Originally posted by J. Cook:
I may have mis-read the post -- but if you didn't hunt it at all last year...I wouldn't say the guy is in the wrong as many here have suggested
Public land is just that -- public. Hanging a stand or putting a blind up indefinately doesn't make it yours for infinity. To be honest, he has the same right to hunt that area as you do. Make no mistake -- I would be frustrated if I were you -- we've all been there. But if you didn't hunt a stand site for a full season, are all other hunters just supposed to avoid it indefinately because someone had hunted there before? How is that hunter supposed to know that the spot is not vacated?
If you can run into him, then chat with him and he may be very understanding, who knows. On the other hand, he could be one of those that hangs 10 stands a year on public ground and thinks those spots are then his exclusively.
Permanent stands and blinds are not the same as property deeds. I grew up hunting national forest and took a stand in and brought it out each sit simply because in my area where I grew up -- that was the thought process, "if I hang a stand or a blind here, then this is my property". That's simply not true.
If I were you, and you really like this spot, I'd continue to hunt it just as you always have. It's always been public land so more than likely, there has always been some people moving through there when you weren't in your blind. This shouldn't change deer patterns. Good luck!!!!!
I agree with this 100%. Public land is just that, public. Leaving a stand up overnight or for the season is nothing more than staking a claim on a piece of public land.
Even if a person hangs a stand and has no intention of keeping others out and has the attitude that "I don't care if others hunt it when I'm not there", the end result is the same. Most people will avoid your stand out of courtesy and the fact that they don't know you or your intent.
Your blind is actually the same as the treestand that was left there. A little less visible unless it's a very extravagant blind, and less convenient to set up or remove, but in essence has the same effect of the treestand. You have the attitude that you don't care if others use it when you aren't there, but what if they are in your blind before you? Is that ok? Do you move on or confront the person in your blind on public land? Most people will avoid and not use your blind or stand out of respect and the desire to avoid a confrontation in the woods. They are in effect "honoring" your claim on that spot.
Bottom line is it's public land and it
should be first come first served. Leaving stands and blinds up on
public land just complicates things.
Good luck, hope it works out for you. Hunting public land comes with it's own complications, getting along with other hunters is one of them.
Topic: Treestand in " my blind spot " (Read 533 times)
