What would you do? Hunter Courtesy

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Since early July I have been watching a monster non-typical whitetail on public land. I have seen him on several occasions and up to a mile distance between sightings. I set my trail cam set near an old grown over logging road near where I had seen him last. This was kind of dual purpose. 1. To get a pic of him (haven't yet). 2. To put it in a location that would make my presence known to possible hunters in the area. This week I checked my camera and there was a note from some guys left on my camera. They informed me they had been hunting the area for years and the sets they were putting up (and had up in the past) was near where my set was located. They informed me they didn't plan on moving and preferred I move to another area. They left a number for me to call. I called the number and the guy was cordial and explained the situation. I told him I was willing to move to another spot considering I haven't got a pic of the buck in that area and the fact that I have a few other locations to put the camera. Keep in mind this area is a huge flat bench in the mountains about 2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide. It was obvious the guy didn't want me hunting anywhere on that flat (informing me they have a lot of sets up etc). I can't say I blame him for not wanting me in there. I wish he wasn't there either. However, the fact is we are both there and it is public land. For obvious reasons (like the fact he doesn't know me) the guy wasn't clear on other sets he had in the area.

With all the time, energy, money I have invested scouting this buck and being so close to crunch time my instinct is that I shouldn't move out of the area.  I will work with them but considering they are vague on where their other sets are I have no plans of picking up and moving again if my next set is close to one of theirs (though they said they hunted there last year my set was up several weeks prior to theirs this year and I never saw evidence of them in the area from last year). Have you ever experienced this? What would you do under these circumstances?

[BLKBEARKLR]

If you were there first then stand your ground. It is public land you have every right to be there.  Good luck on getting the big guy before they do.


Joe

[ICEMAN]

DB, personally, I would still plan to hunt the piece of public land if I knew a quality animal frequented it. No matter where you go, you may run into someone else hunting that land....and they may not want new guys around either. In public land I hunt, I often see and chat with regular guys in the area, as well as a few newbies each year....

[kbyers]

I have to agree with Joe.  It is public land, you were there first.  That being said, come opening day it is kinda first come first served come opening day

[rb2506]

this has not happened to me but it sounds like they were civil about it i would move on (not far though) thats just me


it is public land so whoever is there on the opener gets the first crack

[MuleySniper]

Yup, public land is public land. Too bad for those guys. Happens all the time. Good luck and kill that buck!
MS

[jay33ice]

since you told him you'd move, i would.  But on the next one, if you set up camp and no one else looks to be in the vacinity, i'd say you are good and were courtious.  If they want to control a 2mile stretch of land they should fork out the money and lease property.  There's always a chance some one will trip across your honey-hole.  Pubilc land hunting.  They should be happy they had it to theirselves as long as they did.  Good luck

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I just want to thank everyone for the quick responses. It sounds like my gut feeling was on target.

[uplandhunter870]

if it were me and i told them that i would move i would just to keep my word, but it would not be very far. its public land you have as much right to hunt that land as they do regardless of who hunted it last year.

[carpsniperg2]

there is no way in hell i would give up a public land spot!!! thats is why its is called public land. hell on the opener there might be 20 guys hunting that or 50 who knows they do not own the ground or anything on it for a fact. you have put your time in and money in scouting so they can cry if they want to! but hunt that deer!!!!

[300magman]

PUBLIC LAND!!!!!!!!!!

No one owns it and a person should not even consider asking someone else to move out of thier so called "SPOT".
I would hunt that buck because if you don't someone will..........

[wabow]

I'd probably move on in fear of getting shot by accident. I went out this week-end and sat down with the spotting scope over a clear cut. There were three gun hunters in the tree line and a single bow hunter laying on his back out in the middle. Not one appeared to know the other was there. I walked down because I thought it was necessary to let the bow hunter know he would be in a crossfire if the others saw a bear or were poaching deer. I waived at all the gun hunters and they came out of the tree line. Sure as shi% none of them knew the bow hunter or others were even their.

One big draw back to public land and folks not using optics.

Wabow

[carpsniperg2]

yeah but i think in this case by the sounds of it they all would have bows and probably be in stands by the sounds of it. i agree if there are bow hunter and rifle hunters then it can get scary but if everyone has bow in archery deer season then it should not be bad.

[JackOfAllTrades]

HUNT IT!  But, be courtious. Don't go late in to your spot, so you don't upset the other guy's hunt opportunity on opening morning. Get a Bear box for your camara and lock it so it's not stolen/tampered with. Inform the guy that you're willing to work out a plan, but that you're going to hunt that piece of public land.  There's no reason you can't place tree stands outside of bow range on the same ridge/trail system.

I hate guys that feel like they own a piece of land just because they've hunted it for so long.  

-Steve

[MADMAX]

I agree, hunt it, but be cool , it is public land so first come first served, but if they will work with you its better and if your willing to work with them ,may be benefical to both groups
no sense in risking having "something" happen to your vehicle if you act like an ahole