Scouting Ethics

[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.