Hi guys,
Been wanting to make a post about this for a while. Not intended to be a controversial topic or blame the Youtubers lol. I've had a real issue this year with people walking in behind me. More often than not, they park behind me at the gate (so they know i'm already back in there). Other times, there's multiple gates in a small area, so I may have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't know I was already in an area.
But it's actually pretty dangerous, in my opinion. I had someone do it in NC, I had 2 or 3 diff guys try to stalk a gobbling bird in MD and slip in right next to me. The worst was in Maryland this year. I had 2 birds gobbling on private for an hour. I saw 3 guys walking down the trail and I flagged them down that I was there and waiting on these birds. They proceeded to acknowledge me and instead of hunting anywhere else in this giant SF, decided to go back 200 yards and continue calling (couldn't believe it).
The very next Sunday, these same guys pull in at 5am and see my truck. Park down the road and while I'm sleeping in the back of my truck about to get out, I look out the window to see they're 5 yards from the truck. I open the door and these guys are startled. They either KNEW the wrong thing to do was park down the road and walk in behind me or they were going to try to see if my truck was open to rob it. Not sure which. Can't believe how F***ing dumb people are.
That is all
Maybe both, ya never know these days.
I love the sport and don't want to say all turkey hunters are derelicts, but more and more are getting that way. A reflection on society as a whole, I suppose. Unfortunate.
i didn't realize sleeping in your vehicle at an entrance gave you dibs to the place
It's just all part of hunting the public ground, you have to take the good with the bad some days...
Quote from: Greg Massey on May 24, 2022, 12:16:02 PM
It's just all part of hunting the public ground, you have to take the good with the bad some days...
Very true!
I ran into a lot of guys this year on public, both at the gate and in the woods. And every single encounter was extremely pleasant, actually restored a little faith in me.
I personally don't go in behind someone, for me it takes away from the quality of the hunt, knowing someone is out there and most likely on the same bird. There's always more land where I'm at.
Honestly, when you're hunting a SF that's thousands and thousands of acres and there's a single gate that walks you into the back corner of a 75-100 acre public piece (up to private) and you're sleeping at the gate, it's yours. I don't care what you say.
But that's actually not the point at all. They didn't know I was sleeping. They were slipping in behind me very-well knowing where I was. If they knew what they were doing wasn't wrong, they would've parked behind. Not a mile down the road and walked up. I do think they were trying to rob my truck because they didn't have their guns with them. Probably should've mentioned that
You guys seem really hung up on these gates, and that only 1 hunter can hunt that area. I guess it depends on the size of piece. I hunt some parcels of public land that are 10,000 plus acres. Once you pass that gate there are a lot of options and directions you can go.
I'm referring to an area that's so thick, you have to walk in past the gate on the trial. I'm not trying to turn this into a pissing match. What i'm saying is, if I pull up and someone's parked where I want to be, I move on. No reason to go in behind someone/ruin their hunt or potentially get shot
I am not going in unless they are there at the time and I can have a conversation with them!
So does the access road go 1/2 mile or 3 miles. Is parking in a spot suddenly giving or denying access to 200 acres or 1200.its all about the reality that some people try to take advantage of the situation from opposite ends.
Quote from: turkeyfool on May 24, 2022, 01:44:55 PM
I'm referring to an area that's so thick, you have to walk in past the gate on the trial. I'm not trying to turn this into a pissing match. What i'm saying is, if I pull up and someone's parked where I want to be, I move on. No reason to go in behind someone/ruin their hunt or potentially get shot
It is real simple. 99% of the time, the late arriver knows the deal (how much access there is, how many acres, etc). When you post on here, it is 100% guaranteed that someone will tell you it is public and you don't own the land. But only you (and they) know if what they did was unethical. It is not about ownership, rights, who got there first or claiming a spot. It is about treating others with respect and it is also 100% that some folks just don't care about that. It is what it is and there is nothing you can do about it. Walk around crow calling for an hour or two and ruin both hunts or move on and find another spot. Either is a valid option, depending on your mood. The best option for your sanity is just move on. It is highly unlikely you will teach them anything their parents were unable or unwilling to.
I've been hunting turkeys on public in the mountains of Maryland for 35 years. If you don't want parked on or run over better find another state, it is the norm there.
I usually truck camp at or near the gate or area I intend to hunt. Not to reserve a spot but just to maximize my sleep time. It really simplifies things.
The biggest problem hunting big public is the pressure can come from all directions and usually where you least expect it. Every step you take from the road puts you one step closer to the next one.....
All this boils down to sportsman ethics, overall human morals. Public land, public body's of water are all open to all persons properly incensed to utilize these resources. It reminds me of trout fishing in public stocked waters. I would get up early with a group of fisherman and get to the stream to get a spot to fish. We would have coffee on the stream bank getting ready for the season opener to kick off. Other fisher-persons would walk by and say "Hello" and move on to another part of the stream to fish. Turkey hunting requires more "room" to work a perspective bird, but the same ethics apply. Not everyone understands the ethics of hunting public areas, thus conflicts occur. I was a hunter-education instructor for many years and look back on the curriculum and realize that this topic did not get enough attention. Bringing an over-all ethics awareness to our new hunters might help in the future.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on May 24, 2022, 02:51:57 PM
I am not going in unless they are there at the time and I can have a conversation with them!
This ^^
X2 but most times I move on- that's what I want them to do for me
I am not getting into the gate conversation, just to many variables.
I will say...if I am parked and a gate and someone comes up and asks....where you planning on going? My answer is simple and true, "Where the turkey gobbles."
