent structures illegal now boys! Before its too late.

Here it is:

Get to the ramp and launch at 5:09. 10 minute boat ride and decoys set by about 5:35. Sitting around waiting for legal and enjoying the cool breeze of off the water. Well along comes a LIME GREEN boat with two gentlemen in it at 5 minutes to legal. Pull alongside the decoys and shine a light to see whats up. We figure they would just turn and go. Nope they beach there boat and come walking over. First words from them are "You must be f'ing kidding us, this is our blind" or something like that. Sean greets them with this is public land and says "hey yooz guys are more than welcome to put your birds out and sit with us but we aint leaving. " They are trying to claim this "blind" as theirs. It was 3 4x4 in the mud. ANayway the sh*t is flying back and forth and Sean removes his coat and they got to gettin scared. "Cmon that ain't smart" they said(Sean thought they said he wasn't smart).

Then we asked them to join us again because the birds began flying and they claimed we would not shoot any birds while they were there. The Mofo's stood out in front of the blind and waved a Flashlight around and started saying they were not hunting but would be fishing. Jode the coolest head prevailing walked over to his boat got his cell and called the warden to report their hull number. Ol' Slyfox thought he'd be smart and take the boat out a little so we couldn't see his hull number. F him, we already had it.

Don't you know the pr*cks anchor their boat right in the middle of our decoys. Everytime a goose flew over they stood and waived their arms. Alls long Jode is waiting to hear back from the man and he drops his phone in the water. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ it shorts out. I have to get in my boat run back to the ramp and get my phone to call warden to give new phone number.
They finally call us back and I explain to the Lt. what the situation is. His words "WHAT A**HOLES". He tells me to ask them their intentions and to inform them they are breaking the law any more problems call him back. We do so and are basically told that this is their spot and they ain't leaving.

SO we call the warden back and he said he wanted to speak to them. We motor out there and give him the phone. it was like a 3 year old being reprimanded.... Went something like this "Well ah...but....but it ain't right....but ....well we...but well I ain't gonna argue with you.. It's supposed to be hunters for hunters and what they are doing is wrong its our blind (keep in mind the blind was 3 poles in the ground and half rotted I might add)....well how much is the fine if we dont leave?" This is wrong.
Gives me back the phone and I said offer still stands if you want to hunt with us. They said they ain't leaving and the fine is only $100 for hunter harrassment. SO be it. Warden told us to call em back if they don't leave and about 5-10 minuites later they finally left.

Long post but it really made for a long morning. No Geese were taken.



Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

445 supermag

that is very very sad indeed. I hope I never run into people like that. But it goes to show you, you never know what you might run into. I just hope things work out and they get theirs in the end.

Brian

IAMBOB

This is a serious subject and I hope you all will help with my questions - I'm interested in squirrel hunting and see the season overlaps with the bowhunters who are after deer. - First: my intentions (not intended as guidelines for others); (1) Move quietly and slowly through the WMA, pausing only a few minutes to look for the squirrels before moving on. - (2) If I can see the bowhunter, or they spot me and speak, try to plot a course around their setup and maintain - let's say 80 yard seperation? - (3) If subjected to hostility, just plain leave rather that fuel the flames. - (4) Assign higher priority to being non-confronting and to safety than I do to taking game or claiming the right to use the WMA. - (5) If Jersey proves just plain unhuntable due to overcrowding, consider vacations in other states for hunting. - (6) Possibly use my Amateur Radio privleges to construct and carry a very small but long range wireless camera to tape my hunts (plans available in the ARRL publications) (legality to be determined).
My questions;
(1) Hypothetical situation: If confronted with a whole string of stands and hunters effectivly creating a barrier is it correct to speak and ask permission to walk through, or do I just give up on that WMA for that day? - (2) NJ Bowhunters: What are your experiences and opinions of the small game hunters that share part of your season? - (3) Anyone: Suggestions for other states welcoming new hunters on public lands? especially states where hunters are more likely to get along? - (4) Any other ideas or critique of my attempt to form a safe and sane hunting policy?
In closing: I'm fairly sure I don't have to remind you all that the anti-hunting crowd is on the rise here in NJ and they are probably reading our posts on these boards. Food for thought.
See ya all out there!
BB

445 supermag

Nothing wrong with asking its how we communicate or atleast civilized persons communicate.

question 2. I don't mind small game hunters at all as they kind of put a drive on and move the deer around. If it bothers me too much I will get out of the stand and go home for the day. YOU have just as much right to be there hunting as I do and I will always respect that. To do otherwise would be down right wrong.

