|
|
Post by teenhunter00 on Nov 20, 2018 15:05:11 GMT -5
I love my public land hunting spot, however there is only one draw back and one alone, Idiot Hunters. I went out for opening day of firearm season with my dad and grandpa. All was well that morning there were a few other hunters, but not as many as previous years. We talked about where we were going to be and sorted it out since some of us were gonna be kind of close and we agreed to put some more distance between us. Around 9:20 I just saw a nice doe but she was a little far away at the time for me to take the shot at that moment but I was hopeful maybe she might make her way back towards me. Then I heard one distinct noise coming from my right, like someone just pumped their shotgun. I slowly looked over to the direction of the sound but I didn't see anyone so I thought I was just getting nervous, until I saw the doe looking towards the same area that I just looked at then she started to stomp her foot. Next thing I hear is Boom some jerk shot 20 yards right next me. It scared the living crap out of me I had no clue someone was that close. Next thing I see is a guy walk right out of a bramble and he goes right past my stand wearing no orange. Probably why I couldn't see him. That wasn't what made me mad, what really set me off is that I'm clearly visible from all of the area surrounding me I'm wearing my orange vest and a hat so I know that there was no way that the guy couldn't have seen me. I've dealt with a lot of jerks and idiots on public land, but this guy takes the cake. The only good thing about this situation was that he ended up missing his shot. Man if he would actually gotten that doe I would've been livid. I have normally been weary of private land sure it would be nice but dang can it cost a pretty penny. How many of you have had a bad run in with other hunters?
|
|
|
|
Post by firstwd on Nov 20, 2018 16:19:01 GMT -5
On private laned. Guys came in and shot over my head at a running deer. Our conversation was short and to the point and he left.
On my way out I found out two others with him had actually drawn down on my wife wearing orange coveralls. The conversation would have been worse had it been me and not my brother who saw that.
They weren't supposed to be there.
A lack of common sense is an ever spreading disease.
|
|
|
|
Post by swilk on Nov 20, 2018 16:46:18 GMT -5
We've all likely had bad experiences with other hunters...and believe it or not, we've all likely been that bad experience for someone else.
|
|
|
|
Post by medic22 on Nov 20, 2018 17:20:46 GMT -5
Ive had more bad experiences this year with the guys that own the private land i have permission on, than I have on public land. Ive had my share of bad public experiences in the past.
|
|
|
|
Post by beermaker on Nov 20, 2018 17:59:39 GMT -5
One of my usual hunting buddies was leaving the HNF in Martin Co. and was asked if he had permission to be there. After a polite, but very direct conversation, my friend made his way down to the parking area to find a lone truck with TN license plates.
It's a simple fact that opportunities to hunt private land are diminishing and public land is experiencing more pressure.
|
|
|
|
Post by jdebose on Nov 20, 2018 20:13:06 GMT -5
Public land can be super tough. You learn and grow as a hunter grinding it out year after year. Once you put it all together it’s rewarding knowing you not only out witted some smart whitetails but also a slew of other hunters.
Best wishes. Be safe out there.
|
|
|
|
Post by butlerj on Nov 20, 2018 20:28:51 GMT -5
Public land can be super tough. You learn and grow as a hunter grinding it out year after year. Once you put it all together it’s rewarding knowing you not only out witted some smart whitetails but also a slew of other hunters. Best wishes. Be safe out there.  |
|
|
|
Post by majyang on Nov 20, 2018 21:53:46 GMT -5
You can hope but dont think that having hung a stand means much more than someone else knowing "your spot" is now a possible good spot for them too. One year I dragged out and hung two 2-man stands in spots I knew were producers so my girls could hunt with me and their uncle. The spots were a way out there too. Opening day comes and we make the trek out only to find there's a guy set up in a climber barely 30 yrds from my very visible stand. I'm not sure if he even scouted the area since he was facing the wrong way to the direction I know the deers primarily travel. (I've hunted this spot for many years) so with no other real viable choice, the three of us shared an hour or so of the morning looking at each other. As deers moved in as I knew they would, none of us could safely do much about it besides look on and fume. Then we left.
