I've never hunted, but am interested in starting. Since I didn't grow up in a hunting household (my father had given it up when he moved from Alaska to Illinois) I have little idea of what makes a responsible hunter.
What are some of the "unwritten" rules of hunting etiquette? I'm thinking of things that might be obvious (or even not so obvious) to a long-time hunter but that a novice might never think of. Assume (rightly) that I know nothing and that you were taking me out for a hunt. What would you want me to know to avoid embarrassing/angering/annoying you?
Thanks in advance for your help!
me there are a few that i live by...dont hunt a property line and shoot into the other property.if you shoot something and it runs to another property ask permission before trying to retrieve it.dont crowd other hunters and they may show you the same respect.and always be grateful for the time you get to spend out of doors...
This will be different for everyone for sure.
Respect the game you are after, clean up after yourself, make sure your shooting ability is ready to go after game. Practice!
Dont give up on a wounded animal till the effort has been exhausted.
I think you can cover most hunting etiquette with one thought...it's not a team sport.
If you can see another hunter (or hunters stand, etc), you're doing it wrong. Solitude is the key here.
Respect private property.
Mine are more generic but I always TRY my best to follow these.
Respect the game you pursue.
Respect your fellow hunters.
Respect nature and always try to leave everything as close (or better) to the way it was before you got there.
As with most anything practice the golden rule and you will be fine. Whenever I am faced with a decision I usually try to first think "How would I feel if the shoe was on the other foot."
I was in the same boat as you a long time ago, but was lucky enough to have a great mentor ( a friends father) in terms of ethics and ettiquette. Everyone should be so lucky.
Here are a few thoughts that come to mind.
#1 Follow the rules of the property owner or state property you are hunting. If stands are to be removed daily, remove them.
#2 If you walk up on another hunter politely wave and head back the way you came. It happens sometimes.
#3 Go in before daylight and use a flashlight of some sort, it's generally just easier for everyone to know where the next guy is that way. There's nothing more aggravating than getting walked in on after daylight after quietly sitting 30 minutes or more in the dark waiting. Unless the person waves and then puts up a stand 70 yards from you. Which happened to me last year.
#4 I always try to keep at least a couple hundred yards minimum from where I know another hunter is. If I can't do that, I leave and go elsewhere.
#5 Also please don't leave trash in the field. take it out with you.
Most of it is just following the written rules and common courtesy. It's gotten to the point where it seems there is not enough of either here in Illinois. I've bow hunted public land here for 22 years now and it seems worse every year. I wish I could attribute that to being new hunters who didn't know any better, unfortunately I think it's just that many don't care. Glad to see you do. We need more new hunters interested in doing things the right way!! Good luck to you and feel free to PM me if you ever have any questions.
Try finding someone to hunt with to help show you around.
My best hunting experiences are when I am with my hunting buddies, sometimes we even sit where we can see each other to share some of the moments...
Start of small game hunting if you can, thats how most of us started and it is a great introduction to big game hunting.
Some rules... Don't drive home with a deer head hanging over your tailgate, don't skin a deer in your front yard if neighbors can see, this shows signs of respect for the animal well after the kill is done.
Don't talk about blood trails, exit wounds, death runs, or anything like that with anyone unless they ask. For hunters those are facts that describe a hunt, for others that is seen as gore and again disrespect for game.
Know why you hunt!
Enjoy, hunting is an art and therapy for me. Time to quiet my soul, listen to God, fellowship with my closest friends, and reconnect with purpose.
If another hunter is moving towards you, by all means wave. If you are moving as well, approach and whisper a greeting. DO NOT approach another hunter who is sitting or in a stand or blind. Wave, then move off or sweep wide around them.
Don't litter.
ASK before you hunt private land.
If you open a gate, close it and fasten it securely.
Stick with a blood trail as long as you can. If you lose it, crawl in a spiral to see if it resumes in a different direction.
Before you take a picture of a downed deer tuck the poor thing's tongue back in its mouth.
Follow laws and rules.
Respect your game and fellow hunters even if they dont show you the same respect.
Do onto others yada yada yada.
Try to pair up with someone who shares the same values as you.
