Well, I need to vent and ask you guys what you would do. Our birds are in huge flocks still. I found a big flock on a farm where a buddy has taken kids before. I texted him early in the week and he said he was not hunting it so I asked for permission on Saturday. The farmer said no problem and that I was the first to ask to hunt it. The next day my buddy went and asked permission and the farmer said yes and that I had permission also. So now we both have permission and both want to hunt it due to the 14 gobblers we have seen in the same spot for a week. I feel like I got cut off but I am guessing he feels that he hunted this place in the past so it is his. Here are my thoughts:
#1 We set up together with our youth hunters and try to double up. Put out one set of decoys with the blinds next to each other hope the flock of toms comes in all together. 1.2.3..Boom
#2 I get a little pushy and say I was first to get permission (I really don't like this idea).
#3 Walk away and if they get a bird, I can go there after if the birds are still there.
We are buddies but a few years ago he got weird over hunting land so I walked away and found new ground.
Thanks for letting me vent I feel better already.
I dunno man if you asked and got permission first tech u should be up to bat. The land owner gave you both permission so I would try to work it out with your buddy. A true brotherhood of hunters fixes problems not make more so hopefully you guys can work it out
that is a tough one for sure. What I have always been taught is being a good sportsman comes ahead of getting a kill. Besides most times you will be rewarded in the woods. In this situation it's about the kids as well. I would say go together and see if you can get the kids to have a good time. Hunting is a dying past time in the US. Kids now a days would rather play on the computer. So if you guys can have the kids out there and just get them to have a good time, killing a bird is a plus. Every new hunter helps keep hunting alive.
Hope this helps...
Yup, set up together, and setup ground rules over who gets the shot if a single comes in.
I say #1. Life's too short to lose a buddy over hunting permission. I know that hunting land is scarce, but so is a good friendship. Show those kids a good time together and you'll forget all about this qualm. Perhaps you can both lay some ground rules for next time after this youth hunt takes place.
Go for #1. One of the best things about Turkey hunting is it and be a team sport.
You mentioned having "Youth" hunters with you, so I would venture to say that only a complete $@&hole would not work with you in ensuring the youngsters had a good time and the best opportunity to harvest a bird. I would try to work something out with him for the youth's sake as well as your friendship, at least for this year. I'm sure if the property is decent sized there are more than one place to kill a turkey on it if he doesn't like the idea of setting up together. But if he is a "friend", I would guess he would entertain the idea of working together. You did call him a "Buddy" in your post, and hunting buddies only add to the fun and adventure, so try to keep them.
Try to lease the guy's land for next year, and get it in writing that you control who and who doesn't hunt on it from the landowner if this year is a failure with working things out. You said you saw 14 gobblers on the place. I'm sure not all 14 will stay there together, but there still should be plenty of birds to work for all of you this year. Good luck with it and let us know how things go.
How big is the farm? With 14 gobblers, sounds like there is enough for everyone. Share info with each other, hunt, skip a few days then slip back in and hunt again. A buddy and me hunt a couple of the same farms and don't have any problems. I'm just as happy if he kills one, of course its more about the hunt than the kill with me. Just respect each other, keep it stealthy, low key, and the pressure low and ya'll should be fine. Good luck to ya'll, and remember, life is short. Somethings just ain't worth getting bend out of shape about in the whole scheme of things.
One thing to clear up. We have over a foot of snow on the ground and it has been cold the birds are still in big groups. The 14 birds were together 2 days ago. We have 2 days to hunt this farm for the Learn To Hunt program. With the 5 day forcast, I don't see things changing to much for the birds. Spring is late in northern WI this year so we have to adapt our style. There will be no running and gunning this year.
Who says you have to hunt the same field? I dunno how big this farm is but i can guarantee the birds roost somewhere back in the timber before they come to the field . If the other guy insists on sitting at the edge where they are coming , simply slip back in the timber between the roost and the field and blast one back in the woods . I know the tv recipe says you have to hunt in a field with a blind and a spread of decoys but it just isn't true . I dunno maybe you should let your buddy keep believing that and show your youth what roosting and roasting was meant to be . JM2C
I hear what you are saying jakebird but I really don't think that is an option. With 12" plus of hard crunchy snow, I really don't know if a guy could sneak in near the roost. I will keep that in my mind as the week progresses.
Quote from: 870FaceLift on March 25, 2013, 10:40:24 AM
I say #1. Life's too short to lose a buddy over hunting permission. I know that hunting land is scarce, but so is a good friendship. Show those kids a good time together and you'll forget all about this qualm. Perhaps you can both lay some ground rules for next time after this youth hunt takes place.
