Hey everyone. For the new guys (me) is there a short list of things to do /not do when hunting public land ? I was specifically thinking of what to do if recovering a deer in an area where I might encounter another hunter. This led me to realize that I don't know what I don't know. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks, Jim
Man it's kind of tough to say without knowing what type of public land you're hunting... large, small, high pressure etc. My thought is that if you kill a deer, go get it. Your dead deer is worth more than any deer than "that guy" might see. He should understand that's part of hunting public land.
Personally,if the deer ran off and I expected a little bit of a walk.I would most likely sit out the hunt for a bit instead of walking through the woods at prime time.If I saw it go down,I am getting him and going home.Unless I wanted to make it a double. The tricky situation is do you go in if someone is parked in your spot.If I don't have a stand in the woods,I go on down the road but if I have stand in place,I go hunt it.
I think if the woods are jumping with deer, then it is best to lay low for a bit with an eye on your deer, especially if you see guys set up in blaze orange and ready to blast. If not, proceed as normal and recover your deer. Those are the breaks when hunting public land. And oh yeah, like shed said, ask someone to help drag it out!
I always hang posted signs around the public land areas where I hunt. It keeps everybody else away, so I never have any problems. If I do encounter another guy, I tell him that he's on private property, and that he needs to make a quick and direct retreat back into the public area. I scream and yell and pound on my chest. If that doesn't work, I get physical.
I say walk about 10 yards from the hunter with big ol fat cigar and fire that baby up and no problems at all you will have the place all to yourself.:-) Quicky I'm afraid to ask but define physical please, lol
If it is cool enough out and I can see my deer Id stay in my stand for awhile just in case something else comes along and to not disturb the area to much. If its warm out or I cant see my deer Id be down and going after it. No one could rightfully get upset about that. Handle it the way you would want someone to if the roll was reversed and what is best for your Kill.
the public land Ive hunted we try to get in early walk as far out as we can and stay till dark or mid day before returning to avoid confrontation with other hunters and so far it has worked well for us but I did watch I guy retrieve a deer from right under my stand and I never said anything.
To paraphrase a golden rule: Treat other public hunters how you would like to be treated. A little bit of common sense goes a long way.
I like the answer gplant gave. I have shot multiple deer on a set numerouse times because I stayed put. Like he said though, if you can't see your deer and you think there may be other hunters in the area then get down. Unfortunately there seems to be a surprising number of low life's out there that would steal your deer.
Early season you give the deer the right amount of time for the hit and jump right on it, because it won't be there long on the public land around me. Late season when the city slickers and burbs have figured out its much nicer watching Lee and Tif or Stan Potts kill deer on TV you dont need to worry
1) Remember what the term "public" means, and respect it. 2) Don't expect exclusivity, you're sharing land with others. 3) If someone else sets up nearby ask him to move politely, if he doesn't then go elsewhere, it isn't worth fighting about. 4) If you shoot a deer get on it as quickly as you can, if you don't someone else will take it unless you can prove you shot it. When in doubt let the other guy eat his tag. 5) Fouling someone else's set up because they got in to "your spot" before you did is childish and merits a fat lip. 6) Know the terrain, especially the backstop. 7) Do not shoot until you can visually aquire your target!! 8) Pack out more than you packed in. 9) Bury your gutpile, it keeps the coyotes to a minimum, and makes for a better smelling woods. 10) Always be as quiet as possible.
If you shoot a deer go get it. If the shot is questionable you should wait (as you would anywhere) The further you push it the more likely someone else might claim it. Be courteous and respectful to others. Get your deer quietly and get out if others are near. You can celebrate later. Do what you would want the other hunters to do if the roles were reversed. DON'T LITTER AND PICK UP OTHER PEOPLES LITTER. I always believed that the first guy there gets the spot. Others may not follow this rule. I once hiked - in the dark- way back in to an area that had a nice rub line. When I got close there was another guy there! I told him good luck and walked out. Lend a hand to your fellow hunters. It's nice to know the guys that are hunting your area and you may be in need some day as well. Public land seems to always have hunters coming and going. Have alternate stand sites picked out so that if someone shows up unexpectantly you have a backup plan.
Treat others with respect & you'll get the same. IF you shoot a deer, definitely go after asap. there are unscrupulous hunters out there that will try to tag your deer. Not saying that's everyone, but they're out there. I"ve hunted public land for 15 yrs, never an issue. IF walk into an area and see someone set up, acknowledge their presence w/a nod, and back out quietly. They're there first, give them the best chance of taking a deer.
One more thing. leave the woods cleaner than you found them. it really gets under my skin when someone leaves their trash by their stand, toilet paper, beer cans, etc.
Those welcome hunter signs don't bother me! I also like to hunt at night,it is much safer,you almost always have the woods all to your self.
Now for a sincere answer to your question.Just exercise common courtesy.Some one already set up,give them plenty of space,don't try to cut them off from the likely direction deer will be coming from. If the area is known to harbor scum bag hunters than go after the deer as soon as you have given it sufficient time.Or better yet find a place where you don't have to contend with that.The thought of taking some ones deer doesn't even enter in to my mind.Some times mistakes can be made. A couple of years ago I watched a wounded buck go flying past me very early in the morning.I sat for another 3 plus hours and no one ever came through traking it.I got out of my stand to make sure it had been shot,and it had been,I tracked it for 300 plus yards following a very poor blood trail.Long story short the hunter who shot it eventually came to track it.He thought he put a lights out shot on it,but he left the woods for (are you ready for this) A guitar lesson.Very nice guy,a friend of mine and I helped him track it,he eventually fount it. Did I make a mistake in trailing it? I don't think so.I didn't think there was any effort being made to recover it.
