"Blind" ethics

[Stalker]

I do not use a blind, and I have no problem with them. My issue is people putting them out weeks before season with the intention of claiming the spot. Had an issue with a young punk last year who felt the need to try to school me on turkey hunting, and how I am spooking turkeys the way I hunt. I took the high road last year and moved on. I have always thought if you are there first you should get the spot. If I was hunting with a gun it wouldn't matter, and I do have other spots. But that's not the point. Shouldn't the early bird get the worm?

[RUSTY]

I'm assuming we are talking about public land? The way I see it wether if it is a blind or a tree stand, if the owner of it is not there when I show up, the spot is up for grabs. Now don't get me wrong I would never sit in another man's stand or blind. And I would not go out of my way to intentionally try to set up in a spot where someone has a setup already. But some guys think of public land as theirs just cause the have something setup already! Doesn't work that way in my book. Wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least if my state came out and said that you couldn't put anything permanent on public hunting land (IE blinds, lock on stands). That way it would definitely be first come first served and there wouldn't be anymore "my stand got stolen on public land" posts!!

[Venator]

I agree with both of you guys. However, I also believe that anyone that has the intention on "claiming" a piece of public is totally in the wrong. At the end of the day we all have to remember that it is public land that is free to anyone and everyone. Stalker my feelings are that you set a good example in taking the high road. The problem is the young punk that does not understand that public land is public land. My beliefs are that if we do not stick together as hunters as a group then we will be seperated in the end and forced to choose sides and fight battles against each other, especially when it comes to hunting policies and restrictions. We need to fight to keep our public land public and support each other in this aspect. This also means supporting each other in the field when our so called paths cross, even if it means taking that high road at times. I hope at the end of the day that the young individual will realise his mistake and learn from it.

At the end of the day we should all be grateful that we have public land and that we have the ability to hunt these areas at our own free will. Imagine living in a place like Margly does and not being able to bow hunt at all.

[Stalker]

The land is privately owned by a family that does not hunt. They let just about anyone hunt there so it is not much different than state land. It is about 600 acres and I have hunted it since I was 12. I am getting older and grumpier and don't how many more high roads I can take. I thought blinds were designed to go up in a jiffy so you can carry it in and set it up quickly. I do not believe you have to set them up to get turkeys used to them seeing as turkeys are about as smart as a rock! Again I have nothing against blinds and do not mean to offend anyone. This is about courtesy and ethics!

[RUSTY]

Ah, see that makes it a touchier situation. If the land owner gave you both permission I think you guys have to work something out!! How many people use that 600 acres? If it's just a couple I would see about setting it up kinda like a club. Post a board tha has a map of the land. Mark the stand and blind locations. You get there put your pin on the spot you want. If you get there and someone else has it marked, go to a different spot!

[ronyag]

I share 500 private with 3 others and we all let each other know what areas we intend to hunt and try not to encrouch on the the other guy. Sometimes the younger one's wander around a bit and we let them know they are better off staying put by demonstrating sucess. I am carefull to always leave an area of refuge for the animals to go to which keeps them on the land instead of running to the next county.

[Stalker]

Thanks guys for good advise, I really wish it was that easy. I hunt this with over 20 people on and off, that come in from all directions. One thing is , it is on a hill that requires considerable walking so generally most people come and go in about 2 years. Bad thing is there seems to always be somebody new who thinks they have the place all to themselves with no consideration about the people who have been there for years. I know I am blessed to be able to hunt such a nice property,I just wish some people could be a little more considerate. I should mention the punk who I spoke about, it was his first day ever hunting that property! Venator you are right I could not imagine living in a place I could not bowhunt!

[Medic77]

Wow, tough situation and hard to say what I would do. The high road is usually a kick in the teeth. The person that takes it is usually right and is conceding. I feel for you but you are doing what you know is right.

[Ragnarok Forge]

First come first served. If you set up there in the pre dawn and he comes in later and wants to hunt he is out of luck. Putting a stand or blind up does not give you claim to anything. It is illegal in Washington to leave anything permanent on public land. When I find tree stands or blinds on public land I call the game department and state police and one or the other comes out and removes the "litter". As for private land, usually a short polite conversation with the person solves the problem. I find most people are reasonable. In todays high tech society young hunters often don't have a family member or mentor to guide them. They have never learned hunting ethics or etiquette. They learn everything from watching some JA on TV and watching videos of idiots jumping around and whooping after making a kill. It can even pay off to take the punk under your wing. You may find out he is taking you hunting when your 80 and can no longer drive.

[bjorn]

I have had the pleasure of hunting with you Forge and know you are a class act, good advice. I'll be 80 in 14 years if I am still alive...............about time I started being extra nice to the young 'uns!