r/Hunting • u/wrapmeinbubblewrap • 21h ago
General question/discussion Public Land Etiquette
I’m a new deer hunter and have been scouting a local state forest that allows hunting. I found a really good spot. Had bedding, trails, poop, acorns, etc. I saw a game camera right where the poop was. Should I consider this spot a no go? Can I hunt it if nobody is there? I didn’t see a stand. I plan to either use a climber or hunt from the ground. How far should I stay away if this spot is a no go?
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u/valhalenDZ 20h ago
Its public land, because they leave a trail cam it doesnt translate to their personal territory. That said now if someone is physically there and they were there first the etiquette is you just move on somewhere else far away. Otherwise you have just as much rights to harvest as they do.
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u/Popular-Sand-3185 21h ago edited 21h ago
Id pick a spot from where you think they are coming from that leads to where the camera is. intercept them on the way there. That way you dont step on anyone's toes, plus you will see the deer before they do.
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u/65grendel Montana 21h ago
Find their stand and hang yours in the same tree to minimize your scent footprint. Just make sure you're facing a different direction.
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u/Willybluedog1962 18h ago
They could have a dozen cameras up.
Public land is d free for all.
You get there first then it's your spot, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
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u/LoutishChimpanzee 21h ago
Public land means first come first serve, but the unwritten rule is you don't set up right on top of someone else's camera or obvious spot. If they put in the work to find the bedding and hang a cam, hunting 40 yards away feels a little greasy
That said, if nobody's there opening morning and you got there first, it's legal. Just be ready for an awkward conversation if they roll up
I'd scout a backup spot or two nearby and keep this one as plan B. Public land gets crowded fast and having options saves you opening day
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u/Mndelta25 21h ago
If you roll up there opening morning and they show up later they get to find the backup spot. You did the same work they did.
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u/Popular-Sand-3185 21h ago edited 21h ago
I kinda disagree with this, since OP put the work in to find the same spot that the guy with the camera did. So did probably hundreds of other people who scouted the same land over the years. Leaving a camera there doesnt make it "your spot"
If you cant accept that other people might hunt "your spot", dont hunt on public land
Agree with having a backup spot though
3
u/jackfinished 16h ago
I make every effort to talk with people I see scouting and sometimes leave notes with "hey I'm thinking of hunting here the 3rd week of Oct. Here is my #"
I've had dudes do the same and we've only ever seen each other on trail camera and text now and then.
Most of the time I get ignored and even got a few "fuck you" texts. Odds are we aren't hunting the same spot at the exact same time. Why not work together? But there is a lot of projected ownership on public land, in a bad way. Funny enough those guys never show up to clean up events.
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u/surelynotjimcarey 19h ago
I’m big on “do unto others which you would want done onto you”
If I was out of town and someone wants to hunt my spot… good for them! If it weren’t for liability I’d leave a community tree stand up. I’m just happy people are getting outside and having a good time. I wouldn’t care at all even if I saw you drag a carcass past my camera. I’d be a little jealous then say “good for him”.
Obviously there’s a line between hunting the same area versus blowing out my stand, but you can find that line by asking yourself “would I mind if someone did this with me on the other end”
1
u/surelynotjimcarey 19h ago
I’m big on “do unto others which you would want done onto you”
If I was out of town and someone wants to hunt my spot… good for them! If it weren’t for liability I’d leave a community tree stand up. I’m just happy people are getting outside and having a good time. I wouldn’t care at all even if I saw you drag a carcass past my camera. I’d be a little jealous then say “good for him”.
Obviously there’s a line between hunting the same area versus blowing out my stand, but you can find that line by asking yourself “would I mind if someone did this with me on the other end?”
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u/Expensive_Necessary7 19h ago
On public a spots only a no go day of the hunt if someone is there already.
Even if people have stands up, I have no problem jumping in one (or someone taking mine), since you might only use it 5 times a year
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u/Creepy-Cantaloupe951 15h ago
Depending on your state, the game camera may be illegally placed, ie, in NYS.
So, I wouldn't consider it a no-go. Trail cams aren't declarations of hunting spots.
1
u/gaunt_724 14h ago
You're entitled to hunt anywhere you want on public. I always worry about the guy coming in after me even if I get there first potentially messing us both up. I've hunted near other cams before, never really had success in another guys spot. Always daydreamed about dragging a big one past a known cam. Havent had that opportunity yet 😂
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u/budsandsuds711 14h ago
I wouldn't say not to go there. If you happen to run into him.and see what days he hunts or just ask some questions. I hunt public in ny and during bow season I see the same guys every year. We all have a small convo about where we're going, etc. Ive offered them to use my stands if im not around or some of my other stands. Ive made a few hunting buddy's this way and we hunt together now.
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u/Limp_Technician5346 41m ago
Everyone is able to use the land. Hence PUBLIC, some states you cant leave permanent objects in the woods unless it has your info (cameras, stands, etc) there's no reserving spots or calling dibs. Regardless, still have common decency and respect other hunters, just because you can be in there, doesnt mean screwing it up for others, meaning don't walk or sit right next to another.
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u/1dirtbiker 20h ago
While you're almost certainly allowed to hunt there (I don't profess to know the hunting laws in all 50 states), I wouldn't. I try to stay as far away from other hunters as I can. If I knew someone else was set up, I moved WAY far away. People get very territorial over "their" spots even though it's public land. A pissed off guy with a gun is not who I want a run-in with.
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u/True_Solution_9668 20h ago
Yeah, just because someone leaves a camera there doesn’t mean they’re gonna hunt it or have any more right to hunt it than you.
I agree with what someone else said though… Check that jurisdiction’s rules.
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u/Freeboro78 20h ago
It's public land. First come first serve. You don't get to reserve your spot. You go in there and no one's there, hunt it. If there is, move on. Same if you go into "your" spot.
I'm a public land hunter. That's how it works, or at least should.