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Post by genesis273 on Oct 7, 2023 16:32:17 GMT -5
I have been hunting the field behind my house for the past few years. The owner of the woodlot next to the field has been really kind but, leary about letting people hunt. He has respected the fact that although my blind is near his woods, it is positioned so that I can shoot in the field and NOT towards his woods. This past spring, he had a contractor working on his home and the contractor heard the turkeys and was given permission to hunt them. That lead into him gaining deer hunting rights as well. No big deal on my end. The landowner gave me the hunters info so we could coordinate and hunt safely. The landowner also invited me to hunt his land as well. Although I greatly appreciate the offer, I decided I didn't want to intrude on the contractor.
The contractor and I finally linked up for a phone conversation last week. He told me he had put stands up and the landowner went behind him placing salt blocks by his stand. He wasn't sure how to handle it. It was decided that he would gather the salt blocks and place them up near the residence, away from the stands so that the landowner would get to watch the deer. He also stated that he would let the landowner know the legal issues at hand. This was last week.
So, Wednesday evening, in the dark, I placed a camera out behind my house on a camera stand. Last night, a doe bummed it sideways and it had been going off all day today with the high winds and grass. I checked with the contractor to see if he was hunting and he said no. He said he hunted Thursday though. Since wasn't hunting and I wasn't going to disturb him, I went back to adjust the camera. To my much disappointment, I could see (from the field) his ladder stand with a mineral block sitting on a milk crate and a trail cam watching it.
This location is within 100 yards if where I have been putting my blind the past 3 years. So, my best guess is that I cannot put my ind there, even though it's separate property and wasn't my doing. I'm not sure if I need to say something to the landowner or just to the contractor. For all I know, the contractor is really the one who put the salt blocks out and not the landowner. Maybe he told me that story to cover his tracks? The only reason I feel justified in casting the shadow of doubt is because last week he knew the stands were baited and was going to remove them. And you're not supposed to hunt within 10 days of the bait removal.
Kinda at a loss on how to handle best. I really don't want to get conservation involved, and that'll be last resort. But, why should my spot get interfered with due to this guys actions?
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Oct 7, 2023 16:51:50 GMT -5
I believe there have been similar situations in the “Ask a CO” section. Might be good to review those threads if you can find them.
Personally, I wouldn’t let the illegal bait affect my hunt. There are so many things that happen on others’ property that are beyond our control.
Really, how would it be different than the neighbor’s dog running a deer your way? Are you then guilty of hunting deer with the use of dogs?
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Post by genesis273 on Oct 7, 2023 16:55:11 GMT -5
I believe there have been similar situations in the “Ask a CO” section. Might be good to review those threads if you can find them. Personally, I wouldn’t let the illegal bait affect my hunt. There are so many things that happen on others’ property that are beyond our control. Really, how would it be different than the neighbor’s dog running a deer your way? Are you then guilty of hunting deer with the use of dogs? You make a very valid point 👍 |
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Oct 7, 2023 17:05:37 GMT -5
I completely agree with not letting it affect my hunt. It sounds like you have a good enough relationship with the land owner to ask directly.
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Post by greghopper on Oct 7, 2023 17:13:13 GMT -5
Personally if you can see it I wouldn’t hunt that area and they should be doing the same.
Call your local CO and get his advice and go with that.
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Post by freedomhunter on Oct 7, 2023 18:08:56 GMT -5
CO will probably tell you not to worry about because he won't or doesn't want to anyway. Just let it go imo or create a stink that you don't need.
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Post by genesis273 on Oct 7, 2023 21:35:26 GMT -5
I'll most likely have a chat with the landowner. Especially if it's still there next week.
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Post by esshup on Oct 7, 2023 22:44:40 GMT -5
Not your property, you can't do anything about it. It shouldn't affect you because you don't have any control over it. I'd look at the "Ask the CO" thread to see if something was asked before about that situation.
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Post by duff on Oct 8, 2023 4:40:19 GMT -5
I'll most likely have a chat with the landowner. Especially if it's still there next week. If land owner never put salt out before, why now? My bet is also on the new hunter. If I was close enough to the owner, I would ask why he put salt out, without bringing up the other hunter. Maybe the owner always did. You were just not aware of it. If so, ask him not to put it close to you blind/stand area to protect you. |
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Post by stevein on Oct 8, 2023 4:53:16 GMT -5
It has been my experience that a CO is not going to be anywhere near private land without a call to be there. I would hunt and not see any more salt blocks.
I would value the good relationship with the neighbor more than stirring up a mess that you do not want.
