What would you do ???

[waknstak IL]

I wouldn't hunt another persons stand unless invited to do so. Always thought it was bad luck. Also a safety risk, as you never know if its hung properly or sturdy.

[b.glass]

The buck in my avatar was the biggest buck shot on the property. They had pictures of him and everything. When I was invited down to hunt they said take a doe or mature buck. Well in my estimation this was a mature buck. I didn't know at the time that it was the buck in the picture. That was four years ago and I still feel bad. They hadn't let anyone but family hunt there, ever. I could have shot a small buck that morning. I don't know how similar this really is to your situation, but I've wondered what others thought.

[reddogge]

Sounds like no permission was granted so I'd say the shooter was a low down skunk and I'd let all of the lease members know what he is.  Maybe you'll drive him out by shunning him.

[BroMark]

Aggravating?  Yes...  But as someone else has stated, "it's only a deer".  I'd definitely confront the guy.  I'd definitely have issue if there was an agreement to not do this.  And even if not, it violates a gentlemen's agreement for sure.  Worthy of a discussion with this guy and everyone on the lease.

But definitely not worth any kind of physical altercation (unless you are bigger than him...LOL).

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I have had this happen with my own father       from a natural ground blind but he only wounded the buck    , which in turn compounded the problem.  I told him pretty much what all of you stated, keeping in mind it was my father, in a respectful way but there was some tension there for a while.  I, like you feel if you can't "put in your own work" then do us all a favor and stay out of our hunting spots unless there is a reason you can't do it(physical limitations etc.) and a prior agreement has been made.

[Tom Leemans]

In Ilinois, there is nothing illegal about hunting someone else's stand, while they aren't there. (unfortunately) Let it be a lesson. If he were tresspassing or something like that, well that's different. You'll do more by spreading the word about him than confronting him, because guys like that just don't care.

[James Wrenn]

Legal or not it is not right and should not be done unless it was oked ahead of time.I would tell the fellow what I thought and explain the rules for the future in no uncertain terms so he would understand what he should and should not do any where around me.

[Paul WA]

I dont hunt from stands

[no]

Sorry boys, its hunters code, you do not move in on a guy who is hunting a certain buck or having luck in a certain area. Its just not done. He would be out at our farm. He doesnt need to be told not to hunt there or anything like that. It goes without saying. I know its only a deer, but real friends wouldnt do that to ya. Up here its called a northern beat down.  Mike

[OkKeith]

Is this a bad situation that has caused some bad feelings? Yes! Here is what we don't know, what is the general "rule" on this lease? On our lease, we all agree that any empty stand is fair game. We all help put up each other's stands so I guess we all put in the work. I have hunted other's stands and they have hunted mine. One morning a guy on the lease shot a deer out of one of my stands (pretty good deer, too). I met him at the gate as I was dragging out a deer I shot out of his stand about the exact same time.

If the guys on the lease agreed that “to each his own” was the rule, the fella did the wrong thing. On our lease we can't do that because it is nowhere near big enough to start calling dibs on any certain deer, so we make it clear up front.

I would be upset as well if this happened to me. Since we don't really know the whole situation, our recommendations all seem to be a little harsh. If this guy really does deserve the treatment recommended, this will not have been a first offense. Bad actors are bad actors because they have a track record of acting bad. I am lucky to have good guys with me on my lease. The same feelings would have probably happened even if the guy shot the deer all they way on the other side of the property. Perceived ownership is tough to reconcile.

It is more difficult since a young person was involved. This makes for an even better reason to set a good example and handle this in a proper way.

OkKeith

[Talondale]

That sounds kind of like the guy who always wants to fish the front of the bass boat so he's always casting into new water.  Too concerned about his own desires to consider others.

[Robhood23]

That is why i try and carry a stand in and put it up the day I hunt and take it out with me when I leave. I also pull out the steps on the ones I leave out. Most guys are to lazy to screw in steps and just jump into the first stand they see. Bad deal, hope you get some resolution.

[Sticks2117]

I hunt public land exclusively I come across empty stands all the time and what I do is back out of the area. To me hunting from another guys stand is just like sleeping with your friends girl. This guy is a gutless piece of crap.
I would confront him and tell him what I thought of him and I would never talk to him again.
Just my feelings.
Brian

[doeboy]

cut down the tree he was in so no one can ever use it again.confront him with it, he needs to be told he was wrong becasue he doesnt realize it on his own.

[leatherneck]

Lease or no lease. Agreement or no agreement. You do not hunt another persons stand unless youu ask them right before you do it. I don't mean ask a guy this year and hunt it forever. Me and longbowben have been hunting together for a long time now and we have an agreement that we hunt each others stands. But out of courtesy I still ask him a day or two in advance if i can hunt it or not. Most of the time I won't even ask cause i have my own.

doeboy-whats the tree got to do with it? Never hurt anybody.

Biggie and Shawn hit it right    

Mike

[MI_Bowhunter]

Whats done is done.  You can let him know how you feel but it probably wont make a difference to him.

I learned long ago that most of the people I run across in the woods have a different sense of right and wrong behavior then I.

The best thing to do is set up your stands in such a way that they can't just walk up and hunt it and don't tell anyone about big deer your patterning.  It still won't stop them but it will make their effort a little more.

[Wary Buck]

In my recent book 'My Neck of the Woods,' Ch. 30 is devoted to this very topic.  'A Personal Stand' previously appeared in Bowhunter Magazine and I got a ton of response to that article, obviously hitting a nerve.  When I get to my stand, I want it to be fresh.

[Cory Mattson]

Could be some background that we do not know about. I have seen folks go and set up a "stand" in areas that any reasonable person would consider "club ground" open to all. And others still go and set up a "stand" when they were not the only members who knew of a particular buck. It's called "Squatting" an area out. Most leases have too many members - and frankly Stands left in  the woods should be left for ANY member to hunt. I  say that because I would rather have members share stands - than stink up the woods hanging extra stands. Communication is the key though - at ALL the clubs we belong to we share stands all the time. Public land I carry my stand in - be it a Chippewa or Lone Wolf - been doing it ever since I went to stand in Utah and a guy was climbing into my ultra lite - be politely backed off immediately - but get this - every single person I have ever talked to in Utah thinks it is OK to sit a stand they find?!?!?!? - as to this particular situation I would probably move to get all parties concerned out of the club.
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[Cory Mattson]

Ooops - and the other question - NO I would not hunt someone else's stand.
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[adkmountainken]

if i was told by the person that i was welcome to hunt his stand i would, i give permission to good friends to use my stands and i am very happy for them if they get one.