Treestand placement: safety and etiquette

[wombat13]

TLDR: Is 90 yards from my property line okay safety & etiquette wise to place a treestand on a narrow property? Most use would be bow/crossbow, but could maybe use for rifle?

I own property with my BIL. We manage it and use it together, but we've discussed how it will be split when one/both of us are gone. Although we own a pretty big piece, my portion will be a parcel that is about 320 yards wide and about 90 acres. I've hunted elsewhere on the property for the past several years and am now refocusing on the land that will go to my children and grandchildren. I want my kids to make their hunting memories on our land.

So, anywhere on my land I will not be farther than 300 yards from my neighbor's property. The prime hunting area I've found so far is about 16 acres. I have a treestand right now that is about 240 yards from the property line. I'd like to put up another one for next year closer to the convergence of a major deer trail and a trail that has had multiple scrapes two years in a row. That location is 90 yards from the property line. The neighbor has a treestand that is just about on our property line.

So, is 90 yards from my property line too close? I don't think the neighbor bowhunts much and even if he did, I think we'd be safe during bow and crossbow seasons. I think this location may be too close to the property line and the neighbor's stand during rifle season. That's okay because I don't need to be so close to the convergence of the trails during rifle. I could easily hunt my current stand during rifle or another location I found that would cover both of these trails with shots of under 80 yards.

 

[edwardware]

I think it might help to separate this into one question and two principles:
- proximity of the stand from the property line: doesn't matter a bit; you can set the stand on a property line marker.
- acceptable lines of fire are those lines that end with your bullet or bolt in the ground on your property.
- there is no acceptable line of fire that ends "somewhere" you can't reasonably clear. If there's a guy in a ghillie suit concealed in plain sight that's on him, but you must not be launching projectiles off into the unknown "over yonder woods."

 

[skeeterfogger]

Distance to property line depends on neighbors willingness to let you track game should it leave your property. I don't know of any rule that dictates distance between stands on separate properties. I've hunted places where stands were visible on adjacent properties with no issues.
You can put your stand right on the fence line as long as you hunt toward your property for all that matters.
My first inclination if I had a neighbor I chatted with would be to maneuver them into devulging their opinion. Should you have a neighbor that is completely opposed, to extent of a total negativity and agitation, you can bet they would be happy if you never hunted on your own property at all. At that point do what you think is best for your hunting.
If your stand is high enough angle of shot from gun will be safe.

 

[wombat13]

I know I CAN legally put my treestand right on the property line and I can’t shoot onto the neighbor’s property. The question is, is it a good idea to put a stand within 90 yards of the property line and 100 yard of the neighbor’s stand? Do you think it is safe to do so? If it is safe but bad etiquette, why? The neighbor is right on the line. Is that okay because he was there first and so I should stay farther away?

 

[stillquietvoice]

I know I CAN legally put my treestand right on the property line and I can’t shoot onto the neighbor’s property. The question is, is it a good idea to put a stand within 90 yards of the property line and 100 yard of the neighbor’s stand? Do you think it is safe to do so? If it is safe but bad etiquette, why? The neighbor is right on the line. Is that okay because he was there first and so I should stay farther away?

It should be safe thing is your neighbor needs to know your stand location as well. He, she has the same obligations as you to keep shots in their own property. I'd put where it can be seen like 10 yds from the line to keep the neighbors as ho eat as you are.

 

[wombat13]

It should be safe thing is your neighbor needs to know your stand location as well. He, she has the same obligations as you to keep shots in their own property. I'd put where it can be seen like 10 yds from the line to keep the neighbors as ho eat as you are.

So get real close?

 

[stillquietvoice]

So get real close?

It's safer that way, when they"Know" your there. They can see your there. No excuse for shooting in your direction.

 

[Milt1]

Why don't you get a topographical map of the area and call your neighbor to see if he would meet with you and discuss stand placement.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Some people get apoplectic if you hunt close to a property line. Feuds develop over such things. If you are close to the line, you are sometimes perceived as hunting the other's property. Setting up close to another hunter is perceived sometimes as an attempt to intimidate or spoil their hunting.

I don't agree with these sentiments. I agree with following the law. I am just saying to not be surprised if you upset your neighbor by setting up too close.

 

[wombat13]

Some people get apoplectic if you hunt close to a property line. Feuds develop over such things. If you are close to the line, you are sometimes perceived as hunting the other's property. Setting up close to another hunter is perceived sometimes as an attempt to intimidate or spoil their hunting.

