Don't make me shoot you

[Dormin]

Mostly I bird hunt for grouse and woodcock with my dogs and good friends. A couple years ago, we were going through the poplars near a creek, several dogs, several guys. A grouse flushed and flew up towards the only large pine in the covert. Two guys shot and boy were we surprised when the yelling started. "Bowhunter!!! Bowhunter up in this tree." Luckily no damage was done but he could have prevented this by calling out sooner. The dogs all have beepers or bells, none of the hunters are quiet. I know he knew we were coming his way but he must have thought it would be fun to have us pass without knowing he was there.
Often times too, we see other vehicles parked nearby but with hundreds or thousands of acres there is no way to know which way the other hunter has gone. If you bowhunters would leave a note then we birdhunters would be able to hunt in a different direction.

[Hunter333]

Good thoughts Dormin, glad that no one was hurt. Got me wondering....... In a public or even private lland area, are there things that hunters do to let others know that they are hidden up in the tree that they are in? An orange ribbon near the base of the tree? Note on a car? Just curious...... Thanks!

[safetreehunt]

I would imagine it would be fun to watch some bird hunters go by while bowhunting, but I think you are absolutely right. Whenever someone with a gun is coming your way and you are hidden, don't wait. Let 'em know right away where you are.

Or you could take the route in this thread and wear body armor. Guess it's your choice, but I know which way I'd go.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76242&page=1&pp=15

[mecheadSR]

I usually will let a small game hunter know where I am, a couple years ago I had a porky on my bait pile, we'll I heard the hunter coming through the woods and seen his dog and thought oh know, the first thing I did was yell I have a porky on my pile over here and boy did he start screaming at his dog, ya know I saved this guy one hell of a headache and he walked by without ever saying a word, talk about hunter ethics. :)

[WALLEYEvision]

...I know he knew we were coming his way but he must have thought it would be fun to have us pass without knowing he was there...

...OR maybe he thought the less other hunters knew about his stand location, the more likely his stand would be there for his next hunt. :confused:

...If you bowhunters would leave a note then we birdhunters would be able to hunt in a different direction...

I think leaving a note to "turn away" or "discourge" other hunters from legally hunting a public area is wrong and would cause too many other conflicts.

[Oct.1]

I’ve been leaving a note on a tree, just above my ground blind, on public land, for the past 3 years.
It states the dates and times of day I plan on hunting it. So far I have had 0 conflicts.
I park my truck just off the trail that leads to the blind I plan on hunting and have only had one ticket due to not having all four wheels off the road.
While on public land, or private that I know others will be hunting I were a camo / blaze orange ball cap going in, coming out, and hang it above me or next to me while there. I as well as many of you know how far you can see blaze orange. By placing it above me or along side of me I have never had it spook a deer. Wearing it while in the stand has. But that’s because my head moves and the deer noticed the movement. I would rather be spotted by a deer than shot by a hunter. And something like a blaze orange ball cap can be seen a long way.

[fulldraw]

I agree most deffinitly if a small game or bird hunter is coming at you with a gone then let them know were know were you are at. I do have a story to tell, it was Nov. 14 and I thought I would get one last night in with my bow. Mind you I am hunting one square mile of public land. So I am sitting in my tree stand on the edge of a rye feild in the woods about 15 - 20 yrds. it is the last couple of hours of day light. Wouldn't you know it here comes four last minute hunters trying to find a spot for opening day. None of them had weapons so I had no worry. They first went by me none of them saw me. Then about 1/2 hour latter they come by me again this time their are two guys in front who spot me. But they do not tell their bodies who are hanging back looking at deer signs of which that is why I hung my stand in this location. So the first two guys go out and stand in the feild. So at this point it was getting dark and the Nov. wind was picking up so I decided to get down. Still at this point the other two still don't notice all the commotion I am making getting down. When I am on the ground I yell out "How are you doing?" Man you should have seen the look on their face. :lol: I though it was pretty funny. Turns out one of guys just bought ten acres adjacent to the public land. Just thought I would share.

Good Luck in 2 wks. Weather looks Good.

Fulldraw

[Hunter333]

I dont think that a "turn away" or a "discouraging" letter is the way to go, rather a notice that you are out there with possibly a brief description of the area. If people choose to respect that, you are good to go. If not, it wouldnt matter if you left them a map to your stand, they are going to go wherever they want. Hopefully there are more hunters that would respect it than wouldnt!!

[h_buck]

:yeahthat: I agree, it doesn't need to be a discouraging letter or a 'go away' letter. Just a note that says "I'm over here, please be cautious" would be perfect. I know that I'd appreciate that even if I was still going to hunt in that direction.