Public Land Treestands?

[Kazekurt]

"Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!"

ET1702 ,  there is a major flaw in this logic and the flaw is that your assuming your the only one who worked hard to discover this spot!  It's highly likely that someone may still hunt the area , spot and stalk the area, hunt out of a natural ground blind, and may have even killed or seen animals in this spot for years prior to you discovering it.  Why should you putting up a stand trump their efforts and dictate you have solo control of the area?  I had a group of guys try to run me off public land once saying "I should leave because they hunted the same spot the year before". I informed them that I was a local and my family had hunted the spot off and on for over 40 years and I had no intention of leaving; especially considering I was there first that day.

[Elkrunner]

Do We have to really talk about this?  If its not yours, leave it the F alone?  Why is that so hard for some to get?  It's not a free for all just because its on public land!  Ok let's try this, if you feel funny or guilty about something, then it's probably wrong.  It's called your conscience, don't ignore it, if you burn up your conscience it will go away.  Simple guys.

 
well said!!!

 

Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!  Plus, I believe it would be extremely unethical and disrespectful for me to just decide to sit in someone else's stand.  Public land or not, doesn't matter. 

While we are on the subject, if you come across a guy in a tree stand, back out the way you came!  Would you intentionally blow a guys stalk if you saw a couple guys on a ridge with a herd of elk down below them...NO!!!  Why is it OK to walk through a guy setup in a tree stand?  It's not!  I've had VERY few individuals find my stands or walk near them while I'm in them.  Most do back out once you get their attention.  But, this past year, I was sitting in my stand listening to several cow elk and a bull talking and heading my way.  Heard something coming for over 100 yards away from the opposite direction. It was a hunter that was trying to put a stalk on the elk.  I caught his attention and he just veered off trail and walked straight at the elk.  The area the elk were in is VERY inaccessible while hunting on the ground (i.e., no way to get on them due to terrain and winds).  You will blow them out EVERY time if you try to approach on the ground, which is what this Jack A$$ did very shortly after I spotted him.  Plus, if I could hear him from over 100yards away, the elk could too!

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't understand some people's hunting ethics.

ET

If I come across a guys stand on the way to my spot, I am not going to back out sorry. I think the stand time frame and use depends on the situation. If I am wandering through the woods and I see a guy has stand exactly where I would have put one with no sign he is using it then I may just cop a squat. Now if the guy shows up, no problem I will be on my merry little way. As far as your elk story, maybe the guy had been working the same heard you were. Why should he back down to you?

If this is the stand I was thinking about, there is no way in HE** that there is another stand down that way. 

[rtspring]

Leaving a tree stand up for months at a time is not right.  A month maybe two..  Take it down if you dont want it messed with.. 

[et1702]

Do We have to really talk about this?  If its not yours, leave it the F alone?  Why is that so hard for some to get?  It's not a free for all just because its on public land!  Ok let's try this, if you feel funny or guilty about something, then it's probably wrong.  It's called your conscience, don't ignore it, if you burn up your conscience it will go away.  Simple guys.

 
well said!!!

 

Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!  Plus, I believe it would be extremely unethical and disrespectful for me to just decide to sit in someone else's stand.  Public land or not, doesn't matter. 

While we are on the subject, if you come across a guy in a tree stand, back out the way you came!  Would you intentionally blow a guys stalk if you saw a couple guys on a ridge with a herd of elk down below them...NO!!!  Why is it OK to walk through a guy setup in a tree stand?  It's not!  I've had VERY few individuals find my stands or walk near them while I'm in them.  Most do back out once you get their attention.  But, this past year, I was sitting in my stand listening to several cow elk and a bull talking and heading my way.  Heard something coming for over 100 yards away from the opposite direction. It was a hunter that was trying to put a stalk on the elk.  I caught his attention and he just veered off trail and walked straight at the elk.  The area the elk were in is VERY inaccessible while hunting on the ground (i.e., no way to get on them due to terrain and winds).  You will blow them out EVERY time if you try to approach on the ground, which is what this Jack A$$ did very shortly after I spotted him.  Plus, if I could hear him from over 100yards away, the elk could too!

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't understand some people's hunting ethics.

ET

If I come across a guys stand on the way to my spot, I am not going to back out sorry. I think the stand time frame and use depends on the situation. If I am wandering through the woods and I see a guy has stand exactly where I would have put one with no sign he is using it then I may just cop a squat. Now if the guy shows up, no problem I will be on my merry little way. As far as your elk story, maybe the guy had been working the same heard you were. Why should he back down to you?

Nope, I heard them get out of truck, close doors, etc.  After they blew the elk out, I hiked out and they were parked 50 yards from my truck and knew someone was in the area.  I'd been in same area for three or four days without anyone for a mile or two nearby.  It was last couple days of early season and if the guy had a bull tag, I'd likely have helped him if he came by and said something rather than just ducking and running (because I didn't have a bull tag).  Plus, they were obviously unfamiliar with the area based on their approach path toward the animals.  Again, something I might have helped them with, depending on the situation.  BTW, he should have backed down.  I was on elk first.  I would have backed out if I came upon you sitting in your tree stand, elk or no elk.  It's called common courtesy for your fellow hunter, which seems to be sorely lacking in many of todays so called hunters.  Why ruin a hunt for both of you?

