Stereotypes

[Enigma]

Getting damn sick of them. Rant to follow.

Stopped by an old place today, the old family farm. Checking on hunting turkeys there this year. Hunted there for years since I was a kid. Always had good relations with the new folks. I worked with the guy who owns it. Hunted there many times since they've been there. Always asked if it was ok. 

"I don't know, I'll have to talk to the wife" he says. "I think it'll be ok, just don't shoot the horses."

What the flying f@#k? 

I know the difference between a fricking horse and a turkey. I would be be hunting a mile from the barn and on the other side of the road. Always low key. And they're concerned about the damn horses. 

I understand their concerns but c'mon man! Pisses me off time and time again that I have to make amends for the fricking slobs that call themselves hunters and f@#k it up for the rest of us by trespassing, spray and pray and being dicksheads. Pissing off landowners and making us all look cromagnion. 

Damn tired of all the losers dragging my opportunities down. I hunt 95% stateland now just so I don't have to deal with this crap. Every year I more and more despise being associated with these lowlifes that give honest people a bad name. Don't shit where you eat. Not complicated.

 

[steve863]

Interesting take here.  You are blaming other hunters when the problem may be that the landowner just doesn't want you to hunt there anymore.  These days you pretty much have two choices when it comes to hunting.  You either own or lease land or you hunt public land.  Not many landowners will be letting you hunt for free anymore just because they've known you for years or because you have a nice disposition.  These are just the facts of hunting life today.  There are a fraction of hunters hunting these days compared to 30 or 40 years ago.  Yes, some may be slobs but I think the percentage of slob hunters is way less these days compared to the old days when you had way more hunters out there and it was more likely that some would be slobs.  So, unless you have some real evidence that slob hunters have changed this landowners mind about letting you hunt his land I don't think it's fair blaming other hunters for you not being able to hunt his land anymore.  I would bet that most of us if not ALL of us here have lost hunting opportunities on land that we used to have access to.  That's just the way it goes these days, unfortunately.

 

 

[landtracdeerhunter]

I would worry more about the free range chickens 

[Enigma]

@steve863

I understand where you're coming from. That being said I did a poor job explaining the situation and left out details relevant to my post. Sometimes I really suck at that lol.

In fact I wasn't denied permission to hunt there. I can still come and go and hunt on that property as I please. I still have a very good relationship with the landowners as our friendship goes beyond hunting. 

They don't hunt and were quite indifferent to folks hunting there in the past. But unfortunately, in the last few years they've had multiple issues with hunters trespassing, causing property damage and even harrassment. They run beef cattle and have horses and have become concerned with their own safety and the safety of their livestock. If you know farmers in any depth they take the security of their stock very seriously. And, if you know horse people, it doesn't take much to set them off if they feel their horses are being threatened or could be in danger. I understand those concerns, alot of "hunters" don't or choose to ignore them. 

The point I was trying to make is I had to play psychologist for a couple hours trying to explain that not all of us outdoor people are like that. That there are people in our cohort that still do appreciate and respect the opportunity to do what we do while on other people's property. I was really ticked having to play apologist for the actions of the slobs they've had prior interactions with. Getting really tired of making excuses and taking the blame for the crappy behavior of people who profess to be "sportsmen". And to be honest, my viewpoint is skewed and jaded somewhat by the fact that in this day and age very few people seem to take personal responsibility for their actions and many have a massive and unwarranted case of self entitlement. 

For reference, I've owned hunting land in the past. I've also leased and paid for hunting rights in the past. Both presented challenges with respect to a quality experience afield. I should also add I still have access to several private properties to hunt on. I understand the responsibilities to keep that going. I also understand the current and continually changing state of aquiring access to hunt. I unapologetically state that the situation sucks. I know it's the reality of today but have a hard time reconciling it. I guess I'm turning into a curmudgeon lol. 

My apologies for the long winded explanation. Just very frustrated having to constantly explain and defend my intentions when the actions of others make it more and more difficult. I know it's how the game is played now. Just not interested in making excuses any longer for the guilt by association.

 

[Daveboone]

You have permission, you are ahead of the game, but we seldom can change peoples long term thoughts....but you can head them off. An offer to post the property at the access sites? Put a camera up or two to help their security and peace of mind? 

My property borders state land and a neighbors. Both propertys are posted. The previous owner we were both happy to allow the other to wander/hunt on the property if no one was there (easy to see if cars are present).  When asked, the current owner was very politely hesitant to agree to the same (to my dismay....his nearest corner is a great funnel area). 

I could see he was uncomfortable with me asking. I quickly stated, " You and I both have our own camps for the same reason. We want to know who is on them. No problem. Smiles returned, good relations maintained. And I honor that.

