Hunter Harassment!

[buck460XVR]

Yeah, wanting to shoot the gun to scare them was stupid but it wasn't harassing.

As far as the coyote howler goes it wasn't to make them pack up camp and run for the hills, I just wanted them to be freaked out a little bit thinking coyotes were all around.

Wanting to scare folks and/or freak them out? If not harassment, what would you call it? Getting even? Doesn't that put you on the same level as them?

I know this may sound like im flipping out on you and yeah, some of the snide comments did irk me a bit. Im just saying leave me alone and ill leave them alone.

You were flipped out long before I came along.

From your description, you knew there were three campsites occupied there. There were vehicles parked there, suggesting a large group of folks were already recreating there. Still, you went there and from how you explain it, hunted close to a major trail(40 yards) and then had your hunting interrupted when someone went by on the aforementioned trail......on a Saturday. I'm sorry, but how could you expect anything else? Maybe the guys were being loud so you knew where they were, maybe they were upset that a hunter walked thru their camp and then decided to set up and hunt on a trail they intended to use, even when that hunter knew someone else was already there. Maybe iffin you would have followed your own advice and left them alone, respecting their space in the first place, there wouldn't be this, yet another whine. Snide remark....yes it is, but that is what this thread is, not a sharing of information and stories.

 

[JeffG]

So here is the jacked up thing about it. This is a state park and state forest mixed in. You can hunt in the forest but not the park but there are chunks of the forest that goes from forest property to park property. In these areas its not uncommon to have a family out for a stroll come walking past you. Parks and forest have different LEO and rules but the rumors I have heard is they did away with the forest ranger and park rangers and combined them with the watercraft guys cause they don't have work in the winter and now call them natural resource officer. Both forest and park offices look like no one has been there in months. I would only think to call the game warden and when you call them it goes right to a voicemail and they call you back weeks later. So, no i did not report them.

How did "foofoo boy" react to your gunfire? You could have at least shot AT a a squirrel or two...

 

[Axis II]

Wanting to scare folks and/or freak them out? If not harassment, what would you call it? Getting even? Doesn't that put you on the same level as them?






You were flipped out long before I came along.

From your description, you knew there were three campsites occupied there. There were vehicles parked there, suggesting a large group of folks were already recreating there. Still, you went there and from how you explain it, hunted close to a major trail(40 yards) and then had your hunting interrupted when someone went by on the aforementioned trail......on a Saturday. I'm sorry, but how could you expect anything else? Maybe the guys were being loud so you knew where they were, maybe they were upset that a hunter walked thru their camp and then decided to set up and hunt on a trail they intended to use, even when that hunter knew someone else was already there. Maybe iffin you would have followed your own advice and left them alone, respecting their space in the first place, there wouldn't be this, yet another whine. Snide remark....yes it is, but that is what this thread is, not a sharing of information and stories.

Just for clarification the park office said they were leaving that morning in which they did. A completely different group did not sign in and arrived at lunch time. So there were not 3 campsites occupied and only one very close to the road was. The other sites were abandoned. Look at the map redneck provided and look at how far the sites are part from each other. I was 200yards east of the last campsite.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

And people want to know why I carry when hunting. I also try and avoid people at all cost. Never hunt on opening day, spend more time in the woods during late season. I see a car parked, I move on. There is no animal in any Forrest, desert, anywhere as dangerous as a two legged species know as Human or Homo Sapiens. Stay away from them, don't attempt to feed them, aggravate them. Be alert! And for Gosh sake, carry a back up. All kinds of places that the Human can drag your carcass and neverr be found again.

 

[Olon]

n 13yrs of hunting public land ive never had to deal with any sort of hunter harassment other than reminding a group of out of town hikers that deer gun started the next day. Her reply was we have just as much right to be out here as you do, you don't own the woods! I was like geeesh! I was just letting you know so your not freaked out by a bunch of guns going off!

Well today my buddy and I decided to squirrel hunt Mohican state forest. We arrived around 8am and headed to our best spot to encounter 3 trucks and 3 primitive campsites signed out at the forest office. We decided to head elsewhere for the morning.

