How do you feel about strangers sitting on your stand. [Archive]

Stand Hunter

12-01-2006, 07:10 PM

I know what the legal answer is, but what about the ethical answer. I've hunted the same piece of public land since 1971. I've never even seen another hunter in all that time, that is until last fall. After season my 5 year old and I went out on thanksgiving day to bring a block of salt out by the stand. I've done this for years, and theres a guy muzzleloading on my stand.

In my opinion its unethical, I'm the one whos sweat and work found the spot, and built the stand. The way my father brought me up was to give other hunters room, and respect their turf.

How do you guys feel about it?

camer

12-01-2006, 09:58 PM

my opinion is if someone is sitting in your stand they arent much of a hunter.i have problems every year with guys coming in a day before season not even scouting around and setting a blind up within a rock through away from me. they are just plain to lazy to do the scouting on there own.

reelman2

12-01-2006, 10:36 PM

It depends. There are some guys who will put up 5 or 6 stands on public land and then get upset when someone hunts near one of them. Do they really think that they should have exclusive rights to all the area around those stands?

I have sat in other peoples stands before if I am out walking around the woods and I come upon a decent looking stand I will sit in it for a while to take a break.

You also say that you built the stand, was this a tree stand or a ground blind? In the area I hunt people will come in and build a wooden tree stand hunt out of it one year and then leave it there and never huntout of it again. Now I find a nice spot and it has a 2 or 3 year old stand close buy. Is it being used or not?

went522

12-03-2006, 12:16 AM

It's not right but what do you do?? I leave others stands alone. I didn't build it so I feel I have no right to it, regardless of the law. I caught a guy 2 years ago sitting my stand, it was the last day of season. Walked up to him, he started getting out right away, said he was sorry and thought I was done for the season. Infact I was, I was only going back to retrieve my seat. I knew what group he was with and told him, I was going to hunt the rest of the day and I sit that stand all season. I also told him I respect their stands, don't hunt them and always stay away. "Please give me the same respect." He again apologized and said he understood. Haven't seen him or any other in his group in "my" area since. He must have got the word out!

BIRDDOG

reelman1

12-03-2006, 10:43 PM

So you were on public land and done hunting for the year yet you still don't think people should sit on your stand! That's a little selfish in my book.

gunrac

12-04-2006, 09:45 AM

>So you were on public land and done hunting for the year yet
>you still don't think people should sit on your stand! That's
>a little selfish in my book.

IMO I would't walk in your house an sit down. So stay the he!! out of mine.

Not knowing where your from: Ohio has a law about permanent stands on public land. Better not get caught in one here.

Tree Stands

It is unlawful to construct, place or use a permanent-type tree stand, or to place spikes, nails, wires or other metal objects into a tree to act as steps or to hold a tree stand on public hunting lands. It is also unlawful to do any of these things on private property without first getting the permission of the landowner or the landowner’s authorized agent.

NEVER APOLOGIZE....
AS IT SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAKNESS
HAWG ON, SEA YA

bob oh

12-04-2006, 05:23 PM

I'm confused gunrac, are you saying a stand equates to a home?

rod bender bob

reelman1

12-04-2006, 11:37 PM

I wouldn't walk in your house either but a stand on public land is not your house! It is everbodys property and while I respect other peoples stands and will try to stay clear of them one should not think that they own the area around there stand.

big ones

12-05-2006, 09:56 PM

I'm hunting private land in Huron County Ohio. I've had my ladder stand,trail camera and bait pile in a place since July. The owner lives out of town. Three weeks ago someone put up NO TREPASSING signs on the property and on my tree. He also put up a ladder stand 20 yards from mine. I finally got a hold of the owner and he said he had no idea who put the signs up. I didn't go out there for a week because I didn't know if the owner had sold the place. The intruder was now putting bait were my piles had been. He's got to be a local, most likely the guy on the four wheeler that was on my camera. I 've left him notes to leave but he hasn't but he also hasn't showed up when I was there. I think he sees my truck and doesn't come to the woods. Like the name I posted, This guy must have trouble walking.

ArtCo-Unlogged

12-06-2006, 04:49 PM

Hey Big One

Talk to the owner of the property that you hunt and have him send you a letter stating that you are the only one allowed to hunt on the property and that your tree stand should be the only on there. Next, remove the intruders stand and leave a copy of the letter ( laminated) from the owner on the tree the jerk was using and tell him he can pick up his ladder stand at the local police station.....this should solve your problem.

Art

huntertoo

12-07-2006, 03:04 PM

If you make the choice to leave a stand in a public hunting property and you have no intention of using it, then I think it's fair game for anyone to use. I know of a couple of places that have "community stands" where it's a stand that has existed for many years and it's first come, first serve. If you do not want anyone to sit in your hot spot then I suggest removing the stand at the end of the year when you are done with it. Many times someone will accidentally trip into someone else hotspot because they left the stand behind.

went522

12-10-2006, 01:27 AM

"So you were on public land and done hunting for the year yet you still don't think people should sit on your stand! That's a little selfish in my book."