Brian

Gar-Shooter

Ducky,

I am an advocate of "chain-on" tree stands. They are not permanent. I hunt mostly in PA on State Game Lands. I have seven chain on stands that I put out sometime in late September and take down before gun season. I also have a climber I use in areas where I do not want to place a "chain-on". I take a week off every year in November and hunt a different stand every day. I have never had any problems with people around my stands. I have these seven spread out over a 14,000 acre tract.

What would be the difference if the two guys in your story had what you call "permanent" tree stands or "non-permanent" climbers. They would have still given you a hard time about being in "their spot". The problem is not with the tree stands. If someone is hunting near one of my "permanent" stands. I just move off to another spot and repeat the process until I am satisfied.

Gar

Just Say No to Crossbows!

Duckmastor2

Gar,

There are no trees on this particular track of land. If they would have come by and with ground stools like I had and thrown me out, I might have reacted differently. I probably should have called the cops either way, but it would have been their word vs mine.

I've never had anyone give me a hard time about beating them to a spot if we were all hunting from the ground. Get within 100 yds of a stand or blind though and all hell breaks loose. Its not right. 1st come 1st served. Take In, Take Out rigs only.

When someone gets hurt or worse, maybe NJF&G will do something about it (Before anyone says anything, NO I AM NOT SAYING SOMEONE SHOULD HURT ANYONE) Until then, they'll sit on their hands.

I used to think the way Delaware runs their game lands was crazy, but the more and more I think about it, it may be the way too go. And thats a sad thing to say.

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

Ruddyduck

All any Game Dept has to spell out in regulations is first come first served on public lands period. From what I've seen it's more an attitude than a stand problem. The problem is more impolite and inconsiderate hunters more than stands/blinds. Permanant or portable thier are alway those who'll steal, destroy ,etc.
Be there first , I was always in my blinds by 4 or so set up by 4:45 and made a pot of coffee and a egg sammy and enjoyed listening to birds flying by in the dark with my dog. Same for deer. Pick a spot that breakes up your outline good and odds are most hunters won't even know you're there unless you smoke or something. Everyone needs to get a life or start hunting the Adirondacks or out west.

Duckmastor2

Bob,

WMA's are for everyone to enjoy whatever legal activity one wishes to pursue. You have every right to tree rat hunt while they are in season on WMAs. That being said, here's my advice.

Since you enjoy the stalk method, becareful if you decide to hunt 9/28. You'll be wearing hunter orange, which should keep you very visable. But caution is advisable. I made the mistake of trying to hunt a WMA last year opening day for bow. I was set up early (1:30pm on the ground) for an afternoon hunt. I had 4 people stalk right up on me. They were all curtious, but it was very crowded and I was well off the beatin path. I wont be there this year.

Like I said, since you are wearing orange, the bow hunters should see you 1st and let you know they are there. Since they beat you to the area, it would be curtious to loop around them as far as possible and if you cant put a good 100 yds between you, dont encroach. Thats what I used to do. If a hunter beat me to an area, I moved on quickly.

If there are enough bow hunters that you can see in stands, spread out to cover an entire area, they are making a statement. Whether its right or wrong, I wouldnt approach them. A deer isnt worth that, let alone a squirrel. Just my opinion.

I wonder if that happened, would they be in climbers or permanent stands??? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Just be safe and good luck.

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

IAMBOB

Thanks To all who responded! Yup, I'll be glowing like a well polished pumpkin with all the &quot;blaze orange&quot;. I sure hope we can save this sporting activity in this state (NJ).
I may additionally try bad weather days and very cold days, maybe some of the less dedicated will stay by the fire while I attempt to harvest a few tree rats.
I will post my observations and experiences as I gather them, including notes on the tree stands and hunter behavior in general. Maybe start a new topic too where I can post about what it's like to be a beginner in this activity.
Until then...May your game bag always be full!
BB

Duckmastor2

My old man was scouting up some new land the state just bought this year. Checking out some good areas with ground cover. On his way out he ran into a mother and son with a hang on and ladder. He asked how they were doing and they said, &quot;Fine, just going out to claim our spot&quot; Typical &quot;This land is MY land, this lands NOT your land&quot; mentality. I wish I would have been there,,,,,,

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

Edited by - Duckmastor2 on 09/23/2002 17:56:18