Here is where it gets really bad! We eat lunch and go back to our best spot which holds several primitive camp sites. The 3 trucks are gone but now a large church type van is parked there. We run into two guys hiking who say someone is setting up a campsite. We head north of their campsite for safety reasons and give them some peace and quiet. I'm probably 1k yards from the campsite, sitting against a tree and I hear talking. I figured ok, its a hiker, no big deal. This guy wearing skinny jeans, hiking boots, bubble coat and orange knit hat comes over the hill yelling thunder but it sounded like he was singing. I figured ok, he doesn't know we are here so I'm not mad. He gets closer and I'm thinking there is no way he doesn't see me sitting against this tree! He then starts Mother F and calls someone the C word! My backpack, orange hat and lime green hiking stick are laying 6ft off the foot path and I'm sitting 40yards off the path watching a pair of fox squirrel. He walked right on past me and my stuff and doesn't look my way. I'm like wow that was odd. He passes me and started yelling all kinds of garble again and makes his way towards my buddy. He is now about 300yards behind me and I can hear him very clearly yelling thunder and other crap!

The woods are now quiet and the squirrels come back out after a 45min break from Mr. Thunder. I then hear talking coming from the area he came from and now he's got a buddy! They round the bend and the buddy is literally yelling at Mr. Thunder and he's 2ft away. He is upset about natural resources being depleted and someone has to do something about it! I'm thinking okay don't move and they will keep going. Mr. Natural resources stops and stares at me and says How's it going? very loudly! I reply with a wave and good, thanks! He looks at his buddy and says anyways and starts his speech again. I then hear them getting louder as they get further away from me. I call my buddy and inform him and he says yeah, I see them they are getting louder and louder but standing 2ft apart. I'm now thinking they are doing it on purpose. Another 45min goes by and my buddy calls me and says Mr. Thunder is coming my way but this time behind me. This jackass comes running down the foot path behind me wearing his skinny jeans, bubble coat and hiking boots. There is no way he is doing this for exercise/fitness because of the way he's dressed and how he only ran maybe 50yards. He then runs past me and is staring at me the whole time as he goes by and gets maybe 30yards away from me, stops running and turns to look back at me. I was soo freaking pissed! I had been watching 3-4 squirrel and each time the woods calm down he comes by doing something stupid.

I honestly couldn't believe they kept doing this! I'm 1k yards away, not bothering anyone and just trying to enjoy myself like they were. I tried to scare the crap out of them at dark with the coyote call but the batteries were dead! I sometimes get made fun of for carrying a sidearm when hunting and its crap like this that you never know what kind of whackos could be in the woods! I also found a homemade lean-to shelter with plastic trash bags wrapped around the roof. Be careful out there guys! Not everyone we meet is our friend!

Man that sucks, sorry you had to deal with those clowns. That hasn't happened to me but the land I hunt would be a bit of a drive for anyone looking to start that kind of nonsense. Sounds like you did a good job of representing the hunter crowd though, so good work. It's a crying shame your call was out of juice lol

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I was in the woods the other day and the place from the last few months of hunting, and the place was littered with trash. At the beginning of the season, I had scouted a place leading into a swamp that looked good. When I went back I found this, and trash all over the place. Things are changing. There are many like these people now that have no respect for anything. I do not see much of a future down the road. \
Later found the Game and fish guy and he had me lead him back to this area. He told me, it is becoming very common now to see dead deer and just the hindquarters taken.

 

[Flintknapper]

. That's why we waited until dark and decided to try and turn the coyote caller on with howls. Have fun sleeping in tents with coyotes all around you.

At best they might be a little bit frightened by it, but probably get over it quickly enough.

Banjo Music on the other hand (I.E. Deliverance) would get them thinking (and likely moving). That's what I would take with me.

 

[Legionnaire]

Do hipsters remember "Deliverance?"

 

[AmmunitionDepot]

I hate that people have to be like that! I've had people intentionally screw up my hunts before. It's aggravating to say the least.

 

[Yarddog]

That's why I hunt private land. I know who is & isn't to be on land ; )
Y/D

 

[George P]

Willing to bet that these twits would of soiled themselves and quickly vacated the area after hearing just one shot from a rifle.

Which I am surprised the OP and his buddy didn't do, even if just to let them know they weren't the only ones around

 

[Legionnaire]

I wonder what they'd do if you thanked them for driving the game your way?

