In california hunters are very close together, for instance this last general season I took my 7.5 out and shot a deer and just 5 min afterI heard a gun shot no more than 3/4 of a mile away, so we do hunt close together. Anyways public land is first come first serve but alot of people stay in the same spots each year. so everyone stays out of each others way. If some one is in your spot we just find some place else

I try to spread it out a little so it doesn't get too thick in one spot.

You got Dat right Jack!

I hunt public land 100%, I don't like to but thats all I got. Where we rifle hunt it is not uncommon to have someone walk in after daybreak and sit 50 to 75 yards away from you. You know they saw you cause your not in a stand and they looked right at you. I have had guys tell me that one of them shot the deer and after the deer was hit it took off and got shot again by another hunter in the area. That is way to close for me. I have also had guys tell me that they have had bullets hit the trees they were leaning up against. This is why I hunt on the ground with a good sized tree behind me. Its scary sure but it all I and alot of other people got. Just wait till spring gobbler season.

I hunt alot of public land in Wisconsin, mostly bowhunt. If I get to a spot where I would like to hunt if the conditions are right and when I get there a car is parked in the area I'll move on. This also makes makes me work harder at it, I need more spots in case this happens! I don't mind all the weekend warriors because this is the time they get to hunt! I can't really hold it against them! I'm just blessed to have all the time in the world during Oct, Nov and Dec to hunt when ever I want!

I too hate all the flagging tape left in the woods, in most cases its against the law, as well as the trail glow markers! JMO!

I hunt all public land also..and I could tell some stories about what goes on..etc. I know people who go so far as to cut down every rub they see, check deer out at different area, put up ladder stands and not hunt them just to keep people further away..it's cut throat and that's all there is to it.

I hunt some public lands as well in Wisconsin. Its basically on a first come basis since wisconsin law requires all treestands and blinds be removed at the end of the day. Pruning is illegal, as well as flagging.
However a blind can be constructed of dead vegetation and left as is. Then I'm not surehow itwould be handled. However I've yet to see a natural blind.

Dan

I pick up any flagging tape I come across left by litterbugs.As well as your other trash. I dispise going in a nice serene setting and seeing fluroscent trash that some hunter tries to blaze a trail in to the stand and the tape sets out in the woods and rots.
Learn to navagate the woods without using tape to find your way and get to your stand early, first come first serve, and you had better pack a lunch if you don't.

Bobby

I know what you mean about flagging tape..or ribbons as I like to call it. I hate the stuff..espicially when someone comes in an area I've been hunting and puts it everywhere. I think some hang a strip on their truck door handle to make sure they get back to safety beforethe bugger mangets them. You can't see that stuff at night..it's for people who are afraid of the dark and come in and go out during the day.
Nothing is worse than being back in the woods, up a tree and having to look down at plastic ribbons hanging everywhere..it reminds me of being on a construction site.
I don't have a problem with using it in rough places, but take it down while figuring way in and out..it just attracts attention from others anyway.