I don't agree with these sentiments. I agree with following the law. I am just saying to not be surprised if you upset your neighbor by setting up too close.

That’s my concern. I’m trying to gauge the general sentiment here. I expect members of THR to be more considerate than the general public. He has a stand in the line. So am I now restricted to not hunting near there because he put his stand up first?

 

[wombat13]

Why don't you get a topographical map of the area and call your neighbor to see if he would meet with you and discuss stand placement.

I have a topo map. There is a good reason we both want to hunt in the same area. He has the same issues I have. His piece is almost the same width/length as mine. This area is right at the transition from relatively flat to steep so the deer travel at the base of the hill or gradually ascend as they cut across the slope.

 

[stringnut]

The neighbors and I all have some stands that are close to the property line. We let each other know what stand we will be using. Sometimes we avoid a stand if the other close. If we are close together it means we have to be careful about our direction of fire. Not a big deal. Thanksgiving weekend he texted me about what was going on. We were home for the weekend ,so, I told him his family could open fire in any direction. Not a big deal to me.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have and do hunt close to property lines for most of my life. I dont think too much of placing a stand near a line BUT I wont knowingly put one within 100 yds of another stand.

I have hunted properties where the neighbors and I have agreed we can "hunt the lines" as in, place stands on and shoot animals on or near the property line and recover game over the line. Once again though, were are not trying to hunt on top of each other.

Just for reference, this is in a shotgun/straight wall area and 100 yds between stands is considered adequate distance. It may not be in a rifle area.

 

[wombat13]

The neighbors and I all have some stands that are close to the property line. We let each other know what stand we will be using. Sometimes we avoid a stand if the other close. If we are close together it means we have to be careful about our direction of fire. Not a big deal. Thanksgiving weekend he texted me about what was going on. We were home for the weekend ,so, I told him his family could open fire in any direction. Not a big deal to me.

I think that's the approach I'm going to need to take. I AM going to hunt the area. I need to find a way to do so and have a good relationship with the neighbor. It would be ideal if he doesn't bow/crossbow hunt. My daughter really enjoys the crossbow and is not as excited about rifle because of the noise. So I think we are going to be doing a lot of our hunting during crossbow. I'd be happy to hunt farther from the property line during rifle season. As Milt1 suggested, I think I need to plot his stand and my current and likely stand locations and discuss a plan for us to both be satisfied.

 

[wombat13]

I have and do hunt close to property lines for most of my life. I dont think too much of placing a stand near a line BUT I wont knowingly put one within 100 yds of another stand.

I have hunted properties where the neighbors and I have agreed we can "hunt the lines" as in, place stands on and shoot animals on or near the property line and recover game over the line. Once again though, were are not trying to hunt on top of each other.

Just for reference, this is in a shotgun/straight wall area and 100 yds between stands is considered adequate distance. It may not be in a rifle area.

I've always tried to keep stands 300 yards away from each other on our property. 100 yards with high power rifles is too close for my comfort. I know I'm not going to take a dangerous shot, but I don't know about the other guy.

 

[Patocazador]

Distance to property line depends on neighbors willingness to let you track game should it leave your property.

No. 1 consideration in my book.

 

[Stevel]

Go talk to your neighbor and discuss. You might agree to text each other when you're thinking of using those stands just to check in. If one of you is using it, go to another.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Is there a fence between your properties? I'm not advocating tension between you and your neighbors, I'm suggesting that you should be able to use your property the same as him, her. As suggested talk to them maybe work outs you both could use each others stands with use schedules.......
An extra stand on the same trail could be a favorable situation for bot parties.

 

[buck460XVR]

Because bow hunting seasons generally run longer than rifle seasons, the odds of the neighbor being out there during bow season is low as compared to gun season. I would place stands wherever they would give me the best chance for a shot. I also would not count on one or two stands for my entire bow season. Hunting them often just burns them out. One not only has to pattern the deer in their area, but pattern the neighbors that hunt there. Some bowhunters never hunt the mornings. If this is the case with your neighbor, then not hunting that stand means a prime spot is left open every morning. If you know they hunt nights, then you know that is when you will have the most competition and might choose to go somewhere else. Having property that is only 320 yards wide means than any stand will probably be within sight of another property. It also means to be safe, you need to know where those folks on the adjoining properties have their stands. I prefer not to have my stands on the fenceline out of the hopes that a shot deer will not make it to the neighbors property. While we have permission to trail wounded deer onto the neighbors, I don't like to do it during an active gun hunt with the chance of wrecking their hunt and maybe loosing the privilege. As others have said, I would communicate with the neighbor and get their feedback.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

That’s my concern. I’m trying to gauge the general sentiment here. I expect members of THR to be more considerate than the general public. He has a stand in the line. So am I now restricted to not hunting near there because he put his stand up first?