Same thing goes if there isn't a gate there and someone decides to park beside me. I am there to hunt.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on May 24, 2022, 02:51:57 PM
I am not going in unless they are there at the time and I can have a conversation with them!
THIS. Why because it works.
Quote from: Tom007 on May 24, 2022, 06:08:16 PM
All this boils down to sportsman ethics, overall human morals. Public land, public body's of water are all open to all persons properly incensed to utilize these resources. It reminds me of trout fishing in public stocked waters. I would get up early with a group of fisherman and get to the stream to get a spot to fish. We would have coffee on the stream bank getting ready for the season opener to kick off. Other fisher-persons would walk by and say "Hello" and move on to another part of the stream to fish. Turkey hunting requires more "room" to work a perspective bird, but the same ethics apply. Not everyone understands the ethics of hunting public areas, thus conflicts occur. I was a hunter-education instructor for many years and look back on the curriculum and realize that this topic did not get enough attention. Bringing an over-all ethics awareness to our new hunters might help in the future.
Look at waterfowl hunting. Fist fights occur between people more than folks will admit. Ive witnessed it myself. Heck when those folks got shot on Reelfoot everybody just assumed it was over swing ducks. Hunting is a giant competition anymore and it gets worse every year.
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Tom007 is correct. Mostly lack of respect and lack of human morals.
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Quote from: bigriverbum on May 24, 2022, 12:11:23 PM
i didn't realize sleeping in your vehicle at an entrance gave you dibs to the place
Over someone that woke up 30 mins before daylight and hit Waffle House before? 100%. And OP is a lot kinder attempting to exchange words with people than most people from the south would be. There will be 0 air in tires as soon as it happens to me
Might as well get used to it, its becoming the new normal. I travel all over and its happening to me in places where I thought people didn't give a flip about a turkey. With all the new hunters we've recruited to "save the sport", there simply isn't enough of the resource to go around anymore on many public lands. Maybe the imminent public land changes such as non-rez restrictions, reduced seasons and bag limits, more quota hunts will help alleviate some of this as public land pressure will be reduced some. But it comes at a massive cost: loss of opportunity we will likely never get back. Turkey hunters brought it upon themselves, now we all must deal with the consequences.
Quote from: turkeyfool on May 24, 2022, 01:19:57 PM
But that's actually not the point at all. They didn't know I was sleeping. They were slipping in behind me very-well knowing where I was. If they knew what they were doing wasn't wrong, they would've parked behind. Not a mile down the road and walked up. I do think they were trying to rob my truck because they didn't have their guns with them. Probably should've mentioned that
Is a mile down the road a bit of an exaggeration?
There are State forest around here where if you aren't walking back the timber spur roads you are fighting 100s of yards of impenetrable slashings to find open huntable timber. It's not uncommon to find several vehicles at parking areas on public.
Did you talk to the guys when you opened your truck door or was it just an awkward stare down?
You never asked them why they were standing around your truck in the dark if they weren't hunting? Did they have camo on......without weapons? Did they have other hunting equipment? Vest, camera gear, decoys?
This just sounds like a we're not hearing the real story here.
^To answer your question, they parked about 1/4-1/3rd mile down the road and walked past 5 gates to walk in behind my truck. I did talk to them, I began getting dressed and they awkwardly told me they were coming up close to my truck to "put my boots away" (that were on the ground outside of the truck). They had camo on, left their guns at the truck. So i'm not entirely sure what they were trying to do.
The point is, this isn't a giant piece where you could go in a bunch of directions. It's a single lane to get down to a single nook and cranny. It's very obvious where I was. Let's put it this way, not only would I have not gone in behind someone at this gate because of potentially ruining their hunt, but it's also very dangerous
Well that's strange alright. Walking a 1/4 mile there and a 1/4 mile back just to put your boots away for you is not the truth of what they were up to.
I used to leave a note on my truck.
"Smile, you're on Camera." and "Does not hunt well with others."
I would learn to get used to it, because it's not going to improve. Recruitment has to stop .... And I mean dead in the water . Many lands have become over encumbered with hunters at this point.
5 gates within 1/4 to 1/3 mile?! wow. thats a tough spot to hunt without interference!
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on May 25, 2022, 07:36:44 AM
Might as well get used to it, its becoming the new normal. I travel all over and its happening to me in places where I thought people didn't give a flip about a turkey. With all the new hunters we've recruited to "save the sport", there simply isn't enough of the resource to go around anymore on many public lands. Maybe the imminent public land changes such as non-rez restrictions, reduced seasons and bag limits, more quota hunts will help alleviate some of this as public land pressure will be reduced some. But it comes at a massive cost: loss of opportunity we will likely never get back. Turkey hunters brought it upon themselves, now we all must deal with the consequences.
Nailed it
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Quote from: turkeyfool on May 25, 2022, 08:50:32 AM
^To answer your question, they parked about 1/4-1/3rd mile down the road and walked past 5 gates to walk in behind my truck. I did talk to them, I began getting dressed and they awkwardly told me they were coming up close to my truck to "put my boots away" (that were on the ground outside of the truck). They had camo on, left their guns at the truck. So i'm not entirely sure what they were trying to do.
The point is, this isn't a giant piece where you could go in a bunch of directions. It's a single lane to get down to a single nook and cranny. It's very obvious where I was. Let's put it this way, not only would I have not gone in behind someone at this gate because of potentially ruining their hunt, but it's also very dangerous
Was one of the guys barefoot with same size foot as yours?? Jokin I'd say going to pillage.