 

[Flintknapper]

Do hipsters remember "Deliverance?"

Do Hipsters/Indies remember anything beyond 2 weeks ago?

 

[MCgunner]

If you have cell service, you can dial 911.

 

[BigBore44]

Do Hipsters/Indies remember anything beyond 2 weeks ago?

They do if they go back and check their twitter feed or Facebook timeline.

Sometimes I think we’re a little quick to judge the thoughts of others and fail to reflect on how we mentally reacted previously to similar situations. It’s what we do, not what we think, that should be judged.

When I was younger I thought about doing all kinds of things that wouldn’t have ended well had I followed through with those thoughts. Poaching a big buck I saw, running from the police when I saw one turning around on me, cheating on a girlfriend, punching a coworker in the face, shooting the guy who stole my car. Keeping a wallet I found and using the money I found in it. Etc. But I didn’t do any of those things. Ohiohunter didn’t either.

 

[Flintknapper]

They do if they go back and check their twitter feed or Facebook timeline.

Sometimes I think we’re a little quick to judge the thoughts of others and fail to reflect on how we mentally reacted previously to similar situations. It’s what we do, not what we think, that should be judged.

When I was younger I thought about doing all kinds of things that wouldn’t have ended well had I followed through with those thoughts. Poaching a big buck I saw, running from the police when I saw one turning around on me, cheating on a girlfriend, punching a coworker in the face, shooting the guy who stole my car. Keeping a wallet I found and using the money I found in it. Etc. But I didn’t do any of those things. Ohiohunter didn’t either.

I would not disagree with all the things you 'refrained' from doing.... simply because each and every one was clearly wrong.

I applaud you for that and support the position that we should always strive to do the right thing. I am also a proponent of 'turning the other cheek' as it relates to life's minor slights and injustices.

However, there is a high end to everything and when someone purposely/brazenly disrupts your legal activities (in an illegal way) they will not stop unless there are consequences for their actions. Within the confines of the law..they should be confronted and any illegal actions on their part addressed. This is how it stops, nothing less.

I certainly understand the vast number of circumstances where 'gray areas' could exist, so it is always well to consider the other persons rights and position. Often there is overlap and this cannot be avoided. That is where tolerance, patience and understanding are the tools you should employ.

It is also important to definitively understand the motives/intent of another when conflicts occur. Something done innocently, without knowledge or lacking intent is to be excused with no further thought. Conversely, a malicious, willful act to disrupt the legal activities of another (even if done in a marginally legal way) should result in some amount of 'conversation'. Overlooking this...doesn't necessarily make you the 'bigger man'. What is DOES do is embolden the person who is seeking to 'harass' you out of doing whatever it is they disagree with.

The trouble today is: There is increasing disrespect for fellowman. A pervasive feeling of 'self importance' with each new generation. A lack of accountability, disposal of Social Norms and the idea that everything is OK, its just 'different'.

If those things are never addressed and that type of thinking never challenged...then it will only get worse.

 

[mustanger98]

Do hipsters remember "Deliverance?"

Actually, it seems they do. I've seen too many city folks driving cars with stickers that read "PADDLE FASTER! I HEAR BANJO MUSIC."

 

[mustanger98]

That's why I hunt private land. I know who is & isn't to be on land ; )
Y/D

I hunt private land... still have to deal with crap.

 

[jmorris]

Some squirrels have bushy tails...

 

[buck460XVR]

It is also important to definitively understand the motives/intent of another when conflicts occur. Something done innocently, without knowledge or lacking intent is to be excused with no further thought. Conversely, a malicious, willful act to disrupt the legal activities of another (even if done in a marginally legal way) should result in some amount of 'conversation'. Overlooking this...doesn't necessarily make you the 'bigger man'. What is DOES do is embolden the person who is seeking to 'harass' you out of doing whatever it is they disagree with.

The trouble today is: There is increasing disrespect for fellowman. A pervasive feeling of 'self importance' with each new generation. A lack of accountability, disposal of Social Norms and the idea that everything is OK, its just 'different'.

If those things are never addressed and that type of thinking never challenged...then it will only get worse.

