This is the scenario. You tell me if I am looking at this right or wrong.
Hunting a Public WMA I park next to another truck. I walk the almost mile down the fence line, into the woods, across the creek and follow another fence line away from any possible roosting sites. As I get to the blind I set 3 weeks ago for the youth hunt and I hear whistle and a see the I am here light. Not in my blind but 15 feet to the right of it this guy is sitting in a rough blind, I could not believe what I was experiencing. He asked if that is my blind. I shine my light from my blind to his repeatedly and say of course it is I just walked to it in the pitch black dark. I say really dude? He asked if I wanted him to leave. At this time I did not feel right saying yes as I was not the early bird and he was not actually in my blind. I believe this was his justification for being 15 feet away. Also in the dark and men with guns is not the time or place for controversy. I simply said Whatever dude you are already settled and the sun is about to break.
I walked back about 100 yards or so and watched the fence line with hardly any cover, not even a lot of cover for the birds either like the area with the blinds. 10:30 comes and I hear the boom. I give him 10 minutes and walk to him and his dead Jake. He said there were four and I may be able to call back the others. I proceeded to hear a few stories about how he once found an area crawling on his hands and knees that led to a lot of wildlife and now its a big trail and no animals. Also how he came across another area with 5 blinds in one little section. I believe he was again trying to justify his decisions. I wondered out loud if our turkey thug chairs were still in my blind and he said yes as he saw them yesterday when he hunted this spot.
Obviously I was pissed because I get so little time to actually get to the woods by myself. I usually have a kid or two in tow and always let them shoot. This one day I was actually going to hunt for me. I was set in a good spot. I know we don't own the woods and all areas are open game but come on. I left the blind so I could drive the hour and half and walk right into my spot. I would have rather he been in my blind and offered to leave if and when I arrived. He maybe should have set up at least 50 yards away to be considerate of other scouting and time.
Am I crying because I got but hurt I didn't get a turkey? Not really cause I don't even think I would have shot that bird. There is a nice old smart Tom there that I would rather focus on. Am I wrong or does this guy need a lesson in ethics? I hope that I am not wrong as I have already sent him an email on hunting ethics. You see I looked at his hunt card and he put his email address on it for pictures if necessary by game warden. I may have also written on his card that he hunted someone else's blind. :smiley-char092:
Sorry about the long story and thanks for commenting.
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2016, 01:34:29 PM
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
I would have to agree. Some of the nastiest arguments I've heard about from fellow duck hunters stemmed from hunters putting up blinds on public land and then trying to claim that spot for the season. It sounds to me that despite your disappointment you handled it well.
You knew someone was possibly there when you parked beside his truck. I do not think he did anything wrong. If I was him and saw the blind there I probably would have moved on, but he was there first.
Sent from the Strut Zone
Any reply is good with me and thanks. As I stated I would rather someone use the blind there and leave vs setting another one 15 feet away. I understand Public land hunting but the question is of ethics. I would never do it nor do I believe any hard working hunter would. Florida has no law against it during season. In the day before season and out the day after. More left there for convenience, those Turkey Thug chairs are heavy lil sumbitches.
I'm not trying to sound to harsh about it, but to summarize, he was right,...and you were wrong.
On a public hunting area, its "the early bird gets the worm". He was there first, regardless of whether your blind was in place or not. It sounds to me like he was pretty pleasant about the situation in even volunteering to leave even though he was there first. The proper course of action, in my opinion, is that you should have immediately backed out of the area and gone looking for another location to hunt. Tomorrow, get there first,...and you can rightfully expect the second guy that shows up to find another spot.
If you are concerned about someone setting up close to a blind you set up three weeks before, and that they chose that spot because your blind was there, my advice would be to take your blind with you when you are not hunting. If we could all just "reserve" our spots on public land for three weeks by setting up a blind, there would be blinds set up at every good location in every public area in the country.
Again, in my opinion, you owe the guy an apology if you sent him a note telling him his behavior was unethical.
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2016, 01:34:29 PM
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
This^^^
I can understand being upset that somebody is where I scouted to set up but you also got to consider some body else may have scouted the same area and are upset that someone's blind is set where they hunt, it is public land after all and that's what you should expect... Now where his ethics wind up are unknown, why did he set up only 15 yards away? Maybe he thought no one was hunting it and he was there already, did. No one know why he did what he did but it does seem he was remorseful by asking if he should leave and trying to have a conversation with you, maybe he'll be more careful next time and not set so close to a blind or maybe he didn't learn a thing, I'd recommend removing the blind in case you upset him he may try to take it.
