Covert Hunting and Scouting

[mt100gr.]

This is a multifaceted question/ discussion prompt.

I have an area in mind that is 100% legal-to-hunt National Forest but is also a designated, high-traffic recreation area. I know first hand that there are some excellent animals in here, and it's definitely not a secret. The concerns I have are: many of the folks I have encountered here are either upset by weapons or are, for lack of a better term, "flower sniffers". I have gotten my fair share of raised eyebrows and looks of uncertainty. Also, I don't want to advertise that hunting here may be worth the effort.

My question is: Have any of you ever attempted to disguise your intents when you go into the woods in order to deter other hunters and avoid uncomfortable encounters? I know I can't hide my bow, but I can sneak in wearing plain clothes, with my spotter and tripod in my pack. Then hop off the trail and put on my ASAT leafy suit and get set up. For scouting the area, it's a no brainer. Handgun hunting would be easy to slip in and out, too. Archery and rifle hunting present a few more logistical issues.

For the record, I am a proud, respectful, camo-wearing outdoor enthusiast. I just identify more with the predatory creatures. I work very hard to earn my opportunities and have no qualms telling anyone that I kill animals for food. I do, however, try avoid making waves or advertising to others that I want to kill that big buck you just spent half an hour taking pictures of. Hunters, IMHO, need to tread lightly in some areas to avoid persecution. I am all for conservation through hunting and keeping our traditions alive. I just know there is a time and a place to express it.

What do you think? How would you approach these issues and would you put yourself into a situation like this?

 

[7mag.]

Hike in in the dark. Set up camp away from trails. Shoot a nice animal. Hike out in the dark.

 

[dreamingbig]

I don't worry about it but darkness would certainly be your friend. Most antis won't leave their tent in the dark let alone hike on the trail.

 

[orionsbrother]

My buddy and I have an area that we deer hunt that is within the metropolitan sprawl. If you drew a three mile radius from one of our kills, you would encompass thousands of flower sniffing, anthropomorphic, peta nuts. You would laugh your azz off at the lengths that we go to to avoid drawing any attention to this area.

 

[tttoadman]

I agree with cruising stealth during hunting, but here is another twist. I have no problem sharing with the "flower sniffers" that I share the passion for the outdoors with them. Sharing that you are an avid backcountry hunter doesn't seem like a big deal to most people after you have a conversation on the trail sharing some great photos and stories of the day. If it changes the mindset of some, it brings a little respect to both sides. The mouthy people that you encounter are ignorant, and don't matter anyway.

 

[littlebuf]

Hike in in the dark. Set up camp away from trails. Shoot a nice animal. Hike out in the dark.

but what if your scared of the dark? back to the topic, as far as anti hunter F' um. when i was younger and we hunted much more populated areas, little spots here and there off the highways and country roads around here that do hold elk. we would run around in a little beat up honda accord so when guys saw it parked they would think it was tweakers just doing what they do back in the woods and thus not giving up our spot. when we get a bull down we would go get the truck. that was when i was a kid, i dont hunt like that any more but thats about as covert as ive ever gotten. i happen to know guys consider seeing what trucks are at what trail heads scouting, and thats fine. i dont get real worried about that type even getting to where im hunting

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I had the same troubles/questions. Western Washington has more than their fare share of Flower Sniffers. I was the only diesel at the trail head. Often the only pickup. Sooo many "Coexist" stickers along with Obama or Kerry stickers. I even had to call to verify hunting was legal in the National Forest.....I was baffled when I met a couple on the trail. I had a rifle sticking out of my pack. I figured "Here it comes"..... they asked what I was doing. I told them I was bear hunting. Their response...."Oh, shoot them all. They scare the crap out of us". So anything not featured in the Bambi movie was on the Naughty List.

Good luck. Mash a big one. I would not even open the door to conversation though. Smile and rock on. Most states have some type of law set up for Hunter Harassment. I'd know it and the parameters possibly. And of course getting in and out with minimal contact is not going to hurt.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Get yourself a Toyota prius, put Hillary 2016 stickers on it and you are golden.
In all seriousness, I would not worry about the flower sniffers and granola crunchers. You bring up an interesting subject----I am not too far from the Sun Valley area and there are a lot of nice animals close to the population. I have friends that hunt close to those boundaries but for me being that I pretty much hate people, I choose to hunt areas where there are none. I think that the main reason they choose to go there somewhat "covertly" is that they don't want anyone else knowing where they hunt.

Randy

 

[mt100gr.]

I have used the dark hike method here before and for going in/ coming out it's perfect. Actively hunting during the day though is more what I was referring to. Sorry I didn't make that clear. The area is very chopped up with trails so seeing some people is likely. I do try to stay as far from trails though, as most of them have dogs...which are expected because the parking lot is full of subaru's with "dog is my copilot" stickers.

Thanks for the replies. And yes, I too have run into unexpected support from like-minded people. The worst though, is when you see the lightbulb go off in some dudes head and he makes you and hear "I didn't know you could hunt in here"...but I admit, I have found a spot or two in the past by picking up on clues like vehicles, types of camps, and watching others.

