Why do people do this

[boyne bowhunter]

While I sincerely, truly appreciate the effort to call attention to this effort to keep our woodlands clean my gut feel is that it's going to fall on deaf ears as far the repeat offenders go.

The trash left on public land is probably my biggest pet peeve with my fellow hunters. I have hunted almost exclusively on state land most of my almost 50 years of hunting. I carry some trash out almost every time I go into the woods. While some of it is definitely NOT hunter related (for example plastic oil bottles left behind from logging operations) those occurrences are few and far between. Also, they are typically one time occurrences and once picked up they don't repeat.

I spend a lot of time hunting remote from home while dispersed camping on state land. Every year I pick up a plastic grocery bag of trash from around the camp site, a place I just picked up spotless the previous year partly because I don't want that mess associated with my presence. But I also pick up a never ending, seemingly self renewable supply of beer cans along the two tracks in and out. It seems like every trip in or out I can count on finding another six cans to replace the six I picked up just the last time through. Add to that the tree stands with the cans scattered around as far downwind as they can throw . . . or worse yet, the re-capped gatorade bottle with the "mystery fluid" still inside and left behind (yeecch, I don't even want to know!!). And don't get me started again on the strings of orange flagging tape hanging from every other tree down the obvious old logging road you could follow blind folded through the woods (Yes, I cleaned up your tape. I'm sorry you got lost).

I guess what I'm trying to say in my long winded, grumpy old man manner, is that there are two kinds of people. Those who will do what it takes to try to keep the outdoor experience somewhat pure and those who just don't give a rip. You're not gonna change those guys. Hopefully you can get some others on the borderline to help clean up after the slobs though. Sorry for the rant, I think I've got most of it out of my system . . . .

 

[SaddleUpPartner!]

That's why I carry a full size pack even when turkey hunting. Last time out on a new piece of state land I had to strap my jacket to the outside of my pack to fit all the trash. A friend of mine and I also keep an extra bucket in the boat when bowfishing. Helps clean up the water and doubles as shooting practice

This is depressing and also gives me hope at the same time. Good on you man.

 

[SaddleUpPartner!]

While I sincerely, truly appreciate the effort to call attention to this effort to keep our woodlands clean my gut feel is that it's going to fall on deaf ears as far the repeat offenders go.

The trash left on public land is probably my biggest pet peeve with my fellow hunters. I have hunted almost exclusively on state land most of my almost 50 years of hunting. I carry some trash out almost every time I go into the woods. While some of it is definitely NOT hunter related (for example plastic oil bottles left behind from logging operations) those occurrences are few and far between. Also, they are typically one time occurrences and once picked up they don't repeat.

I spend a lot of time hunting remote from home while dispersed camping on state land. Every year I pick up a plastic grocery bag of trash from around the camp site, a place I just picked up spotless the previous year partly because I don't want that mess associated with my presence. But I also pick up a never ending, seemingly self renewable supply of beer cans along the two tracks in and out. It seems like every trip in or out I can count on finding another six cans to replace the six I picked up just the last time through. Add to that the tree stands with the cans scattered around as far downwind as they can throw . . . or worse yet, the re-capped gatorade bottle with the "mystery fluid" still inside and left behind (yeecch, I don't even want to know!!). And don't get me started again on the strings of orange flagging tape hanging from every other tree down the obvious old logging road you could follow blind folded through the woods (Yes, I cleaned up your tape. I'm sorry you got lost).

I guess what I'm trying to say in my long winded, grumpy old man manner, is that there are two kinds of people. Those who will do what it takes to try to keep the outdoor experience somewhat pure and those who just don't give a rip. You're not gonna change those guys. Hopefully you can get some others on the borderline to help clean up after the slobs though. Sorry for the rant, I think I've got most of it out of my system . . . .

This 1000%. It was near Houghton Lake if that gives you any clue for where I was. No shortage of slobs in that section of the state. I guess we’ll just have to keep picking up for the toddlers. I’m just glad there’s people on this site that actually give two craps. I think the continuous social media public shaming might work too. You know they check Facebook at least.

 

[EricS]

Anyone familiar with the mesh shotshell bag used for spent shells. They seem to be about the right size. Most have a spring steel piece that holds it open or closed. That wouldn’t be necessary for this use but they may make one with a drawstring.

 

[Apex7]

Had an awesome time scouting in the Michigan marshes until I came upon a site that honestly infuriated me. Beer cans strewn all over filled with bird shot pellets, shotgun shell boxes, an old coffee mug all shot up. Part of the mug was wedged in an old tree trunk and a box was pinned to the tree with a nail. What kind of message does this send to people who don’t hunt who walk past that on a nature walk? I know what I would think, “jeez these hunters are bunch of drunk rednecks, they probably aren’t a good group to associate with.” I found an old plastic bag(probably from them) and cleaned the cans up on my way out of the woods. I’d like to think most hunters feel the way I do but some of our brethren are a bunch of toddlers. Leave the woods better than you found it. I know 99.9999% of you people wouldn’t do this but I needed to vent about it.

I hunt in a program that hunts suburban parks and we tell the hunters to carry a garbage bag when scouting or hunting and pick up any trash they find. The group does a good job in picking up trash.

