Deer hunting intrusion

concealedG36

Well, I made it back from hunting camp in one piece! Had lots of fun, got a 5 point buck and a really nice doe with my .30-06 (two heart shots, immediate kills). But, one thing still bothers me.We have a small 20 acre plot that butts up to several other larger (usally 80 acre) plots. Well, the people that own the land directly behind my hunting area are anti-hunters. These jerks routinely take walks through the woods during dusk and dawn to try and screw up hunting for the people in the area. I got so mad this year I actually yelled from my blind and told them where they should take a walk to. They yelled back and said they'd continue to do it and there wasn't anything I could do about it. I actually had to put my rifle down and sit on the floor and calm down (you can imagine the thoughts that went through my head at that moment).What do you guys think about this? My dad tells me that its their property and they can do what they want (and I should just grit my teeth and drop it). I was tempted to fire a round or two into the ground just to make them jump, but I figured they'd call the police. Is this just the rudest thing you've ever heard of? Damn, really makes me mad just thinking about it.By the way, the reason I managed to get the two is because I stayed in my blind all day until the deer that initially ran away came back.

thesupermonkey

Its good you didn't fire your rifle to scare them, they probably would have said you were shooting at them and that's all we need is more bad press on hunters. I suggest you try talking to them. Go over to their house (perhaps bearing some venison?) and explain your side of the story. I think you'll get much better results, and they might even quit disrupting your hunts. Just a thought...You catch more flies with honey.[This message has been edited by thesupermonkey (edited 11-20-2001).]

posh

I'd add one little refinement. When you take that piece of venison over, thank them for driving the deer off of their property to your stand by their walking around. If they're anti-hunting I'll bet that's the last walk they take during hunting season.

dh

There is no way I would go and try to speak to them about it.Can you imagine how angry you would get if they scoffed you directly to your face and told you to hit the road?Maybe find out more about them from neighbors and see what their story is.For now you just have to grin and bear it.I once knew of a similar problem and it only escalated.

royc38

I'd also go the good neighbor policy way first. You might want to make a "deal" with them. Such as suggesting that you invite them permission to walk on your property (not during deer season of course). If they are "outdoors" people you can use that to your advantage and you also will have something in common with them. Use the carrot first before you use the stick.

tajjn

Had a similiar situation were we used to hunt, but ladies (I think they were a couple)owned the next door property. These women used to send kids and their dog dressed in hunter orange tramping though the woods. Funny thing though, that dog over a three year period chased an 8 pointer and a 5 pointer right past my stand. Pissed those ladies off no end when I shot those deer, they thought I had shot their dog and started yelling for fluffy, I yelled back and asked if they wanted a head mount or a full body. The third year some a hole on the next farm shot that dog; miss that dog.

dakotashooter2

I have to laugh about situations like this because it shows how little the anti's know about the game they are trying to protect. They don't understand that deer may hold tight and let them pass, even during deer season or that the deer will probably just circle around them and come back to the area. Use it to your advantage.Maybe call them and ask if they plan on this every night and say you just wanted to know so you could be sure to get to your stand early enough. A letter of thanks for pushing the deer to you is a good idea. After two or three years of these they may decide they are doing more harm to their cause than good.

Iconoclast

Having encountered enough antis in my days, I still try to reason with them the first time & so would advise approaching them in a rational, neighborly, way (presuming neither party burned its bridges with the exchange you described). Where you go from there is up to you, but remember in situations like this, the party which keeps its cool is the winner, if only in the objective sense of the matter. You won't do yourself or hunting any good if you say or do anything that gives them cause to say more than "The nerve of that man trying to enlist our cooperation in his horrible activities." Most of the antis are as certain in their moral superiority as OBL, but some are rational & you have nothing to lose - besides, they are neighbors.

arthur welling

In PA it's a crime to intentionally interfere with hunting in progress.I DO like the idea of a nice note, thanking them for participating in the deer drive that allowed you to harvest two nice deer.Next year, take their habits into account during your hunt and let them drive deer to you, and watch as well for deer sneaking behind them.

Orphanedcowboy

Its a federal crime to harrass a sporstman, anywhere, I wish my problem was as simple as a neighbor, dang oil company come in 500 yds from my stand, and set up shop, in one day. There is a good note though, the lights make the coyote hunting easy, I got 7 last night in about 3 hours, trying to cross an open feild from their den, about 500 yds across, only one made it.

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Orphanedcowboy@msn.com

timberbeast

Call the DNR and report them. It's a clear case of harassment, and is clearly illegal. If that doesn't work, set up a firing range right near the lot line and shoot constantly all year long. Nothing illegal about that. Just make sure the range points onto your own property and there is no chance of hitting anyone.

concealedG36

Thanks for all the advice. I'm pretty sure they won't want to speak with me after our exchange of words. But, I am glad I didn't take the confrontation any further. I guess I'll just look on the positive side and try to capitalize on any deer they might push my way. Thanks for the feedback, at least I feel justified in my frustration with these people.G36

mudge

I'd go with the "Thank You" idea. A nice card from your local Hallmark with a little note inside. These people, obviously, have no clue as to the habits of deer so you can tell them pretty much anything. Tell 'em that their daily walks are timed perfectly with when the deer are foraging and their disturbance drives the deer away from them and onto adjoining properties making it easier for you to pick and choose, from the moving groups, what you want to shoot. That "drivers" are illegal during hunting season and that their walks are a legal form of "driving". May not be true but they'll never know.Mudge the devious

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I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!