tommat Report post Posted October 21, 2009 Went scouting after dropping the kid of at school. Had a real nice point picked out for Fri morning. I was real close to there last season with my son while he shot a dandy buck. Well much to my surprise someone had put some real effort into flagging a route right to it. Cleared a route thru the cat claw, prickly pear, and ocotillo, so they could make the trip easier in the dark. It's in 34A and I live just a half mile from the end of the road where foot travel must begin and I know they would not beat me in there. I could just leave my house at 2 or 3 AM instead of the 4 I had planned. I even know of another route up there from the opposite direction. This all could make for an akward opening morning.....I guess I'll fall back to my plan B or C spots....sure don't like missing out on that glassing spot. Especially as it's so close to home. If any of you are reading this and set the green flagging tape PM me...maybe we can hunt together. I have limited time as we are expecting another child in a few weeks and have lots to do. Strictly meat hunting this hunt. Don't need any trophy. What would you all do? I almost feel as if I would be intruding as they put some effort into making a trail to the hill top. I have a gut feeling that they are guides and will have a client(s). I have noticed a few in there the past couple of seasons..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted October 21, 2009 I would have to go ahead and hunt my spot if I could and then go to plan B or C. I wouldn't be a real big fan of the flagged trail idea and probably wouldn't let it scare me off. I like your idea of trying to work with the individuals, but hey, if you live right there and can get there before they do, then have at it. Good luck this season in your hunt..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted October 21, 2009 These general hunts sure make it tough sometimes. If it was me, Id hunt it, leave at 2 or 3, but leave him a note that he can find. Tell him your hunting this spot, the same as you have in the past and are just meat hunting and you wouldnt mind if he was there too. That way he will know early enough to go to another spot if he wants to or he can meet up with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted October 21, 2009 go to your spot the evening before, glass till dark. Find what is there...if you find a buck that you want, get there first thing in the morning, find him (cause you know where to look), shoot him, and pass the trail blazers on the way back to your truck before the sun comes up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m77 Report post Posted October 21, 2009 Just go up there after work today, set up a ground blind, hang a bunch of signs out saying it's your spot, please stay out. That's what many other HUNTERS (i use that term loosely) would do. Don't even give it a second thought. If your there first, they will have to go to plan B or C. On public land it should always be the first hunter there, regardless of constructing a road to that spot, setting up tree stands or ground blinds. Go hunt that spot if you get there first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
My Rights As An American Report post Posted October 21, 2009 I agree with many other posters, it is not your spot, it is not their spot, it is no single person's spot. You did your homework and they seem to have also. Get there first and enjoy! They may get there late or not show up until later in the hunt. They may push a monster or a dink right into your shooting lane. It is just as much your spot as anyone else's. If you are there and they show up and cause a problem, head to spot B or C and make as much noise on the way out as possible! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted October 21, 2009 go to your spot the evening before, glass till dark. Find what is there...if you find a buck that you want, get there first thing in the morning, find him (cause you know where to look), shoot him, and pass the trail blazers on the way back to your truck before the sun comes up. +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted October 21, 2009 Put a note up that you want to talk to him at the spot the day before the hunt starts. Before he even opens his mouth punch him square in the jaw. When he wakes up be standing over him and let him know that this is your spot. OK OK I am just joking. Just hunt the spot you want. Hwo knows it may be the other hunt this guy has. how long has the flags been up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted October 21, 2009 I agree with most here - go with your "Plan A" on this one as if there were no trail/flagging. There's no way to tell if he's even going to hunt that spot opening day of your hunt. If he does, I'm sure you guys can work something out. You might even make a new friend in the process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted October 21, 2009 The other guy may not even be able to hunt till Saturday. Maybe you'll meet him and make a friend from the situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted October 21, 2009 First come, first served. Early bird gets the worm..........! Get in there first! Is it recent flagging? Maybe it was from the archery season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommat Report post Posted October 21, 2009 It is fresh flagging.....I also found some trash that might have blowin away from them...little Bousch and Laumb wipes for optics and such.....I know why they did it..I about kill myself climbing up there in the dark...lots of catclaw and ocotillo....I have always used GPS to get there in the dark...never thought of flagging and trimming the offending pokey things along the way. I'm sure I'll hunt the spot, just later in the hunt on the weekdays....The more I think about Plan B the more I am liking it......I glassed up a forkie the other day there. Thanks for the thoughts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted October 22, 2009 This post is really getting me pumped up for the early hunts. Not! Here is what I would do. Take down his tape. Its littering. Reposition it "THe Long Way" through the uncut cat claw to some other glassing point out of your way. Give the scratched hunters the thumbs up opening morning with a big smile on your face when they are glassing you in the morning, wondering WTF. Bob Of coarse if you do this you know they will shoot a monster in their new spot right before your eye's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BowNut Report post Posted October 22, 2009 Just go there it may be his plan B or C spot. Can't know or worry about what everyone else out there is doing. Just go and if he shows up work it out then. I'm sure you posted thinking he may be on here you never know he just might. I do agree with bobbyo though its littering I would take the flags down i hate to see that stuff hanging in the trees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowsniper Report post Posted October 22, 2009 If you really think he is a guide, he probably has plan A through Z spots. This is only one of them. I agree, flagging is trash, and should be cleaned up. Go and have a good opening day. First come, first served. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
