“Zeke Question for the board. Hunting on public land, I’ve come upon ground blinds made out of natural materials. I’ve never felt right about sitting in them, since someone has worked to build them. At the same time, given that they are often in good spots with ideal views of the area, it doesn’t really seem fair to concede the spot on public land just because someone has built a blind. What do others think? If you built a natural blind on public land would you be angry if someone else was sitting in it?” Kevin responded: I also hunt public land and have hunted this particular area for nearly two decades along with other hunting companions. Over the years we have built numerous ground blinds there,almost too many to count. Anyone has the right to use those blinds because after all it’s public land, but when the season is well under way it becomes pretty obvious when a blind is being used seeing that the leaves have been removed. That's where a hunter that finds one not built by them has to make a judgement call of their own. “Do I hunt from this at the risk of having my hunt possibly blown by the guy or gal that built it or do I carry on to another spot”. If the blind is full of leaves then that decision becomes a little easier. I’ve yet to encounter anyone in one of the blinds we’ve built and if that occurs I think I would simply make it known that I built it and see what their reaction is. If they graciously offer it back then I’ll gladly accept that offer and perhaps point them in the direction of another blind. If they respectfully choose to stay then I’ll lead myself to another. Now if they become a real jerk about it I’ll simply drop over the next ridge in the direction the deer are most likely to travel from and short stand them. For a person to beat me to a blind I built they better spend the night in it though because I’ll be there at least an hour before daylight if not sooner.In short,if you build something in the public one should expect it to be a public fixture,but respecting it is key. Kevin is obviously no person I would want to know ever. How can someone build a blind on Public land and claim it for his own when someone else occupies it? Then to top it off because the person won't leave he places himself or others in the indirect line of fire. For What!? To prove a point or to cause bodily injury? Sadly there are many Kevin's out there what do you think?
It is on public land, made out of materials from public land. I would not feel bad about using it unless I damaged it in some way. I would also see if there were any way I could improve it because I like to leave things in better condition than I found them. If someone were in a blind I built on public land, I would simply wish them a good hunt and go somewhere else. If I were in a blind someone else built, I would hope they did the same for me. At any rate, it wouldn't be anything for me to get all worked up about either way.
Theres a blind made from wood in the State park where I bear hunt(which is illegal in pa) but I usually climb the tree right near it, I wouldnt use it cause its illegal, but basically when Im in a tree right near it that means no one else is going to us it either. I dont feel bad at all especially cause its not supposed to be there.
Graciously offer kevin "his" blind back, let him get good and settled in and then simply drop over the next ridge in the direction the deer are most likely to travel from and short stand him.
I personally wouldn't hunt someone elses blind. Not because I don't think it is right but, for the simple fact I don't want my hunt ruined because I used it. I have never hunted public land but, that will be changing this coming season. I may never build a blind as you speak of but, if I did and someone else was using it when I got there, I would wish them a good hunt and move on to a complely different spot. If you build something on pubic land, it is for public use just the same as if you leave a stand on public land, you know the risk so don't get mad when it isn't there anymore.
I am glad I just walk in and set up with my climber. I don't have to worry about people being friggin nuts about hunting.
I have a couple lean ups on public land that stay there all season .. i have a laminated card that is attached to the bottom of the ladder stating that "if you want to sit this stand feel free but please leave it in the condition it was when you found it. Happy Hunting. -GADNR" .. now I might be lying about me being a GADNR but I've never had a stand stolen. I'm not to worried about walking in on anyone and if I do I just wave and back out and head to the next spot. Typically after that person knows that you know that stand is there they won't sit it anymore for fear that you might ruin the hunt again. -everything is fair game on public land.
I'm a public land hunter and have a few blinds built, If I ever showed up to one and it was being used, I'd simply turn around and head somewhere down trail a few hundred yards. They are there for the public to use in my opinion. I've had a guy walk into one i was in and waved him in. We ended up hunting it together. He took one ridge I took the other ( Left and Right ) Hunting for me isn't about having to get a deer but being out there.
For me I personally wouldn't hunt out of it cause as NewEnglandDuh stated I wouldn't want my hunt ruined cause me and another hunter discussing a area !!! On the reverse though I can't see why a person would get up tight over someone being in it cause after all it's "Public Land". Funny though what you will find on Public Land though. Just yesterday went Shed Hunting with my Wife and 2 Kids and came upon 2 Ladder Stands in which 1 was actually locked around the tree, and it wasn't done by DCNR either!!!
