New Property

[sep0667]

I may soon be getting permission to hunt on a new property. It is about 1000 acres. I'm not sure yet how much timber/ag ground yet. I do know that a couple other people hunt there. I'm excited, but also a little aprehensive. When ever gaining permission on a new peice that other people hunt as well how do you go about the other hunters? Try and get their info from the landowner to meet or call them and see where/how/when they hunt? Or just go into it, scout around, and set up where you don't see any stands? Everywhere I've hunted before on private ground I was one of the first/family owned it so it wasnt' as big of deal. I know I would not be to excited about somone coming in. Any suggestions/expeirences???

 

[Sligh1]

I save some time & just sit in other people's treestands! Kidding.

Ya- if I don't know the folks, of course I avoid their stands like crazy. Not actually just out of courtesy BUT because I like having my own areas that I know I won't overpressure an area or goof it up. I tell you, when I've had someone new come in to a piece I had permission on, it did tick me off when they set up next to my spots. I guess if you run into them or feel like making a call- you could coordinate. I'll admit- I haven't always been proactive at reaching out and planning everything, general courtesy & avoiding their areas have kept things quiet for me in the past with no trouble. I did have some idiot sitting in my treestand one time, as I look back, it was funny BUT at the time, I was not a happy camper- I was just like "ah, why are you in my stand? Are you too lazy to set your own stuff up" - while he was still sitting there. He said "I didn't think anyone was using this stand anymore" - it was a NEW stand I hung that spring. "Ah, ya- you are sitting in a new stand, do you think folks just leave stuff like this in the woods to rot?". I said, whatever and just walked out and pulled the stand a couple days later.

Anyways, congrats on the new farm, I'm sure with 1000 acres, you can find plenty of deep & secluded spots that will be top notch and not get in eachothers way. Good luck!

 

[sep0667]

Was hoping for some more comments on this topic. Like Sligh, in the past I've always sort of avoided any other hunters and just stayed clear, didn't really communicate with them at all.

 

[sureshot]

What I would do;

Ask the landowner if he has the contact info of others who have permission to hunt the farm. If he does, contact the other hunters and tell them who you are and that you also have permission. Tell them that you don't want to step on toes, but that you will also be hunting the property this fall and would be willing to work together with them to better both of your odds......if that means just coordinating where and when you will be hunting to stay out of each others way, or actually sharing trail cams pics, sightings, etc....thats entirely up to you guys.

One of the best ways to ruin it for everyone involved is to get in any sort of argument, fued, etc., over hunting the property. Be upfront, and be outgoing....go out of your way to make it work. Show the others that you are serious, but also give the other hunters who have hunted there in the past respect.

 

[westernsix]

Honestly I had this experience last year, put tons of work into a new farm and really was pumped for season. Then when October 1 came the deer vanished. I did some research and these other hunters were slobs, not watching us our our stands. Not watching winds and hunted the hell out of the place. Ended up having trail cam stolen and stand as well.

Now I just stay away if others hunt it. Got another new place this year that is way way good. Found another trail cam and stand up called the landowner and she said she gave permission to one other person so I just moved on. It sucks but I have been burned by this so so many times I have learned that its usually not worth it for me.

1000 acres is a bit different though, depends on how many stands they have and how they hunt. If they dont worry bout scent, wind, pressuring areas, entrance and exit routes, ect, and your not able to get completely away from them all together than its just a waste of time.

 

[bukket]

Try to contact the other folks hunting that ground via the landowner before the season starts. You've got the opportunity to make some new friends with a common interest.
Remember that they were there first and will most likely not be pleased to meet you. Keep telling yourself that if things are rocky to begin with. Be the bigger man and stay classy if you get a cold shoulder.

I've had this same scenario play out a few times and have always managed to turn this into a positive situation. Being the new guy I would favor yielding to their existing standsites and do my best to not be seen, heard, or smelled when hunting at the same time. Be there to help get a deer out of the timber with a smile on your face if one of them needs help. Share some sticks or something unique from your freezer if you manage to take something. Offer up some pics if you get anything good on a trail cam. When turkey season rolls around work out the seasons ahead of time so you're not stumbling over each other, or find a way to hunt as a group if they're willing. I guess just try to work together and find a way to make everybody's success on the property satisfying for everybody else.

Or, if any of the others are total douchers just ignore them, but always be the bigger man.

 

[JNRBRONC]

I just gained permission for a new farm. Guy who owns it said he didn't care, but I better talk to the farmer renting it. The farmer said that I could bow hunt, but that another group shotgun hunts it. No problem there with me. During our conversation he asked if I run trailcams. I thought he asked if I was already running them, which I thought odd as I didn't have hunting permission yet. Farmer claimed he didn't like getting his picture taken, told him it wouldn't be a problem as knowing that I wouldn't hang any. I wonder if there are cams on the property now? I might have to take a walk this weekend and find out. Smile for the camera.

If I see stands out there, I'll just avoid them. I really don't care to meet them and I'm sure not going to try to police the property for the landowner. I might call him and tell him I saw some people out there and that I did not know them nor did I invite them (that seemed to be another problem the farmer has had in the past).

I told the farmer that I will carry in the stand, hunt and take it with me. I mentioned there might be the rare incidence where I hunt and evening and leave it hanging to return in the morning for a hunt.

An earlier discussion the farmer mentioned that the people who own a cabin on the adjacent ground "act like they own the place", so I'm not looking forward to meeting those people.

 

[DOR]

I do the opposite.

I don't like it when someone else joins me on a property, but that isn't my choice and I am polite to the other hunter if I bump into him, but most aren't.

I approach new properties with caution and try to remain stealth. If no one knows I'm hunting it, they won't (in theory) mess with me and my mobile style of hunting. I avoid other hunters sets like the plague.

I typically only hunt a property a couple times a year anyway and try to do so midweek in situations like this to increase odds that I don't bump into a mad Bubba.

You are good to go with permission, so why stir the hornets nest is the take away message I guess.

If I personally know, or one of my friends knows the other hunters on the property I simply do not hunt there....too much drama.

Now if I planned on dropping anchor at this place my answer would differ, but I don't hunt that way.

 

[NWBuck]

This situation is one of the reasons I recently took the leap and leased a couple of small pieces. The people who hunt the same places I do are all great guys, and many of them are family. Nonetheless, I do not like a crowd...and at certain times of the season there are several guys hunting the same general area. Now, during those times, my kids and I will have an alternative where we know we can be by ourselves...even though the area is relatively small.

NWBuck