Public land etiquette

[huntin_addict]

I never said anything about taking a stand home. You guys all have me out as some serial treestand thief and I've never even taken one. All I'm saying is a stand left somewhere doesn't mean it's your spot. It's first come first serve.

I HAVE taken a stand down and removed. Middle of summer (at this point it was up 5 months after the offender was supposed to have it out of the woods.) I took down a ladder stand, packed it up real nice with all of the guys straps, then carries it 3/4 of a mile back to the access point. At that time, I OnX pinned it, sent the warden an email detailing exactly what I did and where he could find everything. I then shared the OnX pin with him. I got a call later thanking me profusely and was told if I find any more up illegally, I was welcome to do the same thing.

When is it considered abandoned and litter? I was doing a public service by cleaning up litter.

 

[thedutchtouch]

the first year i walked around public by me i stopped counting stands when i got into double digits within just a few hunts. i mark them and move on, but can't say that there's much of a helpful pattern to them. too many are gun hunters with long shooting lanes so it doesn't help as much to reemberwhere those are bowhunting

 

[MAHunter]

When is it considered abandoned and litter? I was doing a public service by cleaning up litter.

Depends on the regulations.

What you should be asking is; What would have happened if u just pinned where it was and sent that to the warden? And what possible legal ramifications you would face if the owner caught u doing it.

From a legal standpoint, you are playing with fire, regardless of how thankful the warden was for saving him an hour of work.

And lets face it, hunters pulling down others guys gear arent doing it because its "littering". Its because they want that spot or want to keep people away from it.

 

[Dsabhunt]

According to MN Hunting Statue 97A.137



This says the public can use them, not take them down/bring them home.

That rule only applies to the northern part of the state and for ppl baiting bears. But it also states
the DNR considers any stand or blind on public hunting land public property. Regulations state that hunters are not allowed to leave a stand or blind in wildlife management areas overnight. Hunters must take their blinds with them at the end of every day. You can leave your treestand set up at your favorite hunting spot night overnight in state forests and national forest land in Minnesota, but by doing so, you’re accepting that your blind is public property and that other hunters may hunt from your blind when you’re not there.

 

[MAHunter]

That rule only applies to the northern part of the state and for ppl baiting bears. But it also states
the DNR considers any stand or blind on public hunting land public property. Regulations state that hunters are not allowed to leave a stand or blind in wildlife management areas overnight. Hunters must take their blinds with them at the end of every day. You can leave your treestand set up at your favorite hunting spot night overnight in state forests and national forest land in Minnesota, but by doing so, you’re accepting that your blind is public property and that other hunters may hunt from your blind when you’re not there.

The part i quoted was specific to deer

(b) From November 1 through December 31, a portable stand may be left overnight by a person possessing a license to take deer in a wildlife management area located in whole or in part north and west of a line described as follows:

State Trunk Highway 1 from the west boundary of the state to State Trunk Highway 89; then north along State Trunk Highway 89 to Fourtown; then north on County State-Aid Highway 44, Beltrami County, to County Road 704, Beltrami County; then north on County Road 704 to ****'s Parkway State Forest Road; then north on ****'s Parkway to County State-Aid Highway 5, Roseau County; then north on County State-Aid Highway 5 to Warroad; then north on State Trunk Highway 11 to State Trunk Highway 313; then north on State Trunk Highway 313 to the north boundary of the state.

The regs appear to be different depending on the land you are hunting and different regions. I did find the bit where it says they cant be left up overnight. I couldnt find anything that said it was ok for other hunters to take them down or move them.

 

[Dsabhunt]

The laws are the way they are in my state to stop the exact scenario the OP had with the other hunter. Too many ppl think their stand there makes it their spot and that nobody else can hint it and that's not the reality.
In mn they will give you a ticket and make you take it down for leaving it out overnight.

 

[brydan]

That was me and like someone else said, if left on public property (illegally) its owned by noone at that point. Either way, dont want your stand to go missing dont leave them in the woods unlocked illegally, its not like i carry boltcutters around. Most of the time they get taken down and moved a ways away.

Them not following the rules doesn't justify taking their stuff. Hiding it isn't really any better because you've taken their ability to use it and they probably aren't going to do an exhaustive search of the forest for something they assume was stolen.

