Hunter etiquette or lack there of

[Buckrub]

While hunting in the cowiche a couple of weeks ago with my handicapped father...he is a ripe 72 yo.
We were driving up a heavily traveled road and came across a hunter on foot, I waved and slowly drove past the hunter.
While driving by the hunter decided to make some degrading remarks about road hunters and hunters in general.

Now... I don't "road" hunt but just a drive with my dad for the day sounded good...he is a lifetime hunter and wants to get out.

Why must some hunters degrade others while hunting? Why so rude? Can't hunters just be civil to each other?

As I thought about the ramarks I was pissed and looked for the guys camp hours later and glad I didn't find him.
What does one say to a hunter walking a road complaining of people driving??

Have we come to this? Is this hunting?
 Maybe the reason the hunting is getting so bad is the hunters attitude towards others... time to put petty stuff behind and get along or hunting will be a thing of the past.... Shouldn't hunters have an unwritten code?

Just a rant...

[jackelope]

Fellow hunters still need to drive places, right?
Broad assumptions made by others suck!!
Sorry that happened.

[Ray]

I don't really see a reason to ridicule someone else traveling the road I am on and who might be a hunter. After all, I am on that road too. Secondly, I have a hard time believing most people would not tag a fine looking animal near the road. I believe there are people that would pass, but I expect there are few that would pass on a good trophy next to the road for example. If someone else on the road is complaining about road hunters to me I guess I'll figure out the appropriate response at that time. It's obvious people who walk on the road and hunt are road hunters as well. If in fact they felt it was an abomination to encounter traffic on the road then perhaps they should step off the road and go for a walk.  Seems simple to me.

[CHUCK S]

Probably just jealous of the warm cab and better view.  Hunters are like military personnel, always bitching but would you rather be around them or people you work with?  I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure nothing around the camp fire included "complaining" huh?  Good luck to you and I'm jealous, I wish I could talk my 62 yr old dad into coming out with me and my boys.

[elkslare]

 yea really who is to say your not just driving into an area to hunt for the week?? Myself I like to see lots of road hunters. Just because it is that much more area I can hunt off the roads with out seeing other people.     
   The guy was probably pissed because he felt he was road hunting first, and now there's  someone else on the road.   Really  what was he doing hiking on the road??
   I agree. It would be alot nicer if everyone was courteous to everyone.

[Ice Cap]

Who cares what someone says as you drive by.
Don't let that crap bother you.

I personally don't give a rats butt what most people have to say.
If you are not a friend, family member or someone that I have respect for then anything you say is just wasting your breath.

Try it sometime as it makes life much more pleasant! 

[Glockster]

I really don't care how other hunters enjoy their day in the woods whether it's from a warm truck cab or  hiking miles in the rain.  As long as they don't break a law who am I to judge?  Besides the more guys sticking to the roads the fewer are in the woods with me and the deer.

The only time I hate on road hunters is when they insist on creeping along in front of me when I'm trying to get somewhere to walk.  Most experienced road hunters pull off to the side at the nearest opportunity. 

[sisu]

Last visit in Montana we saw what looked like three hunters pulling a game cart with what we thought was a downed animal, instead it was three guys pulling a 4th in a cart. I was impressed that these 3 partners were helping their "handicapped" buddy so he or she could get out and hunt also. you know I had a student tell me once that everyone you meet on the street has problems much worse than yours and you should take that into consideration before criticizing them. I need to remind myself of that more often.
Good post.

[Ray]

everyone you meet on the street has problems much worse than yours

Holy cow that explains everything! 

[sisu]

everyone you meet on the street has problems much worse than yours

Holy cow that explains everything! 

 

[carpsniperg2]

that's pretty sad. assumptions can really suck sometimes. we have dealt with the same thing from time to time. a guys was hunting in a area that i had a disabled hunter in. we went in at first light as to not disturb anyone getting into the area to hunt by foot. there was 1 other deer hunter and 2 elk hunters in the same area "disabled". we got into the gate and started up the road. this guy comes running down off the hill yelling at us. i stopped the truck and got out and asked what is problem was. he said you cant drive in here. i said you see that sign down there. this is a area that disabled hunters can hunt in, and use the rigs to get around. he takes off his hat and throws it on the ground and says that's a bunch of f%$%$@^ S$%%. i said my friend here is a disabled hunter. the guy has the nerve to look at him sitting in the front seat and say "whats wrong with him, he looks like he can walk." he about got the life beat out of him 4 that. but i was calm and explained what was going on and tried to be nice. went our separate ways and he headed back down to the gate to leave the area. well we got back to the gate later that day and the f$%^ H#$^ shoved a stick in the lock and broke of a piece in the lock that i could not get out for the life of me. after about 2hrs of trying to get it out. one of the guys shows up that patrols the area. he asked what the problem was. i told him and he said hold on a min. goes back to the truck gets the bolt cutters and cuts the lock off and puts a new one back on. very nice guy and glad he came along. there was no way out but threw that gate. just thought i would share this story since its along the same lines.

[Tony 270]

Maybe he's just tired of seeing people driving along the roads all day long and didn't know you were driving your dad. I know I don't like all the road hunters, but thats why I try and stay behind locked gates. But if it is for someone who can't physically get out and hike around, never had any issue with it.

[h20hunter]

be a real bitch if he was to twist his ankle and needed a ride on the way out.......

[270Shooter]

I hate to admit it, but road hunting can be productive . If Im in an area that I am not very familiar with I will drive the roads to see more of the area, once I find a good looking spot I'll hike up in there.

Don't worry about that guy, hes prolly just pissed that couldnt find where he parked his truck

[Blacklab]

I don't know maybe he wanted a ride and you an dad just waved    .