UPDATE: In a slight encroachment predicament, need help

[UplandObsession]

So I wanna hear some of your guys thoughts about an issue I ran into today on my way to the stand. The land I hunt is private property, The owner (My old mans cousin) allows 2 groups to hunt it. first group would myself and a couple of my buddies(Bow Hunters).  Second group is a few local guys(shotgunners).  I have only met one of these other guys acouple times to talk about who is hunting where and gain that mutual respect. We came to the agreement that my group wouldn't go anywhere near their stand a couple weeks (at minimum) before gun season. When I was walking out to one of my groups stands that is know where near their stands, low and behold there is a ground blind 10ft away from my stand.  I have been the one doing all the grunt work out there to get my stands in the right places and these jack***es encroach on me.  The particular stand I was on my way to I set up the 2nd weekend on Bow season and we put it there because it showed heavy traffic.  2 weekends after we put the stand up a good size buck scrape shows up near it and the other group only put there blind there because of the scrape.  I said screw it to the first stand and started walking to another one i just cut fresh shooting lanes for last week, and now that stand is missing... I feel like I am hunting state land with a bunch of inconsiderate selfish pr**ks.  Am I in the wrong to be pissed off and want to mess with their deer season since they have messed with my bow season or should I just call them out on their BS then brush it off?  I mean I don't want to start any turmoil but at the same time Im not letting some selfish pricks push me around like that and disrespect me after we came to agreements...  Sorry that was kind of a long story but I am just in need of some help from people that can understand a hunting dilemma...  (My old man doesn't deer hunt so he doesn't really understand)   Its sad when I am actually losing sleep over these idiots because of the disrespect...  What do you guys think?

[dakids]

Usually the best way to resolve an issue is to talk to the other person.  How many acres?  It all comes down to what you want to put up with.

[lentz]

I would just tell them if they put a stand within 50 yards of yours you will hunt your stand still and you might have to lock up your stands


IMO they broke the mutual agreement

[wildlifeminnesota]

I think I would just talk with them and let them know how you feel, Good luck 

[deadeye]

First of all, you have to find out if the activity is indeed from the other group that has permission to hunt there.  Maybe it's someone else entirely.  Then ask them what's up.  Maybe they thought they had the run of the place during the gun season.  If it was them that took your stand, there probably is no hope for a peaceful settlement.  I don't know the relationship between the land owner and both groups but I suspect it may be trouble if you go the the owner and complain.

[Fawkinnae]

My thoughts. I think I would explain it to your cousin (the land owner) who I suspect would like to see everyone getting along, as well as the other group. And like Deadeye mentioned could be a third party involved who is trespassing.
Since there has been an agreement reached should be easy to clear up what hopefully is just a misunderstanding (although I am constantly amazed at all the conflicts related to land use and access). Good luck with this.

[beeker]

there are a few factors I would consider in how I would handle this.. first does this other group "know" your cousin or was it just some bozo's in a pickup that your cousin took pity on? if it's just some guys your cousin gave permission fto I would take it straight to the cousin, let him know these guys are removing stands and have started to get "pushy"...even offer to "lease" the land to have it exclusive for hunting/ if money is an issue maybe offer some free labor or to improve the property as payment.  now if these guys are his buddy's or co-workers or someone he can't just give the finger too and pile there stands at the end of the driveway.. then I would approach the hunters and ask what the deal was and why all of a sudden the disrespect of the agreement. as much as you would like to take a battery powered sawzall out there and chop their stuff to bits you need to hold off or neither of you may be hunting it next year.

[UplandObsession]

Dakids- Its 53 acres
Deadeye and Fawk- I know it was the other group because I noticed decently fresh vehicle tracks and myself and the owner are the only ones with keys for the front gate.  And yes i wasnt planning on going to the owner to resolve this.
Beeker-My cousin is kind of buddies and neighbors with one guy out of the other group. The last 5-6 years I have been the one taking care of the cabin(My great grandpa build in late 40's), mending fence, and cutting fallen trees up and I still tell my cousin that if he needs ANY help to not hesitate to call... Before I started going out there he was having problems with people snowmobiling across the lake in the winter and partying and breaking into stuff.

So yeah I guess Im just gonna have to get my lazy arse up and go talk to him...  Hopefully he doesnt say something to make me blow a gasket. lol  hey guys thanks for your input... hopefully it all pans out

[Fawkinnae]

Good luck and please let us know how it turns out.

[UplandObsession]

So update on my situation...  I talked to the other guys hunting and they apologized and everything worked out.  But I just texted him and wished him good luck and gave him alittle extra info on where i had been seeing deer and I guess they had alittle run in with a game warden this morning and they got caught for baiting with corn.  He is blaming me for turning them in.  Which honestly if I would have known about the bait I would have been the one to turn them in.  Hopefully that doesnt conflict with the rest of my season.  F***king people these days.

[Onin24Eagle]

Look at the bright side.  With the new penalties for baiting, you won't have to deal with those guys for 2 more years.

[UplandObsession]

Well I have been told I cannot hunt there the rest of this year as well as the guys caught baiting can't, even in future seasons.  I am in the need of finding land to hunt now...  Kind of sucks but I will find somewhere.  One bad apple ruined it for everyone this season.

[lentz]

Just be thankfull u didant get caught with there bait

[Fawkinnae]

Sorry to hear that Upland. Doesn't seem fair that you get punished for their crummy ethics.

[UplandObsession]

Just be thankfull u didant get caught with there bait

I know, I got really lucky because I had been hunting out there since they through the bait out.  Without knowing it was there.  When I went to take down stands yesterday found alot of fresh droppings and they were ALL full of corn.  I am allowed to hunt out there next season so I cant be too mad.  The scum bags are kicked off forever.  On the bright side now, once gun season is over I will be going out there to start clearing out some of the over grown christmas tree's to prep for food plots in the spring.  Also clearing trees out to stay on good graces with the owner.

[stevejedlenski]

shouldnt matter who turned them in, they were illegal and got caught. there is always this bad stigma with a "nark". bottom line is nobody should have to do it in the first place. if your going to bait, expect to get caught.