Coach Report post Posted August 23, 2009 So my buddy and I had this tank all scoped out - obviously, it's AZ, it's dry and hot so any water hole is gonna have competition. I've had a camera on the tank for weeks with some OK bucks on it, but one, in particular had me going - here's a picture on the hoof. I took off Thursday and Friday to set up my blind and sit the tank. I had considered getting my blind out there earlier but I was afraid it would get stolen - who wants to go find their $400 blind missing? So, Thursday morning I go to set up my blind, but there's already one set up. Bummer for sure, so I leave the guy a note letting him know I am planning to hunt there also, we should coordinate. Let's face it, he took the risk I wasn't willing to take by setting up a little earlier than me. The guy ended up being cool and thanking me for backing out, and they were plannig to sit it through Monday. Friday night he leaves me a voice mail - turns out his buddy sitting with him got the buck in the picture. I'm not 100% it's the same buck, but the way he described it, I'm pretty positive. He's pretty easy to identify. Anyway, dang, I feel that backing out when I saw their blind was the "right thing" to do, but I have to admit, I was hoping they'd take a different buck and I'd eventually get a crack at the big boy after the opening weekend rush subsided. Hopefully, karma will catch up and I'll see a silver lining to all this, but for now all I could do is congratulate the other hunters and swallow that jagged pill. What would you guys have done in the same situation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted August 23, 2009 So my buddy and I had this tank all scoped out - obviously, it's AZ, it's dry and hot so any water hole is gonna have competition. I've had a camera on the tank for weeks with some OK bucks on it, but one, in particular had me going - here's a picture on the hoof. I took off Thursday and Friday to set up my blind and sit the tank. I had considered getting my blind out there earlier but I was afraid it would get stolen - who wants to go find their $400 blind missing? So, Thursday morning I go to set up my blind, but there's already one set up. Bummer for sure, so I leave the guy a note letting him know I am planning to hunt there also, we should coordinate. Let's face it, he took the risk I wasn't willing to take by setting up a little earlier than me. The guy ended up being cool and thanking me for backing out, and they were plannig to sit it through Monday. Friday night he leaves me a voice mail - turns out his buddy sitting with him got the buck in the picture. I'm not 100% it's the same buck, but the way he described it, I'm pretty positive. He's pretty easy to identify. Anyway, dang, I feel that backing out when I saw their blind was the "right thing" to do, but I have to admit, I was hoping they'd take a different buck and I'd eventually get a crack at the big boy after the opening weekend rush subsided. Hopefully, karma will catch up and I'll see a silver lining to all this, but for now all I could do is congratulate the other hunters and swallow that jagged pill. What would you guys have done in the same situation? Just what you did Thanks for the sad story and I hope you find the silver Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRONG Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Oh dude........... I feel for ya, that totally blows but you're right, you did the moral and ethical thing. I gotta respect the heck out of you for that. You're time is comin! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Well I think you did a very ethical thing ... but it is not first blind up first serve it is first to the spot opening morning.... with that being said if your cams were set up where you could see the ingress and egress to the hole then finding a good spot above the hole 100 or 200 yards and hopefully intercept the one you had your eyes on ... think it is a better option than not hunting close to the area you scouted ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Oh dude........... I feel for ya, that totally blows but you're right, you did the moral and ethical thing. I gotta respect the heck out of you for that. You're time is comin! Not to hijack to post but Josh, I don't believe I have seen the pic in your avatar before Don't qoute me so I can delete this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted August 23, 2009 karma will catch up with you for sure that was a cool thing to do Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted August 23, 2009 There are more (and bigger) bucks out there somewhere, and now you've got some positive karma on your side... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterdude Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Been there done that! That sucks but it's only right to whenits public land! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted August 23, 2009 So here is a question for hunters who use blinds. What is the difference between sitting on a waterhole all night long in a blind, and camping within a quarter mile of a watering hole??? I have been tendering the thought of buying a blind, but are there any regulations as to when I can sit in that blind day or night or all night long??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted August 24, 2009 so because he put his blind up first means he has first dibs? what if you went in there friday morning and were the first one in and set up your own blind? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntsmen Report post Posted August 24, 2009 sorry you missed him but good for you so glad that i share the outdoors with people like you.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted August 24, 2009 Sorry bout your luck there Jason..... Looks like you had a dandy buck there. Keep in mind that having a blind, treestand or camera on a tank does not "Call" the spot for anyone and although it does show intent..... being in the blind first is what defines first come first serve.... I'da had to sleep in my blind for a buck that I knew was that good, if I had a tag in my pocket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted August 24, 2009 hello - gotta go back to ole school - we never had trail cams - never put out salt licks etc. If we were watching a tank i'd be from a distance 400-500 yrds . Deer and most animals have travel routes that can be patterned. Having some idea which direction /trail the bucks takes too and from the water hole - might have been usefull - I've never been in a pop-up set-up the night before a hunt but have built untold numbers of ground blinds. I'd of had a plan B and tried to have intercepted the buck before he got to the tank ! Gary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntAtty Report post Posted August 24, 2009 You certainly took the high road. Though, as others have suggested, putting equipment at a spot prior to hunting it does not reserve the spot for any specific day or season. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nohoch Report post Posted August 24, 2009 Karma.....my dad always said "good things happen to good people".......you made a good choice but that still doesn't make it any easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