Selfish in your book...respectfull in mine!!

I leave their area and stands alone as they spent the time and energy scouting, building and maintaining their stands. I don't want to, nor will I infringe on that, and you call me selfish?? Selfish would be infringing and sitting the stand someone ELSE worked hard to scout and build.

Where I'm from there's an "unwritten law". Leave others stands alone!!

Selfish, NO! Respectfull, YES!

BIRDDOG

reelman1

12-10-2006, 12:25 PM

So I can set a couple stands on 100 acres of public land and then have it t myself for ever?

went522

12-10-2006, 03:49 PM

You can bet I won't touch them!

I have ONE stand, which I sit almost every day of the season. The group of hunters that hunt down the road know of me, know I sit long, hard hours and days. They also know they don't see me wondering the woods in their area or sitting their stands.

Do what ever you want, put up a thousand stands for all I care! Just stay out of my regular, every day stand! Isn't that just common courtesy/ethics??

BIRDDOG

JKopecky

12-15-2006, 01:16 AM

I'm a little confused. This is public land correct?? These are GROUND blinds or constructed elevated stands. If it's not a ground blind then they need to be removed at the end of the Hunting season.

So these stand being erected, are they left up all year?? I personally know an individual who built a stand to find some one in it on the opener a few years back. When he was so bold to give the guy the boot, it happened to be the warden. It was a nice fine to boot. I don't think the laws have changed on this. Be careful if these are not quite legal stands. The warden may just be in it or near by.

But on the issue at hand, as for public land. I personaly wouldn't do it, as all my hunting is public land and have always had someone either put a stand next to me or I may get to my spot and find some one near it. I may not like it but it's public land. I'm capable of locating another area to hunt. Most of the time I don't see them the next year anyways.

In the end I always seem to get my tag filled.

JK

Heartman

12-19-2006, 03:29 PM

Public land. First come - first serve. If I beat you to your stand on public land, you can have it back when I'm done using it for the day. The question of ethics you present is way out of line - I hunt in MN and WI, and it's illegal to construct a permanent stand on public land. So the builder of a permanent stand is unethical to begin with, isn't he?

And if your house is a deer stand, BIRDDOG, where do you go potty?

went522

12-19-2006, 05:30 PM

"I hunt in MN and WI, and it's illegal to construct a permanent stand on public land."

You are MISINFORMED! :rules:

The law states that you may not build a permanant shelter. By shelter they're talking about a enclosed structure, roof, walls, etc. Building a stand with some railings IS perfectly legal and always has been in the State of Minnesota on state land.

"So the builder of a permanent stand is unethical to begin with, isn't he?"

Hmmm...maybe those running around the woods, not knowing the laws that pertain the the sport in which they participate could be labeled as unethical??

And what's with potty statement?? :blahblah:

BIRDDOG

Billy Bob

12-19-2006, 05:54 PM

Potty statement came from you trying to compare a deer stand to a house. Just a couple differences, no?

And you know what, I was wrong. Anybody can build a stand on public land. I've the 2006 synopsis open in front of me to page 71.

Regarding Elevated Stands:

No constructed platforms higher than 16'. This does not apply to portables.

Any unoccupied, permanent stand or blind on public land is public AND NOT THE PROPERTY OF THE PERSON WHO CONSTRUCTED THE STAND. Any use of threat or force against another person to gain possession of a stand is unlawful. If I'm in it before you, it's against the law for you to make me leave. You can ask, but you can't ask twice.

So, I'll repeat. Public land = public stand = first come - first serve. Better get out there early next year, BIRDDOG.

PS - And don't forget to brush your tooth tonight, hillbilly.

went522

12-19-2006, 06:01 PM

"Potty statement came from you trying to compare a deer stand to a house. Just a couple differences, no?"

Wrong AGAIN! I didn't make that statement.

We all know what the law is pertaining to public property and stands, they are for anyone to use, that's not in question. The original poster asked how we feel about others sitting your stand...

BIRDDOG

bill bob

12-19-2006, 06:02 PM

Well there you go - thanks for clearing that up.

PS - Don't forget to brush good!

Heartman

12-20-2006, 11:39 AM

Part of me wants to apologize for my abruptness in response. I can be a really cynical, downright rude prick when provoked. My pet peeve is the hunter who establishes an ownership attitude regarding public land use. Be it hunter, fisher, atv user, hiker, whatever/whoever, public land is public land.

