Disappointed in non-resident hunters

[Ranger Rick]

I get it that its all federal land...I'm talking about etiquette. You just don't part on top of someone and start hunting. Its no different then somebody putting a tree stand up 5 feet below you in the same tree.

Dang, somebody putting his tree stand just below you in your tree! Either your camo was too good or that hunter's rudeness takes the cake in lack of hunting etiquette.
I've hunted only as a resident = since 1978 in Idaho, and I've seen unethical and terrible conduct by both residents and non-residents. I'm thinking that maybe all hunters, fisherman, and trappers should be required to take an online course on hunting etiquette, ethics, and laws every five years.
What I've found most upsetting in the past ten years is the number of bull elk that I have found dead from an arrow wound. Four in 2017 and two in 2018. Twelve dead elk from 2008 to 2018 with a broadhead in the skull, shoulder or guts. Sometimes the evidence is in the X-exit wound.

 

[rockwind]

Sheep do a service in keeping weeds down, but they need to be off public land BEFORE hunting season starts. I've run into them more time than I can count in the NF in Colorado. Between the herds and the big Great Pyrenees dogs that keep them safe from the predators, it is no wonder that I don't find many elk in those areas during archery season. Almost put an arrow into a brown goat that was eating weeds in the NF one year. Looked like a cow elk for a minute, until it wasn't.

wow, dont' get me started on the sheep. has any one else hiked up onto a once beautiful hill and discovered a lunar landscape? there is no way that is good for anyone, except the sheep owner i guess

 

[GonzoK34]

Just how smart is it to sneak up and try to scare someone that is armed with a rifle ? If they are watching an animal coming in toward them they are probably locked and loaded as well . So what happens when you do that to a combat veteran that has PTSD ?

I have PTSD andTBI, take Meds and don't like living in a 8x6 Cell. Hunt and shoot as often as I can. Just don't f with me and I am your best friend!

 

[rockwind]

Dang, somebody putting his tree stand just below you in your tree! Either your camo was too good or that hunter's rudeness takes the cake in lack of hunting etiquette.
I've hunted only as a resident = since 1978 in Idaho, and I've seen unethical and terrible conduct by both residents and non-residents. I'm thinking that maybe all hunters, fisherman, and trappers should be required to take an online course on hunting etiquette, ethics, and laws every five years.
What I've found most upsetting in the past ten years is the number of bull elk that I have found dead from an arrow wound. Four in 2017 and two in 2018. Twelve dead elk from 2008 to 2018 with a broadhead in the skull, shoulder or guts. Sometimes the evidence is in the X-exit wound.

yep, seen my share of that as well. i mean,, I am all about getting kids and new people into archery but I gotta say, I think more practice should be done before hunting,, and I think people who have their kids hunt with bows set for very low draw weight should re think the whole wounding thing. would you think that the 2 biggest factors that wound animals are accuracy(due to lack of practice or being a rookie) and low draw weight? i do, especially on a big elk. i think a lot of folks put in for archery cause they can't get any other tag but they think it is as easy as rifle.

 

[GonzoK34]

Awesome post . We are liked minded. I lived in Poway for 17 yrs.. Wished we had met. I have to admit , it's nice to live in a free state. I've seen more bad resident hunters than non resident hunters in 8 states I have hunted . Residents out number non res. at least 10 to 1 in the field. Now days the farther you get from the road the better.

I hunted antelope in Lost Springs area last year on a friends family's ranch. Had an awesome time. We all got our antelope. The Residents were all great host everywhere we went. Great experience. Thanks. Have friends in Poway we hunt coyotes every other week!

 

[Amuruk]

This seems to be an emotional topic that is very heavily debated. No matter the state this situation occurs it is the tastes great-less filling argument(for those who remember). Respect for the land and the owners is a taught virtue. If it isn't conditioned from an impressionable age, it may not be perpetuated. Yes-before someone replies-I didn't grow up in a family that hunted...blah blah, there are people who have the gift of respecting others naturally. I hunted growing up. I also came from farming families on both sides. I understand as a person-(not a non-resident or resident) what it means to not litter, not infringe on hunting or fishing etiquette, leave the gate how you found it or told and report problems when you see them because bad news never gets better with time. Maybe those virtues are fleeting and we only have ourselves to blame if we aren't correcting that behavior on the spot...and yet I agree with the 10% rule...you can't fix stupid...but you can control what you do going forward.