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on April 07, 2016, 01:39:23 PM
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2016, 01:34:29 PM
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
I would have to agree. Some of the nastiest arguments I've heard about from fellow duck hunters stemmed from hunters putting up blinds on public land and then trying to claim that spot for the season. It sounds to me that despite your disappointment you handled it well.
BIG DITTO! It's public, but you are trying to save a spot by leaving out a blind?
With Florida allowing blinds to stay all season, I can see where that would get interesting. Can guys claim "their spot" on public ground by leaving their gear there? (theft risk aside). Does the guy that doesn't use a blind or chair have to yield to those that do, even if "mobile" hunter was there first?
As an official internet judge ;D , I'd have to rule in favor of the other guy - here's my reasoning:
It's public ground, without "reserved" blind sites (I'm assuming)
He was there 1st. Period.
Me, personally - I'd move on to find a spot that wasn't "tainted". BUT if I wanted to hunt a spot because I had an encounter with birds the day before, and it was near a blind that somebody had in place like they owned the place, and they weren't there when I found it, I wouldn't let it stop me from hunting the area.
Not busting your chops AT ALL - just offering up an objective opinion. I think YOU went over the top with the email about ethics - when I could say the same for you leaving stuff on public ground. Again, just sayin'... and you asked :camohat:
Honestly had it been me I would of rather had him use my blind that already there, instead of further burning up a spot by building another blind. Then when I arrived, I would have preferred him left, or could have hunted together.
Never expect anyone to take the high road on public land. Sure there are plenty of guys that do but there are always some that won't. So thankfully I hunt exclusively private land and clubs. Heck the clubs feel like public land sometimes, so I feel for you public only guys.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2016, 01:34:29 PM
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
There are some regional aspects to the "courtesies" of hunting...
But I agree with
SteelerFan. I would be angry that someone set up a blind to "hold their spot" on public ground.
In the duck hunting world, there are guys that will burn a duck blind on public ground (not legal or ethical either though).
I go to public land, get there before anyone else, someone sees my car, and then comes to hunt close to me cause he set up a blind 1 week ago??? I am telling him to pound sand and find a different spot for the morning.
Now, there are some odd regional and recognized codes of ethics for hunting and fishing that I have come across, and that may be the case here... But in my part of the country, I would say it is you who owes the apology. You do not get to own a public spot just cause you put your marker (i.e. blind) there, and if he beat you to the area, it is his spot for the morning (as I see it).
I hunted public land for YEARS and been in this situation more than once. the phrase PUBLIC means just that PUBLIC. not that I agree with it but that's just the way it is. now, with that being said....ethics needs to come into play. would I set up close to someones blind or stand even though it was public land? NO, I WOULD NOT but, if someone does they have the same right as you or I to be there.
I got tired of these situations and worked my butt off to lease a farm that I've had for several years now. everytime I lock that gate behind me I think...money well spent.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 07, 2016, 02:02:23 PM
I'm not trying to sound to harsh about it, but to summarize, he was right,...and you were wrong.
On a public hunting area, its "the early bird gets the worm". He was there first, regardless of whether your blind was in place or not. It sounds to me like he was pretty pleasant about the situation in even volunteering to leave even though he was there first. The proper course of action, in my opinion, is that you should have immediately backed out of the area and gone looking for another location to hunt. Tomorrow, get there first,...and you can rightfully expect the second guy that shows up to find another spot.
If you are concerned about someone setting up close to a blind you set up three weeks before, and that they chose that spot because your blind was there, my advice would be to take your blind with you when you are not hunting. If we could all just "reserve" our spots on public land for three weeks by setting up a blind, there would be blinds set up at every good location in every public area in the country.
Again, in my opinion, you owe the guy an apology if you sent him a note telling him his behavior was unethical.
this right here. honestly right or wrong he could have been sitting in your blind. I do not condon that but that's the truth. its just that , public land. first come first serve. imo you shouldn't have sent the guy a email about ethics. from what you said he was trying to be polite. that's more than I can say for many of the public land hunters around here.
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 07, 2016, 01:34:29 PM
You're not gonna like my answer, but I would be just as upset if I walked into a WMA early to hunt and found a blind set up like it was private ground. In Maryland, especially deer season, it is unlawful to leave stands and blinds on public ground when not in use. That has a tendency to alleviate these scenarios. Now, it doesn't fix the guy that walks in on you and sets up 20, 30, 50 yds away. That's where the ethics come into play, in my opinion.