In this case, setting up a stand and the fact that you've done your scouting and all is great, but there are many, many successful hunters who do more than sit in a tree all day long, waiting for a deer to walk by. Sure, it's an effective way to fill your tag, and in some cases it may be the only way a hunter can hunt. To me, the ethical hunter is the one who knows the potential of some spots and whether they build a stand or not, realize it is just one of many places that might qualify as a deer hotspot, to be used by all.

Claiming ownership over something you don't own is wrong. You put up a stand on private land, it's yours as long as the land is private. You put up a stand on public land, it becomes public as long as the land is publicly held. You get there before I do, have a nice hunt; I get there before you do, wait your turn.

State laws have been created to deal with those who claim ownership. They're called "Harassment Laws", and they are intended to let all users of public lands use the resource without the fear of threat or retribution. Threats are simply against the law.

Chad

12-21-2006, 09:27 AM

Lets see... public land and you were the first one ever to find the hot spot? I guess if you don't want someone to use your stand you should pack it in and pack it out each day. A lot of places do not allow permanent stands on public land.

ChadM

Gary Korsgaden

12-30-2006, 01:18 PM

The issue of permanent stands on public lands is a hot topic. In Minnesota, what has happened in the past,is hunters would leave stands as a means to lay claim to a spot. I agree with Chad, if you look into some of the new lightweight stands, climber or ladder it is so easy to set the stand and take it down each and every day. A very successful archery hunting buddy of mine, rarely goes to the same spot twice. He feels he is far more productive using a Lone Wolf "Sit and Climb Stand" limts the scent in the area and keeps the deer guessing. He also reccomends going as high as possible. 20' plus. Just my two scents worth..........

moccasinboy

01-02-2007, 03:04 PM

The discussion got a little hot guess it hits close to home. I hope MN changes the law, permanent stands on public land should be outlawed for the very reason this topic has gotten so hot---it leads people to believe they've reserved a peace of public land. The key phrase is "....on your stand". If you built it on public land its a public stand,not yours. Is it ethical to use such a stand if I didn't build it? If no one else is nearby, absolutely!

I hunt mostly on public land, deer, ducks, pheasants. If someone beats me to my favorite point on the duck opener, I get up earlier the next year. If someone drives into the WMA lot 5 minutes before shooting time, when I've been there for an hour, I talk it over with them and work something out (hunt together, split the area, etc).

The only way public land hunting works is if we treat other hunters fairly. You hunt on public land, thats part of the deal. You want your own spot, buy some land.

On another track, permanent stands, elevated 'condos', baiting (even where legal) seems to take the hunt out of hunting.

doubleheader unlogged

01-02-2007, 04:50 PM

I'm from western Pa, and I hunt on 1700 acres of restricted private land; there are about 30 hunters given access to this land. It is not a lease, we pay the owner a nominal fee for the prividge to hunt his property. This subject has caused great controversy on "our" land. Some guys are gentlemen, and others are what I refer to as "pig hunters". The gentlemen respects the other hunter and hunts with integrity. The pig sets up multiple stands usually very close to the hunters with proven track records and typically places the stand in a manner to cut him off, expects everyone to stay away from all of of his stands, is the first to move in on another guy working a hot buck, road hunts off his 4 wheeler, and so on. Personally, I believe that unless you are hunting on your own property all permanent stands and all hot spots should be first come first serve. At the same time, however, I also believe it is improper to move in on a guy.

Gary Korsgaden

01-02-2007, 08:07 PM

I believe in Minnesota the County determines stands on public lands, I think. I would support a ban on permanent stands, however It is unfair for me to say as I have my own land and have permanent stands on it.

standoff

01-03-2007, 11:49 PM

Dear Stand Hunter:
I used to respect the other hunters in my area and stay away from their stands. Those days are gone. The old rules of the road are changing. We used to build very discrete stands that were very unobtrusive. Some of the new stands that are being built by others in our area are outrageous. These new stands are sickening. The size and type of construction are ridiculous. They are huge. The guys building these stands think they are the OWNERS of the area.
I am returning up north a couple of times this winter to cut more of them down into small pieces with my new chainsaw. I would hunt out of these stands anyday if I wanted to. The guys that take ownership of areas previously hunted by others are pathetic. Using a stand for a day or two when the hunters are not in the area is no big deal anymore. Don't kid yourself. Use the stands and have fun. I pity the fool that tries to get to smart with me regarding stand use on public land.

and

01-23-2007, 11:49 AM

Lets go a step further. Someone puts a permanent fish house on a lake and "claims" the spot for the entire ice fishing season. It's public water, but not everyone can use it. It does not become public property. Include the zone around the house where another fisherman cannot fish, and you've got a pretty large area this fisherman has claimed as his own------even when he's not using it. He can actually put several houses out and "claim" a very large area his own. How does this differ from a permanent hunting stand? If I can "claim" an area on a public lake, why not an area on public land?

and

01-23-2007, 11:52 AM

Heartman

01-23-2007, 04:20 PM

You're creating a hypothetical situation, one which is an apples and oranges comparison - Minnesota ice houses permanent/portable are required to have licenses - setting one up does little to reserve that portion of the lake.