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Post by michaelc on Oct 8, 2023 6:09:22 GMT -5
Right or wrong, I would use it to my advantage. You're not doing anything wrong, so let it ride and capitalize from it. There's an old saying that goes like this: "Control the things you can control and don't worry about the things you can't." In your situation, you might take a chance on losing your spot if you make too big of a stink, and he will as well. Sounds like to me, HE needs to be removed anyhow if he's not following the laws/rules IMO
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Post by welder on Oct 8, 2023 7:49:27 GMT -5
Right or wrong, I would use it to my advantage. You're not doing anything wrong, so let it ride and capitalize from it. There's an old saying that goes like this: "Control the things you can control and don't worry about the things you can't." In your situation, you might take a chance on losing your spot if you make too big of a stink, and he will as well. Sounds like to me, HE needs to be removed anyhow if he's not following the laws/rules IMO Exactly. |
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Post by genesis273 on Oct 8, 2023 7:52:52 GMT -5
If this hunter is baiting deer, then I'm not overly concerned about hindering a relationship with him. I, however, do not want to hinder my relationship with the landowner. Although I'm not hunting his property (even though he did invite me too) I still want to be able to track/recover any animals that may fall on his side. Besides that, he's a nice guy that I like. He has told me himself that he has never put salt blocks out before or anything else to attract deer. That's why I feel it's actually the hunter that did it.
I really don't want our local CO involved.
I really wish I had a better, safer solution for hunting the field behind my house without having to give up so much of the field. But, I may have to rethink my set-up.
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Post by greghopper on Oct 8, 2023 9:42:55 GMT -5
From CO Fourm…. Seems it doesn’t matter who placed the Bait,What matters is where a person hunts within the area of the bait!
There is not a set distance. It is considered baiting if the hunter does or is likely to benefit from the placement of the salt or mineral block.
There is no set distance that the bait has to be away from the hunter. Our officers use their discretion very well in these cases. If a reasonable person would believe that the 'bait' was placed there to aid the hunter in the taking of a wild animal where baiting was not allowed, the area would be considered baited.
The term "area" has not been defined in statute that I was able to locate. The best rule of thumb to use would be to consider if the 'bait' caused or a high likelihood that the bait would cause a deer or turkey to pass by the hunter while going to or from the 'bait'.
(v) An individual must not hunt deer with the use or aid of:
(1) bait, which includes:
(A) a food that is transported and placed for consumption, including, but not limited to, piles of corn and apples placed in the field;
(B) a prepared solid or liquid that is manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock or wild deer, including, but not limited to, commercial baits and food supplements;
(C) salt; or
(D) mineral supplements;
(2) snares;
(3) dogs; or
(4) other domesticated animals.
The use of manufactured scents and lures or similar chemical or natural attractants is not prohibited.
(w) An area is considered baited for ten (10) days after the removal of the bait and the baited soil. Hunting an area, such asan orchard, which may be attractive to deer as the result of normal agricultural activity, is not prohibited.
(x) Notwithstanding subsection (v), an individual may use dogs only while on a leash to track or trail wounded deer.
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Post by greghopper on Oct 8, 2023 9:52:04 GMT -5
If this hunter is baiting deer, then I'm not overly concerned about hindering a relationship with him. I, however, do not want to hinder my relationship with the landowner. Although I'm not hunting his property (even though he did invite me too) I still want to be able to track/recover any animals that may fall on his side. Besides that, he's a nice guy that I like. He has told me himself that he has never put salt blocks out before or anything else to attract deer. That's why I feel it's actually the hunter that did it. I really don't want our local CO involved. I really wish I had a better, safer solution for hunting the field behind my house without having to give up so much of the field. But, I may have to rethink my set-up. |
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Post by indianajoe on Oct 8, 2023 16:28:51 GMT -5
I'm guessing tthe landowner doesn't know the new hunter is poaching. I'm also guessing he wouldn't appreciate it. Maybe a conversation with the landowner about the situation is in order. He would probably be glad you are looking out.
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Post by schall53 on Oct 8, 2023 16:29:41 GMT -5
I would go to the landowner and just inform him of the situation. Let him know the whole story, the hunter saying he did it and and legality of so doing. If it was my property I would be upset about it if I didn’t do it. You may end up with your property and his to hunt by yourself.
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Post by titanium700 on Oct 8, 2023 16:34:04 GMT -5
I agree with schall53
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Post by huntsemall on Oct 8, 2023 16:39:12 GMT -5
FWIW....several years ago one of my co-workers received permission to hunt a private piece. He didn't do any scouting prior to heading in there. He took a stand in early morning and got set up, shortly after daylight he was approached by local COs that informed him he was hunting over bait. Come to find out, another hunter with permission had placed the mineral licks and in the end all was good for my buddy. Not sure what the outcome would have been if they had not found out about the other hunter?
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Post by Woody Williams on Oct 8, 2023 17:55:39 GMT -5
First off I do not believe for a minute that the landowner placed the salt blocks by the stands. Why would he do that?
Sounds like you are in good with the landowner - I’d go talk to him in a non-accusatory way. Tell him exactly what you’ve told us and see what he has to say. If I was a landowner I’d sure want to know if the person I gave permission to was breaking a law. If he is breaking the baiting regulations what other regulations would he be willing to break?
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