What would you do?

[Vo2max]

Second not so wonderful experience on private property... I arrived early and set up a beautiful spread, broke ice and re-cat tailed in the blind. First light we took down a pair of spoonbills. 5min later dudes show up and walk right to the blind. We talked with them and one asked "how do you like the blind we made?" I said we've used it a few times and have improved it with a few things. I said that I had permission to hunt the area and asked what they would do in my position. One said "we'd leave!" So I looked at him, turned around, packed up the decoys and B-lines it to a hedgerow where I know we could get a few ducks. We called in several groups and bagged 6 total birds. A descent morning for us. Now, the question: I respect others right to build the blind and realize that they feel abliged to use it at their will... Am I wrong to think that I have just as much of a right to hunt that blind given that the land owner knew I was going to be there?

[crow killer]

i honestly think you did the right thing and the wrong, they have no reason to kick you out of the blin but you also did the right thing by putting no argument and no problems good job on your part    how many did they get?

[Vo2max]

I can totally see their view point to be sure BUT if you want to hunt a blind you've got to be willing to get there early enough to set things up and claim it. However, I did not build the blind and this is my first year hunting this property.

While I can't say I did not think about saying a few choice words, I/we respected the gentlemens view point and proceeded to shoot 5 more ducks than they did

[KFhunter]

What is the relationship between the landowner to these other hunters?

I think you may have done the right thing givin this was private land, the landowner isn't likely to put up with a lot of drama. 

I'd try to minimize the drama, especially being the "new guy".



Unless you are paying to play, then it's a whole nother ball o wax.

[h2ofowlr]

Get their number and set it up so you can hunt with them, since you both have permission to hunt it. 
How many acres is their to hunt on.  Can you build your own blind far enough away, so you both get good shooting?
If you can't, like I said exchange numbers and work together for a better hunt.  If you get pissed at one another, one party will end up getting the boot.

[Madison]

I certainly wouldnt have moved all my stuff to let them take the spot. 

1. they can leave
2. depending on the situation, they could join

[jason4429]

I was given permission to hunt a piece of private land.The only reason i asked was nobody had been hunting it recently.One week after i got permission the old boy that has hunted it for years showed back up.I never set foot on the place and i won't until he doesn't hunt there anymore.I don't know you had permission first,but to me that counts for alot.You did the right thing.One landowner that lets me  hunt his place has people ask all the time even his son-in-law and he tells them I already have a hunter.Cutting firewood and helping do other stuff on the farm sure does go a long ways.

[h2ofowlr]

I was given permission to hunt a piece of private land.The only reason i asked was nobody had been hunting it recently.One week after i got permission the old boy that has hunted it for years showed back up.I never set foot on the place and i won't until he doesn't hunt there anymore.I don't know you had permission first,but to me that counts for alot.You did the right thing.One landowner that lets me  hunt his place has people ask all the time even his son-in-law and he tells them I already have a hunter.Cutting firewood and helping do other stuff on the farm sure does go a long ways.

You don't drive a grey GMC Sierra pickup with a WWA sticker on it by chance?

[full choke]

I was given permission to hunt a piece of private land.The only reason i asked was nobody had been hunting it recently.One week after i got permission the old boy that has hunted it for years showed back up.I never set foot on the place and i won't until he doesn't hunt there anymore.I don't know you had permission first,but to me that counts for alot.You did the right thing.One landowner that lets me  hunt his place has people ask all the time even his son-in-law and he tells them I already have a hunter.Cutting firewood and helping do other stuff on the farm sure does go a long ways.

You don't drive a grey GMC Sierra pickup with a WWA sticker on it by chance?

 

[jason4429]

No, I drive Ford's. I believe we hunt opposite sides of the state also

[wraithen]

I would have done exactly what you did. While you could have stood there and would probably not necessarily be "wrong", I think that it made the situation simple. Were you friendly? I may have tried to find a way to coordinate with them if it was a good spot. Tough call but you made the same one I'd make.

[WSU]

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, although there wasn't an actual blind constructed.  I offered to exchange numbers to avoid confusion in the future but didn't offer to move.  He went to another portion of the property and set up there.  I avoided getting in an argument even though he was being an complete ass. 

[hdshot]

Had stuff like this happen before.  We always offer to hunt with us and say if not you can have it tomorrow.  Did this to the farmers grown up kid one time and he left for the other side and we can still can get permission to this day.

Another time a guide service pulled in the last minute and got upset to see us.  They were driving in the field got stuck for a minute or two and left.  After the hunt we went to the farmer and told him who put of the tracks in his field and we didn't lose the field. 

If late arrivals want to raise a fit, let them but just stay calm and cool.  Then after the hunt go brief the land owner and tell the truth who the party was that caused a fuss.  Land owners get PO'ed when someone else starts to act like they own the place.

[SmokingQuack]

Anytime people come and try to set up near me, I always invite them to join forces. It's much better being partners in death rather than wrecking eachother's chances! I've had too many kind people shoot my cupped and committed birds! I would've asked want to hunt together? but you probably got the feeling 3 was a crowd. It sounds like they were pr*cks ...

[preacherman]

Saturday I was hunting outside of MT. Vernon, and had a great day of hunting. We just happened to be right were they wanted to be, but there were some other guys that were close to us that were not getting committed birds. After a bit they must have just been getting frustrated, because they just started sky busting the passes that were working our deeks. I would have been more flustered by it other than the three of us were pretty close to limits already, and I have had crappy days where I was close but not there. The only thing that did upset me was that when I was heading out I realized that they didn't have any deeks out and were just using my setup.

[Vo2max]

I kept my cool as I mentioned and worked hard to make sure they knew my point of view/stance. Unfortunately I think one of the gents was the land owners relative of some sort. Blood is surely thicker than water . Ohwell, we'll see how things go for the rest of the season!

[whtelk]

I sort of see the other guys view on this. I hunt private property only and there are spots I have hunted for 40 years. I know when the birds are likely to fly and I get there just in time to place my decoys.
 If a new guy started hunting my spots I would not like it. I see the point of inviting them to use "their" blind, but really since these guys have been hunting there I assume for quite some time you should leave. After all, they did build the blind... good or not.
 This probably not what you wanted to hear, but think about it.... if you had spent time hunting there and new guy moves in and doesn't build his own blind but uses yours and you show up to hunt?....