[et1702]

Do We have to really talk about this?  If its not yours, leave it the F alone?  Why is that so hard for some to get?  It's not a free for all just because its on public land!  Ok let's try this, if you feel funny or guilty about something, then it's probably wrong.  It's called your conscience, don't ignore it, if you burn up your conscience it will go away.  Simple guys.

 
well said!!!

 

Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!  Plus, I believe it would be extremely unethical and disrespectful for me to just decide to sit in someone else's stand.  Public land or not, doesn't matter. 

While we are on the subject, if you come across a guy in a tree stand, back out the way you came!  Would you intentionally blow a guys stalk if you saw a couple guys on a ridge with a herd of elk down below them...NO!!!  Why is it OK to walk through a guy setup in a tree stand?  It's not!  I've had VERY few individuals find my stands or walk near them while I'm in them.  Most do back out once you get their attention.  But, this past year, I was sitting in my stand listening to several cow elk and a bull talking and heading my way.  Heard something coming for over 100 yards away from the opposite direction. It was a hunter that was trying to put a stalk on the elk.  I caught his attention and he just veered off trail and walked straight at the elk.  The area the elk were in is VERY inaccessible while hunting on the ground (i.e., no way to get on them due to terrain and winds).  You will blow them out EVERY time if you try to approach on the ground, which is what this Jack A$$ did very shortly after I spotted him.  Plus, if I could hear him from over 100yards away, the elk could too!

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't understand some people's hunting ethics.

ET

If I come across a guys stand on the way to my spot, I am not going to back out sorry. I think the stand time frame and use depends on the situation. If I am wandering through the woods and I see a guy has stand exactly where I would have put one with no sign he is using it then I may just cop a squat. Now if the guy shows up, no problem I will be on my merry little way. As far as your elk story, maybe the guy had been working the same heard you were. Why should he back down to you?

If this is the stand I was thinking about, there is no way in HE** that there is another stand down that way.

hey Justan,

Yes, you know the stand I am referring too very well...lol

ET

[trophyhunt]

We've had several tree stands, game cameras and sd cards stolen in the Nile Unit, some this year actually..  I'm sure the jack wagon who stole them is on this site.  A matter of fact, we know who did it, it's just tough to prove it.

People who steal are scum bags and I hope Karma bites you hard right in the arse, you filthy pigs.

As far as people sitting in your stand, I have absolutely no problem with it.  If I found a stand in a good area, and I "thought" no one was using it, I would definitely sit in it.  However, if the owner of that stand came along, I would 100% get out of his stand and move well out of the area.  People are rediculess who have a sense of "entitlement" on public property..Get over yourself. 

Have respect, and use common sense.

100% agree

[et1702]

"Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!"

ET1702 ,  there is a major flaw in this logic and the flaw is that your assuming your the only one who worked hard to discover this spot!  It's highly likely that someone may still hunt the area , spot and stalk the area, hunt out of a natural ground blind, and may have even killed or seen animals in this spot for years prior to you discovering it.  Why should you putting up a stand trump their efforts and dictate you have solo control of the area?  I had a group of guys try to run me off public land once saying "I should leave because they hunted the same spot the year before". I informed them that I was a local and my family had hunted the spot off and on for over 40 years and I had no intention of leaving; especially considering I was there first that day.

Agreed, but this wasn't the situation here.  Afterall, it is public land and we've all ran into the type of people you desribe.  These guys were road hunting and I'd seen them driving up and down the roads previously.  I'm sure they had noticed my truck parked in the same spot several days in a row and I heard them stop (by my truck) and listen.  As I mentioned elsewhere, they obviously weren't familiar with the area I was at, or they would have never approached from the direction that they chose.  They chose a straight line, without regard for wind, cover, or anything (or anyone) else.

ET

[sagewalker]

We've had several tree stands, game cameras and sd cards stolen in the Nile Unit, some this year actually..  I'm sure the jack wagon who stole them is on this site.  A matter of fact, we know who did it, it's just tough to prove it.

People who steal are scum bags and I hope Karma bites you hard right in the arse, you filthy pigs.

As far as people sitting in your stand, I have absolutely no problem with it.  If I found a stand in a good area, and I "thought" no one was using it, I would definitely sit in it.  However, if the owner of that stand came along, I would 100% get out of his stand and move well out of the area.  People are rediculess who have a sense of "entitlement" on public property..Get over yourself. 

Have respect, and use common sense.

I had mine stolen this fall out of the Nile unit as well. Have any idea who is doing the thieving?

[Elkrunner]

Possible tweakers

[Atroxus]

"Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!"

ET1702 ,  there is a major flaw in this logic and the flaw is that your assuming your the only one who worked hard to discover this spot!  It's highly likely that someone may still hunt the area , spot and stalk the area, hunt out of a natural ground blind, and may have even killed or seen animals in this spot for years prior to you discovering it.  Why should you putting up a stand trump their efforts and dictate you have solo control of the area?  I had a group of guys try to run me off public land once saying "I should leave because they hunted the same spot the year before". I informed them that I was a local and my family had hunted the spot off and on for over 40 years and I had no intention of leaving; especially considering I was there first that day.