This. Its all about the kids. Good friends are also getting harder & harder to find as well......
I would never EVER ask permission on a buddy's farm regardless of the circumstances.
Violation number 1.
It sounds like you asked your buddy if he was going to hunt it as an interrogatory inquiry. When you heard what you wanted to hear, you didn't ask him if he minded if you went to get permission. Did you ever think he told you he wasn't hunting there because he didn't want you to know it?
Violation number 2.
Your buddy should maintain better relationships with his landowners so people like you are told that the farm is already being hunted by someone else.
Round here access is difficult and exclusive access is sacred. Guys like you are the reason we take NO ONE to our spots.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on March 25, 2013, 12:59:59 PM
I would never EVER ask permission on a buddy's farm regardless of the circumstances.
Violation number 1.
It sounds like you asked your buddy if he was going to hunt it as an interrogatory inquiry. When you heard what you wanted to hear, you didn't ask him if he minded if you went to get permission. Did you ever think he told you he wasn't hunting there because he didn't want you to know it?
Violation number 2.
Your buddy should maintain better relationships with his landowners so people like you are told that the farm is already being hunted by someone else.
Round here access is difficult and exclusive access is sacred. Guys like you are the reason we take NO ONE to our spots.
Took the words out of my mouth. I was going to post the exact same thing. Maybe I get this from being an obsessed waterfowl hunter, but you NEVER hunt a buddies spot without him, unless maybe he was to offer it to you. For you to not only go to farm that you know he hunts and get permission, but then feel entitled to it because you asked before him this year, is pretty unbelievable. If I were you, I would not hunt that property unless he asks you to hunt with him, or if he has tagged out and done for the season. Even then I would feel weird about it. Not trying to be a jerk, but if I was your buddy I would be upset that there is even a question in your mind of what you should do in this scenario.
VaTuRkStOmPeR and NYbassman thank you for posting your thoughts in a positive way. After reading it, I feel I need to take a step back and look at it from a different view. My plan is to move on and look for different birds. The reason I enjoy this site is due to the fact people are honest and polite. I am in no way saying this as a sarcastic remark. I know words on the internet come across different but I view your thoughts and see it as an eye opener for me.
A turkey isn't worth losing a friendship over. Just go hunt somewhere else. If your buddy has been hunting in the past then let him do his thing and you will probably still be able to go with him from time to time.
I'm with the fellows that say you violated the 'Hunting Bro Code"... If you have other fruitful spots, I'd contact him and take the high road. Maybe tell him you were in the wrong, and that you will not hunt in there unless.... whatever options you have. You never know, he may be grateful that you spoke up and tell you to join him out there any time. Losing a spot is better than losing a friendship... I know from experience. Turkey hunting can bring out the most selfish of us, and i am the guiltiest of them all.
I noticed that wherever I was hunting an "acquaintance" either tried to get permission there or would get permission on the adjoining land....which I have no control over anyway.
I did mention it and it probably strained our friendship a bit...long story short I keep my mouth shut about where I hunt and unfortunately have become a solitary hunter for turkeys unless with my grandsons/stepson etc.
No doubt. I would never try to get permission to hunt somewhere that I knew one of my "friends" hunts or has hunted in the past.
I also don't tell many people where I hunt public or private.
i see what you guys are saying about violations for asking to hunt on property that a buddy has already laid claim to.. I am the same way with honey holes for fishing and back when i had permission to hunt private land i was the same. but here is my question why did th land owner say sure go ahead and hunt if he had already given rights to someone else. secondly i know that when it comes to my true outdoors buddies I have no problem sharing good spots cause to me we are all in it to accomplish the same thing. My true hunt buddies know my spots and I know theirs. we share the wealth, maybe thats just me and maybe I am stupid that way i dunno. If i am going to a buddies spot i will drop him a line and let him know I am hitting it up. And is guy #2 only hunting this for the youth to increase their odds of success and hopefully groom future hunters. Again yes i have hunted and fished with guys who i felt i should have blind folded before I took them out. but if you guys are hunting buddies i don't see why he would have a issue. and if i am wrong i am wrong, i will still let my buddies who i hunt and fish with all the time know my spots because sportsman in my eyes help each other. I know one year i was huntin a area up in NC pretty hard and coming up empty handed, i saw the same 4 guys at the check spot every day i hunted going in and leaving and they always asked if i had gotte lucky by day 5 when i still came back empty handed they offered for me to tag along and I got a nice deer. They saw i was putting in work and some miles on my boots and they shared their spot. told me to hunt it anytime i came up .