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My brother and cousin hunted in a state this year and they were first at the gate. Before sunup there were SEVEN vehicles parked all around them! Brother said load up and lets get the H***out of here. We ain't staying in here.
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Quote from: deerhunt1988 on May 25, 2022, 09:10:37 AM
5 gates within 1/4 to 1/3 mile?! wow. thats a tough spot to hunt without interference!
Sounds crazy, but one of my favorite WMA's has a gate every three to four hundred yards apart on CERTAIN parts of the WMA, but not on other parts of the same WMA. I have wondered why many times. But another completely different WMA that I also hunt very near by has very few gates.
Makes you appreciate other states where you don't have to deal with this at all! That's why I feel very strongly about not saying the name of states because for every state I've encountered that has an issue with this, I've been to just as many that have none of these issues whatsoever
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
Buy your own ground and stay on it.
Quote from: JohnSouth22 on May 25, 2022, 07:26:04 AM
Quote from: bigriverbum on May 24, 2022, 12:11:23 PM
i didn't realize sleeping in your vehicle at an entrance gave you dibs to the place
Over someone that woke up 30 mins before daylight and hit Waffle House before? 100%. And OP is a lot kinder attempting to exchange words with people than most people from the south would be. There will be 0 air in tires as soon as it happens to me
ahh that good ol' southern 'hospitality'
Quote from: bigriverbum on May 24, 2022, 12:11:23 PM
i didn't realize sleeping in your vehicle at an entrance gave you dibs to the place
Couldn't agree more! There is a 1500 acre piece of public where I hunt. It is over an hour to the next piece of public. There is one gate. Under this scenario, sleeping in your truck gives you automatic dibs to the only place in 60 miles!? Sure, I would love to live somewhere that has endless lands to hunt that you can simply drive to the next spot and have acres and acres to hunt, but where I live this is not possible. Yep, it sucks hunting the same ground that 6 or 7 other guys are hunting nearly every day, but it is what it is.
This is a sample on a very light pressure day here, after noon, mid-season when the crowds normally start to thin (I have seen over 12 trucks at one time in this one). This pic does not even show our trucks and a couple of others. We also saw other hunters in the woods that had parked on the side of the paved road and came in. The layout of this particular property funnels everyone from this parking through a pass and then makes a huge bowl valley surrounded by steep mountains. You can't park at the gate and claim a whole property of this size to yourself, so dealing with others is just part of the game. This is the typical scene on our gamelands just about anywhere you go and if you will only hunt a gate without a vehicle, you will never hunt public.
As to arriving earliest, it only becomes an escalating of war of trying to arrive first, to the point you give up and just get there in time to setup right before light. Camping or sleeping in the truck is not legal here either.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/e7b4311a21d96cd28698499c583e9123.jpg)
Quote from: bwhana on May 25, 2022, 09:20:15 PM
This is a sample on a very light pressure day here, after noon, mid-season when the crowds normally start to thin (I have seen over 12 trucks at one time in this one). This pic does not even show our trucks and a couple of others. We also saw other hunters in the woods that had parked on the side of the paved road and came in. The layout of this particular property funnels everyone from this parking through a pass and then makes a huge bowl valley surrounded by steep mountains. You can't park at the gate and claim a whole property of this size to yourself, so dealing with others is just part of the game. This is the typical scene on our gamelands just about anywhere you go and if you will only hunt a gate without a vehicle, you will never hunt public.
As to arriving earliest, it only becomes an escalating of war of trying to arrive first, to the point you give up and just get there in time to setup right before light. Camping or sleeping in the truck is not legal here either.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/e7b4311a21d96cd28698499c583e9123.jpg)
Thank you for this! This is exactly what it is like where I hunt. You aren't actually allowed to be in the parking area until a half hour before sunrise and have to be gone by a half hour after dark. Luckily they don't cause much of a fuss about this, but you have to get permission from the warden to recover a deer after dark being your not allowed to technically be there.
And all of the people who arrived in those vehicles were introduced to the sport by another turkey hunter in some way or another. Back in the days, an intelligent man would never go around telling the boys how special his new girl was. If he was so slow to not recognize the potential harm he was creating, he could find himself with a ex-girlfriend.
So it is with Turkeys. Loose lips sink ships and are the primary reason for the hordes.
As predicted, many people take their own hunting scenarios and ascribe them to what the OP was talking about. One place I hunt, if 11 vehicles were parked somewhere and you pulled in to the hunt there too, you would have to be daft. It is a very large area, with no designated parking and tons of acres to spread out with other very large WMAs within a 30 minute drive. At another place I hunt, vehicles will be parked close to each other, but not on top of each other. Sometimes ending up at the same place. Two very different situations and everyone knows the difference in how and where you should set up. Not all show courtesy, but they all dang sure know what they are doing when they don't.
I don't see why this concept is so hard to grasp. Show some courtesy, to the best of your abilities, to fellow hunters. But I am sure someone is going to tell me I am wrong because it is all public land. SMH
Bad analogy silvestris. Showing someone your spots is telling them about your new girl. Telling them you like girls is not such a secret. (I turkey hunt at this spot vs I turkey hunt).
You have to flow with the times. Back in the 90s + 2000s- Hunters would move on if you parked first near a Gate on Public.
Now-- there are far more Turkey Hunters.
Listen- 1 Man can't control or stop others from walking past that Gate when there are Thousands of Acres beyond.
Not Happening...
Times have changed- go with the Flow. Either walk in at 3.30am or park later and walk in at 9.30am.