:z-twocents:
I have to agree with this, really its who's out there the day of first. I don't really agree with marking a "my public spot" or treestand. Sure you found a good spot but so did someone else, what if he found that spot 4 weeks ago before you but doesn't own a blind so you didnt know when you set yours up, I'd also have no idea when you were coming back to hunt the blind... today, tomorrow, two weeks from now??
You did the right thing letting him have the spot as he was there first, its public land and that's just one of those things. It's always good to have a back up place
Without knowing more about the area, I would generally say parking and walking in where you know someone is hunting that piece of ground would cause me to question someone's ethics. Maybe it's small area with only one parking area and it's accepted, but I wouldn't do it unless I was able to talk to him at the truck and agree to hunt in different directions. Too much chance of one screwing up the other or, worse, having an accident.
Move on and hunt somewhere else would be the ethical thing to do. Also, this points to a problem with putting a blind on public ground. It shouts "this is a great spot."
Quote from: Bill Cooksey on April 07, 2016, 02:39:50 PM
Also, this points to a problem with putting a blind on public ground. It shouts "this is a great spot."
Great point...
Hunter's Specialties makes a cool little backpack blind (that was originally given to me for duck hunting). It is a ground blind (with no top), but it is very light, and takes less than two minutes to set up (in soft soil). It is vertically adjustable (can use it sitting on the ground or in a chair), and will make a great tool for me to use with the kids, and it does not soak up water too bad either...
It is call the
Hunter's Specialties Backpack Blind:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0P80TV4295&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-SG+-+Tree+Stands+%26+Blinds-_-9SIA0P80TV4295&gclid=Cj0KEQjwipi4BRD7t6zGl6m75IgBEiQAn7CfF5biEQ6jLWAZWoE0avLhrXKRirWSbc9o1vR-nO11jwoaAki_8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
We have a storm coming in on the only day I can hunt this week, and I plan on using it (with a camouflage umbrella)... Tough to sit still and not move when you do not hear or see anything, and birds tend to sneak in on me quietly during the rain.
So the guy beat you to public land and you sent him an email on ethics and wrote on his card something completely not true? Sir it is YOU that needs a lesson on ethics! Why would you lie about the guy!
I would've moved on when I saw another vehicle parked there. It might be different down there but here in PA on public land if there's another vehicle where I planned on parking I head to a different spot. I wouldn't want to screw up another guys hunt. Unfortunately , a lot of other hunters here don't feel the same way and will set up right on top of you.
If I were the other guy, and had you walk in on me, and then send me an e-mail regarding ethics, and then I found out you wrote on my hunt card a lie that I had hunted out of your blind and turned it into the authorities......If I ever saw your vehicle in the woods again, you would be putting a new engine in it or buying some new tires.
Ok. I understand the backlash on my own personal ethics of sharing with him how I felt. At least I did not screw up both of our hunts and he got his bird. We have all been walked up on in the woods at some point and I kept our interaction under 1 minute at a whisper, not like some will do in the woods with 10 minute convos. I was there for the hunt as well.
As far as the parking. The spot to park can feed walkins in all directions. As stated the walk is over a mile in and woods everywhere to go different directions. Where I crossed creek I saw no sign of him crossing. What were the chances of going to same spot. There has been 4 cars before and never saw another hunter. So the odds I guess. I felt I did the right thing as I said He was the early bird and gave it up.
Thanks for the replies and I guess once in a while we all need an ethical wake up. Myself included.
I will send an apology email and hope I never walk out to 4 flat tires on my truck.
Quote from: Hooksfan on April 07, 2016, 03:36:52 PM
If I were the other guy, and had you walk in on me, and then send me an e-mail regarding ethics, and then I found out you wrote on my hunt card a lie that I had hunted out of your blind and turned it into the authorities......If I ever saw your vehicle in the woods again, you would be putting a new engine in it or buying some new tires.
Wow talk about ethics. Over an email? really?
Quote from: dadsahuntin on April 07, 2016, 03:41:41 PM
Quote from: Hooksfan on April 07, 2016, 03:36:52 PM
If I were the other guy, and had you walk in on me, and then send me an e-mail regarding ethics, and then I found out you wrote on my hunt card a lie that I had hunted out of your blind and turned it into the authorities......If I ever saw your vehicle in the woods again, you would be putting a new engine in it or buying some new tires.
Wow talk about ethics. Over an email? really?
