If your spring turkey hunting and find two or three cars parked where you heard that bird a few days ago, move on. It’s a good bet that if he gobbles anywhere within a mile,, every one of those hunters is going to converge on him. If you hear a bird gobbling, and find he’s being worked by another hunter as you creep in, slip off quietly to find another bird to hunt. Nothing irritates me more than to have someone stalk a bird, or set up fifty yards away, and start working a bird I’m trying to call in. Don’t be that guy. It is sometimes frustrating I know, but better to do that than be one of the inconsiderate jerks I increasingly encounter in the field.
There are steps you can take to avoid user conflicts in the first place. Thorough scouting during the off season will go a long ways in helping a hunter have a quiet, undisturbed hunt, even on public land. If you can hunt during the week, do so. I realize this is not an option for many. So invest in a good pair of boots, and start by putting some distance between you, roads, and parking areas. Cross a body of water or rough terrain, climb a steep hill. You’ll be surprised how many other hunters you leave behind.
Finding sign of game is good, but on this trip we are looking for sign that other hunters are using the area. One thing to look for (and one of my pet peeves) is finding an area that’s had every sapling for twenty yards cut down or limbed out ,and a treestand hanging in the middle of it all. Yes, I know that cutting brush (even for shooting lanes) and leaving stands out on public areas is illegal, but I find areas like this every fall. Even if you choose to report this to the authorities, it’s still a good bet that if you hunt near that spot, you will be disturbed at some point by the culprit.
Other things to look for are climber marks on trees where someone hunted repeatedly, ground blinds, trash., even heavy boot traffic in muddy areas can clue you in to the fact that others have been, and probably will be there again. Of course, repeated encounters with other hunters while you hunt an area is a sign that it’s time to look for another spot as well. That’s probably a wise move. If your aware that the area is being used frequently, you can bet the deer are too.
When you do find a good location, keeping your own impact to a minimum will help you keep it to yourself. Don’t cut brush, tie it back with twine to create shooting lanes, and then release it when your done. Nothing stands out in the woods like a wide open area that offers a good shot on a game trail. Stay mobile and hunt several different locations. Remember, mums the word back at the parking lot if you see a good one. You’d be surprised how many will hunt your spot instead of doing the work themselves.
When you do head out for a hunt, try and be the one who got up early and had the coffee. Get there early enough to shine the light on that other fellow, and hope he read this article and has a little class.. This will also prevent you from rolling in late and blowing someone’s buck off an oak flat just before he gets his shot. On public land, the motto “go early and stay late” will help to keep hunters out of each others way. It can also put you in a stand to benefit from those who are tardy. They might just bump deer in their haste to get into the woods, and this could create opportunity for you.
If a conflict does arise, try and keep cool and be polite. If need be, vacate the area and head to your other location. By having a little respect for others using a given area, and observing a few rules of polite conduct, these conflicts will be few and far between. You’ll find all involved will have a more enjoyable and productive hunt.
Sika antlers are narrow and sweep up and back towards the rump, unlike a whitetail’s that grow out and around toward their nose. Typically, year old animals are spikes with branches developing as two and three year olds. Most trophy animals attain maximum antler measurements at 5 years plus. They are long lived animals (some up to about 20 years old). Antler size and characteristics are affected by age, genetics, and nutrition. The best time to look for sika sheds is in late March and April.
To enter your stag in the Maryland All Time Record Book, the minimum score must be 50. There are no minimum scores for county competition, and there are divisions for all four weapons. You can read about the contest and find an official scorer by going to their website at www.marylandtrophydeer.com. The contest is usually held in August. To contact the contest chairman, call for Tinker Johnson at 301-349-2413.