never fails!

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Axis II

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2015
Messages
7,179
I have to do a little ranting today as this has been on my mind all weekend.

I have been a public land hunter since i started this journey about 15yrs ago driving an hour to 3hours one way just to find decent deer hunting which wasn't decent at all due to the influx of hunters, hikers, etc. A few years ago i met a guy and started squirrel and coon hunting with him and he introduced me to several farmers and i now had private land. I hunted several farms from bow opener-gun week in December and never seen another person until opening day at gun week 4 guys filled a small 20 acre woodlot with me.

The next hunting season came and my buddy tells me that some guy has been stopping him on another farm asking for permission slips, how long we have hunted there, who's cameras and stands are who's, etc. He said the guy kept telling him how he's hunted there for 20yrs, etc. I never seen this guy but found his stand and stayed away from that area out of respect until he slap's up a 2 man ladder stand 40yards from a stand we hung and put out a camera and apples. The year after that we are walking in to bow hunt and a truck comes screaming down the road and he pulls into the field and jumps out and throws his hands up and i said what's your problem? He asks what we are doing and i said hunting, He says where and i said in the woods, I'm far from your stand so there isn't an issue. He says well I'm using my climber and insisted i tell him where i was sitting. I said where my camera is and he says oh i was going to sit there with my climber.

I tried to be nice to the guy and offer some advice cause 2 weeks before that they cut a lot of trees down and made a mess of the back half and he kept telling me he's hunted there 20yrs he knows everything about those woods. I just ended up leaving that night. Forward to gun week i tried to go hunt those 2 farms and there was a bunch of trucks that i had never seen before and was told by the landowners myself and 2 other guys were the only ones to ask permission. I ran into a guy at one of them that walked in on me and we chatted and he apologized cause he had never seen anyone else out there and said since i picked that area he would stay out of there. Fast forward to this year i land permission for a new farm and told its only 3 of us hunting and i scout it and find about 10 stands. I go to my best farm where the guy who walked in on me was and now there is a camera on a tree right on the trail that i brush hogged through crp to give the deer a nice path to my stand.

I went to check with the landowner for a new slip and he made it very clear that another guy who's hunted his other farm had been there 20yrs before he purchased the land and doesn't want issues as the guy lives right across the road from the woods. I explained i met the guy and there shouldn't be issue. he says well just letting you know that's his spot, you can hunt it but just figure things out with him. I bet a $100 bill the other guy went a cried cause this marks 4yrs of hunting out there and never had an issue or been told about anyone else. I scouted a new piece Saturday and it looks promising but i found several ladder stands in there.

I guess it beats driving an hour to public land and not seeing anything when now i can drive 15min and do the same thing. All these farms are in coop with a local hunt club that i refuse to join because of their b.s. and most these guys bring all their buddies, etc out there from what one landowner who kicked them out explained to me. Ive done all this work, stands, scouting, etc and now have to worry about hurry up and shoot a deer before someone else does syndrome.

Thanks for listening to my rant, just had to get that off my chest.
 
As I have told many folks over the years that hunt someone else's property.....enjoy it while you can because something may happen for you to lose that privilege, many times because of no fault of your own. Property gets sold. Nephews looking for a place talk their aunt/uncle into giving them exclusive rights. Kids of non-hunters grow up and want to hunt. Some other hunter cut a fence and know the landowner denies all access. The list goes on and on. Only way to prevent it is to own your own, or hunt public. 25 years ago when turkey hunting was still a new sport here in Wisconsin, it was easy to go to virtually any farmhouse and ask for permission to hunt there and get it. Older landowners did not hunt turkeys, nor did they want to. The hunter base was quite small and competition to private land small. Things have changes a lot over those 25 years and now many good turkey properties are as cherished as good deer hunting spots and access to hunt spring turkeys is almost as difficult to get as for hunting deer.

Most of us can sympathies with you and your situation. Most of us that have hunted for very long, have been there. Go out, knock on some more door, or accept public land as your hunting spot unless and until you can buy some of your own. Regardless of which way you go, you will still have to deal with other folks trying to hunt your spot. Even when you own your own.....believe me.
 