 

I wouldn't tamper with someones trailcam or treestand, but if I get to an area I was planning to hunt and find someone has put up a trailcam or treestand, I am still going to hunt the area unless someone else got there earlier in the morning than me. I think it is ridiculous for people to leave their crap up for weeks or months at a time on public land with the expectation that it makes that section of public land their personal hunting property.

[Curly]

I guess not growing up in "The Hunting Culture" I have a different perspective.

Can I park my boat in the middle of the Columbia river and leave it there for all of salmon season because I did the "work" of scouting out that spot? No

If I scout out the perfect spot to park my car in down town Seattle for Seahawks games, can I put out some traffic cones and claim that spot as mine? No.

If I put a lawn chair on top of a picnic table at my favorite park, can I kick people off my picnic table every day I go there to eat lunch? I mean, I did do the work of scouting out that picnic table for its superior qualities.

Why are tree stands on public land any different?

I wish someone would answer that question.

[krapmit]

We have had our 6-8 stands up in the Nile for close to 15 years now.  I think we have had 4-5 stolen in those 15 years.  We know the chance that we take, but as the same time, the area is not hunted nearly as hard as a lot of the other areas in the unit and rifle and muzzle loader guys use our stands every year...matter of fact, in rifle season this year, there was a guy in ever single one our stands.

Most people respect and appreciate the fact that they're there..

[Broken Arrow]

I think anytime you leave something for a period of time unattended, you increase the chance of it being found, used, stolen, etc.

Every year someones hunt is "ruined" by someone who found their spot, didn't know how to hunt it, etc...and every year more and more folks are in the woods looking for their own "honey hole". Conflicts are bound to happen.

I happen to scout hard in the early season and will prep trees i like for a potential stand, as well as make ground blinds, etc. I don't however set my stands weeks before the season starts or stake my claim as you never know what is going to happen. You may have found a spot that 3 guys have hunted for 30 years, etc., and often within the first few days of the season traffic in and around an area may disturb the animals patterns.

If within the first couple of days, I find that others are not around the areas I hunt, and i have found no other boot prints, folks parked close around etc., i then will place a stand in that area. When the season is over, or if that area has gone cold, I immediately remove my stands.

On the rare occasion when I have ran into other hunters where i hunt ( I'm usually as surprised as they are, as often my spots are miles from roads, etc). I usually have a conversation with them and share, where as where my party is hunting vs them, get the background on who has put in the time, scouting, back stories if applicable ( such as family hunting area, etc) and have been able to come to mutual compromise, in regards to areas.

Now with this all said, these have been my experiences with bow hunters, and I have yet to have a bad experience. I did try rifle hunting with my boys a few times and i must say I have NOT had the same results nor the same considerations. Not that rifle hunters are inherently different, its just the numbers are SO much higher in my opinion and there is more of a mentality of things being "MY SPOT". 

[sagewalker]

I guess not growing up in "The Hunting Culture" I have a different perspective.

Can I park my boat in the middle of the Columbia river and leave it there for all of salmon season because I did the "work" of scouting out that spot? No

If I scout out the perfect spot to park my car in down town Seattle for Seahawks games, can I put out some traffic cones and claim that spot as mine? No.

If I put a lawn chair on top of a picnic table at my favorite park, can I kick people off my picnic table every day I go there to eat lunch? I mean, I did do the work of scouting out that picnic table for its superior qualities.

Why are tree stands on public land any different?

You could, just don't park it in the barge lane!
and no one puts ropes or caution tape around their tree stand, they just want what is theirs to be left alone.
and did you buy the picnic table? no you are simply trying to make all the wrong arguments here!

[et1702]

"Exactly.  Find another spot.  I've done my scouting, put in the time necessary to find a good spot. So, spend some time in the woods and find your own location!"

ET1702 ,  there is a major flaw in this logic and the flaw is that your assuming your the only one who worked hard to discover this spot!  It's highly likely that someone may still hunt the area , spot and stalk the area, hunt out of a natural ground blind, and may have even killed or seen animals in this spot for years prior to you discovering it.  Why should you putting up a stand trump their efforts and dictate you have solo control of the area?  I had a group of guys try to run me off public land once saying "I should leave because they hunted the same spot the year before". I informed them that I was a local and my family had hunted the spot off and on for over 40 years and I had no intention of leaving; especially considering I was there first that day.

 

I wouldn't tamper with someones trailcam or treestand, but if I get to an area I was planning to hunt and find someone has put up a trailcam or treestand, I am still going to hunt the area unless someone else got there earlier in the morning than me. I think it is ridiculous for people to leave their crap up for weeks or months at a time on public land with the expectation that it makes that section of public land their personal hunting property.

Atroxus, you obviously came in on the tail end of the discussion, I was sitting in my stand when this happened.  Elk were below me and getting closer by the minute.  As it seems you agree, back out and leave it alone.  None of what I said had anything to do with me "owning" the spot or leaving anything up in the woods for months at a time.  It's about courtesy and respect for your fellow hunters.

ET