advise needed, please. Hunting delema

[Starr]

My brother and I have been hunting the same water holes in Eastern Or on opening weekend for deer for 20 yrs. Last year the timing of opening weekend, and the anual family reunion clashed, so family won out, and we didn't hunt. I went to put the tree stands up this year in the usual places, only to find tree stands already placed in "our" water holes. What to do? It's happened a few time before, but we always could say "I've done this for years, it's mine", but this year? Have I lost the "rights" because I missed last year, or should I just ignore sitting out last years traditional opener, and "take" them back because we've exclusivley hunted them so long?
I really don't think I "own" the rights, but being the only one uncontested for so long has to count for something?

[Bait O' Eggs]

Having hunted that spot for several years does count as something, exactly zero is the number that it would be. That is pretty cold, but my opinion.

I hate to say that they beat you to the spot, but they did. If the rock/tree is only big enough to fish/hunt one person and they were there first, it looks like to me it is theirs.

The state is big enough for each of us to find another spot to pursue our interest. Find another spot to hunt, be flexible and you just may find a betters spot, with less traffic.

We get into ruts in our hunting, and hang on to heritage. Doing the same thing over and over has a comfort factor. Look at this year as an experimental year and try something different. You just may find that excitement you had when you were a younger man first striking out on your own trying to learn the sport.

I am going thru a semi similiar situation. I have been hunting a spot for several years. The owner of the property is openly inviting me back again, but my hunting partner has developed a personality problem in the last month. I dont want to be around him until he gets head screwed on straight again. Since he is also invited to the same property I am not going to show up. I have a Fossil unit deer tag and no property to hunt that I will show up at. I am trying to find another spot to enjoy the season.

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Bait O' Eggs ]

[blast and cast]

Leagally, if the land is public property it is first come first served as they say. It is not illegal to find a stand in the woods and use it if you care. It may not be the best career move, but if it is set on public land than it is fair game.

[Fish Hunter]

Sorry Starr, would also have to agree, it's the early bird gets the worm thing.

[Norm]

Common courtesy dictates you back off. If some one is in an area before you, find another spot. There is nothing worse than having your hunt spoiled by some not giving you a reasonable amount of space. If a truck is parked on the entrance to a trail or a gated road, please give them some space. There is plenty of room for all of us.

[Get Bit]

Starr,
Common Courtesy says back off and find another spot. Bummer ! Maybe this will spur you on to bigger and better things. No since ruining a hunt over something like that.Hope everything works out for you.

Get Bit

[Hoosier Daddy]

Count me too. Gotta agree with the other guys. Technically, I think you can use the guys stand if it is put up, but then you have to decide how far to take it if he shows up on the same day. I wouldn't do it whether he was there or not. However, if I really liked the spot, I might consider putting up my own stand nearby and hope for days when I could have it to myself. I get frustrated too easily, so I have found it's best to avoid these things when possible. Sucks, but first-come-first-serve is the only way it works.

[bigshark]

Starr: Bait O Eggs is giving you the best advice you could get......This can be a great break for you......make the most of it....no matter how good you think that spot is.....if you will work at it you will find a better one.