 

[rockwind]

Topic off point. This was about idiots and not ranching.
I hate listening to cows bellow when I'm in elk country but I disagree. The forest service and BLM do a pretty good job out west (WY at-least) when it comes to ensuring ranchers are managing the resources. The cattle and sheep manage the grass and invasive plants keeping them in check which used to be done by the vast herds of buffalo, elk and deer. When properly managed the ecosystem is much healthier. Because of the cattle there are water holes created everywhere where there wouldn't normally be water. They are mud holes sometimes but deer, elk and antelope use them frequently.
I do agree that irrigation of alfalfa and especially corn above 4000 ft is downright stupid.

Back on topic....The idiot WY resident that parked on top of me was the mayor of Rawlins WY - Steve Nicholson and his son. They have a ranch nearby so maybe they assume everyone in the area is a non-resident and they think they own it. Or he is just an idiot - who knows.

on topic,,, over the years, I have found that people who are idiots actually know exactly what they are doing and are , in fact, just jerks. him being a politician type,,, would greatly increase the odds he is a jerk.

 

[Alibiiv]

Just returned from a deer hunt in WY area 82 and I must say that as a resident who's hunted this area for the past 19+ years I left completely disappointed.
I saw numerous camps of CA, ID and UT hunters with open fires in camp while we have stage 2 fire restrictions in place. You can't even smoke outside of a vehicle during stage 2 restrictions. The state has signs everywhere stating NO FIRE, FIRE BAN ect and its virtually impossible they didn't know.
I also had both WY resident hunters (really disappointed) and UT hunters stop 50 yards away from me on two different occasions while I was glassing a small 20 acre BLM piece of ground and start hunting it - no etiquette. The WY guys deserve a good beating and the non-residents should just stay away...hunt you own state.

When I read this post it really annoyed me to read! I take great umbrage with being put into a pigeon hole as "all non-resident" hunters are slob hunters. I can say the same about resident hunters being inconsiderate to non-resident hunters and being slob hunters themselves. But……the behavior that you have described is not unique to non-resident hunters, or resident hunters, it has to do with society in general. You have written about hunters; we cannot even get our society to where face masks to protect the lives of the people who live in this country!! What would make you think that people would give a **** about rules that would protect the land. Presently we live in a society that does not have or is lacking in values, morals, principles, or…..respect for themselves, this country or each other. I'm seventy-three years old, I have heart disease, if I get this virus it in all likelihood will be a death sentence to me. Then……I go into Home Depot or the local shopping center only to find people defiantly not wearing faces masks, "because" they do not believe this virus is real or because they have "their" rights; however I don't have the option or privilege of taking a chance that it is not real!!! I hear your frustration loud and clear, however what you have described here has nothing to do with non-resident hunters, it has to do with a society that doesn't care about anything but what suits there needs at the present time. So please don't make the statement that non-residents should just stay away….hunt in your own state. If it were not for the non-residents that you are asking to stay away, without their monies you probably would not have the public or federal lands that you so tout on as being "your land", and the local businesses, guides and guide services would probably be unemployed!! And if you don't believe that just take a look at what is going on in Canada right now because the country has been shut down to non-resident hunters due to the Corona virus and the outfitters there and their businesses are really in a tough place right now. You telling me as a non-resident hunter to "stay at home" is no different than me telling you "If you don't like what you experience or see out there in the country where you hunt to simply stop hunting and to stay home!!" And…..I would never do that. I seriously hope that you get the point!!!

 

[Ol' Red]

I save the TIP line for whatever State I am hunting and will use it if I see anything that requires a call. The CO's are spread thin and if we help "tag" the bad apples maybe the rest of the barrel won't sour either. Over the years I have been threatened (that didn't go over so well), truck vandalized, poor etiquette and so on but I believe we have to persevere to insure the hunting heritage that we all want is continued. I carry pen paper etc to record whatever info I need to save for authorities. Cell phones are good but sometimes pen and paper is better. I've contacted CO's in the area I plan on hunting to see if I should be aware of anything unusual. Heck, I have been told of drug drop areas, meth areas and so on to be extra careful. We live in a NOW self gratification society and common sense and etiquette takes a back seat so someone can post up on Instagram, Facebook, the Look at me Kill photo and they don't care how they get it at your expense. I once had a truck block my freaking tent cause that was the only place he thought he could park! All I can say is keep moving forward and do what is right for hunting, fishing, camping or whatever the outdoor activity may be. I refuse to give up.