|
|
|
|
Post by beermaker on Nov 21, 2018 5:41:01 GMT -5
You can hope but dont think that having hung a stand means much more than someone else knowing "your spot" is now a possible good spot for them too. One year I dragged out and hung two 2-man stands in spots I knew were producers so my girls could hunt with me and their uncle. The spots were a way out there too. Opening day comes and we make the trek out only to find there's a guy set up in a climber barely 30 yrds from my very visible stand. I'm not sure if he even scouted the area since he was facing the wrong way to the direction I know the deers primarily travel. (I've hunted this spot for many years) so with no other real viable choice, the three of us shared an hour or so of the morning looking at each other. As deers moved in as I knew they would, none of us could safely do much about it besides look on and fume. Then we left. If you hunt public land long enough this is bound to happen sooner or later. |
|
|
|
Post by teenhunter00 on Nov 21, 2018 20:07:46 GMT -5
Personally i am scared that someone is gonna take my ladder stand if i strap it to a tree and leave it there. So i normally try to stick with my climber. What Im trying to do this year is to try to find more remote public land and later once the off season comes around to hopefully find some private land to hunt (thats the plan at least) since I am going off to college next year I just want to find some place to go hunting where i don't have to worry about whether or not someone is in my spot since my time to spend hunting will be more limited.
|
|
|
|
Post by medic22 on Nov 21, 2018 20:11:46 GMT -5
Personally i am scared that someone is gonna take my ladder stand if i strap it to a tree and leave it there. So i normally try to stick with my climber. What Im trying to do this year is to try to find more remote public land and later once the off season comes around to hopefully find some private land to hunt (thats the plan at least) since I am going off to college next year I just want to find some place to go hunting where i don't have to worry about whether or not someone is in my spot since my time to spend hunting will be more limited. Come down to the SW and I can take you to a dozen or more ladder stands that have been abandoned. I cant decide if the same guy with a disposable income or if a dozen different guys learned what a terrible idea it was to haul them back there. |
|
|
|
Post by jdebose on Nov 21, 2018 20:15:34 GMT -5
I know where at least a dozen are down at Hovey FWA. Nobody ever hunts them. Out of repspect I don’t hunt them. I should prolly notify the property manager and let them dispose of how they choose.
|
|
|
|
Post by teenhunter00 on Nov 21, 2018 20:19:51 GMT -5
Personally i am scared that someone is gonna take my ladder stand if i strap it to a tree and leave it there. So i normally try to stick with my climber. What Im trying to do this year is to try to find more remote public land and later once the off season comes around to hopefully find some private land to hunt (thats the plan at least) since I am going off to college next year I just want to find some place to go hunting where i don't have to worry about whether or not someone is in my spot since my time to spend hunting will be more limited. Come down to the SW and I can take you to a dozen or more ladder stands that have been abandoned. I cant decide if the same guy with a disposable income or if a dozen different guys learned what a terrible idea it was to haul them back there. the only reason i have my ladder stands are because of my grandpa because he can get up into them pretty easy. i completely get the struggle of dragging them out there though, they are a pain and some require multiple trips. |
|
|
|
Post by 3ptbuck on Nov 21, 2018 20:25:01 GMT -5
Personally i am scared that someone is gonna take my ladder stand if i strap it to a tree and leave it there. So i normally try to stick with my climber. What Im trying to do this year is to try to find more remote public land and later once the off season comes around to hopefully find some private land to hunt (thats the plan at least) since I am going off to college next year I just want to find some place to go hunting where i don't have to worry about whether or not someone is in my spot since my time to spend hunting will be more limited. Come down to the SW and I can take you to a dozen or more ladder stands that have been abandoned. I cant decide if the same guy with a disposable income or if a dozen different guys learned what a terrible idea it was to haul them back there. I would be shocked if atleast 1 wasnt mine lol |
|
|
|
Post by medic22 on Nov 21, 2018 20:32:42 GMT -5
Come down to the SW and I can take you to a dozen or more ladder stands that have been abandoned. I cant decide if the same guy with a disposable income or if a dozen different guys learned what a terrible idea it was to haul them back there. I would be shocked if atleast 1 wasnt mine lol Probably. Most of them are in pretty good spots from what I've learned of the property the last couple years. Theyre just really far back there. I think most of them have been left by the people that own the random piece of private |
|