BigBore44 said:
I want your next thread to be positive in nature.
Click to expand...
I usually have positive stuff.

18 days until bow opener, scouted some other land that looks like no one is around or would want to go in there cause its so thick.

It just seems that i keep getting kicked when it comes to this stuff. I guess ill just keep my rants bottled up next time. :)
 
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Rule No. 2: Treat it better than you would treat your own land. Pick up trash, cans, bottles, even gum wrappers and cigarette butts..
Rule No. 3: Ask the owner if there is any place that you shouldn't be. They may have livestock in a certain area or another hunter.
Rule No. 4: Leave the gates as you find them.
Rule No. 5: Report any trespassers, damage to fences or gates, or livestock where they shouldn't be.

If the owner sees that you are truly dependable and interested in his well being he/she may turn you loose for the long haul.
 
Captcurt said:
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Rule No. 2: Treat it better than you would treat your own land. Pick up trash, cans, bottles, even gum wrappers and cigarette butts..
Rule No. 3: Ask the owner if there is any place that you shouldn't be. They may have livestock in a certain area or another hunter.
Rule No. 4: Leave the gates as you find them.
Rule No. 5: Report any trespassers, damage to fences or gates, or livestock where they shouldn't be.

If the owner sees that you are truly dependable and interested in his well being he/she may turn you loose for the long haul.
Click to expand...

6. Show up in the off season with prepared game for meals, frozen,,, and express gratitude. Offer to cut firewood, bale hay, or run to town for groceries.
 
Captcurt said:
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Rule No. 2: Treat it better than you would treat your own land. Pick up trash, cans, bottles, even gum wrappers and cigarette butts..
Rule No. 3: Ask the owner if there is any place that you shouldn't be. They may have livestock in a certain area or another hunter.
Rule No. 4: Leave the gates as you find them.
Rule No. 5: Report any trespassers, damage to fences or gates, or livestock where they shouldn't be.

If the owner sees that you are truly dependable and interested in his well being he/she may turn you loose for the long haul.
Click to expand...
never asked to take anyone with me at all. offered to do chores and was told no thanks, not needed.
 
ohihunter2014 said:
It just seems that i keep getting kicked when it comes to this stuff. I guess ill just keep my rants bottled up next time.
Click to expand...
No, you really just need to not let everything get to you. You have complained about, people that shop at gun stores, people that work at gun stores, other hunters, people at the range, the range, the people that make the guns we shoot, your "friends". and that is just some of the things i can think of. Really, just lighten up a little.
 
Captcurt said:
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Click to expand...

The only one person I asked as an exception to this rule was my wife. Not my dad or brother or uncles, just my wife. She doesn't hunt frequently and so I asked in case I could treat her to an occasional hunt during a time when she was actually able to go. He agreed that it was ok that she go with me. More than likely, though, she likes to go just to walk the property with me. She is an avid bird lover and loves nature in general, so just having new places for her to explore with me while I scout is a huge bonus for the both of us. Plus, I like for her to know exactly where I will be hunting, just in case I don't come home (God forbid). I lucked out for sure with the opportunity I have been given.
 
Captcurt said:
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Click to expand...

Apparently you don't have any kids or grandkids. One of the best things we can do as sportsmen is mentor young and new to the sport hunters. Hard to do and be successful without taking them to a spot they have a good chance for success. I have some good friends that I share hunting spots with and they have some they share with me. We are good enough friends and considerate enough, that we do not infringe upon each others spots without them. I do have hunting friends that are not like that tho, and they don't get invited along.


Captcurt said:
If the owner sees that you are truly dependable and interested in his well being he/she may turn you loose for the long haul.
Click to expand...
While this i true for the most part, as I said before, many times you can do all tht and still loose that spot to family or friends of the landowner. the property can chane hands, or the landowner turned off to hunting by anyone due to something done by someone else. There re never any guarantees as long as the property is owned by someone else. Still one needs to appreciate it when given access and respect the property, and the landowners wishes. Some good hunting spots are like good friends, since they can be taken from us at anytime, we need to cherish them when we have them around, keep fond memories of them when they are gone, and not dwell on the fact we have lost them..
 