You have made some wild assumptions, and I am not being critical of that, but trying to help you in the right direction.

General sentiments of a group of people of a forum have ZERO bearing on whether or not your neighbor gets upset with you. It does not matter what the general consensus is. We aren't your neighbor.

THR people are not more considerate than the general public. We are the general public. We didn't have to pass any sort of standards test to join this forum.

You do whatever the hell you want to do. All I am saying is to NOT be surprised when the neighbor gets upset that you opted to hunt right next to him. I am not saying either of you is right or wrong, only pointing out that people get weird about the issue.

 

[wombat13]

You have made some wild assumptions, and I am not being critical of that, but trying to help you in the right direction.

General sentiments of a group of people of a forum have ZERO bearing on whether or not your neighbor gets upset with you. It does not matter what the general consensus is. We aren't your neighbor.

THR people are not more considerate than the general public. We are the general public. We didn't have to pass any sort of standards test to join this forum.

You do whatever the hell you want to do. All I am saying is to NOT be surprised when the neighbor gets upset that you opted to hunt right next to him. I am not saying either of you is right or wrong, only pointing out that people get weird about the issue.

Based on my experience on this board and others, THR contributors ARE more considerate or at least more measured in how they write to each other. Also based on what I'm reading here, there is no general etiquette that in this situation whoever put up their stand first has the right to some space. SOME people may feel that way, but others disagree. I understand that there is a difference between what is legal and what is expected in a community and that this standard differs by community. Some people think there's no big deal farting in an elevator full of people, but the social norm is to not do so (or at least keep it quiet). So, I was just trying to gauge the social norm in this situation and the best way to approach this.

 

[buck460XVR]

Also based on what I'm reading here, there is no general etiquette that in this situation whoever put up their stand first has the right to some space. SOME people may feel that way, but others disagree.

The reason my state does not allow folks to leave their treestands up in the woods all season on public land, is because folks will tend to "stake out" territory by putting their stands up first. They also will put up multiple stands in an attempt to keep others away. Then tend to get upset when someone else puts theirs up nearby. Making so stands are removed at the end of each day helps to avoid conflicts. There's also a rule that any unattended stand(treestand or groundblind) on public land can be used by others.

I'm guessing what you the OP is asking, is what most folks think is "considerate", "responsible" and/or "appropriate". Comes down to safety for the most part. Also comes down to why your neighbor is on the fenceline. Could be the range of sight is better on your property. Thus they can see farther and be prepared earlier for a deer when it crosses the fence. It may be to give other hunters on their property more area to safely hunt. Sometimes folks will put a stand up on the property line so they can patrol the access to their land. Sometimes it's because the best trail in the woods is right across the fenceline and they hope the presence of their stand will keep you away. This is where the knowledge of the area helps. Then there are those that want to shoot onto your property too, even tho it is illegal. This is why I suggested you communicate with the neighbor. Could be they would move if they thought you would place a stand nearby. Assuring them you are not going to shoot onto their property may make it so you both can sit back to back safely and still have a quality experience.

Deer hunting is taken very personal to many folks and has caused more arguments among friends, family and neighbors than even women....at least around here. The argument over tree stands has even cost some folks their lives in my state..Communication with your neighbor on where you and they stand will help to avoid those opening morning issues, even if it's just frustration because someone is standing in your back pocket. But I wouldn't give up the best stand on the property unless I had a better reason than just my neighbor staked out my stand first.

 

[Hookeye]

I know folks w stands 50 yards or so from the fence on both sides.

Not everybody hunts the same days. They just call the night before to see who is gonna do what.

Polite goes a long ways.

 

[Hookeye]

Deer can cross property lines before and after you shoot em.

Nice for neighbors to get along.

 

[Hookeye]

Am pretty cool about stuff.
Most hard nose property line folks are up to something.
Usually hunting on your side when they think you arent around.
Game cameras I think have stopped that nonsense.
Didnt have em in the old days.