It is what it is-- just enjoy yourself. Don't get sore over others
Yes it is certainly nice if people show courtesy. If you expect courtesy though, you're gonna be disappointed more times than not. Either way, if there is a gobbler to be brought out of a section, I'm gonna be the one carrying it out. Not meant in an arrogant manner, I just learned long ago a positive attitude is way better than dwelling on what some other idiot is doing.
Quote from: bwhana on May 25, 2022, 09:20:15 PM
This is a sample on a very light pressure day here, after noon, mid-season when the crowds normally start to thin (I have seen over 12 trucks at one time in this one). This pic does not even show our trucks and a couple of others. We also saw other hunters in the woods that had parked on the side of the paved road and came in. The layout of this particular property funnels everyone from this parking through a pass and then makes a huge bowl valley surrounded by steep mountains. You can't park at the gate and claim a whole property of this size to yourself, so dealing with others is just part of the game. This is the typical scene on our gamelands just about anywhere you go and if you will only hunt a gate without a vehicle, you will never hunt public.
As to arriving earliest, it only becomes an escalating of war of trying to arrive first, to the point you give up and just get there in time to setup right before light. Camping or sleeping in the truck is not legal here either.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/e7b4311a21d96cd28698499c583e9123.jpg)
What state is this.
Looks like the same game land I hunt.
I have parked at that spot that looks just like that.
Quote from: ncturkey on May 31, 2022, 10:35:54 PM
Quote from: bwhana on May 25, 2022, 09:20:15 PM
This is a sample on a very light pressure day here, after noon, mid-season when the crowds normally start to thin (I have seen over 12 trucks at one time in this one). This pic does not even show our trucks and a couple of others. We also saw other hunters in the woods that had parked on the side of the paved road and came in. The layout of this particular property funnels everyone from this parking through a pass and then makes a huge bowl valley surrounded by steep mountains. You can't park at the gate and claim a whole property of this size to yourself, so dealing with others is just part of the game. This is the typical scene on our gamelands just about anywhere you go and if you will only hunt a gate without a vehicle, you will never hunt public.
As to arriving earliest, it only becomes an escalating of war of trying to arrive first, to the point you give up and just get there in time to setup right before light. Camping or sleeping in the truck is not legal here either.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/e7b4311a21d96cd28698499c583e9123.jpg)
What state is this.
Looks like the same game land I hunt.
I have parked at that spot that looks just like that.
NC
Quote from: silvestris on May 25, 2022, 10:43:35 PM
And all of the people who arrived in those vehicles were introduced to the sport by another turkey hunter in some way or another. Back in the days, an intelligent man would never go around telling the boys how special his new girl was. If he was so slow to not recognize the potential harm he was creating, he could find himself with a ex-girlfriend.
So it is with Turkeys. Loose lips sink ships and are the primary reason for the hordes.
Turkey hunting on public land has finally become what duck hunting on public has been for 25+ years... I remember pulling up to different lakes and refuges and it looking like a mud-motor convention at 4a.m and the ensuing race to get to a spot...even then, just because you were there first didn't mean someone wasn't going to come in and set up on you.
It's great hearing all the youtuber's talking about how we need more hunters to "help the resource"...by putting more guns in the woods? It's supply and demand- if demand skyrockets (It has and is) without the supply increasing to match it (in this case- turkey reproduction as well as additional huntable land to absorb new hunter numbers), before long, the imbalance becomes unsustainable... For those of us who have been around long enough to know what numbers looked like 10-20 years ago, it's pretty clear that we're heading that direction in a lot of places. Particularly on public land. Once people get tired of fighting the crowds on public and not hearing birds, the private land will start to feel the effects...If you lease private land right now, or get permission for private land, and think you're immune to it- you aren't. You'll start to see more guys on your club hunting turkey, landowners will start to take notice of what they have and what they can charge and hike prices on leases, more and more outfitters will start leasing up ground etc. If you don't believe that, look at the prices of duck leases or decent deer leases...it's unreal.
Quote from: redleg06 on June 01, 2022, 02:35:59 PM
Quote from: silvestris on May 25, 2022, 10:43:35 PM
And all of the people who arrived in those vehicles were introduced to the sport by another turkey hunter in some way or another. Back in the days, an intelligent man would never go around telling the boys how special his new girl was. If he was so slow to not recognize the potential harm he was creating, he could find himself with a ex-girlfriend.
So it is with Turkeys. Loose lips sink ships and are the primary reason for the hordes.
Turkey hunting on public land has finally become what duck hunting on public has been for 25+ years... I remember pulling up to different lakes and refuges and it looking like a mud-motor convention at 4a.m and the ensuing race to get to a spot...even then, just because you were there first didn't mean someone wasn't going to come in and set up on you.
It's great hearing all the youtuber's talking about how we need more hunters to "help the resource"...by putting more guns in the woods? It's supply and demand- if demand skyrockets (It has and is) without the supply increasing to match it (in this case- turkey reproduction as well as additional huntable land to absorb new hunter numbers), before long, the imbalance becomes unsustainable... For those of us who have been around long enough to know what numbers looked like 10-20 years ago, it's pretty clear that we're heading that direction in a lot of places. Particularly on public land. Once people get tired of fighting the crowds on public and not hearing birds, the private land will start to feel the effects...If you lease private land right now, or get permission for private land, and think you're immune to it- you aren't. You'll start to see more guys on your club hunting turkey, landowners will start to take notice of what they have and what they can charge and hike prices on leases, more and more outfitters will start leasing up ground etc. If you don't believe that, look at the prices of duck leases or decent deer leases...it's unreal.