[Doc]

Was there some reason why they thought that you might be capable of careless hunting practices? I find their comment to be strange since you did nothing to provoke it. Was there some reason why he thought that you might shoot the horses? It certainly was a strange remark to come from a friend.

Or perhaps he made the comment with a big smile on his face and meant it to be a joke.

[Ledge77]

Man, I totally get your frustration. It's a shame we have to deal with these disrespectful hunters ruining it for everyone else. Smart move sticking to state land to avoid the drama.

[Enigma]

On 4/7/2024 at 7:33 AM, Daveboone said:

You have permission, you are ahead of the game, but we seldom can change peoples long term thoughts....but you can head them off. An offer to post the property at the access sites? Put a camera up or two to help their security and peace of mind? 

The property has recently (last three years or so) been posted up tight. No cameras that they've mentioned though.

 

On 4/7/2024 at 11:44 AM, Doc said:

Was there some reason why they thought that you might be capable of careless hunting practices? I find their comment to be strange since you did nothing to provoke it. Was there some reason why he thought that you might shoot the horses? It certainly was a strange remark to come from a friend.

Or perhaps he made the comment with a big smile on his face and meant it to be a joke.

Not sure but I doubt it. Successful or not I usually call people or stop by after the season and say "Thanks again!"  Most of the time the response is "Oh, we didn't even know you were here."

I also thought their remark was strange. Hence my post. 

But I know this. People and attitudes can change over time. Sometimes they have a legitimate reason, sometimes it's an outside influence, sometimes just a whim. And no, he wasn't joking unfortunately.

[Enigma]

One thing I've realized over the years is that when you ask permission to hunt private land more times than not it's a "committee" decision to gain/maintain access. Husband and wife both need to be onboard. Other times it's another issue that's unexpected that you don't anticipate.

Hunted a place for years that was owned by a widow. We had unfettered access to her property. We were always respectful. She was like family. Her husband used to hunt. She loved seeing us come around in the fall to hunt deer. I mean she'd have coffee and sandwiches for us when we got back to the truck! Always glad to see us etc. We always visited off season to check on her, help her out etc. (I'm sure she was lonely). We showed up two years ago and knock on the door to let her know we were there. She tells us "No, sorry, no more." Turns out her 20yo niece had dropped out of college and moved in with her. The niece was and anti. Game over.

It is what it is I guess.

Edited April 10 by Enigma

[Enigma]

And for what it's worth, a recent example of the white trash that my original post was referring to. 

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/04/06/smiling-man-poses-with-wyoming-wolf-muzzle-taped-shortly-before-it-was-killed/

Ok. End of rant lol. I'll get off my soapbox. Got it off my chest for awhile anyway. Thanks for all the comments. Be safe, be smart and by all means, if you see some azzhat screwing up the show while hunting/fishing, kindly remind them their actions are a reflection on all of us. Our future depends on it. 

Edited April 10 by Enigma

[steve863]

11 hours ago, Enigma said:

And for what it's worth, a recent example of the white trash that my original post was referring to. 

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/04/06/smiling-man-poses-with-wyoming-wolf-muzzle-taped-shortly-before-it-was-killed/

Ok. End of rant lol. I'll get off my soapbox. Got it off my chest for awhile anyway. Thanks for all the comments. Be safe, be smart and by all means, if you see some azzhat screwing up the show while hunting/fishing, kindly remind them their actions are a reflection on all of us. Our future depends on it. 

 

Wounded or not I find it very bizarre that a truly wild wolf would be so calm to let a human put his arm around it in order to have a picture taken.  Is that a beer can in that guys hand?  Maybe he got the wolf good and drunk to calm him down?

 

[Enigma]

8 hours ago, steve863 said:

 

Wounded or not I find it very bizarre that a truly wild wolf would be so calm to let a human put his arm around it in order to have a picture taken.  Is that a beer can in that guys hand?  Maybe he got the wolf good and drunk to calm him down?

 

I guess if I'd been run over by a snowmobile (verified) and clubbed in the head a couple times (speculation) I'd be a little bit out of it too. I've got no problem hunting wolves or any other game legally. But what's the sense in dragging out the killing process and demeaning your quarry for shits, giggles and stroking your ego on social media? Some people lead shallow lives. 

[DirtTime]

The hunter stereotype is changing. It's not just social media glory hounds, it's the new age hunters and the sort of lack of respect for anything attitudes that's making it harder.

 

I remember loosing private land due to other DB's long ago. Some was original owners passing away and kids not wanting hunting on the land, some was other hunters doing stupid things, and yet still others were just the owners no longer wanting others wandering around their land. This really isn't a new phenomenon, it just seems to be happening more these days.

 

I am sorry you lost the property, that always sucks.