Hunting State Land and Forgotten Ethics

What is State Land

State land is recognized under several names. Weather it is BLM which is an acronym for Bureau of Land Management, National Forest, or land that is designated by the state as that states land.  These lands all have one thing in common. These lands are for the publics recreational use.  Every person has the right to enjoy recreation on these lands. Before you enjoy these lands make sure you do some research. For more information on these lands and links for land rules please see this post on camping in the rocky mountains on a budget  https://fowlerscorners.com/script-async-srchttps-pagead2-googlesyndication-com-pagead-js-adsbygoogle-jsclientca-pub-6504429380590562-crossoriginanonymous-script/ . Each piece of land has special purpose and use rules. These lands can have special rules depending on what you are trying to do on these state lands.

 In this post we are going to focus more on the hunting ethics and some unspoken rules that where traditionally handed down by generations of state land hunters. Our mentors and family members who first took us afield not only taught us the fundamentals of hunting but also the unwritten rules and ethics of utilizing these public lands for the purpose of hunting.

Why Mention Ethics

Well let’s be honest this is now a mentionable topic because of covid pandemic. This trying time our world had to endure did have some remarkable results for a pass time that was fading. With options of Americas most favorable pass times very limited during this time it created the true nature of people. We are unstoppable and when sought after exciting and new things that we could partake in. This led to the increase in outdoor activity. Hunting, fishing, and camping very quickly had a huge influx of new participants. National Shooting Sports Foundation compiled data showing a 27% increase in new recruits from 2019 to 2020. https://www.nssf.org/research/hunting-license-data-dashboard/ .

This increase in new hunters in the field well had its implications between the influx of new hunters and the hunters that have been in the field for decades. Tempers flared for sure and unfortunately, I fell in this category myself. I have herd stories of this not just in hunting but all forms of outdoor activity.

Where is the Disconnect?

Well, I believe this is easy to pinpoint. First let’s take into perspective that the hunters who are in the field for generations have not had encounters with new hunters truly new hunters. Then let’s look at the new hunters who most likely had tv shows and YouTube as the main mentorship before grabbing gear and hitting the field. The disconnect is formed between the uneducated and the educated who have not had to teach in decades outside of close family and friends.

Therefore, tempers flare because what one group sees the issue as common sense the other group has no clue. Just like all of us we learned as we go. These new outdoors men and women are so in the moment with thousands of things going through the mind after hours of YouTube and tv that just doesn’t show everything.

What are the Issues

The first and most predominate issue is use of space. So, the unwritten ethics change depending on which activity you are partaking in. I am going to focus on hunting as our activity.  Then they change again depending on which game you are hunting. Allot I know. A general rule of thumb is first come first serve.

The hard-core enthusiast pursuing big game like Deer, elk, antelope, bear, and small game turkey hunters. If we never saw another soul, we would be happier than a pig in you know what. Waterfowl hunters are a special bread for sure. I believe this group has the best opportunity to bridge the gap. This group is especially territorial.  This group has the most limited access to public land in most of the Midwest. This group is also limited depending on the amount of money you must invest in the pass time. I can hunt in the south but the guys that have mud boats are going have more access than me on foot.

Waterfowl hunting and the opportunities it holds

Communication can go a long way with this group of hunters. First each hunter needs to keep in perspective that we are all sharing this land that’s why it is public land. Small groups of hunters if communicated can group up.

For example, me and three main friends that hunted in Wyoming on foot on the only water source with public access. Years of hunting roughly three or four spots and practically owning the river. The hunting season that opened during the covid pandemic it seemed like you could not even park on the river.  We were blown away with the amount of new people hunting. Everyone put in the work and scouted or lucky to be on a good spot. Most of our encounters where negative people walking in on us. People shooting and moving around flaring birds. Our group was left in aw with the errors and rude behavior of the new hunters. Due to frustrations both parties clashed.

Here is the thing it didn’t have to be this way. As humans we hate to admit we are not good or your new to something. If both sides would of just would have talked enjoyment could have been had by all. My friends and I love the sport. We are very wiling to teach and help fellow outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.  

Seasoned waterfowlers know that later in the season during the migration the more decoys you have the better. That’s why smaller groups of hunters should learn to team up. Teaming up shares the expense of decoys and the labor of getting decoys to the spot. This will only happen if we communicate in a respectful manner. Keep in mind some hunters are there for solitude or bonding with their sons and daughters. This method won’t work every time but when it does, we can teach each other so much.

I hope everyone can take away from this. If you are the seasoned veteran keep in mind the new hunters are the future of the sport. They will be the next group to help in conservation efforts. The veterans need to be the first to engage. We need to let the newcomers know that we are here to help. This effort of educating will help elevate frustrations in the field. As the newcomer reach out. Local sporting goods shops, gun stores, shooting ranges, and archery shops are great places to find veterans. Make connections and build your mentors. I will tell you there are more outdoorsman and outdoorswomen that are willing to help a newcomer than ones that will not.

Thank you for reading. I hope this helps both old and new outdoorsman and outdoorswomen.