Your private land analogy is spot on. It's not going to be long before the owners realize what they have on private and drive more and more people to public just like what has happened for deer. If you want to hunt turkey's on private your going to need mucho money.
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
Soo Who makes the rule that if your at the gate first you get the whole WMA to your self.
Quote from: Vintage on June 03, 2022, 09:38:51 AM
Soo Who makes the rule that if your at the gate first you get the whole WMA to your self.
Who makes the rule that if you are next in line at the grocery store, you get to check out next? It's common courtesy in areas where you have other options and we all have to share a resource.
There's obviously situations where multiple people have to park at one location and enter but as a general rule, if you get beat to a spot and have other options, move on and let the other guy enjoy his hunt.
Quote from: redleg06 on June 03, 2022, 01:36:16 PM
There's obviously situations where multiple people have to park at one location and enter but as a general rule, if you get beat to a spot and have other options, move on and let the other guy enjoy his hunt.
Totally agree with this. It's that "have other options" part that I think complicates that general rule. Then again, there are no doubt a certain percentage of turkey hunters, especially those new to the sport, that look at it in terms of deer hunting (or other big game) where they think it is all about sitting in one spot and waiting for an animal to walk by.
Their mindset, I believe, is that they are saying,..."That other person can only watch so many acres of this area at a time, so I will just go set-up and watch my little area, and we won't impact each other". Those folks just don't comprehend that turkey hunting is not like that. I can sympathize with those folks a bit, although they need to be educated as to turkey hunting etiquette.
On the other hand, though, are the ones that know the understood rules among turkey hunters, and yet choose to make the decision to interlope on another hunter. Those types, I have no patience for...
Quote from: CowHunter71 on June 03, 2022, 08:27:40 AM
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
You didn't happen to relocate from Cocke County by any chance :TooFunny:
Quote from: crow on June 03, 2022, 02:14:07 PM
Quote from: CowHunter71 on June 03, 2022, 08:27:40 AM
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
You didn't happen to relocate from Cocke County by any chance :TooFunny:
I am in McMinn County, as well as Polk and Monroe Counties. We have nothing but respect here for those who respect us, but let it be known on this public forum, that ignorance and rudeness in the South Cherokee will not be tolerated by a select few of us who hunt it. ;)
Quote from: Vintage on June 03, 2022, 09:38:51 AM
Soo Who makes the rule that if your at the gate first you get the whole WMA to your self.
In debates, that is known as an "Appeal to the Extremes". No one said they got the whole WMA to themselves, nor did they imply it.
If you are at a WMA that has plenty of room to spread out, you should spread out (or you are inconsiderate).
If you are at a WMA that has a limited number of parking spots, you do what you have to do.
In either situation, if you work toward someone calling to a bird that is answering, you are inconsiderate.
The silly thing is that nearly 100% of the time, the person doing the arsehole thing knows exactly what they are doing and just doesn't care. It is not 100%, so as I try to think the best of folks, I give the benefit of the doubt until that is removed.
Quote from: Archivist13 on June 02, 2022, 08:39:19 PM
Quote from: redleg06 on June 01, 2022, 02:35:59 PM
Quote from: silvestris on May 25, 2022, 10:43:35 PM
And all of the people who arrived in those vehicles were introduced to the sport by another turkey hunter in some way or another. Back in the days, an intelligent man would never go around telling the boys how special his new girl was. If he was so slow to not recognize the potential harm he was creating, he could find himself with a ex-girlfriend.
So it is with Turkeys. Loose lips sink ships and are the primary reason for the hordes.
Turkey hunting on public land has finally become what duck hunting on public has been for 25+ years... I remember pulling up to different lakes and refuges and it looking like a mud-motor convention at 4a.m and the ensuing race to get to a spot...even then, just because you were there first didn't mean someone wasn't going to come in and set up on you.
It's great hearing all the youtuber's talking about how we need more hunters to "help the resource"...by putting more guns in the woods? It's supply and demand- if demand skyrockets (It has and is) without the supply increasing to match it (in this case- turkey reproduction as well as additional huntable land to absorb new hunter numbers), before long, the imbalance becomes unsustainable... For those of us who have been around long enough to know what numbers looked like 10-20 years ago, it's pretty clear that we're heading that direction in a lot of places. Particularly on public land. Once people get tired of fighting the crowds on public and not hearing birds, the private land will start to feel the effects...If you lease private land right now, or get permission for private land, and think you're immune to it- you aren't. You'll start to see more guys on your club hunting turkey, landowners will start to take notice of what they have and what they can charge and hike prices on leases, more and more outfitters will start leasing up ground etc. If you don't believe that, look at the prices of duck leases or decent deer leases...it's unreal.
Your private land analogy is spot on. It's not going to be long before the owners realize what they have on private and drive more and more people to public just like what has happened for deer. If you want to hunt turkey's on private your going to need mucho money.
many places are already there. Deer leases that require a double membership to hunt turkeys , etc..... and to be fair the places doing that are simply trying to curve the hunting pressure many times , and unfortunately making people pay to play is a way of doing that.... But a lot of the sudden interest in turkey hunting is from pay to play types of people to begin with.
MY My
Now we will let air out of tires , burn them down and gamble our life for a spot we were going to hunt and have the God given right to own that spot . There are people posting here that have no business in the woods and I would rather be around the guy parking behind me . Lets see , be around a guy parking behind me or someone that will gamble their life ? Hmmm, which way to go ?
I think I have figured one thing out though that has been debated on this forum and around the country , the question what is happening to our birds ? It is US , the hunters , Listen to us , we cant even enjoy Gods creation together . Damn Greed . How are we going to manage a resource . To some of you , I do give a rats a-- about other people , To even post thoughts of harming other people or property of what you perceive as someone being rude , well , you need to take a hard look . Thoughts and prayers for all of us .