 

[ssliger]

I found a spot to check out last year in our local newspaper. There was an article written by a nature lover, she explained where she went for a nice hike and how neat it was to see groups of elk and to hear them communicate. She explained exactly where she saw elk. Most people look over these articles.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I have areas like this as well being in a high tourist area here's what I do. I don't care about who sees my truck I'm a hunter and honestly it's public land. Usually in the archery season they have a huge mushroom hunt that brings people from all over into hunting areas but they seem to stay within few hundred yards of roads. When hiking in from a trailhead with a bunch of flower sniffers I do one simple thing, I walk off the trail this way I usually don't run into people an I can usually find a decent game trail to use instead. Then I have the eberlestock blue widow I put my bow on the back an not many people notice it as much, in rifle I put my scabbard in it an no worries. If I am on the trail an someone is coming down I usually say hi be really friendly and continue on my way. I have been somewhat harassed but antis, what do you do? Here's my best advice stay as calm as possible and let them say what they wish, do not get mouthy with them it jus makes it worse an then they can actually come back at you for harassment. When they are done pleading their concerns, smile say I will think of that in the future, but I'm here to enjoy the wild just as you were just with different motives. And move on. Usually if ur hiking in with ur head down when you pass people they go right by me. Be friendly and I usually step off the trail to allow them to pass. I feel the times that I have trudged through right up the trail I haven't gotten the talk more, but when I step off smile and tell them have a good day they usually smile back an keep going. In some areas I have taken pics at the trailhead a of all the vehicles just in case cause I have had friends vehicles be terrorized by people who seen them hunting and could tell the one hunting rig. Most people will let you be, but usually get more upset when there's meat on your back vs. going in. So if that happens if suggest night time or loop off the trail close to trail head to avoid most encounters

 

[Kevin_t]

I disguise my attempts often. I know people know my cars and I know they know I scout a fair bit. I often park near areas I don't intend to go to that are nearby and then bushwhack into areas

 

[gelton]

I found a spot to check out last year in our local newspaper. There was an article written by a nature lover, she explained where she went for a nice hike and how neat it was to see groups of elk and to hear them communicate. She explained exactly where she saw elk. Most people look over these articles.

^^^Awesome!

 

[gwl79902]

On the flip side we as hunter must protect our sport by keeping it low key. I have heard it said that in Oregon 19% are hunters 10 % are anti hunter and will do anything to stop us. So I feel it is responsibility to not swing any of the 80 in the middle in to the anti group by poor behavior. I am not saying that you do that but I have seem a lot of it in my area. I have to hike threw a flower loving area to get to my hunt area and I try to take my kills out at off hours or at least minimize the blood and guts. Most people I meet on the trail just ask question and usually say have a good day.

 

[mt100gr.]

I definitely agree that we need to keep the non-hunting majority in the indifferent category. I never do anything to draw attention and always practice good trail etiquette. I have never had a vehicle vandalized...one of my trucks is pretty non-descript as hunting rigs go (by design). It's usually the weapon in my hands, on my pack, or on my hip that people seem weird about. Other places in MT I'd be the oddball if I wasn't carrying a weapon.

Using other trails is something I have considered and I do have a plan for a direct route out if I have meat on my back that only crosses trails and ends up a little past the parking lot. Then it's stash the pack retrieve the truck drive down and load up.

 

[amp713]

Living out in the country I dont have this problem but I really like this post.....

One thing that really bothers me is Hunters who are ignorant and rude to anti hunters in public and on places like facebook. There are alot of people not on either side of the fence. Let the anti hunters bash us and come back with a cool precise kinda comment and it makes us look better. I hate seeing uneducated vulgar comments on social media. Dont put a bigger target on us than already is present. Ya im guilty of being a dick to one here and there but i try to keep it under wraps.... sorry kinda off subject

 

[mt100gr.]

For what it's worth, I live in a pretty rural, conservative area. It's the specific users of the recreation area that skew that particular crowd in the direction of granola. I cannot say that I have been harassed by anyone.

I always wonder though, when I meet someone on the trail if I am about to be accused of some ungodly crime against the natural world.

 

[mt100gr.]

Anybody else?? How do you keep your public ground spots low key? I know if I see a rig parked with Rokslide stickers all over it, I mark that spot in my GPS.

 

[justin davis]

Anybody else?? How do you keep your public ground spots low key? I know if I see a rig parked with Rokslide stickers all over it, I mark that spot in my GPS.

Don't post pics on the Internet. It's pretty easier to figure places out by pics. A couple guys I know who regularly kill monster animals and don't want their "spots" know. Won't show pics at all. They are covert to the point you would never know they were even a hunter. You won't see these guys online sharing pics. You don't even know they exist! Lol

 

[7mag.]

Don't post pics on the Internet. It's pretty easier to figure places out by pics. A couple guys I know who regularly kill monster animals and don't want their "spots" know. Won't show pics at all. They are covert to the point you would never know they were even a hunter. You won't see these guys online sharing pics. You don't even know they exist! Lol

I know of a couple guys like that. They kill monster bucks every year, and only close friends see them. They even have their wives drop them off at the trailhead, so nobody sees their truck.