Interfering with Other People’s Hunts

[TJD123]

lenny - I dont think they did anything wrong. lets say its 75 acres and has a few different canyons/draws in it. Plenty of place for deer/quail to hide even with someone else pressuring it. They had no idea where you were, you could be in the very back 1 acre corner. Ive hunted a spot in past years early season with my bow that cant be more than 100 acres. I've been the first truck there multiple times only to come back to 3-4 other trucks. It used to be a game rich spot but i think due to this really dried up over the years. Needless to say I dont hunt that spot anymore

 

[HATCHET1]

Sht I only hunt 2 acres..but it does have a gate..

 

[Lenny]

Lenny, unfortunately, others being on and or hunting public lands is way more common than having anyplace to yourself, even durifirst lng the week. I have spent many many off season days scouting areas, which included spooking some just to see games escape routes, concealment areas... and travel routes. I have filled my tags during season, and stayed scouting without a rifle, doing the same, but during the season, if I am staying after filling my tag(s), I generally always sit and glass so I am not negatively impacting another persons hunt. Occasionally, I will point an animal out to a hunter, so they can fil their tag. If you want to consistently fill tags, you need to learn to hunt areas that have other hunters hunting, if you're going to be hunting public lands. Some people will be good respectful hunters, others will not. It is simply a fact of hunting public land. I have talked to other hunters camped next to me, in and effort to not be hunting on top of each other. in some cases, we share our plans and hunt different areas. In other cases, we share our plans and plan on hunting different areas, only to find them hunting my area (I am almost always their first as I hike in the dark to at a spot at least1/2 hour before first light). In the latter cases, I simply do my best to out hunt them and shoot an animal they are unaware of; honestly, just to rub it in (not verbally). Typically, the guys that purposely hunt the spot I intend to hunt, simply lack confidence and think I know something they don't. Considering I've been hunting several decades and consistently fill tags, they happen to be correct, but they generally don't actually know. I'm not bragging here, I am trying to point out that newb hunters, or those that have not consistently filled their tags, tend to follow-hunt around others, instead of seeking out their own spots (granted some areas size limits the ability to do this). Some will get lucky doing this, but they simply do not build the skills, knowledge and abilities to consistently fill tags. So, in short, when in situations like you describe, accept and rise to the challenge. After all, the deer or any other game is not likely to leave the country from minimal pressure. Furthermore, many mature bucks have their hidey holes a don't actually go far. Lastly, when weather permits, I prefer hiking my game meat out (I debone my animals) at night so I can get it to the truck unseen, so I am not attracting other hunters to the area, as any legal buck tends to do, let alone a mature buck.

Good Luck!

Bubblehide

I agree and thanks for the insight. I almost exclusively hunt larger areas of public for that reason and always try to coordinate with other hunters at camp or access points and find out where they’re headed so I can avoid stepping on their toes. I also have had lots of success adjusting my plan when hikers, dirt bikers or other hunters inevitably are in the same area and use it to my advantage. In all honesty, I had a piss poor attitude about something arbitrary and that’s ultimately my fault, not the other hunters.

 

[180ls1]

Lots of good takes here. Don't let those who are passive aggressive get under your skin.

I've had guys setup within 150-200 yards of me knowing full well I was there despite hiking in several miles. It sucks but is what it is.

In my opinion, to put a number on it, as long as someone isn't intentionally hunting within 100 yards of you, they aren't really breaking any "rules" out here. Unfortunately.