I believe you are having a basic failure to comprehend that YOU were in the wrong here and in need of the email on ethics. The email would have just ticked me off and I would have thought if you had something to say to me you should have just said it to my face. The note to the authorities based upon a lie about me is what would have generated the retaliation. The actions you took is what I classify as chicken%$@# and anyone who would engage in that deserves no better, IMO.
You said you welcomed and could handle all opinions, so there ya have mine.
I missed the part about the note and e-mail. You definitely owe the fellow an apology. He sounded pretty gracious about the whole thing. Maybe you can turn this into something positive.
Quote from: mote1977 on April 07, 2016, 03:15:07 PM
I would've moved on when I saw another vehicle parked there. It might be different down there but here in PA on public land if there's another vehicle where I planned on parking I head to a different spot. I wouldn't want to screw up another guys hunt. Unfortunately , a lot of other hunters here don't feel the same way and will set up right on top of you.
Man that's some really open land you got up there.
I'm not going to echo what everyone else has said, though I feel the same way. But, I would rather find him sitting 15 from my blind than 50 yards away and me not know he was there and not be able to see him. You might would have bigger problems on your hands had those gobblers come in between you and him!!! Turkey hunting is a dangerous sport, whether public or private. I'd hate to get shot in the head at fifty yards, even with those low-penetrating lead pellets!!
Apology email sent. We are all human and no doubt emotional people. Thanks to all. I own up to my faults and failures. Actually I wrote. " Set up on other blind" not in. Not that it makes it any better but what I wrote was not a lie.
Glad to know you did that. You may have just gained a new turkey hunting partner if you can play it right.
Quote from: dadsahuntin on April 07, 2016, 04:10:21 PM
Apology email sent. We are all human and no doubt emotional people. Thanks to all. I own up to my faults and failures. Actually I wrote. " Set up on other blind" not in. Not that it makes it any better but what I wrote was not a lie.
We all make mistakes,...and live and learn. You seem like a decent guy and the fact that you are willing to look objectively at it now that you have received input,...and are making the attempt to set things right means a lot. Stay with us here. We generally all have our hearts in the right place and want to help each other out in a positive manner.
Quote from: ruination on April 07, 2016, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: mote1977 on April 07, 2016, 03:15:07 PM
I would've moved on when I saw another vehicle parked there. It might be different down there but here in PA on public land if there's another vehicle where I planned on parking I head to a different spot. I wouldn't want to screw up another guys hunt. Unfortunately , a lot of other hunters here don't feel the same way and will set up right on top of you.
Man that's some really open land you got up there.
Yep, lots of great public land hunting in PA. My favorite "spot" is 517,000 acres, lol. I only hunt during the week anymore and rarely see another hunter in the woods.
I would have sent you a email back telling you where to put your so called ethics and other BS. I would be pretty hot if I got into an area early just to have someone walk in at almost day light and tell me this is their spot because they left piled up some sticks. Glad you apologized.
Quote from: dadsahuntin on April 07, 2016, 04:10:21 PM
Apology email sent. We are all human and no doubt emotional people. Thanks to all. I own up to my faults and failures. Actually I wrote. " Set up on other blind" not in. Not that it makes it any better but what I wrote was not a lie.
Well done! We all make mistakes, glad you were man enough to admit it and make an effort to rectify it...sadly, some never do. My hunting group only hunts public land, also in Florida, and always have a plan B and C. We get shined off now and than, no big deal, move on to our next spot.
Quote from: dadsahuntin on April 07, 2016, 04:10:21 PM
Apology email sent. We are all human and no doubt emotional people. Thanks to all. I own up to my faults and failures. Actually I wrote. " Set up on other blind" not in. Not that it makes it any better but what I wrote was not a lie.
I may have also written on his card that he hunted someone else's blind. :smiley-char092:
This is what you wrote in your original post and if this is what you put on the card then it is a lie. If this is not what you put on the card then you shouldnt have wrote here that it is and people wouldnt have called it a lie. What you wrote here says he hunted a blind that was not his and not that he hunted close to someone elses blind.
Not to beat a dead horse here BUT setting up a blind to "hold" your spot is not cool. Yes a week or so I set up a blind on public land for youth season. I did it the evening before we hunted and took it down when we walked out. You are lucky the blind was still there.
I hunt public ground a lot here at home for not just turkeys but deer also.
I go by 2 rules
1) If someone else is there I leave. I'm not interested in ruining a hunt or being shot accidentally. To me a ruined hunt could simply just be the loss of enjoyment for myself or others.
