You're hunting public land after about December 1 (post rut) and a squirrel hunter/ squirrel dog happens along, what would your reaction be?
What if …
- Thread starter Iglow
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MickThompson
Well-Known Member
Same as it would be right now on public or private, assuming we all have permission to be where we are
That is?
You're on public, why would it be any different
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I deer hunt the same public land that I squirrel hunt. I have just as much right to do one as I do the other.
That said...if I'm squirrel hunting and I know someone is deer hunting in a certain area...I try to be respectful and hunt a different part of the property.
That said...if I'm squirrel hunting and I know someone is deer hunting in a certain area...I try to be respectful and hunt a different part of the property.
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UTGrad
Well-Known Member
My reaction would be "well that stinks but it's not against the rules. Maybe I should start looking for private land to hunt."
I've never had any problems in the past but the world is changing so fast. I haven't had a squirrel dog since 2020 when my old dog died but have a pup now and we are gonna get started soon. I always had orange vests/ tracking collars on them until deer season ended and mostly hunted after 10:00 am till about mid December so as to not mess anybody up if I could help it.
I was just wondering what the general attitude is about it these days.
I was just wondering what the general attitude is about it these days.
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
Nothing
I've hunted public a lot deer hunting and know it would suck to get up early and do all you have to do only to have a dog come tree 50yds from where you set up, that is a situation I want to avoid but still be to squirrel hunt my dog.
Mr.Bro
Well-Known Member
Don't believe I would be sitting in a tree anywhere near anyone squirrel hunting.
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Didn't a bow hunter get shot by a squirrel hunter several years ago at Royal Blue?
DayDay
Well-Known Member
I asked some guys as they were getting their rabbit dogs out which way they were headed and then told them where I was going which was in the opposite direction. I had several locations to choose depending on what they told me and I was using a climbing stand. They ended up down by me with their dogs a little later.
I enjoyed watching the dogs run and seeing a rabbit running around in the woods outsmarting them. Some of the dogs were learning with the older dogs. My hope was that as they got deeper into the stuff out away from me they would get deer to move my direction. My other hope was that the dogs and hunters would move out of the area before it got too close to sunset. I didn't have any luck that evening.
I enjoyed watching the dogs run and seeing a rabbit running around in the woods outsmarting them. Some of the dogs were learning with the older dogs. My hope was that as they got deeper into the stuff out away from me they would get deer to move my direction. My other hope was that the dogs and hunters would move out of the area before it got too close to sunset. I didn't have any luck that evening.
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killingtime 41
Well-Known Member
Everyone has the right to hunt public. You won't have any problems at all. As long as you don't pull up to a spot you know someone is deer hunting. Then unload the dog knowing you're about to mess his morning up. Same would go for the other person. If I pull up and see dog box or just another truck in general I move on to another place. As long as everyone has a mutual respect for one another. Don't see anyway what your asking would be a problem.
The problem is not everyone thinks that way.
Topshelf
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To be honest most deer hunters "text book hunts" are a bunch of bull crap these days. And yea even I am guilty of getting worked up over non sense at times. Hunting is supposed to be fun not another job that we don't really wanna do. Tv has ruined hunting and what it's about. Sometimes people out squirrel hunting may help get the deer on their feet and provide some haunted across the hill or holler a shot they wouldn't have had otherwise.
Where do you plan on hunting? I ask because we hunt public ground with our little cur. We haven't ran into any "problems" as of yet. I had one guy at the boat ramp ask if we were bringing our dog with us? When I explained we were squirrel hunting, he said he hadn't hunted with a dog in years and wished us luck.
We go to Preist, Cedar forest mostly.
When I hunted public that late in the season I was often the only one in the woods. I was glad to see someone doing something that would move some deer around.
DoubleRidge
Well-Known Member
Speaking of squirrels...The fox squirrels seem to be doing well in our area this year...seen several...had this one climb a tree beside me yesterday.
Definitely go. I think you'll be surprised for the good at the experience. Like others have said, I see very few other hunters late in the season.
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There are a bunch of them where we hunt. Bold suckers, that's for sure. They will come right up to you.
Topshelf
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I had one just like that size me up Thanksgiving morning lol! I thought I was about to be attacked in a brush blind on the ground.
philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
Most of the public I hunt is a ghost town after mid December. Especially after 10 am. I think you'll be fine.
Engage them with conversation. "How's it going? Having any luck? Come here often?" Gauge their level of education. Ask them how often they are in the area and when they plan to be back. If they strike you as novices maybe try to work in some advice on being mindful of deer hunters this time of year.
