Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

This comes up a lot here, but I never thought I would have a problem with it until recently. I have permission to hunt a small 15 acre section of a 200 acre plot. Albeit small, it's a great funnel area between bedding and feeding with great cover and mature hardwoods. I have been the only one hunting it this season until the third week in December. The land owner gave permission to some yahoo to hunt there. This guy is out there hunting with a shotgun for late antlerless firearm private property only season. I have two problems with this: 1) The county I live in doesn't have this season this year so that makes it illegal. 2) The place is just too small for both of us. It's not my property, but I feel like telling the owner about how I'm not happy with his decision to let another hunter on this small of a section with me. I don't want to be a whiner, and don't want to get booted myself. What would you do?

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Illegal? I'd call the GW!

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

It sounds to me that your only choice is to turn him in to the GW's. If you complain to the owner, you are the one who will likely get the boot! Good luck!

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Does a GW have juristiction over private property ?

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

I was told that it doesn't matter private property or not because deer are federal animals. You can get in trouble hunting then out of season and with the wrong weapons.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

I hate when land owners give other people permission unless its a large area. I hunt on 4 different tracts that are between 15 and 40 acres a piece. There are three of us that hunt together. This way we can all go to a piece of property and be out of each others way. Or if we are seeing alot of deer on the 40 acres patch we can fit two in there. If the land owner of the 40 acre land was to give permission to someone else we would be in some trouble. Not enough room for that many people. I've had other people give me permission to hunt on their land and then they conclude with saying my neighbor or friend hunts out there, I'm sure he won't mind you. I've always decided to shy away from those place because I know how bad it would suck to have a place to yourself then all of a sudden some new guy shows up.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Slugman, yes they do.

BSB,Well it's not your turf,that makes it tough.

Mention to the guy that it's illegal.He might be confused you never know.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Yup. Slugman.

GW can bust ya on private prop.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

If it is illegal, call GW. As far was whinning about the landowner allowing another hunter on HIS land STFU! If you don't like HIS land, move on

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

depends on your relationship with the landowner. Ultimately he is the only one that can decide who can and can't hunt there. Calling the GW is your obligation if you know another hunter is being illegal, but that may not resolve your problem. There's nothing saying he won't be back there and maybe with a little pissed off attitude if he knows you blew him in. Either way though whether he's there or not you don't want to get booted from the land. Tough situation. If you are friends with the landowner I'd try bringing it up casually without pushing the issue. Feel him out how the conversation goes. If it starts going sour, change the subject. Good luck.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

AS A LAW ENFORCMENT OFFICER AND A HUNTER MY ADVICE TO YOU IS THE SAME AS THE OTHERS, MAKE A PHONE CALL TO YOUR LOCAL POLICE OR STATE GAME WARDENS, MAKE THIS CALL WHEN YOU KNOW FOR A FACT HE IS HUNTING FOR DEER OUT OF SEASON, NO NEED TO GIVE YOUR NAME OR PERSONEL INFORMATION

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

bsb, you can't exactly go up to the guy and tell him, well i was here first and this place is too small for 2 people. Like Mag man said, if you go up to him making all these complaints, your the one going to be out a hunting spot....if i was you, i would talk to the guy and let him know whats on your mind about this spot. Another approach would be to call the GW's like everyone said, but maybe he'll have his license revoked for a while and there goes your problem.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Why not just talk to the guy. Say your shotgun is illegal. Also you could say you got monday wednesday friday. I got the rest. Just a suggestion.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Ask the landowner if this person is a relative. If he is go to the DNR and advise them of whats going on. DNR can come onto private property as long as they received a complaint or witness a violation of game laws themself. If he is not a relative advise the landowner of what is going on, he I'm sure wouldn't condone this type of activity on his land, as least I would hope not. Good luck with the problem and whatever course of action you decide to take.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

if you know its illegal call the game warden, go to the land owner and let him know how you are doing whats going on and bring a few chops for him, then "happen to be posted where he will walk back to his truck and be nice but see what he is hunting for so you dont look dumb if he is clean

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Thats why i lease . landowner does that i can take legal action.
i have had something similar happen with a uncle. he gave permission to a guy to hunt. we had a talk and well i left. but now he is stuck on 100 acres to hunt tree rats and i lease all around him. 2000 acres ! i told him if he ventures off onto mine well he gets arrested.

He is already kind of changing his tune. i may not flex for awhile. i want a lease.
with a lease i don't have to talk to him i just get a warrant for the one he gave permission to.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Hi badshotbob,

If someone is violating state game laws.....call enforcement officials. Provide all pertinent information. Private land or not......has no effect on state game laws.

As to the issue of "sharing the space".....you are a "guest" of the land owner. It's his property and he has the freedom to allow anyone there he so chooses. (Whether it's 1 or 101!) The fact he "allows" you there is a privilege...and you have no claim otherwise or "entitlement" to feel "put upon". (It's like hunting on public land....in that you "share with whom ever else has permission to be there".) The solution....."Buy or lease" your own! Otherwise....get use to sharing!

On the issue of violating the law....you are correct! Report it!

On the issue of "sharing"......it's not yours and you are "only a guest". That's the way it is!

Find a "new spot"....(which will also likely require you share).....get use to it.....or buy your own! Not much else you can do!

Best of luck!

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

I would just simply cut him off. Find out where he's hunting and make it so the deer never make it to him. Or a little ivory soap or human hair would keep the deer away from him and run them to you. Use him to your advantage.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

If the guy is breaking the law....turn him in.

If he's not.....you can try to use him to your advantage....as far as spooking, or pushing game. But as to all the other "reindeer games".....don't bother. If he has permission to be there......he has as much right to use the property as you! Handle it maturely and respectfully. (Or you will most decidely be the one "off the property".) If you had permission to "be a guest" on my property...and you disrespected "other guests" on MY property....you'd get the TOSS! All that simple.

Don't play "childish games" with the guy. If he is breaking laws...report him. If he isn't....try to use him to your advantage. But "Don't play immature games"....hunters already have enough bad publicity without another "jerk" adding to the stigma!

I understand your frustration....but handle it maturely. And I sincerely wish you good luck with the situation!

Dave

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

If he is violating game laws, call the game warden. There is no reason to say anything to the landowner. Go to the landowner and offer to PAY to have hunting rights on the parcel of land. If it is that good of a spot offer to give him $300 or more and try to insure a good private place to hunt in the future.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

Thanks for the replies. The guy hasn't been out there since late rifle ended so I assume he's not a bowhunter. Since bow ended today, I'm not going to do much for awhile. The landowner is in Florida for the winter. When he returns in the spring, I'm simply going to ask him if he would mind telling this newcomer to find another spot. I have good rapport with the landowner so hopefully he'll understand. I do own 40 acres of hunting land 2 hours north, so if I lose access to this 15 acres, I still won't be out a place to hunt. The thing is the 15 acres is literally out my back door. The new guy hunting there put out two ladder stands, one 30 yards from my west stand and the other 60 yards from my east stand. Can't have that. That sucks. Oh well, another season down. Ten more months to go.

RE: Another hunter in my turf...what would you do?
 

If the property is such a good spot then why not ask the owner to give you an exclusive lease. Offer to pay the property taxes in exchange for his not allowing anyone else to hunt there.