Part of the reason most of us love to hunt is because of the unexpected things that seem to happen outdoors. Whether that be a big buck, banded waterfowl or just plain crazy sites like an owl swarming turkeys, coyotes. I've had many things happen afield that are just plain cool to witness.
I've had other things that aren't so cool to witness. Like hunting an area that you can see from the road and having somebody try to break into your vehicle. I have seen deer get shot from the road while in the stand. I have had cameras and stands vandalized...or watched guys from a stand walk across your hunting property.
Well, I had another issue and it may have solved some previous issues.
Sunday, I was rehanging a stand closer to some trails that are used to go to bedding areas. While I was in the tree hanging the stand, I heard some voices, then some loud banging. Once I started looking in the direction of the banging, I noticed several men standing less than 100 yards from my tree and in the dang trails that the deer use to enter/leave the bedding area. Of course, I jump down and walk over...it is a class of 40 college kids from sNorman and their two professors on a freaking field trip...several hundred yards from the fence line, very close to my stands and exactly on the trails my deer use.
After telling them they are on private property, the PHD from goonville proceeds to tell me they have been walking this creek for the last three years on the last weekend of September and first two weeks of October. This entire time, I thought the deer were just that good. I have actually quit hunting this area until later in the year because of the lack of activity that seems to drop off during this time. No wonder I haven't done well in this stand setting...there are over 120 people walking through the place at the beginning of the season...without permission.
The uO prof wasn't too cool about us telling him he didn't need to be there, and told us he was going to go ahead and finish their trip. Then he told us he would go ahead with the scheduled trips, but not come back next year. Now given, I don't own this spot, but I lease it and hunt with the owner and his son...but it pissed me off. He argued with me about being there #1, even though he was trespassing, and #2, he tried to imply that it was my duty to allow him access.
So my questions are this...
1. Do I report him to the school and law?
2. Is it him that is hurting my deer activity for the early season?
3. Do I email him and ask him his plans on re-visiting the area? I would like to know if he is trying to gain permission to access?
I've had other things that aren't so cool to witness. Like hunting an area that you can see from the road and having somebody try to break into your vehicle. I have seen deer get shot from the road while in the stand. I have had cameras and stands vandalized...or watched guys from a stand walk across your hunting property.
Well, I had another issue and it may have solved some previous issues.
Sunday, I was rehanging a stand closer to some trails that are used to go to bedding areas. While I was in the tree hanging the stand, I heard some voices, then some loud banging. Once I started looking in the direction of the banging, I noticed several men standing less than 100 yards from my tree and in the dang trails that the deer use to enter/leave the bedding area. Of course, I jump down and walk over...it is a class of 40 college kids from sNorman and their two professors on a freaking field trip...several hundred yards from the fence line, very close to my stands and exactly on the trails my deer use.
After telling them they are on private property, the PHD from goonville proceeds to tell me they have been walking this creek for the last three years on the last weekend of September and first two weeks of October. This entire time, I thought the deer were just that good. I have actually quit hunting this area until later in the year because of the lack of activity that seems to drop off during this time. No wonder I haven't done well in this stand setting...there are over 120 people walking through the place at the beginning of the season...without permission.
The uO prof wasn't too cool about us telling him he didn't need to be there, and told us he was going to go ahead and finish their trip. Then he told us he would go ahead with the scheduled trips, but not come back next year. Now given, I don't own this spot, but I lease it and hunt with the owner and his son...but it pissed me off. He argued with me about being there #1, even though he was trespassing, and #2, he tried to imply that it was my duty to allow him access.
So my questions are this...
1. Do I report him to the school and law?
2. Is it him that is hurting my deer activity for the early season?
3. Do I email him and ask him his plans on re-visiting the area? I would like to know if he is trying to gain permission to access?