 

[cedar paul]

I live in a very rural area that less than a dozen people live on a 10 mile road. Anyway we have a popular camping area on a little lake which I usually patrol after church because many times have found a smoldering fire which I put out. Litter is strewn all over and my plan is to go to the local surplus store and get 2 barrels- one for recyclables one for trash. If people want to recreate that is fine but when you live in a wooded area fires are a concern and cleaning your campsite would be appreciated.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I live in a very rural area that less than a dozen people live on a 10 mile road. Anyway we have a popular camping area on a little lake which I usually patrol after church because many times have found a smoldering fire which I put out. Litter is strewn all over and my plan is to go to the local surplus store and get 2 barrels- one for recyclables one for trash. If people want to recreate that is fine but when you live in a wooded area fires are a concern and cleaning your campsite would be appreciated.

Another peeve of mine . . . fire pits from campers with remains of cans and other non-combustibles that they just disposed of by throwing in the fire. You know it isn't going to burn, carry it out with you . . . OK, I feel better now.

 

[Weldabeast]

Flagging tape, cig butt, used t.p., themacell wrappers, balloons, empty water bottles are the things I find the most

 

[bj139]

Flagging tape, cig butt, used t.p., themacell wrappers, balloons, empty water bottles are the things I find the most

Doesnt flagging tape belong in the woods? I see it everywhere I go. Ladder stands that are there permanently are also.

 

[DroptineKrazy]

Sad to say but I would be willing to bet that most of the trash I find in the woods is left by non-hunters and the hunters get most of the blame. I have never hunted with anybody that littered and most of the people I have shared a camp with would be just like you and bring that trash out. Thank you by the way.

 

[Miboy86]

This 1000%. It was near Houghton Lake if that gives you any clue for where I was. No shortage of slobs in that section of the state. I guess we’ll just have to keep picking up for the toddlers. I’m just glad there’s people on this site that actually give two craps. I think the continuous social media public shaming might work too. You know they check Facebook at least.

At first I thought you were down in my part of the woods, I came across a bunch of tires stacked up with a bag of trash in one parking lot, another has a shot up flat screen and another lot has a old tv shot up but all the shells and trash is bagged and sitting inside the tv. More then likely the locals trash because they are known to be alittle strange in that area.

 

[DroptineKrazy]

My brother and I once removed 121 tires from a property we hunt. It costs $2 apiece to dispose of them at the local landfill so some slob dumped them 1/4 of a mile in down a old logging road

 

[GWHGoat]

Did the same thing on a game lands on the road to our club. Some slob dumped a couple of truck loads of tires. Me and my dad picked them up, took them to the club and stacked them then covered them in dirt for the backstop for our pistol range.

 

[SaddleUpPartner!]

Sad to say but I would be willing to bet that most of the trash I find in the woods is left by non-hunters and the hunters get most of the blame. I have never hunted with anybody that littered and most of the people I have shared a camp with would be just like you and bring that trash out. Thank you by the way.

This is definitely true too. People who wouldn't otherwise use the public land for hiking or hunting think it's the public dump site. The trash from hunters I usually find is doe estrus bottles, pop bottles/water bottles/beer cans, food wrappers, etc. Trash from local idiots is the big items like old beds and furniture. Hikers and campers is usually old fire pits with burned out trash in it like Boyne said.

 

[SaddleUpPartner!]

At first I thought you were down in my part of the woods, I came across a bunch of tires stacked up with a bag of trash in one parking lot, another has a shot up flat screen and another lot has a old tv shot up but all the shells and trash is bagged and sitting inside the tv. More then likely the locals trash because they are known to be alittle strange in that area.

From about Harrison to Houghton lake there are certainly a lot of oddballs in that territory. I don't know what happened to cause them to be like that but they love to dump garbage on state land. Drives me nuts.

 

[Miboy86]

From about Harrison to Houghton lake there are certainly a lot of oddballs in that territory. I don't know what happened to cause them to be like that but they love to dump garbage on state land. Drives me nuts.

I mainly hunt Marion Springs because it's pretty close to my house. Found a mini landfill this morning turkey hunting. I'm amazed sometimes the effort people go to dump trash instead of taking it to the landfill.

 

[SaddleUpPartner!]

I mainly hunt Marion Springs because it's pretty close to my house. Found a mini landfill this morning turkey hunting. I'm amazed sometimes the effort people go to dump trash instead of taking it to the landfill.

You would think it would be easier just putting it in a dumpster behind a McDonalds lol.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Local dump trash of choice seems to be couches and mattresses. The DNR was closing two tracks locally by digging berms to try to prevent access in areas where people habitually dumped but it ultimately didn't work. They either drive around or just dump their old couch/mattress on the berm. I don't hold outdoor enthusiasts responsible for that stuff. That's just typically people too cheap to pay to have their junk taken care of properly. To be honest they don't bother me as much as an "outdoorsman" who doesn't care enough to be bothered to carry out what they carried in.

 

[BTaylor]

#trashleftbytrash

 

[R2thaV]

One of my favorite athletes of all time is Steve Yzerman from the Detroit Red Wings. He was never the strongest or the biggest or even a rah rah guy but he always led quietly by example. I feel like if we all lead by example, maybe others will follow or even learn from their mistake. A lot of guys get it but there's a lot of people that don't.

Stevie Y is a legend and my all time favorite! I agree, we all need to be stewards of the land and lead by example.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk