Hunting Powerlines

[pjt3s]

I have had many people who say hunting the powerlines is cheating, and some say that its fair game. What do you think about it?

[huntnnw]

No matter how u hunt there will always be someone saying you are cheating

[bobcat]

I don't understand what someone would mean by saying you are "cheating."  Are they saying you're taking unfair advantage of the deer, that it's too easy? Or cheating because you could possibly be trespassing? If that's the case, it makes sense. If you're hunting powerlines that go through land that you don't have permission to hunt and that is not open to the general public, then you are trespassing, and I suppose I could see how someone might call that "cheating." But if it's a powerline that goes through public land, there's no reason you shouldn't hunt that. It's about the same as hunting a clear cut.

[X-Force]

How would it be cheating?

[huntnnw]

there are some elitest on here that would say its cheating..the only way to truly hunt is to be blindfolded, driven to the woods with no camo,no scents, no calls, no clearcuts, no fields, no mast tree's, no gun, no binos just a long bow. Thats a real hunter 

[lokidog]

I don't understand what someone would mean by saying you are "cheating."  Are they saying you're taking unfair advantage of the deer, that it's too easy? Or cheating because you could possibly be trespassing? If that's the case, it makes sense. If you're hunting powerlines that go through land that you don't have permission to hunt and that is not open to the general public, then you are trespassing, and I suppose I could see how someone might call that "cheating." But if it's a powerline that goes through public land, there's no reason you shouldn't hunt that. It's about the same as hunting a clear cut.

 

Many people think that powerlines across private property are "PUBLIC", they are not!

[pjt3s]

they say its an unfair advantage, which I don't understand...I think if its open then I should be able to hunt it.

[bobcat]

Weird! I wonder what those people say about hunting deer over bait or food plots?   

[Expedition Scout]

My Grandfather was a firm believer in hunting the edge of wooded areas as you could often find animals moving between bedding areas and feed. He would have been the first one to tell you that a power line cut going through the forest was the best place to hunt. It amazes me to no end that someone would call that cheating!!! In fact, I would tell you that your hunting skills are very good since cuts through forested areas (power lines, clear cuts or even avalanche shoots in the high country) are a time tested and proven ways to fill your tag.

I agree with other posts that you must insure that you don't walk onto private land. I'm not sure why the hunting community cant stand by one another and support all forms of hunting? Seem like a lot of people have something to say about other legal forms of hunting, use of bait, or your not a purest, or thinking its cheating!! If its legal and the hunter enjoys that style, then leave them alone! It just provides more room out in the Purest Forest for you.

In the end, I fear we (hunters) will have led the anti's to our demises. 

[Hilltop123]

In the end, I fear we (hunters) will have led the anti's to our demises. 

[bobdog86]

Rubbish, pure rubbish.

[h20hunter]

Killed my first bear in a power line area. Agreed, rubbish.

[grundy53]

I killed my first deer on a powerline right of way.

sent from my typewriter

[sirmissalot]

I'm guessing the person who told you this is young and subscribes to the boyd iverson way of still hunting. I've heard from those types as well, who say the same thing about hunting clearcuts. They usually aren't very successful hunters and think because you're successful you must be doing it the easy way.

[MountainWalk]

I live near the base of a large powerline complex. While I dont deer hunt it (heater hunters) ive filled more than one bear tag on a line. And big cat sightings, you wouldnt believe.  While I dont deer hunt it, im there durn near everyday(keeping sane) and the deer count is phenomanal, bucks included.  But heavily hunted cut an line deer, mature ones are pretty wise.

[CAMPMEAT]

That's how a lot of moose hunters in Canada do it, power line cuts. Geesh........

[irishevox]

some people are haters!  the fact is some people say unless you're spot and stalk style hunting it's cheating!  So if someone tells you it;s cheating tell them to kick rocks!

[Expedition Scout]

I'm guessing the person who told you this is young and subscribes to the boyd iverson way of still hunting. I've heard from those types as well, who say the same thing about hunting clearcuts. They usually aren't very successful hunters and think because you're successful you must be doing it the easy way.

Or the smart way!! 

I believe we have entered an era of hunting where size is the only thing that matters! Therefore, if you didn't spend week after week scouting, passing up good mature deer looking for the P&Y buck of a life time, have eaten tag soup for the last three years cause you haven't been able to find the right one your friend wont make fun of you about; once you found him you have to crawl for 8 hours to get into range before pulling the trigger, gut shot him because of bad position, tracked him for two days, by which time the meat is bad, but you found the horns, then your not hunting. Just joking of course 

I know a few guys who will go out and scout up a deer and that is the only one that matters. Any thing else is not good enough. They eat tag soup quite a bit or break down and shoot a smaller buck. The fact is, its all about the horn and not the hunt, enjoyment or the meat that feeds their family. That part is a distant second to showing off the pictures on trail cameras or horns in the office.

