What would you do?

[willhunt4coues]

Okay here is my question to all of you:

 

lets say you find a nice water hole and your camera has been there for months and you have nobody on camera and no vehicle/quad tracks in the area. Then one afternoon you are setting up your blind and think hey that tree would be a great place to set up a tree stand then there it appears.

 

Now everytime I have gone in this place I have never seen that tree stand because of the time of day. So today when I went in to set up my blind I see it clear as day because of the sun. This is a metal tree stand so I climbed up the tree and took a look at it. Now this thing is not in bad shape but you can tell it has been there for awhile and it is locked. I am thinking by the faded lock and staps and seat it has been since August of last year.

 

1)I still set up my blind but now is that tree stand considered abandoned?

2)Also would you still have set up your blind?

3)First come first serve right? But that means I can set one up and use it 3 years from now and if anyone else moves in they are wrong? So if I get there before they do I get to hunt correct?

4)Did I do right by setting up my Blind?

 

Tell me what you would do if you or have you stubbled upon this.:sick:

[arizonaelitefreak]

I say first come first serve , just cause they leave their treestand there all year lond doesnt give them rights to the water hole !!! just have to leave earlier opening morning!!

[bowsniper]

Bummer Clay!

 

Someone that leaves a treestand up all year should have no expectations of a reservation on the water hole. I'm sure the guy who left it thinks differently. Be careful with this one, the guy is either lazy or a jerk. Either way, the guy is not too smart. UVs degrade nylon straps quickly, and that stand is unsafe. I probably would have set up my blind, but you should probably have a plan B.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Mark

 

PS: If you see the guy, even if he is a jerk, warn him about the treestand strap.

[deserthntr]

i would put up the blind

[bobbyo]

I don't see what the problem is.

 

1. What difference does it make if the stand is abandond or not. You know the hole is seldom used. Are you making a natural blind or do you plan on setting up a pop up and leaving it?

2. I would set up a blind, but I would never leave my pop up.

3. first come first serve means in person. First person there has dibs. You can't dibs a spot by placing a stand, a ground blind, a tent ect. Example if he makes it to his stand before you make it to your blind then the spot is his and vice versa. Otherwise I could leave my lawn chairs all over every water hole and claim them. Would that be fair.

4. I think you are all right leaving your blind (You don't worry about it walking away) as long as you realize it does not give you any claim to the water hole If the stand dude beats you there.

Bob

[alexjh1]

I agree, regardless of what is left at a water hole, or anywhere for that matter, first come first serve. If there is a blind or a stand you have the right to put your up as well. Come opening day you have to get there first. Rules of engagement state that if there is someone there first, ethically you should give them the spot. That is a tough pill to swallow given we are all proud and have the right to hunt public land. I feel, regardless of how long I have left my blind there, if someone beats me to it, the spot is theirs for the day, better believe I will be there before them in the am and will expect the same courtesy.

 

Everyone leaves equipment to let it gain the scent of nature rather than ours, any time you see other equipment, no matter how old, let it be. YOu could have a real problem if I came creaping over a hill and I saw you trying to take my equipment down, I would assume you are stealing it. There are no eyes in the hills so you never know what someone is capable of or where they are.

[Buckhunter]

i found a spot in 23 that had a tree stand up with the ladder and with bait last year. I checked it last week and he left his stand there all year. but the guy took down his ladder. He also has the seat locked in the upright position. I is got a killer set up from all the tracks but he made the mistake of putting out way to many peices of pink flagging. alot of people will follow it just to see where it leads to. So I went farther down the hill and set up a spot. Good luck

 

[NRS]

Strictly on the technical level, if it is on federal land and is left for more than 14 days, it is considered abandoned property.

[WHALE]

I say first come first serve , just cause they leave their treestand there all year long doesnt give them rights to the water hole !!! just have to leave earlier opening morning!!

+1

[bbd1234]

I also say first come first serve for a water hole.So if a guy put up a tree stand up and a 100 pound feeder all year long.And knows you are right above him and been hunting the same spot for 10 year or more I have the right to his spot. if im the first one to his spot.the reason why I say this is because a guy that posted on this topic is a hipocrit and you know who you are.

[Ernesto C]

i would put up the blind

 

Yes go ahead and put your blind a day or two before the opener......then get there really early opening morning. But above all.......avoid confrontation, is not worth it.

 

Ernesto C

[bobbyo]

I also say first come first serve for a water hole.So if a guy put up a tree stand up and a 100 pound feeder all year long.And knows you are right above him and been hunting the same spot for 10 year or more I have the right to his spot. if im the first one to his spot.the reason why I say this is because a guy that posted on this topic is a hipocrit and you know who you are.

 

Dad is that you? I beat you to the spot. Mom even said so. Get over it will you.

Bob

[Coues Archer]

I would put up the blind remember first come first serve.

[Ernesto C]

I also say first come first serve for a water hole.So if a guy put up a tree stand up and a 100 pound feeder all year long.And knows you are right above him and been hunting the same spot for 10 year or more I have the right to his spot. if im the first one to his spot.the reason why I say this is because a guy that posted on this topic is a hipocrit and you know who you are.

 

Wow very first post and already throwing fists..............Since I dont know the details, I cant even give you a welcome. ?

 

Ernesto C

 

[bbd1234]

Im not throwing a fist just trying to get the point across. As for the first post I was saveing it for a good topic . so hi to every one on coueswhitetail.