This land that he has hunted in the past (1 time 2 years ago) is only open to the Learn to Hunt (2 days) then the farmer shuts it down and no one gets in. I admit, I went to where he has hunted but he said he would not be there so I asked because of the bird activity and the fact that he did not ask. If he would have said he was hunting in that area, I would have kept driving. Again, I know I was wrong and plan on calling him to let him know that I will not be there and to wish him luck. I know taking the high road is the way to go and that it is just a turkey. I just want the kid I am taking to have the most opportunities that I can offer him to get a bird. I guess I get to competitive sometimes.
Quote from: wisconsinteacher on March 25, 2013, 03:57:47 PM
This land that he has hunted in the past (1 time 2 years ago) is only open to the Learn to Hunt (2 days) then the farmer shuts it down and no one gets in. I admit, I went to where he has hunted but he said he would not be there so I asked because of the bird activity and the fact that he did not ask. If he would have said he was hunting in that area, I would have kept driving. Again, I know I was wrong and plan on calling him to let him know that I will not be there and to wish him luck. I know taking the high road is the way to go and that it is just a turkey. I just want the kid I am taking to have the most opportunities that I can offer him to get a bird. I guess I get to competitive sometimes.
Call your buddy and tell him you asked the landowner because you didn't think he would be hunting it. Since the landowner opens up the land only for kids then your buddy should have no qualms in combining forces and taking 2 kids.
If the guy only opens it up for kids to hunt then I don't see any reason there should be any bad blood at all. There is no high road to take you are both trying to create the best opportunity or a young hunter to bag a turkey and no one should try to lay claim when it comes to getting the next generation of hunters involved
I agree with VATURKSTOMPER he had it first and u are suppose to be his bud that u left him and found your own land, now u coming back and trying to get his land...............Bad
Quote from: barry on March 25, 2013, 04:52:47 PM
Quote from: wisconsinteacher on March 25, 2013, 03:57:47 PM
This land that he has hunted in the past (1 time 2 years ago) is only open to the Learn to Hunt (2 days) then the farmer shuts it down and no one gets in. I admit, I went to where he has hunted but he said he would not be there so I asked because of the bird activity and the fact that he did not ask. If he would have said he was hunting in that area, I would have kept driving. Again, I know I was wrong and plan on calling him to let him know that I will not be there and to wish him luck. I know taking the high road is the way to go and that it is just a turkey. I just want the kid I am taking to have the most opportunities that I can offer him to get a bird. I guess I get to competitive sometimes.
Call your buddy and tell him you asked the landowner because you didn't think he would be hunting it. Since the landowner opens up the land only for kids then your buddy should have no qualms in combining forces and taking 2 kids.
:agreed: I wouldn't be beating myself up over this. I would call him & explain that you didn't think he was going to be hunting there & was only trying to give your youth hunter a good chance of getting a bird. I don't see the big deal if you & him are there together. It's for the kids & after the youth 2 days you guys are not allowed to hunt there. If it was in the regular season & you were on the same land as me I still wouldn't mind b/c the fact is that the landowner could have gave a stranger permission to hunt there along with him and instead he allowed one of his friends to be there. I would rather see one of my friends have success than a complete stranger. Good luck to both you & your friends youth hunters......
Is there enough room to hunt two different spots?
Quote from: fallhnt on March 26, 2013, 02:02:58 PM
Is there enough room to hunt two different spots?
that's what I was going to ask, unless the birds do 100% the same thing everyday together in the same group you guys should both be able to hunt the property. Give him first choice on set up and hunt a few hundred yards away or on the other side of the field.
After all its about the kids
walk away ant teach the youth the proper way
Well, I talked to my buddy and both are now on the same page. I said that I was not trying to take his spot and sorry if he did feel that way. He said it was not an issue and he did not think I was doing that. In the past 3 days the birds have spread out so we are going to split up on the farm. We made a rule that if one shoots, they need to stay put for at least an hour so the other kid has a chance at the other birds in the field.
Sounds like it is working out. Good to hear!
Good luck on your season! :icon_thumright:
i would go with number 1
but this is my live by rule
never ever show anyone i mean no one a spot that you don't want to loose .and i always try to park where nobody can see my truck .
Been reading and waiting to see how everything turned out. Glad to see you guys got together on this and put the kids first. I wish you guys the best of luck this spring.