That is a great idea. Except where I hunt in WY, there is no cell service. By time I get to service the guys are gone. I report anyway by vehicle

Tune me in: what is "corner crossing" - just asking.

If you want to see an example of how self centered most hunters have become just start a conversation about corner crossing or the use of cell phones while hunting.

 

[Ol' Red]

Tune me in: what is "corner crossing" - just asking.

There are areas where private and public land looks like a checkerboard. Jumping across a corner to stay on public land is "corner crossing." It is not legal in WY

 

[GonzoK34]

U.S. Census Documents community trends. Based on the data local communities become eligible for federal grant monies. For example road maintenance dollars if there is a documented impact study that indicates large increase in population, traffic, traffic accidents etc. the engineering departs in the community just have to demonstrated the negative impact and request the funds. It also releases funds for schools etc.

 

[travisch]

When I read this post it really annoyed me to read! I take great umbrage with being put into a pigeon hole as "all non-resident" hunters are slob hunters. I can say the same about resident hunters being inconsiderate to non-resident hunters and being slob hunters themselves. But……the behavior that you have described is not unique to non-resident hunters, or resident hunters, it has to do with society in general. You have written about hunters; we cannot even get our society to where face masks to protect the lives of the people who live in this country!! What would make you think that people would give a **** about rules that would protect the land. Presently we live in a society that does not have or is lacking in values, morals, principles, or…..respect for themselves, this country or each other. I'm seventy-three years old, I have heart disease, if I get this virus it in all likelihood will be a death sentence to me. Then……I go into Home Depot or the local shopping center only to find people defiantly not wearing faces masks, "because" they do not believe this virus is real or because they have "their" rights; however I don't have the option or privilege of taking a chance that it is not real!!! I hear your frustration loud and clear, however what you have described here has nothing to do with non-resident hunters, it has to do with a society that doesn't care about anything but what suits there needs at the present time. So please don't make the statement that non-residents should just stay away….hunt in your own state. If it were not for the non-residents that you are asking to stay away, without their monies you probably would not have the public or federal lands that you so tout on as being "your land", and the local businesses, guides and guide services would probably be unemployed!! And if you don't believe that just take a look at what is going on in Canada right now because the country has been shut down to non-resident hunters due to the Corona virus and the outfitters there and their businesses are really in a tough place right now. You telling me as a non-resident hunter to "stay at home" is no different than me telling you "If you don't like what you experience or see out there in the country where you hunt to simply stop hunting and to stay home!!" And…..I would never do that. I seriously hope that you get the point!!!

I didn't classify all non-resident hunters as the problem. As a matter of fact I also pointed out the lack of etiquette with resident hunters - one I later pointed out as being the mayor of Rawlins WY and his kid(s). The point I was trying to make was stay home if you are an idiot or lack hunting etiquette.
As far as face masks go...I don't believe in them. Where are all the hazmat containers for people to throw them away? Before COVID nobody wore a mask when hunting the west to ward off hantavirus which has a 36% mortality rate and there is a bazillion deer mice roaming the woods.

 

[rockwind]

There are areas where private and public land looks like a checkerboard. Jumping across a corner to stay on public land is "corner crossing." It is not legal in WY

really? i always thought it was legal everywhere when they set it up years ago to be able to cross. but then according to wy laws,,, you can't even get onto a section because every corner is sealed off and every side is private. weird,, but wow,, giving all that land to the railroads,,,what a crime against humanity and the average american citizen. wealth stealing by the big corps at a huge level. imo.

 

[travisch]

really? i always thought it was legal everywhere when they set it up years ago to be able to cross. but then according to wy laws,,, you can't even get onto a section because every corner is sealed off and every side is private. weird,, but wow,, giving all that land to the railroads,,,what a crime against humanity and the average american citizen. wealth stealing by the big corps at a huge level. imo.

Unfortunately it was mostly outfitters and ranchers (fellow hunters) who outfitted or leased to outfitters that pushed for and voted in the corner crossing law. Some really great land that became inaccessible when this law passed.