[Dan W York 5B]

This year is going to be my second year hunting deer. I hunt public game land and a few dozen acres on my clubs land. The only time I didn't see other hunters was in late season. At what point do you just turn around and walk the other way if you see another hunter? I have had about half of the people that see me walk up to me and I've talked to them or they just tromp right by me and bust my entire setup. With hunting pressure so heavy in 5B's public land should I be hunting by the pressure of other hunters and how I think they will push deer or should I stick with hunting the wind and thermals etc. Should I move on to the next parking lot if I see a truck when I pull in. I would hate to ruin another hunters early sit etc. Any etiquette I should follow or expect others to know about when I encounter them etc. Any pointers on etiquette or what ticks you off that hunters should be aware of for my second season? THANKS!

 

[Ralph46]

You asked a great, difficult question. Other hunters.....depends on your tolerance to others. Public land you are kind of stuck because everyone has a right to it. I've walked up on other hunters I didn't see. Followed their lead as far as talking goes. I prefer they just move along and let me be. Some want yo talk, if that's your inclination then fine. I generally try to hunt where there are few to no hunters near by. This is possible even on public land but you need to be prepared to do some hiking. Big topic I'll let others chime I'm. Most important......be safe!

 

[g3trappernc]

Go in early, and set up in thick cover. My biggest buck was killed on SGL 14 and was pushed to me by guys coming in a little late. I was set up in the Hemlocks/grapevines. Actually two big 8's came through. I killed the first one and a guy just up the mountain from me killed the other.

When the pressure starts, the deer will head for cover And a lot of guys don't like getting into it. Not familiar with 5B (I used to hunt 2G)....but in rifle season almost every killed the nice deer in heavy cover like hemlocks or laurel thickets. Good luck to you this season!

 

[Dan W York 5B]

Plenty of heavy cover around here. I almost got lost in a bedding area last year and prob killed that area for the season. It was tunnels and brier city, had to craw 30-40 yards after taking all my gear off from sweat. i know the in and out rout for that spot this year but not sure how to get back to it without getting busted. I think it’s safe to assume that the deer in there were blowing at me from not too far away! I just couldn't see them.

 

[WOL]

You walk up to them, say "mind if I play through" and then keep walking.

I will usually back out and make a big circle around them, out of sight, and try to stay far enough to not effect either of our hunting. If they are on or close to a trail that I need to traverse to get to my spot, I just quietly walk by and wave. It's not too bad when you move at a steady pace on a trail. I think most deer will just watch you walk by.

 

[Fallair]

I was always taught from a young age to steer clear of other hunters. If I come within 100 yards of one, I find a new direction to go. Typically they're the ones that run into me. I'm never in my stand any later than an hour before the sky starts to glow. I try to set myself up in areas that I know the deer will run to after they've been pushed by sleepyheads and lunch-goers.