What should I do?

[Dead*shot]

:mad: ...I went yesterday to throw more feed down and the thing that i thought would never happen..happened!.....A hunter came after I've already set up and baited for two weeks now, and set-up his stand like only 20 yards away from me...man, i just felt disrespected, i know it's state land and anyone is able to set-up where they want, but come on, it's also like a first come, first serve bases.....When i see someone that already been set up before me, i give them the respect and fun of hunting that area by themself.....why does this guy gotta be so mean, and thoughtless...have it ever happened to you and how did you handle the situation!:idea:

[bounty hunter]

I thought it was against the law to bait right now?:16suspect

[skipper34]

Seeing as how you are in violation of the baiting rules, I would leave the area altogether and find a new spot. If the other guy has set up over your illegal bait, then if and when a CO happens by and sees the illegal bait, you won't be around for a citation.

[2PawsRiver]

Important Baiting Information

Hunters are prohibited from using bait for deer hunting in Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

The use of bait is permitted in the remainder of the state, but the volume of bait is limited to two gallons at any one time per hunting location. This restriction applies statewide. Baiting may occur only from October 1 through January 1.


The first thing I would do is either pick that bait up or change locations;)

I always appreciate a good chuckle in the morning.:)

But as for the topic......it does suck when somebody puts up a stand right next to you....was your stand clearly visible. I have also seen people put out markers around there stand to indicate their presence. Could be worse, he could come tromping in 20 minutes after daylight on opening morning. I would most likly move to a alternate location....good luck.

[Dead*shot]

Well, i didn't really want people to see my stand, so you can say it wasn't clearly visible, but the llttle 10 lb of whole corn that i been spreading out is clearly vidible.....plus, i know about the rules and regulations, but you should have seen this guy's feed pile, at least 1 bag of corn, carrots, and apples, so i think that if anyones going to get caught, it'll probably be him!

[English]

A second or worse wrong does not make you right. You are baiting illegally and that's wrong. I don't necessarily agree with the baiting laws but they are the law and it's our responsibility as sportsmen to obey the law.

Mike

[2PawsRiver]

Had to read your response a few times...............then read it a couple more times...........then once more.

Started to respond.......deleted..........started again........deleted.

OK, your 21 years old so there is a chance you can change......if you know the regulations then you should abide by them. The fact that the other hunter violates worse then you really isn't.............well, doesn't matter.

Regardless of what happens move your stand........hunt within the regulations and hopefully have a sucessful season. If you take a deer from that stand, a stand that has been illegally prepped, then your deer is tainted......you shoot a monster 12 point and it won't matter, and it is no different then having hit it with a car, poached it at night or just found dead in the woods. When a deer is not taken ethically it is only meat.

Not wanting to debate baiting.....but if you establish a depency on bait early on, then you don't invest the time in learning deer and hunting them based on that knowledge, you instead develope the habit of tossing bait, no different then the hunter that is violating even worse then you.

So in summation........abide by the law, do what is ethical, not only during deer season, but in every aspect of how you live..........you will prosper in the long run.:)

[The Nailer]

Well, i didn't really want people to see my stand, so you can say it wasn't clearly visible, but the llttle 10 lb of whole corn that i been spreading out is clearly vidible.....plus, i know about the rules and regulations, but you should have seen this guy's feed pile, at least 1 bag of corn, carrots, and apples, so i think that if anyones going to get caught, it'll probably be him!


I feel for with regards to your stand.

As for the baiting, it is not about who gets caught and who doesn't, it is about ETHICS and rules and regulations! The rules are there for all to follow and whether you agree with them or not most have sound reasoning behind them. The fact that you knew it was illegal and decided to bait anyway dosen't make you any more ethical then the guy who set up near you. I don't mean to offend you, but I have a real problem with people who think the rules only apply to other people!

I didn't mean to offend you, but from your post it sounds like you may be young. Is so it may be a good time to re-evaluate what you are doing (with regards to baiting) and make a decision as to how you would like your peers to view your actions. Think about and do what you think is right!

[Ferg]

Well, i didn't really want people to see my stand, so you can say it wasn't clearly visible, but the llttle 10 lb of whole corn that i been spreading out is clearly vidible.....plus, i know about the rules and regulations, but you should have seen this guy's feed pile, at least 1 bag of corn, carrots, and apples, so i think that if anyones going to get caught, it'll probably be him!

Do you realize that we have more than ONE CO that reads these forums on a daily basis????

And did you also know your BREAKING THE LAW?

What the heck is wrong with you? - breaking the law and then coming onto a public forum and advertising that you do - and - implying that you don't care if you do or who knows it?

I have an idea - you know what - never mind - you wouldn't understand anyway -


ferg....
:rolleyes: :dizzy: :rant:

[7MM Magnum]

One wrong doesn't make the other one right either :rolleyes:

I personally do not bait,.. however I feel it's OK to do so IF your in an area that allows it.

Both you and your new hunting neighbor could be in a world of hurt if a CO finds that bait with 2 separate hunting rigs up. If you have followed the other rule about names and address on your treestands he will know just who the violators are. If you both didn't show ownership,.. it will just be another gig against you. Not only would you receive monetary fines, but also jeopardize your hunting gear that is associated with it.