Regardless, just take the high ground and leave stuff be that isn't yours. If it's a climber, put it back on the tree upside down or take it off and leave it on the ground if you really feel the need to send them a message about leaving stuff in the woods.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I have been hesitant to share this public land secret, due to how effective it has been for me, but WTH, go for it if you want to try it and are willing to put in the effort too. I have used a hand saw for many years to create very realistic giant fake rubs and mock scrapes (including using a preserved hoof to leave a huge buck track in each one) on public land where it will be easy enough to find and I direct the "rub/scrape line" far away from anywhere I plan to hunt. It is fun to watch the trucks pile in and setup stands exactly where I want them to go and push the bucks to me like magic. Tear up more trees boys and girls! And don't forget the Axe body spray.

Although I cannot say for sure, I'd bet some of these guys likely killed a nice buck that came in to all the mock sign I left. So be it.

Never done it on public but it was a favorite ploy of mine on that lease. I'd put a good giant rub just up the access lane. That would usually stop them cold and they would have a ladder stand up 50 yards off the gravel road not believing their luck to have gotten on a Booner not 50 yards from where they park. I also made a big turkey foot stamper I would use to stamp up the mud at popular turnouts. Kept many a dude busy chasing those "silent" gobblers.

Frankly. I Loved it when I found a dude who just wanted to sit in the same spot over and over and over. That spot was going to be burned out fast, and he wasn't going to be out in the woods messing up the good spots. I would leave enough sign to keep him hopeful and glued to that spot. Axe body spray...I always used Old Spice.

 

[CooterBrown]

Never done it on public but it was a favorite ploy of mine on that lease. I'd put a good giant rub just up the access lane. That would usually stop them cold and they would have a ladder stand up 50 yards off the gravel road not believing their luck to have gotten on a Booner not 50 yards from where they park. I also made a big turkey foot stamper I would use to stamp up the mud at popular turnouts. Kept many a dude busy chasing those "silent" gobblers.

Frankly. I Loved it when I found a dude who just wanted to sit in the same spot over and over and over. That spot was going to be burned out fast, and he wasn't going to be out in the woods messing up the good spots. I would leave enough sign to keep him hopeful and glued to that spot. Axe body spray...I always used Old Spice.

You dont hunt near me do you. No wonder i never see that buck or gobbler.

 

[Weldabeast]

I can't remember the last time I left anything....I take all my stuff with me whenever I leave even if I think I may return in the morning

 

[Dmathews87]

I can't remember the last time I left anything....I take all my stuff with me whenever I leave even if I think I may return in the morning

same. you would never know i was there...just the way i like it.

 

[Plebe]

I’ll be that guy who thinks it’s ****ty to work other hunters to your advantage like that. Some young kid or novice finds all this “sign” and wastes their time because you aren’t a good enough hunter to get it done on your own. Have at me for it, but it’s a crap move IMO.

 

[huntin_addict]

Depends on the regulations.

What you should be asking is; What would have happened if u just pinned where it was and sent that to the warden? And what possible legal ramifications you would face if the owner caught u doing it.

From a legal standpoint, you are playing with fire, regardless of how thankful the warden was for saving him an hour of work.

And lets face it, hunters pulling down others guys gear arent doing it because its "littering". Its because they want that spot or want to keep people away from it.

Honestly bro, I could care less how you look at it. If you are so lazy and callously disregard the rules that you want to leave your "property" up indefinitely, when the rules clearly state that A. They must all be labeled with identifying info and B. Must be removed from state land no later than 2 weeks after any deer season, 5 months later, yes, I consider it litter.

And no, the warden wouldn't go take it down, he doesn't have the time, but he was certainly glad to just go pick it up.

 

[huntin_addict]

Depends on the regulations.

What you should be asking is; What would have happened if u just pinned where it was and sent that to the warden? And what possible legal ramifications you would face if the owner caught u doing it.

From a legal standpoint, you are playing with fire, regardless of how thankful the warden was for saving him an hour of work.

And lets face it, hunters pulling down others guys gear arent doing it because its "littering". Its because they want that spot or want to keep people away from it.