2) I never deceive anyone. Meaning I don't leave stands, park here but hunt over there, etc. I park where I hunt and carry my stuff in, and when I leave I carry it all out. I tend to live by the rule of do unto others. If I see a truck I back out, and I respect those who do it to me.
I personally wouldn't leave a blind out, actually rarely hunt out of one. One thing I am always prepared to do on public land is move to another spot in case of other hunters.
Regarding public property, permanent stands used to be unlawful here in NY. Reason...as conveyed by a DEC officer...because they denoted ownership. Within the last few years they now allow them...my question to them would be what has changed regarding the "ownership policy"?
I will admit that a few weeks ago I put out a blind for youth season,we got there EARLY and honestly expected someone to be there and have to move on. I put it up the evening before and took it down the next day.
I am still reading all your comments and thoroughly feeling the schmuck factor, as I hope all of us had at some point. Reflecting, we both did the right thing and I commend the gentleman for his maturity. I feel I originally handled it properly by backing out without problems, the choice was mine. Even after he got his bird, I congratulated him and we both parted without incident. These are the ethics and manners of which we speak of. It was handled properly.
So now we are all fresh on our public land ethics and what all should do. Isn't this why the forum is here to begin with, to have open discussions. I appreciate the honesty and really not receiving the berating I deserve for turning Sally after the fact. That is the devil boys, that's how he works. Just when you go and handle things the right way there he is to undue it all.
I know what I will do next time. The same thing, but remembering who I am and not letting anger, remorse and changed plans to have an affect on someone else spirit as well as mine. Thanks again.
Quote from: catman529 on April 07, 2016, 05:13:25 PM
I personally wouldn't leave a blind out, actually rarely hunt out of one. One thing I am always prepared to do on public land is move to another spot in case of other hunters.
This^^^^^^^
I avoid blinds unless I have a young hunter with me.
Sometimes, no matter who gets there first, there can be potential problems. I always make sure I have a couple places to hunt just in case, and will leave and avoid any confrontation.
If someone shines a light, I'm off to another spot.
Couple of thoughts from a fellow FL public land hunter. First, I was kind of fired up when I read this, but you seem to be open minded and willing to accept a majority opinion. Although I disagree with how you handled it to start, I am very impressed with how you have handled it since then. You sound like a thoughtful person and made a mistake out of ignorance, not malice.
Next, to those saying they always move on when they see a truck, I understand what you are saying, and in my area, where we are hunting 550,000 acres, that is the norm as well (except for the jackarses). But there are plenty of small public tracts in Florida that hold lots of birds where you would never hunt if that was how you hunted. Just the way it is in those places.
Reminds me of me doing this one time - with ducks. We got into them hard one evening in MS. We were at the end of a huge oxbow and did not see another soul all day. So we left our dekes out. When we got back in the morning, there were some guys there. We told them we would pick up our dekes and get out of their way - that we were being lazy and thought no one would find our spot. They seemed surprised and were very gracious and there were only 2 of them and they offered to just hunt together - which we did and had a good shoot. But we knew when we pulled up that if they had wanted our dekes, we left them and they were abandoned property on public water-we were in the wrong. Decoys and blinds do not hold a spot on public land. At least not in MS, FL, GA and MO (the only places I have hunted ducks), but I would suspect most everywhere.
This guy may have found these birds and accidentally found your blind. If I had been in his shoes, I would have don exactly what he did. Set up close enough so there was no doubt if you came in I would see you. For safety reasons for both of you. I agree the guy was very cool and I would have been friendly, but would not have offered to leave.
Sounds like everyone learned a lesson that was involved. I do not think he was in the least unethical to set up that close to a blind. Not a bit and I would not use another man's blind - only set up close enough I could see them come in.
Hey I have flipped out and screamed at people only after thinking the whole thing over,then realize that I was the one that was dead wrong ......it happens
The only time I told off a hunter was when he knew I was there calling a gobbler and he started to head in the direction of the gobbler into the woods on the other side of power lines he got busted by the gobbler and he came walking out looking like a dumbass, I told him what I thought and he apologized but I feel like he should have known better... Oh well thats public land for ya and if you do take a turkey on public land it very rewarding.
Quote from: g8rvet on April 07, 2016, 05:40:50 PM
Couple of thoughts from a fellow FL public land hunter. First, I was kind of fired up when I read this, but you seem to be open minded and willing to accept a majority opinion. Although I disagree with how you handled it to start, I am very impressed with how you have handled it since then. You sound like a thoughtful person and made a mistake out of ignorance, not malice.