I have access to family land where I do take family and friends, but the quickest way to lose access to "NEW" land is to take others. Even with the family land I have had friends move into my area that I have scouted and hunted for years. I can show you a place where I have taken 6 or 7 deer that now has a "friends" ladder stand 30 yards from where I used to have mine. I moved after he squeezed me out.
 
2bfree said:
No, you really just need to not let everything get to you. You have complained about, people that shop at gun stores, people that work at gun stores, other hunters, people at the range, the range, the people that make the guns we shoot, your "friends". and that is just some of the things i can think of. Really, just lighten up a little.
Click to expand...
an most of that is in collaboration with other people when im responding to a thread. :)

Ill just keep my comments to myself from now on.
 
Captcurt said:
I have access to family land where I do take family and friends, but the quickest way to lose access to "NEW" land is to take others. Even with the family land I have had friends move into my area that I have scouted and hunted for years. I can show you a place where I have taken 6 or 7 deer that now has a "friends" ladder stand 30 yards from where I used to have mine. I moved after he squeezed me out.
Click to expand...

With most of the private land I have access to, the landowner limits access. While they don't mind me bringing someone with me, they also don't allow that person there(knowingly) without me, unless they know it's okay(both ways). Only problem I have ever had on family land is either by those neighbors that move in along the fenceline, or trespassers. The latter are dealt with accordingly. The former is just human nature and has to be tolerated. The OP has told us in the past that some of his best spots came from someone else taking him. I help teach Hunter Safety Classes and mentor youth hunters. One of the best Turkey Hunting spots is the grandfather's farm of a young man I mentored turkey hunting. He was so grateful for the experience, that I have had permission to hunt there ever since(a dozen years or so). Greed is what makes folks "take over" someone else's spot. Greed is what makes many folks not share their hunting sites. If one is choosy about who they hunt with and take along, there's no need to worry about greed. If you have to worry about your hunting partners stealing your spot.....you are hunting with the wrong guys. I'm not saying I've never misjudged friends and have never come back later to a favorite spot and find what I call "Yelp Tracks", but I have learned from it.
 
In the case of taking friends. I met a guy and started hunting with him and he said hey lets go get some slips signed and introduced me to several farmers and the last few years ive went back on my own and they remembered me and were happy to sign. when my best friend asked to go along with me cause he too hunted the same 3hrs away public i did i said if you want to hunt it go ask the farmer and get your own slip and i okay it with the buddy who introduced me to the farmers.

taking someone with you without permission violates the trust the landowner has instilled in you and i wont ever do that without asking first. I had a recent farm ask if it was just me hunting or did i plan on bring a friend. I said well i have a buddy with coon and squirrel dogs would you mind if he and i came out to hunt and the man said not a problem, thanks for asking first.
 
buck460XVR said:
Apparently you don't have any kids or grandkids. One of the best things we can do as sportsmen is mentor young and new to the sport hunters.



While this i true for the most part, as I said before, many times you can do all tht and still loose that spot to family or friends of the landowner. the property can chane hands, or the landowner turned off to hunting by anyone due to something done by someone else. There re never any guarantees as long as the property is owned by someone else. Still one needs to appreciate it when given access and respect the property, and the landowners wishes. Some good hunting spots are like good friends, since they can be taken from us at anytime, we need to cherish them when we have them around, keep fond memories of them when they are gone, and not dwell on the fact we have lost them..
Click to expand...
I have a SIL that I take to my family farm when he can go and I love to hunt with him, but I have lost more places to hunt than you could cover with an ATV in a day. Most of them were either leased or sold or clear cut. I hunted one farm for 13 seasons. Took 20+ deer and 15+ turkeys off of it. It sold and the new owner posted it, logged it and then dozed it into pasture. Had another 1600 acres that I hunted 2 years before it was done the same. We are talking 1600 acres of prime woods. Maybe I am greedy but at least I have a couple of farms now that I can do pretty much what I want . I just got back from a scouting mission and am going on a mule ride tomorrow. No guilt here.
 
