Situational/Courtesy question

[Bronson]

I have a question to run by you all.  Growing up and spending many hunting trips on the west side we spent a lot of time hunting clear cuts on NF land.  To get to those clear cuts there must be a road.  Now, I am not a "road hunter" but many good places to hunt and good habitat are sometimes off of these roads. 

So my question is this....If you scouted an area and plan to hunt it, and to access this area you must walk/drive a dead-end spur road that leads only to the area you are going to hunt, do you block the road at the entrance with your rig?  Or do you pull over to the side and allow people (usually road hunters) to potentially drive in and bust your hunt? 

I ask this because in the past I have always tried to do the courteous thing and not block the road, but have had a couple of hunts spoiled due to people driving in on me.  I know its a chance that you take hunting that close to roads or off a landing, but sometimes thats where the deer are and the best places to glass are.

Personally, if possible I like to park well away and walk in to good areas like that but some people drive right to a spot and glass the cuts.

Your thoughts?

[X-Force]

I would ask Saylean, he is the Road Warrior.  I would say don't block the road  i would try and find an area with tank trenches or gates to keep people out but if that's not an option i think you will have to live with the fact that lots of people road hunt NF land.

[KillBilly]

Camp/Park at the head of the road and and keep it blocked unless there are signs stating not to block it for fire reasons. Note, they may still try to bypass your camp by going off road. You also take some risk of making them mad and doing damage. However if it is a dead end road anyway give it some thought

[billythekidrock]

I have parked in the middle of the road if I am within a few hundred yards of the end/landing. Most yahoos feel like honking and peeling out, but why would they want to drive up on other hunters in a small unit?
Wouldn't even think of it if the road continues very far.

[saylean]

No matter where I park, unless it is at the very end of road (and even then I leave room for a turn around for people), I usually always park to the side so people can get by.

If they are road hunters, all they will do is drive by half the time while im in the woods. If they arent road hunters...maybe they will spook something up for me if they are out and about.

Most people tend to not park right by a rig, unless it is in a limited parking area. I personally would not want someone to block a road regardless.

But, again, thats just me.

[WildlifeAssassin]

Blocking the road on public land is a bad idea and rude to other people who wish to use the land. This is the same as some situations we complain about, like hikers ringing bells and blowing whistles in the woods. It prevents people from enjoying their chosen outdoor activities. Hunters are not the only people in the woods and on public land you don't even have the right to block off other hunter's access. That being said, I do understand the frustration and have had the same thing happen to me on multiple occasions. I try to either get to the end of the road or be at least 1/2 mile off the road.

[bow4elk]

So my question is this....If you scouted an area and plan to hunt it, and to access this area you must walk/drive a dead-end spur road that leads only to the area you are going to hunt, do you block the road at the entrance with your rig?  Or do you pull over to the side and allow people (usually road hunters) to potentially drive in and bust your hunt?

It's best to leave your rig out of the way, especially if you are hunting on private timber company land.  Blocking gates is a good way to have your vehicle moved by the timber company.  If it's an open NFS road, I still think it's best to stay clear of blocking the road.  Vandalism from disgruntled people isn't work it.  My  

[Bean Counter]

Blocking the road on public land is a bad idea and rude to other people who wish to use the land. This is the same as some situations we complain about, like hikers ringing bells and blowing whistles in the woods. It prevents people from enjoying their chosen outdoor activities. Hunters are not the only people in the woods and on public land you don't even have the right to block off other hunter's access. That being said, I do understand the frustration and have had the same thing happen to me on multiple occasions. I try to either get to the end of the road or be at least 1/2 mile off the road.

 

Someone who has never been to the area may not know that the road is about to end.  Yes, yes, they shouldn't be learning this on opening morning but that's not for someone else to determine.  Haven't we all taken an extra turn just to try an area out?

While I would never vandilize someone's car for doing it, I would be frustrated if I found someone intentionally blocking off a road so they could monopolize it.  I would never do it for fear of someone smashing my windows on principle. 

[JBar]

 I think blocking the road would be a case by case deal. If the road has other spurs to it or is more than a few hundred yards long don't block it. You really don't know who is trying to access the area ( i.e. Seniors or handicap ). If the area at the end of the road can only support a couple of hunters chances are those that pull up after you already know that if they have hunted the area before or scouted.

JBar

[DeKuma]

If it is Public Land, I was told by the Sherif a few years ago that it is illegal to block the road under any cicumstance and subject to towing at the owners expense.  He said regardless of how far in, a person could call a tow truck and show that they were blocking public access, and they could come tow it if the company felt like it.

I personally always pull off to the side and run the risk of someone driving it.  I also hunt with my 68 year old dad who cannot walk to far anymore, so we WILL drive to a landing and glass from there.  I would not hesitate to hook up the winch and pull someone out of my way if they were intentionally blocking a road I knew went for quite a distance.

But, I am an ass, so it is expected.

[NoBark]

Play nice guys. If you've never had the valve stems pulled from your tires miles from a air pump you may not truly grasp the consequence's of your actions.

It will make you think twice.

[Bronson]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.  Just to reiterate, I have not blocked roads but was curious about what the general concensus was on the subject.  I have had a couple of people drive in on me a long time ago and it can be frustrating.  The places I was thinking of are spur roads that go only a couple of hundred yards and go only to the clear cut I was interested in hunting in.  I dont hunt that area anymore but thought about the scenario recently.  Good feedback, thanks.

[rasbo]

Idont no anywhere you can block a road nor would I.I have put a sign on my windshield letting others know dead end road several hunters  ahead.Its worked for the most part.However there is still an occasional idiot that has to make sure your not lying.

[scoyoc5]

I agree that blocking the road is BS. Hooking a wench up to someones rig that takes it to another level 

[DeKuma]

I agree, it is a bad idea, and I have only done it one time, but this guy blocked the road while we were already down it!  He blocked it off and dropped into the canyon.  I could see him in the canyon from the end I was on and did not realize he blocked the road until I tried to leave.
I winched his 2 wheel drive up onto the sidehill and left it there.  Must have been a bitch to get out. 
Left a note on his windshield about blocking access to and from a road without knowing if anyone was already in there or not.