Ethics question

[Squatch200]

So this morning I went out elk hunting and stumbled upon somebodys really nice tree stand. Elk tracks and trails going to there mineral block out in front of it. My questions are is it unethical to use somebody elses tree stand if they arent in it and should you not hunt over somebody elses bait? What do you guys think?

[oneezreiter]

I would stay out of the tree stand.  Although I believe that it is legal if it is on public land, first com first serve sort of thing.  but a bad idea. as for the bait, if it is on public land mabe.  Depends on where and what else is around.

[3nails]

 Absolutely unethical. 

[Swannytheswan]

if its not yours don't touch it...bait however I would hunt over if he wasn't there

[uplandhunter870]

public land, i see no problem hunting the same area its public land but id make sure no one was around and move on if he/she showed up.

as for the tree stand id say that is a big no no to sit in the person's stand, if its not my property i dont touch it.

[romaknows]

If it is on public land then use it if you want . I would rather someone use my stands then steal them, like has happend two times now.You cant tie up good spots on public ground by hanging a stand there , then expect everyone else to stay away.

[3nails]

If it is on public land then use it if you want . I would rather someone use my stands then steal them, like has happend two times now.You cant tie up good spots on public ground by hanging a stand there , then expect everyone else to stay away.

Good point.

[blindpig]

I didn't hunt out of this hunters tree stand but I did hunt over his bait for awhile because nobody was there and it is a spot I've hunted before. I would have gladly moved on if he would have shown up. It was public land also

  Good move.

[Hunterman]

If the tree stand is on public ground, and no one is in it, then I would be. If the owner shows up well then he can either pull it down or go someplace else.. First come first serve,,on PUBLIC LAND..

Hunterman(Tony)

[WAcoyotehunter]

Absolutely unethical. 

[oneezreiter]

for those that say absolutely unethical if it is public land should you just leave the area because someone else has been there?

[NWWA Hunter]

I'd say hunting the area is okay but not using their stand. Leave a note with your phone #. they may welcome someone else checking in on the stand when they are not there and u may make a new friend.

[RadSav]

I didn't hunt out of this hunters tree stand but I did hunt over his bait for awhile because nobody was there and it is a spot I've hunted before. I would have gladly moved on if he would have shown up. It was public land also

I'd say your actions were just fine and respectfull of the other hunter.  I praise you for that!

But using someones tree stand just becasue its on public property is wrong.  That stand is someones private property.  You wouldn't sleep in someones tent or take a drive in their car if you found it on public land, would you?  I'm quite shocked at how many say they would use it.  But, then again ethics in the Washington hunting woods has been going down hill at a rapid rate the past few years.

[cjensen]

I'd be beyond pissed if I walked up and saw someone sitting in my stand.  Some people go to some great lengths to keep their stand scent-free and dont touch anything with their bare hands or eat around their stand.   On the other hand I'd be freaked sitting in somebody else's stand thinking they might just walk up and shoot me.  Not a good plan.  It's certainly allowable and probably ethical to hunt the bait, but I probably wouldnt do it.   Somebody has been putting some serious effort into the place and I would try to respect that.   

[winshooter88]

Legally, it's like a duck blind on public land, first come first serve. That's the chance you take leaving it on public land. Ethically, I wouldn't use the stand, but I would probably hunt the area.