When some of these topics reach a certain point like this one has, I always refer back to those immortal words of Sargeant Hulka from the movie Stripes,..."Lighten up, Francis" ;D :toothy12: :angel9:
Quote from: GobbleNut on June 04, 2022, 08:42:44 AM
When some of these topics reach a certain point like this one has, I always refer back to those immortal words of Sargeant Hulka from the movie Stripes,..."Lighten up, Francis" ;D :toothy12: :angel9:
I was waiting on this one. Can't believe I defended that guy in different thread. Everybody deserves the benefit of the doubt but Self Righteous maybe a fitting description.
There's a big difference between a gate that has 200 acres behind it,
and one that has 5,000 acres behind it.
One has to use common sense when parking behind somebody at a gate.
Unfortunately, common sense ain't that common anymore.
Ok then ,,, we call someone rude and ignorant, yet we will set there truck on fire ?
That's way beyond rude or ignorant IMO .
Quote from: dah on June 03, 2022, 11:25:02 PM
MY My
Now we will let air out of tires , burn them down and gamble our life for a spot we were going to hunt and have the God given right to own that spot . There are people posting here that have no business in the woods and I would rather be around the guy parking behind me . Lets see , be around a guy parking behind me or someone that will gamble their life ? Hmmm, which way to go ?
I think I have figured one thing out though that has been debated on this forum and around the country , the question what is happening to our birds ? It is US , the hunters , Listen to us , we cant even enjoy Gods creation together . Damn Greed . How are we going to manage a resource . To some of you , I do give a rats a-- about other people , To even post thoughts of harming other people or property of what you perceive as someone being rude , well , you need to take a hard look . Thoughts and prayers for all of us .
Couldn't agree more. Sad and scary that there are people like this out there calling themselves hunters. All that anger and violence over a bird with the brain the size of a walnut.
Could be a Hardcore Hiker parking on Top of you at the Gate. Alot of Hunters are just starting to realize that the general public- if they want to see the Wildlife- they can see more of it at the crack of Dawn.
Adds to the pressure. It is what it is.
I certainly agree with the idea of being respectful to others and not just in hunting but in all aspects of life. As I was reading this thread I thought of the public land I hunt which is over 45000 acres and two my knowledge only has three access points, one of which is very small probably parking for about 10 or so vehicles. the other two are access roads which offer more parking. To this limited access add this land is used by hikers, fishermen, hunters, geo-caches, a crude shooting range, extensively by horse riders, especially in the spring, and probably a few other reasons. Maybe in your area parked vehicle mean hunters, here it could many other things.
The public area I hunt is about 7500 acres with a lot of pull off parking areas. By the second week of season, most of the vehicles I ran across were mushroom hunters. I just had go a little deeper and expect a possible disruption of my hunt. I am just glad to have the opportunity.
"Big Boy". I have three old geezers that would love to see you burning their trucks. You are a phoney pos. Bite me. Go someplace else.
Quote from: CowHunter71 on June 03, 2022, 08:27:40 AM
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
Moron Alert. Likely the biggest coward around as well.
Sounds like anyone looking for a new truck should just go park behind others in the South Cheroke next year.
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South Cherokee should be the new Chadron
Quote from: CowHunter71 on June 03, 2022, 08:27:40 AM
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
That's quite a rant. So you're willing to face prison over a hunter maybe getting to close to you? That's just stupid. If you park at a gate to 3000 acres, you don't get to claim all of it for the day just because you got there first. You sound like a hotheaded 19 year old with that rant.
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Of all my years on the forum, i guess i have seen my first threat of burning someone else's truck... just because of being first or second ... OMG ... WHAT A COMMENT
Sometimes I hunt a WMA and sometimes I hunt National Park Service property. Both border each other. My grandmothers were born and raised on these properties. One on each. My parents were born and raised on these properties. The majority of my family still live in these areas. Does that give the right to think I own the area and have say so over where other people hunt? Does that give me dibs on these areas just because that's where me and my family have hunted for decades? NO, it does not. There is a gravel road that runs for miles thru the area with gates along the way. If someone happens to pull in alongside does that give me the right to burn their vehicle or burst their tires. NO, it does not. Now, do I agree with someone coming in behind me. NO, I do not. But the land is public and everyone has the right to be there. We just need to learn (especially us older guys) that things just ain't like they were back in the day. And for goodness sake....PLEASE don't ack like an ahole and start crap with someone over a parking spot. You just might be dealing with someone just as stupid and hot headed as you and hot headed idiots with guns is not a good combination.
jus my 2cents
:fire:
Quote from: CowHunter71 on June 03, 2022, 08:27:40 AM
Quote from: WV Flopper on May 25, 2022, 07:10:44 PM
I sure would hate to be the guy I catch letting the air out of my tires when I walk out of the woods with my 10g slung over my shoulder with 5 - 2 5/8oz # 8/9 TSS in it.
The woods have eyes! It takes a pretty stupid person to mess with someones vehicle. You may just be gambling with your life.
If you were the one who parked and then walked in on me a second time, no air in your tires would be the least of your worries. I would light your truck on fire and you would walk back to where ever you came from. Been there and done it. Not afraid of confrontation one freakin bit. You've got to be both rude and ignorant to park and then walk in on another Turkey Hunter. I will not tolerate either and will gamble with my life to ensure it does not happen to me. ;) I don't give a rats a## about any other public ground gates, in any other states, here in SE Tn, on the South Cherokee National Forest, one gate one truck, period. All you rude and ignant, locals and out of staters alike, take note.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
All banjo..........all the time. :homersimpson: :boon: :homersimpson:
I just heard through the Grapevine that the area of - " South Cherokee is the new Utube Traveling Turkey Hunting Groups destination next Spring.