Now don't get me wrong, I love the big bucks... Seeing them, talking about them, see pictures, or congratulating them on a good kill. But the idea that anything else is less, or cheating, or anything derogatory is appalling!    You should hunt how you like, where you like, and for what you like, because you like too (for what ever reason) and if your friends/acquaintances tell you anything but "good job", look for new friends, not hunting areas! My 

[deerhunter_98520]

there are some elitest on here that would say its cheating..the only way to truly hunt is to be blindfolded, driven to the woods with no camo,no scents, no calls, no clearcuts, no fields, no mast tree's, no gun, no binos just a long bow. Thats a real hunter 

U had a long bow?  I got stuck with a pocket knife   

[skeeter 20i]

there are some elitest on here that would say its cheating..the only way to truly hunt is to be blindfolded, driven to the woods with no camo,no scents, no calls, no clearcuts, no fields, no mast tree's, no gun, no binos just a long bow. Thats a real hunter 

U had a long bow?  I got stuck with a pocket knife   

Yup a Pocket Knife, one square of TP and a loincloth.   

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Its not cheating, its smart and resourceful.  Thats what hunting is about! Learn the animal, learn its terrain, learn its habits, and fill your tag! 

[longstevo]

I think the only hunting that is cheating is the methods shown 24/7 on the Hunting/Outdoors Channel.

Sitting in a stand or blind 20 yards from an automatic feeder that has been feeding deer all year long just off of an Iowa corn plot. 

Yeah, those guys sure are hard core hunters.

[Lincoln4]

there are some elitest on here that would say its cheating..the only way to truly hunt is to be blindfolded, driven to the woods with no camo,no scents, no calls, no clearcuts, no fields, no mast tree's, no gun, no binos just a long bow. Thats a real hunter 

U had a long bow?  I got stuck with a pocket knife   

Yup a Pocket Knife, one square of TP and a loincloth.   

You got TP?  That's not hunting...

[huntingbaldguy]

You're not that hardcore if you won't shoot a smaller buck to fill the freezer imo.  That sounds reverse of what many people think hardcore is, but imo, hunting is about 2 things:  1) primarily food, and 2) finding them and knowing you can again, survival, thrills, etc. 

But this is my opinion of course.  There is always next year to see your big boy, or the year after that. 

[jaymark6655]

there are some elitest on here that would say its cheating..the only way to truly hunt is to be blindfolded, driven to the woods with no camo,no scents, no calls, no clearcuts, no fields, no mast tree's, no gun, no binos just a long bow. Thats a real hunter 

U had a long bow?  I got stuck with a pocket knife   

Amateurs, you should be making your weapons and cloths once they throw you in the woods.   

Never heard of hunting a clearcut as cheating, was always told that is one of the best spot to find deer.  Doesn't matter if its naturally occurring or manmade.

[gr8whthunter]

I live near the base of a large powerline complex. While I dont deer hunt it (heater hunters) ive filled more than one bear tag on a line. And big cat sightings, you wouldnt believe.  While I dont deer hunt it, im there durn near everyday(keeping sane) and the deer count is phenomanal, bucks included.  But heavily hunted cut an line deer, mature ones are pretty wise.

i think i may know where your talkin about, a little past the quil. fish hatchery? pretty good area up there if its the place im thinking of, went out there last year for the first time and saw 5 doe within half hour but had to leave due to my father getting a bear out west.

[stinkbait]

Power lines are the best kept secret,I see alot of deer  almost  always  a buck.Surprised alot more dont  drive the powerline circut.I think they like the buzzing noise

[Band]

There are no deer near power lines.  Don't know what you guys are talking about.

[JimmyHoffa]

Powerlines are great, but they can get kind of overgrown with berries and ferns so it can require some extreme glassing.  The powerlines I like to go to run across the hills but are next to rivers and swamps, so you get all kinds of a mix of land features.

[RadSav]

I have had many people who say hunting the powerlines is cheating, and some say that its fair game. What do you think about it?

I have found that powerlines are just too easy to hunt.  It may not be cheating, but I've never seen a powerline run away or try to escape in any way.  They just hang there almost motionless.  What is the sport in that!?  While I have never tried eating a powerline, I seriously doubt they taste all that good.  And while they may have a reasonable mineral content I do not think there is any protein value in even the youngest of powerlines.