And legal ramifications? That's laughable at best. Whats he gonna do, call the warden and say some guy was taking down MY stand (and packing it up real nice and neat) that I have left up indefinitely on state land, and now I want you to cite him. Think about that for a minute.

 

[MAHunter]

And legal ramifications? That's laughable at best. Whats he gonna do, call the warden and say some guy was taking down MY stand (and packing it up real nice and neat) that I have left up indefinitely on state land, and now I want you to cite him. Think about that for a minute.

If he calls the cops and has proof you took his stand, no amount of "its past this date" is going to justify you doing something you are not authorized to do. Do you pull people over for speeding to? Chase them down when they flick a cigarette out the window?

 

[Dsabhunt]

If he calls the cops and has proof you took his stand, no amount of "its past this date" is going to justify you doing something you are not authorized to do. Do you pull people over for speeding to? Chase them down when they flick a cigarette out the window?

Calls the cops and says what exactly? The treestand I left on public land and was never going to go and get got taken. Their is a point where the cops look at it as abandoned property.
There is a big 4th of July parade in my town and ppl leave chairs out on the route a week in advance and the cops said they are abandoned property and they won't do anything about ppl taking them

 

[huntin_addict]

If he calls the cops and has proof you took his stand, no amount of "its past this date" is going to justify you doing something you are not authorized to do. Do you pull people over for speeding to? Chase them down when they flick a cigarette out the window?

Make nicey nice with the local warden(s) and deputies, as well as the state troopers, no worries.

 

[Plebe]

Calls the cops and says what exactly? The treestand I left on public land and was never going to go and get got taken. Their is a point where the cops look at it as abandoned property.
There is a big 4th of July parade in my town and ppl leave chairs out on the route a week in advance and the cops said they are abandoned property and they won't do anything about ppl taking them

Well, if said call was made, that demonstrates the owner never intended to relinquish ownership of said personal property. In that case, said property was not abandoned. It may have been in violation of applicable regulations/codes and subject to the consequences of those violations.

It's for the authorities to decide.

I think it's best to call the authorities for guidance.

 

[Plebe]

Make nicey nice with the local warden(s) and deputies, as well as the state troopers, no worries.

If he's got you on camera or other evidence, wardens, deputies, troopers probably aren't going to lie for you if it hits the fan. Ya never know.

I'm not against your take here. I can't stand that crap. I'd just make the call in advance. Then everyone's life is easier. They are positioned to make the determination that it's been abandoned based on several factors, your a** is covered and so is theirs.

Again, my opinion.

 

[Fgirtyman]

Our public land regulations state no permanent stands and no stands put up 7 days prior to the season opener or left up 7 days post season. Any not within rules/laws are subject to seizure and disposal by the department of wildlife. Also, absolutely no baiting. Luckily, I don't see many stands. I chalk it up to laziness. I have seen 8 or 10 so far out of thousands upon thousands of acres walked. I have not seen one more than 250 yards off a main road. The vast majority are 100 yards or less. A few have been there for years. A couple were out when Nixon was in office, lol. It's weird but I sort of feel sorry for the guys putting them out. I feel like they bought into what the TV guys are doing and that just can't work too well on public land. Maybe some of them are old dudes who can't walk far and can't be mobile. Who knows? To me, I just can't see a permanent stand being any good unless someone is dumping bait in front of it, or it is in a phenomenal pinch point. How many phenomenal pinch points are conveniently located 100 yards of less from the road?

From my own personal experience of having permanent stands out on a lease I can tell you that out of 18 lock on stands I had out, I would see deer out of one or two a season. I used a climber most of the time. They just weren't productive, and I would hate to think I had to hunt that way. Those stands are gathering dust in my shop now. On that lease permanent stands were everywhere because there were basically no spots people would not ride with 4 wheelers and side by sides. You can't do that here on public and that really limits the lazy folks.

I hear of hunters walking in a mile on public land and setting up in the dark. I applaud your resolve and determination and total dedication. Personally I rarely see it at least in my area. I hunt private and am surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of public forests. I rarely see anyone or find stands back in the deep woods. I think most and I mean most hunters are too lazy to go in deep. I am also lazy to a point. I’m sure some do the 1 and 2 in thing and my hats off to you.
Some of the best areas on public land is clearcuts and many times not to far off a wheeler trail or road.