The Race is ON
The first rule that’s acknowledge by most is that public land is a first come first serve use. This rule is one that most struggle with. Personally, we all feel that we put allot of work in. The hours put in scouting, rigging decoys, and watching weather patterns. I am blessed in the fact that I don’t have to many obligations that get in my way. That said I am passionate enough in this sport I would sacrifice allot of sleep to handle both obligations and the hunt. I am also humble enough and open minded to try and understand other hunter’s situations.
I have arrived at spots 6 hours to even the day before to give me the edge and time to claim a small piece of public land to hunt that day. I have slept in my truck, slept on the bank, and slept in my layout blind. I follow the rules and never set out decoy till 12:01 on opening morning of seasons. I make these small sacrifices in time to help me be successful. I don’t always have to do this just for the race of claiming what I feel is the best spot but if I am solo that day it will take that many trips just to get my gear and decoys to the spot I chose.
Story Time
I was hunting with a good friend in Wyoming a couple years back. I drove up after work threw the night and met my friend at the spot at 3am it was cold and blustery the first good push of cold air that season and with it brought the first good wave of ducks. Me and my friend were sitting in the trucks first persons to that spot going over the plan for that morning. At 4am a truck pulls in sees us and pulls out. We were waiting for the third person in our group for that day who would be arriving around 430 due to weather and traveling to get to us was delayed. At 4:15am the truck that was just here comes whipping in two guys jump out grab a few things and run down the bank. These two hunters in the hurry to outmaneuver and undermined us forgot a few things in the haste.
My good friend and I start gathering our gear our last friend showed up at 430 and we start walking in. I will be honest here I’m not proud of how I handled this frustrating morning with these two hunters, and I am proud all at the same time. As we are walking in one of the hunters was walking out to get some forgotten things. I was the first person he encountered. He asked me where we are going to hunt. Well at this point I was extremely angry over these guys actions. I responded to him in a angry voice that I was going to show him the same respect that they showed us and to have a good day (sprinkle in the profanities). We walked right by them with out another word.
The encounter was short and did not escalate which most times these types of things do. I’m proud that I kept it short and nonconfrontational. I am not proud of the tone of voice and langue used it was not necessary. Well karma would come around for their offense and disrespect towards us. A group of guys came in at daybreak and set up 20 yards from them. The birds worked our decoys, and we had a great hunt that morning. They did not.
We were able to over come some of the frustrated tactics of flaring and sky blasting implemented by these other hunters. Here where they went wrong. They should have talked to us at the parking lot boat ramp. This whole situation would have played out different. This is the point were the disrespect felt by me and my friends started. Here is where I went wrong, I let my frustration dictate my response and interaction with these young hunters.
What Should have happened
If these hunters would of came up to me and my friend at the parking lot instead of grabbing gear and running down the bank. We would have come to common ground. Heck we may to this day became friends. At this point we could have felt each other out and seen what kind of hunt we are looking for.
Scenario one we join forces and utilize the decoying power that this joint venture would have provided. The extra decoys and calling power may have turned our good day and there not good day into an epic day for everyone.
Scenario two is they or we don’t want to join forces but can come to a mutual agreement and strategy that would have made it possible for both groups to have a great day. We could have used positioning and pre-determined respectful rules that would have maximized the success rate of both groups.
Missed opportunities
This falls on me. This encounter was a great teaching moment that my frustrations allowed me to miss. These new or limited experienced hunters and even me could have taught each other something. As one ages our awareness of ourselves usually grows. As I sit back and remember this day, I can say I’m most disappointed in myself for not helping these young hunters.
In a day and age where we are all under attack for the lifestyle, we live. We truly need to band together. I wish I would have calmed my emotions and attempted to bring these new hunters under my wing. We can share so much with each other. I know I do not know everything and even I could have learned something. Sharing ethics is just a small portion of what we must teach. We can share tactics and styles of calling. We can share different decoy set ups. Teach each other what we see works and what doesn’t work.
Watching the Skies and looking to the Future
Most importantly we need to work with each other, respect each other, and help each other learn. Removing the personal feeling of ownership and that there is not enough target species to go around. A little friendly competition is good but its also a cancer when use tactics to sabotage others. I like a challenge and I have enough confidence to play the game better. How did I get there you may ask?
I was humble when I started out by myself, I got my butt handed to me allot. I was humble and I would strike up conversations with the hunters that out hunted me. I would congratulate them on their success and ask for tips or pointers. This wasn’t always met with open arms. I want to thank those hunters from the bottom of my heart that did take the time to teach a greenhorn a thing or two because they truly know a thing or two. With this attitude and approach, I was able to learn and forge great relationships.
Check out this article for more information https://fowlerscorners.com/hunting-state-land-and-forgotten-ethics/ . Also check out my weekly podcast on Spotify.
Fowler and Friends