Be quiet!
What I notice about taking someone new out is they slam the truck door right near where we plan to hunt. They talk to loud, they want to walk too fast breaking stick and just making too much noise.
Since you haven't hunted remember that arrows kill by hemorage so the first mortal wound claims the deer. Often they run away after being hit and a second person will put another arrow into the deer but the deer belongs to the shooter who put the first mortal wound on him.
It's the opposite for gun hunting. Usually it's the shot that downs the deer that claims it.
Also agree with your partners where and how you will be hunting so you won't intrude on their area.
arvest only what you need, and use everything you arvest!!
Don't be waste full, take every thing an animal offers you.
Don't trash the land, if there is no road, trails, don't make one with your ATV just because you ccan!
I hunt public land so I'll talk about public land hunting.
1. Know where you are allowed to hunt from homes. Here in NJ an archer who is hunting from an elevated stand ie.. tree stand is allowed to hunt 150 feet from a home. If you hunt from the ground such as I the rule is 450 feet.
2. Since we are talking public land here. If you come upon another hunter's set up or see another hunter don't just barge through his set up like some jerk. Back out and find another place to stand. Tonight with less than 30 minutes of day light left, I had a fellow traditional hunter still hunting come close to my set up, inside 75 yards. I whistled and waved my arms at this guy when he was looking in my direction. Apparently he had the hearing and vision ability of Helen Keller.
3. If you haven't found a decent spot to hunt with an hour's light left in the day, stop and find a spot to sit out the rest of your time. You never know when that rut crazy buck might decide to mosey through your area.
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
[QB]
Respect private property...
Respect the game you pursue.
Respect your fellow hunters....
Respecting others property and their wishes if known is very important.
I would like to add that how you are seen by others reflects on us all:
how you transport game, how you behave when wearing camo, how you handle someone who discovers you are a hunter and they disagree with the activity...
How you behave in these situations reflects on ALL of us who hunt. So be thoughtful and keep a cool head.
Joshua
Good thread. I have hunted for about 35 yrs but need to be reminded of some of these things. thanks.
QuoteOriginally posted by jhg:
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
[QB]
Respect private property...
Respect the game you pursue.
Respect your fellow hunters....
Respecting others property and their wishes if known is very important.
I would like to add that how you are seen by others reflects on us all:
how you transport game, how you behave when wearing camo, how you handle someone who discovers you are a hunter and they disagree with the activity...
How you behave in these situations reflects on ALL of us who hunt. So be thoughtful and keep a cool head.
Joshua [/b]
Good advice here.
+1 with Joshua!
With the generation of bleeding heart tree huggers that walk among us today you might refrain from using the word "kill" it aint P.C. anymore.Join the millions of hunters who over the last 15 years who have switched to "Harvest" it is less abrasive and is less likely to draw tears! And yes dont be a door slammer.
One thing I haven't seen is to not be so zealous of the outcome that it affects your principals, Remember it's more about the journey than the destination.
I always figure if I have fun and can sleep well at night, it's been a pretty good day.
Don't stand over your first kill saying "I smoked that sucker" - forget what you see on tv, it is not hunting as 99% of us know it. Get ready to test your patience, learn a lot, and be more connected with the natural world around you. If you use common sense, respect others, abide by the law, and find some kind of mentor, you should be off to a good start. Set realistic goals. Get a good flashlight and compass (or gps) if you plan on heading into or out of the woods in the dark. If you haven't been in the woods in the dark much, getting turned around is pretty easy.
If you hit a deer go to the ends of the earth to attempt to recover it, take time off from work, gather a posse, put in a major effort.
I hate to hear someone say "I stuck one, didn't find much blood, had to get home so I couldn't look for it."
For hunting public land, if another hunter is in a spot first - it's his spot, at least while he's there. Wave or nod but give him plenty of room.
There will be sharp disagreement on this, but since we are talking etiquette, I assert it is rude to leave a stand for days at a time on public land. If you hunt a tree stand tonight and plan to be back in the morning, that's one thing but every year, I see stands hanging vacant for days, weeks and even months at a time. It's public land - just because someone throws his gear up a tree, that doesn't save a spot for him.