I quit hunting public land many years ago because of competition. I work as hard finding places to hunt as I do once I have a place. Presently I have permission to hunt more land than I could possibly walk in a lifetime. And yet I never stop looking for new places. There are always places to explore and there is always change. I'm making a couple of calls today about new places. They range from 10 minutes drive to 7 hours.
 
I quit hunting public land many years ago because of competition. I work as hard finding places to hunt as I do once I have a place. Presently I have permission to hunt more land than I could possibly walk in a lifetime. And yet I never stop looking for new places. There are always places to explore and there is always change. I'm making a couple of calls today about new places. They range from 10 minutes drive to 7 hours.
 
I hunt public land most of the time. After opening weekend (gun season) I see almost no one in the woods where I hunt.
 
Captcurt said:
Been there, done that and have learned a few lessons.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever, take another person with you. Fastest way in the world to lose a place. Sorry, but I never ask to take anyone.
Rule No. 2: Treat it better than you would treat your own land. Pick up trash, cans, bottles, even gum wrappers and cigarette butts..
Rule No. 3: Ask the owner if there is any place that you shouldn't be. They may have livestock in a certain area or another hunter.
Rule No. 4: Leave the gates as you find them.
Rule No. 5: Report any trespassers, damage to fences or gates, or livestock where they shouldn't be.

If the owner sees that you are truly dependable and interested in his well being he/she may turn you loose for the long haul.
Click to expand...
With that attitude, you can hunt my 185 acres south of Mountain View any time.
 
i'm lucky to have permission to hunt a few farms/ranches. With the exception of one property i always hunt alone: My wife does not hunt and can't stand to see critters die. i infrequently hunt one section with my son, grand daughters and grand son in deer gun season. The land owner is OK with that.

Other folks also have permission to hunt all the private properties i hunt: But i seldom see another hunter. When another hunter is spotted i wave and stay away. It ain't happened, but if another hunter was in my tree stand i would go elsewhere. Simply won't make a fuss over another hunter.
 
buck460XVR said:
Some of the best motorcycling roads I've ever ridden were there around Mountain View. Beautiful part of the country.
Click to expand...
People come from all over to ride our roads. I don't know if you know the curve on 263, just south of Timbo. There's a sign saying "No dumping." That's because most people when they see that curve dump right there! :)
 
well got to vent just a little more.

I was packing a stand into one of my best farms in which I've only seen one guy in 4yrs and all of a sudden there is a camera right on the edge of a crp patch that i brush hogged for hours to my stand and atv trail. I played it off until a week before opening day which is tomorrow there is a brand new ladder stand with packaging wrappers and all in a tree that's only about 25ft tall and 7'' in diameter right on the corner of the trail. I then pull my camera card and there are 2 guys walking past my stand on the atv path but one is about 10ft off the path walking past my camera and then no pics of them again and no deer pics for 5-6 days. Now im sitting here wondering how the heck im going to get in and out of the woods because he put his stand and camera right on the corner of the field and the path into the woods. He has to have about 20 pics of us taking the stands in and out cause that's the only way in so i left him a friendly note saying who i was and that i would like him to call me so we can talk and i tell him where im sitting and why i have to walk past his setup.

Tomorrow kicks off opening day of Ohio bow season and im pumped but also wondering how this is going to go.

On a positive note... i have a couple other spots that should offer some better results based on camera cards but who know who else is out there.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
  • Locked
HUNTING ISSUES, opinions needed
Replies
24
Views
757
koja48
K
A
  • Locked
asking permission?
Replies
17
Views
998
Choctaw
Choctaw
I
  • Locked
A little advice needed
Replies
16
Views
945
gatorjames85
G
A
  • Locked
losing hunting buddies.
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
LoonWulf
LoonWulf
P
  • Locked
Ever had someone falsely accused of tresspass
Replies
13
Views
911
bernie
B
Back
Top