Scouting Ethics

[Jpmiller]

Due to some really busy times with my business and family commitments I didn't get a chance to scout much this summer. I have hunted the same area for a long time and most of my scouting is just checking what had changed in terms of road/trail conditions and getting back into some more secluded areas to see what signs of other people I can find.

I know the elk end up there once the season starts so I am less worried about that more trying to make sure the "easy" ways into my spots are still available. I am taking my cousin hunting for his first season this year and trying to get everything set up for a fun time for him.

I could get out during the archery season but I would hate to ruin someone's hunt with my stumbling around. I wouldn't be singing and running through the woods but I still would feel absolutely terrible to spook an elk someone was putting the sneak on. Anyone have a thought on this?

[pianoman9701]

The woods are for us all to enjoy. There will be mushroom and salal pickers, bird watchers, hikers, tweekers, guys on leashes (see the old "people on cams" thread). Be considerate when you're able. Go scout when you get a chance.

[Dhoey07]

I run into this issue when running my dog for grouse in September.  For the most part, if I can tell that someone is in the area, I don't go in there.  If there is no one around, and I end up seeing someone out hunting, I go the other way. 

[OutHouse]

Of course you are free to scout at any time, but you raise a good point. If you are going to be trampling through and you know that there will be hunters there trying to make a harvest, the decent thing to do would be to forego scouting this year. Also, it appears that you know the area well and understand the animal behavior in that region. The way I see it is if I was putting on a stalk and some guy comes trampling through and says "oh woops I am scouting for another season--that was a nice animal!"---I'd be really pissed. In my younger day it would be cause for serious confrontation. You have a true dilemma.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I see no more dilemma than with any other group, some of who think they have a greater right than everyone else (every group).  It is one thing to intentionally interfere when you know another hunter is in the area, but I don't avoid my favorite time in the woods to hunt bear, grouse, deer, mushrooms and berries in deference to someone trying to run a stick through an elk.  If I see someone watching or stalking an animal, I go back the other way, but I'm not staying out of the woods when I have the chance.

On a humorous note on this subject, I was chewed out on a WDFW wildlife area one time by a very upset ATV operator - she was indignant that WDFW allowed hunting on "their" ATV riding area.  It was opening day of modern firearm elk season on the Colockum.

[BDildine]

I would say do it, but just try and be as low key as possible, if your walking pretty normally traveled/walked roads or trails, people should almost expect it to happens, but if you were cutting brush and stuff to make a trail then I would maybe hold off, but if it's just a Walk in the woods, by all means do it, rather it be another hunter than some anti/tree hugger type purposely trying to ruin it

[coachcw]

do what you would want done to you !

[pd]

do what you would want done to you !

The best answer yet.  Is this not our common culture?

[fisheral87]

You could push some animals and give someone an opportunity.

Al

[Dan-o]

No dilemma here.   

Scout when you can, and be courteous. You have as much right to enjoy time there as anyone

I never begrudge seeing others use the woods.   Sure it can be disappointing, but anyone who would confront you over it is just plain wrong. 

[Thefisherman83]

I've run into muzzy guys scouting during early elk, never had an issue with them and have even gotten some good intel.  Just do everyone a favor and leave the bugle at home.

[Jpmiller]

Lol the bugle won't do me any good for my general cow tag. I'm definitely not one of those guys. I can't bugle well enough to try when I am hunting let alone scouting for two months away.

[DOUBLELUNG]

do what you would want done to you !

The best answer yet.  Is this not our common culture?

Agreed.

[boneaddict]

 

[GBoyd]

I thought about this for grouse season, but decided that I prefer to use the public land. Archery season is most of September and modern season (for deer in Oregon) is all of October. That's too much time out of the season to avoid the woods.

Honestly if I was out hunting archery and ran into people scouting or picking berries or whatever, I would just look for a more secluded spot to hunt. You can't blame other people for that.

[Lucky1]

do what you would want done to you !

The best answer yet.  Is this not our common culture?

Also called the golden rule.

[MADMAX]

and please dont be one of the gents that shows up during archery elk season 20 miles off the asphalt to go "target shooting "

[davk]

I just try as much as possible not to interfere with others hunting.  At the beginning of bear season this year I saw another truck parked at the trail head.  On the way to the area I was going to hunt I could hear calling.  It was either walk right through and by where he was calling from or loop around 3 miles to where I was planning.  I was pretty exhausted from work and it was hot so I wasn't going to loop around.  So I just went off on a fork and explored a new area.  Heard a single shot a few hours later and didn't hear any more calling.  Hoping there was success.  There is always a chance you will interrupt someones hunt, I would just be mindful. 