I hear 5 or 6 groups are ready to Park behind a Sleeping Grouch who is known to Threaten other Turkey Hunters.
:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
I've always wanted to hunt east TN.
I'm going. I'll brush up on my MMA, bring a fire extinguisher, and put doughnuts on all four wheels. :blob10:
I was thinking of starting a sign up sheet. Do something like the First Annual OG Forums Turkey Get-Together...................
Charter a motorcoach and driver...................do, like, a week-long tour of all the gates on the South Cherokee. Just have the driver sit and wait for us and all fan out and hunt a section each day.
Could be fun to hunt with fellow OG members. :icon_thumright:
Old Gobbler will post the personal information of scammers, maybe this members personal info should be shared with at least local law enforcement. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if posting an outright threat online is illegal in some form. Don't we have the right to speak up when we see a potential crime happening. Just like the mass shootings that had warning signs that were ignored. The only heat this guy should see is what is brought by law enforcement.
Quote from: Yoder409 on June 08, 2022, 06:05:06 AM
I was thinking of starting a sign up sheet. Do something like the First Annual OG Forums Turkey Get-Together...................
Charter a motorcoach and driver...................do, like, a week-long tour of all the gates on the South Cherokee. Just have the driver sit and wait for us and all fan out and hunt a section each day.
Could be fun to hunt with fellow OG members. :icon_thumright:
Next year's team contest should have bonus points awarded to birds killed out of the South Cherokee.
Quote from: HookedonHooks on June 08, 2022, 07:39:50 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on June 08, 2022, 06:05:06 AM
I was thinking of starting a sign up sheet. Do something like the First Annual OG Forums Turkey Get-Together...................
Charter a motorcoach and driver...................do, like, a week-long tour of all the gates on the South Cherokee. Just have the driver sit and wait for us and all fan out and hunt a section each day.
Could be fun to hunt with fellow OG members. :icon_thumright:
Next year's team contest should have bonus points awarded to birds killed out of the South Cherokee.
SOLID idea !!!!!! I like it !!!! :you_rock: :you_rock:
Sounds like another guy who used to frequent this forum. He was a real tough man.. toughest of all. But eventually he got tired of typing "lol" like a 12 year old girl and disappeared from the site. Can't say I miss him.
He has had his account deleted..
All keyboard heros do the same B-S .....they can't help themselves it seems
my keyboard has the ban and delete button , Thiers doesn't
All Hail the "BAN and Delete Keys of the great OLd Gobbler"....thank you shannon for keeping the peace
Before I expressed an opinion on this TN guy I used the forum's profile feature and saw he only had been here since March, posted 22 times, and most post were meant as put downs. Watching to see if he pops up on other forums. So far he has not but I haven't looked too hard. Does TN have state specific forums? Some of the state specific forums can get pretty insulting to non-residents but seldom to this degree. If you've noticed what TN gets for a license you may cancel the charter bus. Better deals out there that don't require a fire extinguisher.
Quote from: Yoder409 on June 08, 2022, 09:22:10 AM
Quote from: HookedonHooks on June 08, 2022, 07:39:50 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on June 08, 2022, 06:05:06 AM
I was thinking of starting a sign up sheet. Do something like the First Annual OG Forums Turkey Get-Together...................
Charter a motorcoach and driver...................do, like, a week-long tour of all the gates on the South Cherokee. Just have the driver sit and wait for us and all fan out and hunt a section each day.
Could be fun to hunt with fellow OG members. :icon_thumright:
Next year's team contest should have bonus points awarded to birds killed out of the South Cherokee.
SOLID idea !!!!!! I like it !!!! :you_rock: :you_rock:
Im in!!
Not all South Cherokee hunters are like this. I promise you!
Catching up on posts: Whether I hunt public or lease if a vechicle is there I move on. I expect the same courtesy but I know it's hopeless- but I do both extend and expect it. As far as sleeping at the gate, if a hunter is willing to do it then they get the same courtesy. I will get up earlier and earlier to be there first whether it makes a difference or not- it does to me.... If you pull up behind me then just understand I'm there to hunt and I will go to the gobble. I will not stalk or sneak or even intentionally mess you up- but I will hunt just as I normally would. If you are willing to park behind me with the Ol " it's public land..." excuse, that's fine; I'll be respectful- but I'm still gonna hunt. Sorry if this offends... we'll, no I'm not.
Rather than just joining in on lamenting the circumstances around crowded public land hunting, I will instead offer a possible solution or alternative. If you are finding yourself consistently in situations where you are behind someone else at a gate, perhaps it would be a good idea to expand your horizons a bit in terms of finding more places to hunt.
If you are a public land hunter and do not have multiple options on where to hunt on any given day, you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. It would probably be wise to put more focus and effort into scouting and researching your potential opportunities. The days of getting up and heading for the old honey hole and expecting that you will have it to yourself are becoming more and more scarce. The more places you have to hunt when the season rolls around, the less likely you will be to have to deal with the gate keepers.
Quote from: GobbleNut on August 01, 2022, 02:16:37 PM
Rather than just joining in on lamenting the circumstances around crowded public land hunting, I will instead offer a possible solution or alternative. If you are finding yourself consistently in situations where you are behind someone else at a gate, perhaps it would be a good idea to expand your horizons a bit in terms of finding more places to hunt.
