Unread postby Matty » Sun Nov 15, 2015 2:54 am
Some real horror stories. I feel for you guys. Nothing sucks more than to have to deal with a-holes when you're trying to enjoy your passion.
Generally when people ask me "Where you huntin'?" I respond "All over". Which is true. I may only ever come back to that particular tree one other time that season.
When they ask "What have you been seeing?" My response is always "Not much". I do my best to act like hunting sucks and you're not sure why you bother. Most people are actually easy to deter. lol People around here seem to really rely on what others are doing. Parking lot scouters that rarely leave the truck.
To avoid parking lot scouters and their prying conversations I actually prep all my stuff at home or work before I get to the parking area. My stand has my sticks, harness and clothes bungee'd to it and my bow is right there too. I have nothing to do once I put on the parking brake.
I literally pull up, jump out, grab the stand, put it on my back, grab my bow and slip into the woods. I'm rarely at my truck longer than a minute or so.
Once I'm in the woods I will unpack and get dressed a very safe distance from where I intend to hunt that day.
Much like the big bucks we all hunt, I try to avoid people at all costs. That doesn't mean I don't hunt the same areas, I just slip around them as best I can.
I get dropped off for some spots (and lately everywhere since my truck broke)....I wait in pitch darkness for others to leave a parking lot before coming out. I go in earlier for pm hunts on weekends even if it means waiting somewhere nearby for winds to change. I avoid using bright eyes, flashlights or leaving any sign that I've been there. I try to park as to blend in with hikers, bikers, etc, have no hunting stickers on vehicle, park where it may look like I'm hunting somewhere else, etc...I go to great lengths to avoid giving myself away. Not always possible, but I always try.
Funny thing is around here, the few people I do run into always say...."OH BIG BIG BEARS in here....Lots of em too"....As if that's supposed to scare me. I smile and say "I'll keep it in mind for bear season, thanks for the tip" lol
Just the other night I had a couple of fish and wildlife volunteers or land management guys in a beat up Ford stop me for spotlighting. They pull up next to me and tell me I can't do that, it's illegal. (It's perfectly legal with no weapons in the vehicle) I was nice and politely told them they are wrong and I will continue to spotlight. Conversation went on longer than that, but they were giant a-holes at first thinking I wouldn't know the law and would just leave. Eventually they want to know what I'm seeing. "Not much." lol
Some people suck, but I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Still, I try to avoid people and it helps.
Good luck...and remember it's supposed to be fun, so enjoy yourself however you can.