Deer camp ethical question

[Romulus1297]

How do you react when an old truck and camper pull right up to your campfire in the middle of camp and 4 jokers climb out of the cab start pointing at a 6 ft wide clearing beside my truck between tent and trailers with young kids? Then try to tell me this is where they will set up their camp. Plus the camper was full of more people and a couple of kids. They were escorted away far away crankheads

[sakoshooter]

 

In my opinion, you nailed it.  It's public land, first come first serve.  You have the same right to that spot as the next guy, regardless of how long they've been camping there.

[csaaphill]

Ya just go don't worry about it. the guys saying that were messing with you and trying to protect their campground or spot. If you get their first F em.
I envy ya beign able to camp sounds fun!

[Alchase]

In my opinion, you nailed it.  It's public land, first come first serve.  You have the same right to that spot as the next guy, regardless of how long they've been camping there.

 


Now I might be nice if I have a little pump tent I might not pick a spot that has room for 4 wall tents and an RV

 

FYI, A cleared are, fire pit (or rock circle) or a "meat pole" can be found in almost every camp spot from Twisp to Chewuch.
This is no indication of "ownership" or "reserved" site.

Every site I have used in the last 25 years has had a cleared area, fire pit, and a meat pole.

If there is gear (tent, coolers, table, chairs, etc...) there, it it taken.

No gear, the spot is yours.

At most I have moved fire pits, replaced aging meat poles, and cleared existing spots of debris.

Like Bone said, it pays to be considerate

[hrd2fnd]

First come first serve. If they really wanted it they should've got there sooner.

Do I feel sorry? No, I normally try to arrive no sooner then 2 or 4 days before the opener.

[Woodchuck]

I see both sides of it really as I have camped in the same spot for several years but I understand that it is public land. I will say that if you are heading to the Umatilla Nat Forest drop me a line and depending on what part you are thinking of hunting I may have some suggestions for you. 

[jackmaster]

1st off you are over thinking this, second off if you are worried then camp in a camp ground of you can, third off unless you are going over like wed before the opener you are good as most established camps will be up early, forth off f'em, it is nat forest land and its first come, you can tell well established camp sites, good fire pits, meat poles, cleared are etc etc..
 So you can avoid those.

Not sure where you are thinking of going, but if you want you can camp at my place, other kids there, nat forest all around and a family friendly atmosphere, and there is deer around.. youj can tent it or i have an extra trailer all set up

Well, I think you covered all the bases there!! Figured I was over thinking, I wouldn't be so concerned if it wasn't just me and my son. Really want to teach him to love the outdoors and have a positive experience. Thanks. And be careful or I will end up knocking on your door;)

you should take buckmark up on his offer, that is a hell of a deal, and since its your first year taking your son it might be a little more relaxing and less b .s and it would give you time to look around for places to scout

[NOCK NOCK]

hockeyhunter, Good for you for being considerate of others, that's the important thing here.

[washelkhunter]

How do you react when an old truck and camper pull right up to your campfire in the middle of camp and 4 jokers climb out of the cab start pointing at a 6 ft wide clearing beside my truck between tent and trailers with young kids? Then try to tell me this is where they will set up their camp. Plus the camper was full of more people and a couple of kids. They were escorted away far away crankheads

A cold barrel jammed up against the nose usually sends the desired message.  Just block the entrance with a truck, can't get in, can't setup, issue resolved.

[Alchase]

Hockey-Hunter,

After re-reading the question, there is one critical omission that would help with the answer:

Where on the east side were you thinking about hunting?

Some places have a ton of campsites, others not so much.
Where I hunt there are so many campsites to choose from within a 1 mile radius, I have never worried about getting a spot arriving by noon on Friday before the opener. Then by Monday, 70% of the spots that were full, are now open.

When it comes to Hunting/camp spots it "location/timing"

[Stein]

Same answer as if there are crab pots in my honey hole.  Move on and find another one.  I almost never get there before the night before the opener so it usually isn't an issue.

That said, I'm not going to get in a shootout or get my $1,000 tent cut up over some idiot's "Merican" idea of public land.  It's kind of funny that the "Sportsmen" are the ones who usually cause the trouble.  I have never ran into problems outside of a hunting or fishing arena.

That's not a battle I'm going to get into.

[pianoman9701]

Camp where there's room available. When Woody Guthrie sang "This land is my land, this land is your land", he was talking about setting up deer camp in WA's National Forests. No one's going to camp right in the middle of your camp after you've set up. If someone comes up later and complains, tough tooties for them. Snooze and loose. Have fun with your son and don't over-think it.

[Hockeyhunter]

Hockey-Hunter,

After re-reading the question, there is one critical omission that would help with the answer:

Where on the east side were you thinking about hunting?

Some places have a ton of campsites, others not so much.
Where I hunt there are so many campsites to choose from within a 1 mile radius, I have never worried about getting a spot arriving by noon on Friday before the opener. Then by Monday, 70% of the spots that were full, are now open.

When it comes Hunting/camp spots it "location/timing"

Well I was thinking of the Colville National forest in GMU 117. I know it's a busy unit but youth and over 65 can get a doe, so son and dad could both get a doe.

[Buckmark]

Hockey-Hunter,

After re-reading the question, there is one critical omission that would help with the answer:

Where on the east side were you thinking about hunting?

Some places have a ton of campsites, others not so much.
Where I hunt there are so many campsites to choose from within a 1 mile radius, I have never worried about getting a spot arriving by noon on Friday before the opener. Then by Monday, 70% of the spots that were full, are now open.

When it comes Hunting/camp spots it "location/timing"

Well I was thinking of the Colville National forest in GMU 117. I know it's a busy unit but youth and over 65 can get a doe, so son and dad could both get a doe.

If i remember correctly the youth and over 65 hunters can't take a whitetail doe until Thursday the 16th, if you are going over after opening weekend some of the weekend warriors will already be gone and some spots will be vacant.
I am in 204 and will only be over Friday the 10th till Monday the 13th...

[Hockeyhunter]

Yeah 16th till 19th for does in that unit. Does it really clear out that much after the opening weekend? Don't really have any dates picked out. Still hoping he doesn't have a hockey game that weekend also;)