If you are a public land hunter and do not have multiple options on where to hunt on any given day, you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. It would probably be wise to put more focus and effort into scouting and researching your potential opportunities. The days of getting up and heading for the old honey hole and expecting that you will have it to yourself are becoming more and more scarce. The more places you have to hunt when the season rolls around, the less likely you will be to have to deal with the gate keepers.
While what you wrote is certainly true, some areas of the country have VERY little quality public land available.
The guy regulated to weekends only on public land is truly screwed in most places now. I have no real solutions only sympathy. I spent years hunting mid season week days on public land and usually did ok with minimal interference. Hunting non gobbling once pressured birds was always preferable for me than joining a race at the gate. Different times - different game.
Joey is right, things have changed. The states could do lotteries for the days a person could hunt but who wants that restriction? Common courtesy and handling ourselves with courtesy for others is the best solution.
Quote from: BDeal on August 01, 2022, 03:35:18 PM
Quote from: GobbleNut on August 01, 2022, 02:16:37 PM
Rather than just joining in on lamenting the circumstances around crowded public land hunting, I will instead offer a possible solution or alternative. If you are finding yourself consistently in situations where you are behind someone else at a gate, perhaps it would be a good idea to expand your horizons a bit in terms of finding more places to hunt.
If you are a public land hunter and do not have multiple options on where to hunt on any given day, you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. It would probably be wise to put more focus and effort into scouting and researching your potential opportunities. The days of getting up and heading for the old honey hole and expecting that you will have it to yourself are becoming more and more scarce. The more places you have to hunt when the season rolls around, the less likely you will be to have to deal with the gate keepers.
While what you wrote is certainly true, some areas of the country have VERY little quality public land available.
There are multiple areas with great habitat and turkeys within an hour and a half from where I live. I will not hunt these areas, never even tried. They are to close to a major metropolitan area for my liking. I get up at 1am and drive at least 2 1/2 hours at an attempt leave the mob behind. I don't escape all the pressure it's just more manageable. When there I sleep in the truck. I don't want to get tied to a certain area. I like to stay mobile and not have to return to camp, a motel, or whatever. Pull over, get the truck as level as possible, hop in the back, formulate a plan of attack, scroll through the latest scuttlebutt on OG of course, and hit the sack. If I get beat to a spot it's on to the next. I don't care how many acres are behind the parking area. I'll take a pass. I'd much rather be by myself with the hopes of a gobble than in a zoo racing the monkeys to get to the gobbling.
I gave up on expecting to have a place to myself if I'm 1st. I been getting walked in on since I started hunting turkeys 30 some odd years ago especially if I choose the easy route.
I try not to choose small areas to hunt but sometimes it can't be helped. I look for places that are hard for the average lazy hunters to get to. Those 70degree 400ft or better climbs are getting more difficult being in my mid 50's. I just give myself more time and pace myself to "get er done!" I'm not a specimen of physical fitness. I used to smoke and now vape. If I can get there most able bodied people can they just choose not to.
If I'm in flat country than distance is my friend preferably and away from trails or roads if possible. They are good for travel but generally I don't hunt from them depending on location. I Don't get the chance to hunt week days often and they are priceless if I can pull time away from work.
For most hunters there are things that can be done to beat the the mob it's just more work. If your neck of the woods doesn't offer opportunities to get away no matter how hard you try, I surely don't envy you. It's something our gonna have to learn to deal with it because it's not going to get any better
The only good thing about Declining Turkey Populations is with less Birds and less Gobbling- the also rans might not even bother to get up at 3am.
So less and less people parking behind me at a Gate.
I would rather have lots of gobblers and just burn a truck or two...occasionally
:-X :laugh:
Never understood it. Why I'm the world would someone knowingly want to go hunt next to someone. Even if it's a 2k acre block, the birds will be very concentrated to small areas mostly. They aren't deer
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I just move on to another area if someone is already there. If you hunt public ground its bound to happen that someone comes in from a different direction. Best thing to do is be curious! I enjoy my private land spots the most but on occasion have had to run trespassers off. If I didn't have private land to hunt in some states I wouldn't hunt there especially if out of state because of the bs I see with some of the new hunters and how they act. Good hunters know how to secure private spots and stay in contact with the land owners to keep those spots. 5 of the states I go to every year I never have to worry about someone at a gate unless its a trespasser.
Only public place I've ever hunted that I could pass parking spots is Black Hills, SD.
In PA or FL chances are you are going to have multiple cars at a gate. Where I hunt there just isn't enough access to limit parking to one vehicle.
I am usually first one at trail head. I know there will be cars at the trail head when I exit. I hike in minimum of 2 miles so most places I can avoid people. But other places I know I'll cross paths with hunters. Public land in south Florida is tight.
Quote from: joey46 on August 01, 2022, 04:50:36 PM
The guy regulated to weekends only on public land is truly screwed in most places now. I have no real solutions only sympathy. I spent years hunting mid season week days on public land and usually did ok with minimal interference. Hunting non gobbling once pressured birds was always preferable for me than joining a race at the gate. Different times - different game.
I used to love running and gunning on public land mid week mid season but now it's crowded even then, and plus there just aren't as many birds and the ones that are around get really tight lipped after that first weekend.
I figure this will all resolve it's self in time.....we'll all die and won't have to worry about it. Some of us sooner than others. So enjoy whatever life you have in whatever circumstance. No amount of debate here will change anything in this matter. The butt holes aren't here to read your rants, but I understand it feels good to bitch