A friend of my hunting buddy lost his treestand stand, bow, & arrows due to hunting & killing a deer over illegal bait on public lands,... and almost his truck that brought him there.

It's just not worth it in my book,...:dizzy:

If the the deer are close enough to your area to find your bait you just need to put forth a little extra effort to find their travel routes and replant your treestand and yourself a little closer to them.

Just my 2 cents worth. ;)

[twohats]

A second or worse wrong does not make you right. You are baiting illegally and that's wrong. I don't necessarily agree with the baiting laws but they are the law and it's our responsibility as sportsmen to obey the law.

Mike


:yeahthat:

[CMR]

Do you realize that we have more than ONE CO that reads these forums on a daily basis????

And did you also know your BREAKING THE LAW?

What the heck is wrong with you? - breaking the law and then coming onto a public forum and advertising that you do - and - implying that you don't care if you do or who knows it?

I have an idea - you know what - never mind - you wouldn't understand anyway -


ferg....
:rolleyes: :dizzy: :rant:

:yeahthat:

[QuakrTrakr]

OOOOpppppppppsssss! LMFAO!!!!!!!

[Dead*shot]

you guyds are all right, i feel no disrespect from you all, i am 21 years old, and you can say, compare to most of you guys, i'm still a young buck....it was just the feeling of losing a spot you had soo much hope in, but i guess that's state land for ya!....and about the baiting, you guys are right also, i guess me and the other 5-7 hunters i see baiting already was in the wrong...I will go today and try to find another spot!...

---but some good advice would help, where i was set-up, all the deer trails seem to meet, and it was the only area that i really seen scraps and a couple rubs, how would i know where to cut of this buck at?...would i follow the main highway trail or the small cut-off trails?!......

[QuakrTrakr]

DeadShot, walk further than anyone else would consider doing. And cover your tracks, don't let ANYONE know where your spot is. Not even family or friends. The reason other hunters are at your spot now are, they see the same deer trails you do, and it probably isn't very hard to get there. I know of a guy that hunts Seney in the UP, he takes 2 days packing his gear in, MILES back there where nobody else goes. Long story short, he was in a tree and 2 big bucks layed down under him out of bow range. He slept in the tree and arrowed the big buck in the morning!

[7MM Magnum]

you guyds are all right, i feel no disrespect from you all, i am 21 years old, and you can say, compare to most of you guys, i'm still a young buck....it was just the feeling of losing a spot you had soo much hope in, but i guess that's state land for ya!....and about the baiting, you guys are right also, i guess me and the other 5-7 hunters i see baiting already was in the wrong...I will go today and try to find another spot!...

---but some good advice would help, where i was set-up, all the deer trails seem to meet, and it was the only area that i really seen scraps and a couple rubs, how would i know where to cut of this buck at?...would i follow the main highway trail or the small cut-off trails?!......

Tis' a bit late in the season for scouting,.. but you'll need to find the bedding area as well as feeding area for this group.

Pick a trail or two and backtrack them. Be sure to be absolutely scent free and to wear rubber boots. If your scouting finds an area of more good sign find your new spot and keep your fingers crossed. Pick a stand location that the wind is predominantly in your face while looking down your purposed shooting lanes.

[Ferg]

On top of everything else - and at the urging from some other members I'd also like to pass this piece of advise on to you:

M-s Is not the place to post illegal activities and M-S stands for the highest quality and integrity of hunting in Michigan and if you feel that you need to blantly break the law and then post about it, I can assure you that you wont be around here for very long -

Nuff said -


ferg....

Somebody close this now please -

[CMR]

i'm still a young buck....

So, we should start calling ya "Button" then? :D

I agree with 7mm and QuakrTrakr. With all the human activity in that spot you found, the deer will either avoid the area completely or use it nocturnally.
Go deep in da woods, far from any human contact and re-evaluate your game plan.

[Dead*shot]

thanks CMR and 7mm and QuakrTrakr, your guys advice will be taken greatfully!, It's just that this area i'm in is new to me and when i walked only these 250-300 yards in, it looked to be not disturbed, but i guess i set-up too soon, and i didn't scout enough to have more options....but i will follow the trails and see if i can get to a bedding area somewhere and then go from there today.....

[2PawsRiver]

I agree with 7mm, and will add that when hunting state land expend the energy to go further then the majority of other hunters will go, either because of distance or terrain.

Get there early...........even the deer that may not frequent that specific area at that time, will, once they start to feel the hunting pressure.

Stay late even if your going to come out for a break......most guys will be up and moving 10, 11, 12:00, they're movement will also push deer towards you.

Don't forget natural food sources......not sure how it is elsewhere, but he acorns around me are thick in some places, sparse in others...........good luck and stay legal:)

[swampbuck62]

How about we just give the guy advice instead of chastising him for baiting. What would you do if you had already set up on an area. And someone else took it over. I would move my stand a few 100 yards away and be done with it. Maybe set up on a trail leading to and from his feed pile.:evilsmile Sometimes people just want advice NOT a lecture.

[QuakrTrakr]

Deadshot- I don't know about your area, but around here, the DNR flies planes overhead looking for illegal bait piles. They log them, and opening day when your sitting over the bait, a CO walks up and cites you. It's wise not to bait early. Some guys I work with got busted, I think they said it was $250!