I ran into an old friend I grew up with and he told me he had bought an old boyscout camp (80 acres) out in the country. I asked him if there were deer and if so could I hunt the property. He informed me there were two guys hunting there already but he didn't mind if I hunted there also. I started to scout the property in early august and decided to put my stand up on the south side of the property as there were stands and blinds set up on the north side along with a feeder. Opening day arrived and at 9am I'm approached by one of the other hunters and his brother-in-law (safety in numbers I guess). He tells me he hunts in the area I'm in and I'll have to move somewhere else. He informs me of where I'm allowed to set up which ends up being approximately a 1 acre spot along a neighbors fence. He also informs me that he also may come over and hunt my area from time to time. Mind you this guy has no more rights to this property than I do, I was respectful to not set up my stand the first time in any spots where he had stands, blinds, and feeders out. In the few times we spoke he seemed totally pissed off that my friend allowed me to hunt the property. I can kind of see why he's upset but c'mon man, I'm about to give him the big screw you pal and set up where ever I feel like. He's not very friendly and he struts around there like he owns the place, so how do I handle this guy? I have some ideas on how to handle him but 30 days in the lock up will make me miss the rut.
This is a tough one. You don't say (because you may not know) how long those other couple of guys had been working that land in order to harvest a deer. In reality, if he didn't expect someone else to show up, he was probably attempting to use every bit of the property. Then you show up and throw his whole game plan into a tizzy. But that's not your fault, all you're trying to do is get a little hunting in. Me personally, I wouldn't bring it up to your friend. I hate these type of awkward situations. I don't know why everyone can't work toward just having some fun and being happy that there are other people like you still out there. But that's for another thread. I'd contact the guy and ask him to get together, sit down for beer or coffee and play "country dumb", you probably know 20 times more than this guy does about bowhunting, but just act like he's smarter and better than you. Let him get his rocks off by bestowing all of the knowledge that he has onto you. FACT: People like you more when they're talking to you. Let him talk, shut up and listen. If you do this, buy the coffee and/or beer, I'd almost guarantee that the land will magically open up to you. In short, stroke his ego. Swallow a little pride, and get more land and no hard feelings. Who knows the guy might not be so bad, some people just act like a$$ when they're around people that they don't know.
Very good advice. Honestly, with it only being 80 acres and hunters already having the rights to hunt it, your friend should probably have told you no or he should have checked with the hunters that already had permission. I've been in he same situation and in the long run I wished that that is the way it had been handled. I do think that you did everything on your part correctly and ethically as far as going to the opposite side of the property. Best of luck to ya however it turns out.
Sounds like there's a big boy running around out there somewhere and dude knows it. Hunt together respectfully. To the victor go the spoils. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
Although it is only 80 acres the surrounding farmers fields and woods make it hunt like it was 500 acres, so the venison is not in short supply. I do know he has been hunting there for about 5 years but does not have any exclusive rights to the property. When I had my buddy sign my paper for rights to hunt there this other hunter had a cow, he wanted me to sign on to his agreement paper. Not sure if that would somehow put me under his authority or not but either way I have the land owners permission in writing and that lit this guys fuse when he found out. One of the things I found kind of humorous was this guy teaches hunter education classes, imagine this guy teaching new hunters to be courteous to your fellow hunters!
kind of ask for more space along with possible sharing stands and try to work something out where both sides win
just got home from hunting. saw a super nice 10 point thick rack, 7 yards away but he was behind to much brush and stick trees. trying again late afternoon.
Well, did you hunt where you were told I'd say something to my buddy and let him know what was going on. My guess things with the other guy is going to get ugly so you might as well figure out where you stand with your buddy. Good luck with whatever you decide.