I try to do as much grouse hunting every year as I can, to explore new areas and get in better shape.  If I didn't hit the woods when there were other season open, Id rarely ever get to grouse hunt.  I don't ever enter the woods expecting it to myself.  Especially around here.  Hell I was 7 miles in backpacking this summer on a horrible trail, also showed very little sign of use.  It was a boring, no view, had to bushwack a mile to get to an actual destination.  I was thinking this is awesome.  Found a sweet spot that probably very little people have ever been to.  There was still snow on the ground higher up and on the way out I was following what I though were our boot prints.  After a while I noticed they didnt look like either of our tread and looked much fresher than they should have.  I then though "#$*@."  Then I ran across another single set of tracks.  After we broke through the mile of brush we ran into a group of 3, then another guy, and another pair. 

This is part of the reason why I mostly archery hunt.  I know there is more than likely going to be people interrupting my hunts.  I dont want to bank on one or two weekends to get it done.

Every hunter I have run into in the woods has been pretty chill and we usually chat it up for awhile.  I think a lot of people expect to run into other hunters/hikers/etc.  Im sure there are a few dbags out there that will try to chew you out though.

Ramble over.

[206dawgfan]

The woods are for all to enjoy.  When I run into other hunters in the woods I am happy.  You never know when you will need a hand out there.  And I would much rather run  into another hunter/scouter quietly moving through the woods then some "bro" going 60 on a dirt bike.  The more hunters that use the woods the larger chance we will get to keep the land for our "free" use.

[Vandal44]

I was out hunting Elk about 5 years ago and ran into some guys cutting fire wood, stopped to talk with them for a few minutes. One of the guys asked what I was hunting for I told him elk.  The other guy said that's to bad there is an ok Mule Deer up the road.  The unit I was huntin happened to be open for Mule Deer as well. 

Long story short I found the 3X3 Mule Deer and sent an arrow through him thanks to the guys cutting fire wood

You being in the woods can work in some ones favor.  I would just be respectful to the hunters in the area.

[csaaphill]

Scout but do try to be aware of hunters or other people. no brainer.

[ctwiggs1]

Other than a roadmap, what else do you road hunters need for scouting?   

[theleo]

Other than a roadmap, what else do you road hunters need for scouting?   

Starbucks.

[Jpmiller]

Other than a roadmap, what else do you road hunters need for scouting?   

Well sir
We have to find our spots in the sun to take our midday naps, which pullouts have radio service, and figure out which spots other people hunt in so we can bust out our bugles in November.

If you were actually coming out with me this elk season you would know all this.

[ctwiggs1]

Other than a roadmap, what else do you road hunters need for scouting?   

Well sir
We have to find our spots in the sun to take our midday naps, which pullouts have radio service, and figure out which spots other people hunt in so we can bust out our bugles in November.

If you were actually coming out with me this elk season you would know all this.

I recall walking back to elk camp years back (when I did elk camp) and hearing a diesel engine coming.  I remember thinking "ah good, I'm getting near the road again, I'm tired!"  After a few minutes, the diesel turns off, a few doors slam, and some really nice bugles ring out. 

Soooo.... Being young and dumb.... I bugled back.  Within seconds, I was in an all out bugle war with these poor fellas on the road.  I was smacking branches, bugling, and even letting some cow calls go here and there.  I was finally in a position where I was able to see them down below... Looking in the wrong direction.  I was literally staring at their backs as they were bugling in the wrong direction.  

After awhile, common sense kicked in, I realized I was literally baiting guys with guns, and I slinked back into the forest to work my way back to camp another route.

While I certainly won't tell my kids this story until they are at least my age (don't need them to get any ideas), it's still one of my favorite memories... Even if it was stupid!

Curtis

[GregE]

Yikes!!  Lucky they didn't pop of a 'sound shot' 

[ctwiggs1]

Yeah I was pretty lucky they were lazy.  It was stupid.  Looking back, between that, Iraq, and several other bad decisions... I'm happy I made it to 30 

[Jpmiller]

Other than a roadmap, what else do you road hunters need for scouting?   

Well sir
We have to find our spots in the sun to take our midday naps, which pullouts have radio service, and figure out which spots other people hunt in so we can bust out our bugles in November.

If you were actually coming out with me this elk season you would know all this.

I recall walking back to elk camp years back (when I did elk camp) and hearing a diesel engine coming.  I remember thinking "ah good, I'm getting near the road again, I'm tired!"  After a few minutes, the diesel turns off, a few doors slam, and some really nice bugles ring out. 

Soooo.... Being young and dumb.... I bugled back.  Within seconds, I was in an all out bugle war with these poor fellas on the road.  I was smacking branches, bugling, and even letting some cow calls go here and there.  I was finally in a position where I was able to see them down below... Looking in the wrong direction.  I was literally staring at their backs as they were bugling in the wrong direction.  

After awhile, common sense kicked in, I realized I was literally baiting guys with guns, and I slinked back into the forest to work my way back to camp another route.

While I certainly won't tell my kids this story until they are at least my age (don't need them to get any ideas), it's still one of my favorite memories... Even if it was stupid!

Curtis

That's hilarious, my dad and I watched something eerily similar to this when I first started hunting elk with him. We watched it from about a four hundred yards away.

I figured with it being November and all parties wearing blaze orange it would take them much less time to figure out what was going on. That's when I learned a statewide 17% success rate doesn't include all factors.