I tend to agree with most of the above, but would like to add a titch of my own......

While sometimes in the scenarios of what Flintnapper says needs some sort of intervention(conversation), one needs to use good judgement as to who needs to intervene. Does the person take it upon themselves or do they seek out someone with legitimate authority? Iffin it's a case of someone doing something illegal(as with hunter harassment or other criminal activity) and there is not an immediate risk to the safety of others, IMHO, it's better to contact proper authorities. Could be a reason other than being a anti-hunter folks are trying to keep others away on public land. Unless one can confront those others with a cool head and diplomacy, things are probably only gonna escalate. Confrontations I see on public land are generally not cool and calm. Generally they end up with a lot of shouting by folks who's faces are very red.

My other point I want to make is that while we see tons of these types of threads on these forums, we always only get one side of the story. Now, it's not like I assume most posters are going to embellish their story in their favor, we don't really know the whole story. When I see name calling and stereotyping of folks that none of us have met, nor encountered, I wonder where we got our impressions from? I also see the same folks on these types of forums continuously having problems with other folks and how they screw up their hunt/range day. When I wonder why is it some have all the bad luck, I sometimes think maybe it's not always the other guy?

I have hunted public land and had to deal with others for over half a century. Let me tell you, I have had some doosies. I still recreate on public land year round, and actually sponsor/adopt a coupla trails on some of them. I have sen the best and the worst from folks that use these areas. Still, for the most part, when there is a issue between folks, it generally is a simple misunderstanding, or two bullheads thinking they are in the right and the other is wrong. Sure, there are truly some dumbazzes out there and some true slobs. But, FME, hunters make up just as much of that percentage as so called "Hipsters/Indies". Hunting public land is no different than living in a neighborhood or going to Walmart. You have no control over those folks surrounding you. So called " disrespect for fellowman" goes both ways. You can either learn to deal with it intelligently and get along, or you can always be angry and be stressed......then come here and whine about it.

 

[Axis II]

I tend to agree with most of the above, but would like to add a titch of my own......

While sometimes in the scenarios of what Flintnapper says needs some sort of intervention(conversation), one needs to use good judgement as to who needs to intervene. Does the person take it upon themselves or do they seek out someone with legitimate authority? Iffin it's a case of someone doing something illegal(as with hunter harassment or other criminal activity) and there is not an immediate risk to the safety of others, IMHO, it's better to contact proper authorities. Could be a reason other than being a anti-hunter folks are trying to keep others away on public land. Unless one can confront those others with a cool head and diplomacy, things are probably only gonna escalate. Confrontations I see on public land are generally not cool and calm. Generally they end up with a lot of shouting by folks who's faces are very red.

My other point I want to make is that while we see tons of these types of threads on these forums, we always only get one side of the story. Now, it's not like I assume most posters are going to embellish their story in their favor, we don't really know the whole story. When I see name calling and stereotyping of folks that none of us have met, nor encountered, I wonder where we got our impressions from? I also see the same folks on these types of forums continuously having problems with other folks and how they screw up their hunt/range day. When I wonder why is it some have all the bad luck, I sometimes think maybe it's not always the other guy?

I have hunted public land and had to deal with others for over half a century. Let me tell you, I have had some doosies. I still recreate on public land year round, and actually sponsor/adopt a coupla trails on some of them. I have sen the best and the worst from folks that use these areas. Still, for the most part, when there is a issue between folks, it generally is a simple misunderstanding, or two bullheads thinking they are in the right and the other is wrong. Sure, there are truly some dumbazzes out there and some true slobs. But, FME, hunters make up just as much of that percentage as so called "Hipsters/Indies". Hunting public land is no different than living in a neighborhood or going to Walmart. You have no control over those folks surrounding you. So called " disrespect for fellowman" goes both ways. You can either learn to deal with it intelligently and get along, or you can always be angry and be stressed......then come here and whine about it.

 

[Yarddog]

Double post
Y/D

 

[Yarddog]

I hunt private land... still have to deal with crap.

FLA trespassing with firearm = Felony ; )
Y/D

 

[mustanger98]

Yarddog, IIRC, GA's the same, but usually not a huge issue when dealing among good neighbors... at least in my area. Bad neighbors ain't always unrelated, though.