If you are set up in the dark and you hear another hunter moving your way, shine your flashlight towards him. The sooner he knows that spot is taken, the sooner he can move off somewhere else. No point in making him walk up all the way to you only to learn there's already someone there.
If you are moving in in the dark and someone is shining a light at you - move elsewhere. :)
Thanks everyone for the help! I always try to follow the golden rule, but, not being a hunter, it's helpful to get into the mind of a hunter and find out what he or she is mindful of.
Some questions - Out in the woods, how would I know if I'm crossing over into private property? I'm assuming not all owners fence in their property and, in moderately dense woods, I can see myself missing that "Private Property" sign hidden behind a tree 20 yards away.
Are there easily available maps that show this? (Last time I visited the local planning department for a plat survey of my home it took half the day :eek: )
Also, Nightowl suggested small game. I tried checking Illinois' DNR site, but it seems their link to the "small upland game" section is dead. Can anyone fill me in on Illinois' requirements for rabbit hunting with a bow?
Again, thanks to you all for your help!!
I'll address some other things that I feel are important that noone mentioned about blood trailing as I think this is one of the difficult things for a new person.
- Don't take up that blood trail immediately. Give them time to die. More time is always better. (Unless their is a major storm coming,it's hot out etc..)
- Be as quiet as possible on a blood trail.
- If you lose blood, stop and look all around you. Remember that deer can only go in so many directions and straight up ain't one of them.
- Don't be afraid to trail scuffed up leaves.
- If you have gone all out and have totally lost all blood etc. cast in semi circles and follow trails. Like others have said put in a major effort.
- Don't forget to check limbs and tall grass for blood. It doesnt all fall on the ground.
-Always mark last blood with an arrow.
-Don't be afraid to use your nose. I have smelled some deer and other animals before I saw them.
-And if all else fails get/use a tracking dog if they are legal in your state. They are not a crutch, it's the responsible thing to do.
-ABOVE ALL: Enjoy yourself!!!!
Check the internet for maps of management areas, national forrests, and other public lands you want to hunt. As already mentioned, steer clear of property lines unless you want disputes.
Scout any chosen area before you hunt them. You may find several places of interest before finding one that isn't already intensly hunted. Just saves time and dissapointment. Sometimes you will find less competition in the most remote areas, at other times you will find overlooked hot-spots right by a major highway.
Remember there are inexperienced "hunters" in the woods. Every year people get shot by mistake. I often wear blaze orange when walking into a stand (some states require it). You may find yourself sharing the woods with gun hunters as well. The sad truth is there are statistically more inexperienced or reckless gun hunters (just by sheer numbers of people, not that all are that way) and they can hurt you from a long way off. In that same vein of thought, be sure of your target and what lies beyond before loosing an arrow.
If at all possible, get someone to assist/mentor you for a while. You can learn more in one day from an experienced woodsman than in a month on the internet; especially if you can get with someone that hunts the same areas you are considering. Not all people are good sportsmen so choose wisely who you follow.
Steer clear of dope heads and vagabonds that may be using the woods as well. Report suspicious behavior.
In most cases, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Game laws can and do get confusing. They may change even in certain regions of the same management area. Be sure to know them before going out. You should be able to find a game management official (warden or otherwise) for the area you want to hunt with a simple internet search. If there is any ambiguity in the written law - call them before you go.
Several things you'll want to do when hunting you first time. Be sure and wear unmatched socks, your shirt on backwards, mismatched camo, and no hat and don't carry a knife, until you get your first kill. Then you can dress normally.
Worked good for my family, helped them hunt more dilegently their first time out.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Mecredy:
Then you can dress normally.
How is that NOT normal attire?
Here is a website that I have found useful in trying to pick out spots on public land. Many of the public areas that are open for hunting is listed here. They also include local rules and regulations and some maps or at least contact information for that area. Hope this helps you out.
I'm new myself and am trying to organize myself for my first ever hunt. I have found this thread very useful.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/hunter_fact_sheet/index.htm
Thanks for the link, Patrick, helps me a lot. Again, thanks to everyone for your contributions!