Next, to those saying they always move on when they see a truck, I understand what you are saying, and in my area, where we are hunting 550,000 acres, that is the norm as well (except for the jackarses). But there are plenty of small public tracts in Florida that hold lots of birds where you would never hunt if that was how you hunted. Just the way it is in those places.
Reminds me of me doing this one time - with ducks. We got into them hard one evening in MS. We were at the end of a huge oxbow and did not see another soul all day. So we left our dekes out. When we got back in the morning, there were some guys there. We told them we would pick up our dekes and get out of their way - that we were being lazy and thought no one would find our spot. They seemed surprised and were very gracious and there were only 2 of them and they offered to just hunt together - which we did and had a good shoot. But we knew when we pulled up that if they had wanted our dekes, we left them and they were abandoned property on public water-we were in the wrong. Decoys and blinds do not hold a spot on public land. At least not in MS, FL, GA and MO (the only places I have hunted ducks), but I would suspect most everywhere.
This guy may have found these birds and accidentally found your blind. If I had been in his shoes, I would have don exactly what he did. Set up close enough so there was no doubt if you came in I would see you. For safety reasons for both of you. I agree the guy was very cool and I would have been friendly, but would not have offered to leave.
Sounds like everyone learned a lesson that was involved. I do not think he was in the least unethical to set up that close to a blind. Not a bit and I would not use another man's blind - only set up close enough I could see them come in.
Wise words sir and thanks for taking the time. If I did not park there I would have less than a handful of other options. The parking deal there I believe is accepted. I do wish I had said ok you stay there and call and I will sit and take any leftovers.
Lessons were learned by me today, but not had I opened up to opinions. Down deep I knew I went astray and I guess it turned into confessional. I guess we know the answer to the title question.
First off congrats on accepting the criticism. I always have admired people who can admit when they screw up and to be honest all of us have. I have played the public land game for many years and I have been there to a T. Well all but the blind part ha ha. That being said I think with a little more age and I would like to think a little more maturity from my younger days I have been able to handle it much better. Just this past opening day of deer season I reached my chosen stand location a full hour and a half before dawn. When I got there a woke up a young man who had come in sometime in the night and was sleeping there. After apologizing for scaring the crap out of him I got to talking to him and he had driven all day from Pennsylvania I believe it was and hit the woods as soon as he arrived. He was a great fellow and offered the stand back to me since I had marked it with a reflective tack. I couldn't do it and didn't want it. He had beat me hands down and he deserved it. Back when I was younger I would have circled him and short stood him just out of childish anger. That's not something I am proud of but it's the ugly truth. There are a lot of people who are pretty crappy out on public land and I just walk away anymore. But sometimes if you slow down a little and don't let your initial emotions get the better of you then you meet some really decent people.
Quote from: dadsahuntin on April 07, 2016, 05:33:09 PM
I am still reading all your comments and thoroughly feeling the schmuck factor, as I hope all of us had at some point. Reflecting, we both did the right thing and I commend the gentleman for his maturity. I feel I originally handled it properly by backing out without problems, the choice was mine. Even after he got his bird, I congratulated him and we both parted without incident. These are the ethics and manners of which we speak of. It was handled properly.
So now we are all fresh on our public land ethics and what all should do. Isn't this why the forum is here to begin with, to have open discussions. I appreciate the honesty and really not receiving the berating I deserve for turning Sally after the fact. That is the devil boys, that's how he works. Just when you go and handle things the right way there he is to undue it all.
I know what I will do next time. The same thing, but remembering who I am and not letting anger, remorse and changed plans to have an affect on someone else spirit as well as mine. Thanks again.
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Quote from: g8rvet on April 07, 2016, 05:40:50 PM
Couple of thoughts from a fellow FL public land hunter. First, I was kind of fired up when I read this, but you seem to be open minded and willing to accept a majority opinion. Although I disagree with how you handled it to start, I am very impressed with how you have handled it since then. You sound like a thoughtful person and made a mistake out of ignorance, not malice.
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Sounds like you put your bib on and ate a plate full of crow...
Making mistakes is common as we have all made them... Owning up to them is less common. Well done sir.
There are a lot of books and articles on turkey hunting... From the biology to the tactics, there is quite a bit of information out there... Very little written on hunting ethics (not that anyone would read about it anyways). I think all of us who have followed this thread are better for it (hopefully).
I put a friend on a bird this morning with the caution, "get there early and let the other guy be the one saying MF". Two vehicles came in there and left saying just that. If it is important that I hunt a particular spot, I get there early and if I am not early enough I only have myself to blame.