Public domain is ruled by the first come, first serve credo. Putting an ice house on a spot to reserve it is great, but if I'm fishing next to your house when you're not there, don't come after me and tell me to move when you start fishing...you can ask me once, but the second time you ask me you'll be guilty of harassment. I was there first.

Burr

01-24-2007, 07:04 PM

I agree with Heartman, kind of apples to oranges. In addition - I don't even recall which state it is - ND or MN - as I live on the border I hear both states laws and don't really get them down completely since I don't hard water fish....

But one of the states does not allow non-residents to leave their houses on the ice overnight. Not sure why there is this rule?? Might be what you say about reserving a spot, might deal with the difficulty dealing with a non resident, abandon house?

and

01-25-2007, 04:12 PM

So you're saying if I paid a license to have a permanent stand in the woods that would be OK? Exclusively mine, and no one else can use it? If there's a great fishing spot on top of a rock pile and I place my permanent house there, I certainly am "claiming" that spot. And you can't use it, unlike a permanent deer stand where you could use it in my absence.

Billy Bob

01-25-2007, 04:58 PM

Take a step back and look at the big picture, brother. You are completely missing the point here.

Ownership issues regarding private land/water use create feelings of ill will, and in some cases is illegal.

and

01-25-2007, 06:12 PM

No, I'm not missing the point at all. I'm asking, what is the difference between placing a permanent deer stand in the woods, and a permanent ice house on a lake? Why does a person have the right to "claim" an exclusive spot on a public lake but not on public land? If a person can't have a permanent deer stand on public land, then it follows that he shouldn't have a permanent fish house on a public lake. If you're advocating only portable deer stands that are removed each day, then there should only be portable fish houses that are removed each day.

Billy Boy

01-25-2007, 08:17 PM

Listen tex, if you have a permanent fish house out on Lake X, I can fish however close I want to your house, particularly when you are not there. If, in fact I drill a hole on the leeward side of your house to get of the wind, for instance, if your not there, OR if I'm there before you are on any certain day, then I have every right in the world to fish right there. If you happen to come out and fish while I'm using your house as a wind shield, you might have a problem with me being so close - but, the fact remains, I was there before you were on that day.

Let's try this - If you and I are on a public duck slough one day. and you're the one getting all the shooting, even if you leave a bag of decoys on the edge of the bog to "mark" your spot, if I get there before you the next day, I get the spot, and if you're lucky I'll give you your decoys back. You can ask me to move once, but if I say no, and you ask me to move again, you're guilty of harassment. Read the synopsis for waterfowl and for deer hunting for clarification.

Fish houses are licensed to regulate their use and to enable the CO to take appropriate enforcement action should you leave it out after the thaw, or make a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Your licensed fish house gives you absolutely no more rights than does your putting up a permanent deer stand out in the woods. Yes, you do have exclusive rights to the 4'X 8' or 8' X 12' section directly under your house, but the rest of the lake is up for grabs. Just like the rest of the woods is up for grabs around your deer stand. Or those docks you cast around while bass fishing for that matter.

Hillbillies like you are why the harassment laws in Minnesota came about. Yeah, yeah, I know that that's the way it's been forever, but you know what slim, the times have changed, and there's a new sheriff in town. It's called the law, and guys like you are just the reason it's become an important part of our outdoor experience.

Now go lay down by your dish, and don't forget to brush your tooth tonight. Ever heard of inbreeding?

and

01-25-2007, 11:31 PM

Now I get it Billy Bob Boy, Billy Bo Bo, or whatever. You're a 612'er! You want to go up north to hunt wherever you want, but also want to claim your fishing spot by placing your permanent house there. What a deal! You want the best of both worlds. I asked a question you didn't like, you got angry, and started name calling. It's the usual course one takes when they don't know the answer.

went522

01-27-2007, 01:42 AM

Billy bob is Heartman I believe. If you read Heartmans previous comments, he comes back as Billy Boob recanting his previous statements.

Billy likes to talk about the laws when in fact he doesn't know them!

"it's illegal to construct a permanent stand on public land."

"Listen tex, if you have a permanent fish house out on Lake X, I can fish however close I want to your house" Not if your using a shelter.

All these laws you "know" are in the Mn laws...I encourage you to read them, they are informative!

To top it all off you yap about the Mn harrasment laws and how you can be so rude when provoked. Seems your the only one doing the provoking and harrassing with your imbreeding and toothless comments. Maybe your taking your own imperfections "toothless", "imbred" and in a effort to make yourself feel better pin them on others??

Come back with your insults and some more "laws" we don't know, errr, you don't know.

BIRDDOG