ethics? how would you handle this situation?

[Snapshot]

Even as I get older and more salty, I try hard not to let anything ruin my hunt. One of the many reasons I hunt, is to get away from people, and enjoy the outdoors. There have been times over the years I have seen hunters do things that may be o.k for them, but unethical, or un-sportsman like, to those of us that see things in a different light. I usually don't have a problem going and talking to someone, if I feel it is necessary to set matters straight. Just have to be careful.

 

One of my biggest complaints over the years are hunters that feel they have to setup camp fifty yards away from mine, when I was there first. There are hundreds of square miles of land in a unit,to camp and hunt. Any hunter worth his salt, will give the guy who staked his spot first, the right of way, and move on. Unfortunately, there are hunters out there that don't understand the meaning of fair play.

[PRDATR]

Even as I get older and more salty, I try hard not to let anything ruin my hunt. One of the many reasons I hunt, is to get away from people, and enjoy the outdoors. There have been times over the years I have seen hunters do things that may be o.k for them, but unethical, or un-sportsman like, to those of us that see things in a different light. I usually don't have a problem going and talking to someone, if I feel it is necessary to set matters straight. Just have to be careful.

 

One of my biggest complaints over the years are hunters that feel they have to setup camp fifty yards away from mine, when I was there first. There are hundreds of square miles of land in a unit,to camp and hunt. Any hunter worth his salt, will give the guy who staked his spot first, the right of way, and move on. Unfortunately, there are hunters out there that don't understand the meaning of fair play.

 

My son and I were up in 12B and found a water tank on the edge of a field. We set up in the mid afternoon on the edge of some trees about 200 yards from it.

After a few hours a hunter and his wife walk past us on the road and seeing us turn around and walk back the way they came. Turns out they only went about 30 yards and set up.

Now this guy was probably late 40's, Nosler rifle, Swaro Optics and a pretty new Powerstroke (I think it was a King Ranch) and probably had close to $10K in optics and rifles for him and the wife. Makes you wonder.

We hunted hard for four days on foot with packs and never saw another hunter on foot. Every hunter we saw was driving around @ 2MPH with uncased guns.

We even had a father son in a white chevy heading towards us as my son was stalking a couple of deer. They were about 400 yards away and I was waving for them to stop which they finally did about 250 yards away as the der busted out of the trees and started across the field. What completely freaked me out was they both jumped out with rifles and although they could plainly see us they son (early 20's)raised his rifle to shoot. Thank goodness the dad, an older white haired fellow waved him off at the last second. Just crazy.

[HUNTnTAT2]

Thanks for your opinions. We felt we made the wise decision to sit and watch the show. And by not confronting the man. What guy in the woods doesn't carry a weapon in the field? And with ur wife who wouldnt react aggressive and over protective if two guys came to give u crap about your bonehead move?. Bummer situation but I feel blessed to even be out enjoying mother earth. We watched two falcons dogfighting and locking talons. A golden eagle screaming at em and chased em off. A nice black bear. A 5x bull & a few spikes. 9 turkeys all in that same evening. And got to spend time with my grandfather and cousin. Just wish the steaks we grilled up that night were grass fed, free ranging coues tenderloin instead of corn fed chuck steaks. The leaner meat seems to make ice cold brews go down smoother and more plentiful

[elkaholic]

you did right thing - let it go!

 

next time - you be where the deer exited the area as ( dad son mom) will try the same thing agin - use the info to your advantage . they always go back in hopes of a repeat .

[naturegirl]

Here's the problem. Some people lack the "good person" gene and the are going to lack it whether they are out hunting or you cross their path in church. He was inconsiderate plain and simple. I would be very angry no doubt about it.

 

I've had things happen similar to me and so has the other people I hunt with. It is discouraging to me so now a good portion of my hunting game is how to stay away from areas that I know hold more people

 

[ghost hunter]

Personally, I would have had to go say something, especially being that close.. If you don't call them on the behavior, it looks like you condon their behavior. What you did isn't wrong either.

 

Growing up, I never used to see this kind of behavior. Over the past 10-15 years, it seems to happen more often each year. I've tried to come up with a solution other than fist-i-cuffs.

 

What do you think about really stressing ethics and hunter behavior in the Hunter Safety courses with the dialog going along the lines that both child and parent have to hold each other accountable. The ethics portion could also cover vandalism, trespassing etc.