stagpanther
New member
Not sure there is such a thing but I thought I'd ask anyway. I'm not a good hunter and am still just learning--but nonetheless I've spent a lot of time and miles in the forests of both the south and north.
I know it's inevitable that you are going to inadvertently come across other hunter's set-ups while ingress/egressing from your hunt. However--as long as the time of day is during legal hunting hours I generally try to make my approach as silent and inconspicuous as possible.
Today I decided to do an afternoon still-hunt approach into a long power line bordered by thick forests on either side. Conditions were perfect for a still-hunt and I made my way slowly and silently in the shadow-side of the power line slot and into the wind. After about 1.5 hours during one of my scans I picked off a hunter who had just entered the power line from the woods 3/4 of a mile away. He was moving so fast that even a tiny orange dot jumped out. I watched his approach and as fast as he was hiking it did not take him very long to catch up to me. I tried to get some info out of him but all he said was that he was going to continue on--and that his brother might show up later. The guy continued on with his fast hike straight up the middle of the power line and was soon out of sight. Obviously I figured my hunt was busted--but since the wind was strong I thought what the heck--I'll stick around for sunset anyway.
Sure enough--about an hour later the same guy comes speed-walking right down the middle of the line--and well before sunset. I figure it's no use and trail out about an eighth of a mile behind him. He cuts out into the forest sooner than the parking area and I can hear voices in the woods--I assumed he met up with his bro.
Meantime I continue on and stumble upon a pile of bait--corn and beets--that was not there when I hiked in. Baiting deer during the hunting season is prohibited.
I'm guessing the brothers had planned a drive--but is it ethical to do this across other hunters that you know are in the woods already? Illegal use of bait needs no explanation obviously.
I know it's inevitable that you are going to inadvertently come across other hunter's set-ups while ingress/egressing from your hunt. However--as long as the time of day is during legal hunting hours I generally try to make my approach as silent and inconspicuous as possible.
Today I decided to do an afternoon still-hunt approach into a long power line bordered by thick forests on either side. Conditions were perfect for a still-hunt and I made my way slowly and silently in the shadow-side of the power line slot and into the wind. After about 1.5 hours during one of my scans I picked off a hunter who had just entered the power line from the woods 3/4 of a mile away. He was moving so fast that even a tiny orange dot jumped out. I watched his approach and as fast as he was hiking it did not take him very long to catch up to me. I tried to get some info out of him but all he said was that he was going to continue on--and that his brother might show up later. The guy continued on with his fast hike straight up the middle of the power line and was soon out of sight. Obviously I figured my hunt was busted--but since the wind was strong I thought what the heck--I'll stick around for sunset anyway.
Sure enough--about an hour later the same guy comes speed-walking right down the middle of the line--and well before sunset. I figure it's no use and trail out about an eighth of a mile behind him. He cuts out into the forest sooner than the parking area and I can hear voices in the woods--I assumed he met up with his bro.
Meantime I continue on and stumble upon a pile of bait--corn and beets--that was not there when I hiked in. Baiting deer during the hunting season is prohibited.
I'm guessing the brothers had planned a drive--but is it ethical to do this across other hunters that you know are in the woods already? Illegal use of bait needs no explanation obviously.