What Would You Do?

[sampotter]

So picture this: (I included an aerial photo to make this process easier)- my friend's property that I hunt has a big flooded swamp on it. It is at least 5 feet deep. A lot of the bucks I have seen or had pictures of have come out of this swamp. Along the east edge there is a hardwood stretch of woods and then a field. This makes a great funnel. At the far northeast corner of the swamp part of my friend's property there is some dry ground that he owns ( . 2 years ago I was in there in the spring and found a big scrapeline running right along the edge of the water. I really would like to get in there and hunt it, but to do it I would need a canoe, walk through a bunch of woods to get to it, and prevailing winds are from the west. Ideally, I could get permission from the neighboring property owner to traverse their field and get to this spot.

So, today I called the neighbor who it turns out lives at least 30 minutes from this piece of land and asked 2 questions; 1) Could I cross their land?, 2) Was there any room for a bowhunter on their property? I was speaking to the wife and she said she would talk to her husband about question #1. As far as bowhunting their property was concerned she said, "We don't allow any kind of hunting, ever."

This is fine, but meanwhile I'm thinking, "What about the guy I met 2 years ago who was hunting your land while I was 20 yards from the property line (stand A)?" And/or "How about 4 guys wearing bright orange on opening day of gun season sitting in trees on your land (X's)?" I didn't say anything though.

There really wasn't a reason for her to lie about the hunting- I'm pretty darned sure these guys know that the owners won't be there. Kind of interesting, eh?

My girlfriend makes me watch that dang show, What Would You Do, with John Qiuinones(?) all the time, so now I feel a little guilty about not saying anything.

What would you do?

PIC.bmp

[wooly]

I'd find a new girlfriend!

[phade]

Tough spot...that's for sure. Obviously what's happening is not right.

I'd follow up the call to check in and say the reason you asked was two-fold... crossing permission and because you've seen hunters on there before so you thought there might be a reasonable chance you could get permission.

Know much about the other hunters? That's another facet to the dilema as well. Soemtimes people can be real low-lifes...and these people already sound like they're not all that honest if they are indeed trespassing.

***Edit...that map looks like the neighbor land is locked outside of the small right of way. I'm betting these hunters must be neighboring landowners or users of neighboring land. I doubt someone would think of using that land (trespassing) without some boot on the ground experience of that area (bordering/within eye sight). Chances of it being random trespassers without access to the neighboring lands is probably small...my guess is they've used the neighboring land for a long while and over time understood that the owners are absent and non-hunters.

Edited October 27, 2011 by phade

[nyantler]

I'd have said something.. they might appreciate knowing that people are hunting there and maybe take a liking to you for passing on the info... could get you at least access through their land to get to where you want to go.

[G-Man]

looks like they rent or let a farmer use the fields..probably the farmer using them, knowing the landowner is out of town..

[Zem18]

HAHA Wooly that was funny. Nice to see you again bud. How have things been?

I agree with nyantler on this one. What do you have to lose by telling them that people have been hunting there. Do what your gut tells you to do just like on the show your girlfriend makes you watch. Would you have said something to the pregnant chick getting drunk at the bar on that show? (it was fake btw)

[WNYBuckHunter]

I would tell them that they have a problem with trespassers and explain to them exactly what you have seen going on. You never know, you might end up with permission to hunt it down the road.

[sampotter]

I'd find a new girlfriend!

Maybe I didn't mention that girlfriend is from Iowa and her dad owns 800 acres..

The farmer who rents the fields is the friend that lets me hunt his land. He doesn't hunt. He may not know the situation. The husband of the woman called me back last night, but by the time I received the message, it was too late to call him back. I want to feel this one out. More than once I've had the husband give me permission so long as the wife didn't find out. I'll keep you posted.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

More than once I've had the husband give me permission so long as the wife didn't find out.

That is what I was going to say....lol I have had guys give me permission back home with the understanding that I accessed the land fromt he back and DIDN'T tell their wives they let me in...lol. They both did sign permission slips for me because I just didn't trust in my gut that is push came to shove with the wives they probablly wouldn't admitt they said I could be there. If the wife is not on the property and the husband gave permission to the others I bet you can get in...at least for access and tracking