Just to start this thread I hunt very few WMA's due to the fact that I have real issues with folks that don't have sportsman like hunting. To start with when I hunt private land or a club I never use any ribbon what so ever. I don't litter up the woods and don't show everyone where I'm hunting. I understand that when hunting public land where the pressure is much greater you have to ribbon off your spot to let other hunters that your hunting there. One particular WMA you are not allowed to enter the property until the day before to place your stand. Everyone mades a mad dash to find there stand and get it marked. But I have issuse with some tatter hole that comes out and marks up and area that is 300-400 yards long with all kind of ribbon and walks in and out many times to beat down a path to his stand. Also tells everyone that stops that he has this weekends permit and his cousin has next weekends permit and they will be buddy hunting. All weekend long we never see a truck there in this location thinking that they just don't hunt as long as us. Finally the last day we walk into this area only to find out that these two guys have came into the WMA early and marked off their area really hard to try and keep people out of it. When they didn't even have a permit for that weekend just wanted it unhunted for their weekend. Makes me want to take bags of human hair and spread all around their area to mess them up. I know that's not right and I would never do that, But it is not very sportsman like to hog an area like that. What is everyone elses oppinion on this matter.
:saluting
Bossman, That's a lot to think about. I think it's been 44 years since I last hunted a WMA. I know it was Bull Creek in Osceola County.(When it 1st opened it was known as Jane Green WMA.) Back then you had a 1st come, 1st through the gate next morning type deal, with a maximum number allowed through the gate. Kinda' like an early mornin' rodeo when they opened the gate. Back then tempers flared when folks were not considerate of others just as they do today. I'm too old to even consider how to react to such conduct as you have described.
Treefarmer
Never put up any flag that can be seen. Being in a group of public land hunters who know, if you put up flags you will be messed with and walked on. Don't put up a ladder unless your willing not to hunt it because some one beat you to the spot and they are there in a climber. Public land is first come first served period and it open to different types of hunting. Meaning if you want to stalk you can and they will.( well walk and talk)
This is how it is with none transferable permits if full of yahoos not the serious hunters. I its all I have to hunt and have hunted for 20 years, you will need to learn how to hunt where people walk around you and move deer. If having hunter walk under you bothers you a lot you wont like it.
Then you will need to get to the most in habited spot the nastiest swamp in the place. So when the sun comes up you will see some one like me sitting 50 yard away from you. Seriously I hate flag because it give yahoos a marker to fallow in the woods who other wise would not leave the designated trail (road), Do not flag.
With you post this is why no one cares if there's flags. Flags mean it open to hunting.
ps keep the wood clean remove all flags as you come across them, oh any time you come across them.
Yeah, it's hearing stories like these that I don't hunt WMAs. I know some folks love it or at least tolerate it because that's all they have. I'm blessed to be able to hunt private land when I can even get in the woods. My issue besides just plain bad manners with WMA hunting is that you don't know what goober is out there with a rifle. I know the folks I hunt with and I know they're responsible enough not to point a weapon in my direction when I'm walking to my stand. That gives me great comfort!
Turds that do what you described above should have their license revoked. Sorry for your headaches brother.
