Spring Scouting Ethics-- how would members handle this??

[guesswho]

I doubt if he would have ever had the opportunity to speak to me if I was there first.   

[LaLongbeard]

I've seen a lot over the years hunting public land. I go out of my way to avoid other hunters. Sometimes on National forest land with so many roads you can't get far enough away from them. I've come to the desision if someone comes in on me by accident is one thing but if done on purpose we're going to have a problem right there. Feel free to role over an let people walk over you if you want I've got other plans.
Id have offered that guy to shut up once ....after that it's on him.

[Gobbler428]

That type situation, among others, is why I pay to hunt private land.  If you hunt public land, this type situation, unfortunately, "comes with the territory".

[quavers59]

Well Phillipshunt-- I have a long fuse and being a Public Land Turkey Hunter-- I have seen alot of different people. This guy did not have a bad attitude at least and I moved on. Best to avoid any type of Confrontation if possible. More so in the still semi-dark woods. I used to teach the martial arts and avoiding any escalating situation is your best bet.

[fallhnt]

I would have shot his truck but then again I am from the south.

South Detroit? He was scouting not hunting. Lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[LaLongbeard]

quavers59 the letting someone walk over you comment wasn't directed to you. I wish I had a longer fuse but I don't and if I know someone is intentionally trying to ruin my hunt I feel it is only right to ruin his day.

[Kylongspur88]

I don't have much to say to people on public land. But then against I don't see many people where I hunt. Big steep hills are your friend on public land and tend to insulate you from the other hunters.

[g8rvet]

I messed a guy up one time.  He was hunting a bird right near the main road.  But there was a washout and he drove 3 miles around and came back to the bird from south of it, so I had no way of knowing he was there.  I had seen the bird's tracks scouting. I was late because I had been to a private spot but the owner's son had shown up so I left him to hunt it alone and moved to public. I chose this bird knowing if someone was hunting there, they would park their truck right by the main road.  Figured I would mess no one else up being late. We stepped out and the bird gobbled so we moved in on him.  After it was over (he liked my nephew's calling better, just did not offer a shot as he walked by him) the dude comes out (or across the creek really).  I asked if he had been hunting there and he acted disgusted.  I pointed out where he should have parked but still apologized to him several times.  Then he started acting like a male appendage.  I just told him "Life's tough, slick, get a helmet".  My nephew walked up as we were escalating and told him it was public land, tough feces.  He changed his tune.  But I always start nice. Only really bad one I have had.  Had birds I was working shot, but from the other side of the creek or swamp, certainly not their fault.  Heck, I have probably done it to someone and did not know it.

Now duck hunting?  I got a ton of stories. 

[Tail Feathers]

I've walked up on another hunter or two.  Had it done to me as well.  It was never intentional and it happens.  If I'm close to the hunter, I'll speak very softly to apologize and back out fast.  If I'm not very close, I'll wave and beat feet the way I came from.

[GobbleNut]

I could see 3-toed tracks in the mud. The middle toe being a good 4'.

If I saw tracks in the mud with the middle toe 4' long, I wouldn't be worried about another hunter,...other than hoping I could outrun him.   

[quavers59]

Plenty of good replys here. My Sister said it best-- everyone wants the big bird. I get up later when I scout. I am up by 3am  when I hunted though and usually don't see another hunter until on the way out.

[1iagobblergetter]

I could see 3-toed tracks in the mud. The middle toe being a good 4'.

If I saw tracks in the mud with the middle toe 4' long, I wouldn't be worried about another hunter,...other than hoping I could outrun him.   

[Deast1988]

It's common, we leave early get in early. First to park at spot. Leave truck only vehicle at the gate. When we left after we killed a bird. 5 trucks decided to park right behind us. No courtesy no plan B literally all in the same block of woods.

I went to each vehicle and put a patch of chest feathers under the windshield wipers. Why? To show them one less bird was there for them to hunt.

[Gamblinman]

I feel so fortunate not having to deal with these issues out here. I did have to deal with a trespasser last year and it got heated, but that's the first real issue I've had in years.

[tha bugman]

really nothing to do about it.  I have had several incidents like this, some less, some more intense.  One time this older gentleman showed up at my camp and began engaging in psychological warfare.  I guess he thought he was trying to get into my mind.  I played none the wiser, went and killed my turkeys, slipped back into camp each time without him even knowing I had done any good.  Amazing what some folks will do.