Public land etiquette

[Hunterweeks]

Will have to check on are laws in Florida but you can walk wma and find. Tons. Of stands

 

[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

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.

The upside down thing is actually an incredibly funny idea lol

 

[woodsdog2]

I agree with most if not all of the responses provided but in our area you cannot leave a stand up all year. On state land after season the state will take them and repurpose them for hunter eduction instructors to use for treestand safety demo purposes in there classes. Most of us don’t want them though.

 

[huntin_addict]

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.

Read all of my responses. I stole nothing, nor will I. I could care less if I am on camera in the scenario I provided. I can prove what I did and to whom I provided the info. Again, the cops and warden would laugh at the guy.

 

[huntin_addict]

The upside down thing is actually an incredibly funny idea lol

An upside down ladder stand would be pretty epic.

 

[Plebe]

Read all of my responses. I stole nothing, nor will I. I could care less if I am on camera in the scenario I provided. I can prove what I did and to whom I provided the info. Again, the cops and warden would laugh at the guy.

I read your posts.

You're quoting (and internalizing) my response to another member's comment. I'm just sharing insight about property law with that member.

I responded to your post that I think it's best to call the authorities before you take down someone's stand. You don't agree, keep on truckin.

 

[deerfly]

Hunted public land in Fl 99% of my life, will be 65 next week. In all those years I have had maybe a handful of situations and encounters with others where I've been mad enough to do damage to their stuff or them. Fortunately, things never got that far.

Bottom line, don't mess with other peoples stuff unless you're willing to bear the consequences. There's a lot of tomato heads out there and conflicts around hunting seem to bother them more than if you were bonking their wives. Don't be one of them, its not worth it...

 

[huntin_addict]

I read your posts.

You're quoting (and internalizing) my response to another member's comment. I'm just sharing insight about property law with that member.

I responded to your post that I think it's best to call the authorities before you take down someone's stand. You don't agree, keep on truckin.

You do you, I'll do me. Seems to work well.

 

[dalton916]

Taking an illegal stand out is no different than picking up litter that someone left in the woods. An illegal stand is no different than a snickers wrapper or a Mountain Dew bottle, both belong to the person who left them there and both are litter.

Leave it better than you found it.

 

[Plebe]

You do you, I'll do me. Seems to work well.

That's all well and good.

But I really don't see any downside to contacting the proper authorities about a treestand that violates regulations before taking matters into one's own hand. Do you not have cell service or something where you hunt?

 

[huntin_addict]

That's all well and good.

But I really don't see any downside to contacting the proper authorities about a treestand that violates regulations before taking matters into one's own hand. Do you not have cell service or something where you hunt?

Dude, what didn't you understand about me saying I talked to the warden?

 

[huntin_addict]

Dude, what didn't you understand about me saying I talked to the warden?

And I will do the same thing again, and again, and again...

I have a clear conscience and sleep well at night.

 

[Plebe]

Dude, what didn't you understand about me saying I talked to the warden?

From what you've written, you talked to the warden after you took the stand down. I'm suggesting it may be better to contact a Warden beforehand is all.

Your words:

"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"

 

[Plebe]

Taking an illegal stand out is no different than picking up litter that someone left in the woods. An illegal stand is no different than a snickers wrapper or a Mountain Dew bottle, both belong to the person who left them there and both are litter.

Leave it better than you found it.

Is it different than personally towing away a car that is parked illegally? A stand and a car are both personal property.

I'm all for the sentiment of lets clean up our wilds. I just caution folks to act within their authority.

 

[dalton916]

Take the car out into the woods and abandon it and it’s litter. Just like the abandoned stand. And just like the abandoned candy wrapper.

The only difference between the car, the stand and the candy wrapper is the car can be traced to the owner. The stand can also be traced to the owner if its a state that requires tagging the stand with the owner’s info. The only other way to ID the individual that illegally dumped the stand on public property is for the individual to report it as missing. Well, guess what? In this case with him calling the authorities and reporting the location of the stand, the same location that makes it easy for them to go remove it, the owner can be identified. And ticketed.

 

[Plebe]

Take the car out into the woods and abandon it and it’s litter. Just like the abandoned stand. And just like the abandoned candy wrapper.

The only difference between the car, the stand and the candy wrapper is the car can be traced to the owner. The stand can also be traced to the owner if its a state that requires tagging the stand with the owner’s info. The only other way to ID the individual that illegally dumped the stand on public property is for the individual to report it as missing. Well, guess what? In this case with him calling the authorities and reporting the location of the stand, the same location that makes it easy for them to go remove it, the owner can be identified. And ticketed.

What is the legal definition of litter?

 

[dalton916]

How long do you want to play these stupid games?

 

[Plebe]

How long do you want to play these stupid games?

I'm not playing games. I just don't think most forum members are situated to bear expertise on legal matters.

I'm not, why I defer to the authorities. You're not either.

 

[woodsdog2]

I see all sides for sure but I agree with @Plebe, a newby or a youngster reading that could get the wrong idea. Play it safe and contact the authorities first. People can get real good at he said she said and before you know…. You were the good guy trying to do something right and the next thing you know, you’re in the middle of someone’s $hit show!!!

 

[huntin_addict]

I'm not playing games. I just don't think most forum members are situated to bear expertise on legal matters.

I'm not, why I defer to the authorities. You're not either.

And as an adult that is well past my 20s and 30s, I'm fully capable of making grown up decisions, and living with them. There comes a point in a man's life where maybe they grab the bull by the horns so to speak.

In this particular circumstance, your "cautions" and "what ifs" are falling on deaf ears.

I decided a while ago that I was kind of sick and tired of lazy sob's littering up the woods, and I would always, ALWAYS come out with something I didn't take in.

Every year for 5 years I would also go to the state lands that I like to hunt every spring, with a couple of large garbage bags in tow, and fill them up with the thrown out beer cans and bottles, pizza boxes, fast food bags and candy wrappers. Should I have left them too?