Stay Limits during Hunting Season(s)

[midwestcowboy]

I was out in my unit this past weekend driving forest roads, hiking around & scouting, and checking cams. We are about 14 days out from the start of the season in that area. The amount of wall tents, horse camps, trailers, side x sides, etc. that were already setup 2+ weeks before season was outrageous. To my understanding, in most National Forest / BLM / Wilderness areas throughout the state, there are 14 day stay limits. Meaning, you have to move your camp at least 5 miles (or some other distance) after being in a location for 14 days straight.

Could these camps be bear/wolf/lion hunting? Yeah. However, nobody was leaving camp during the day(s) to actually hunt. The guys I saw around camp looked to be guides (or hunters) doing camp chores, no clients. Too many plastic totes to count, firewood stacks that will last literally months, hay bales stacked high, and multiple wall tents per site. It's clear that they aren't moving anytime soon. I probably saw 5-6 of these sites setup (or being setup) throughout the unit and at least half of them looked to be guide camps.

My question is - do these 14 day stay limits not apply to guides? Do they not apply to anyone during hunting seasons? I'm not gonna be a "Karen" and call people in if they are still there in 2 weeks... but what the hell? It really pissed me off. Feels like everyone is going to start setting up 2+ weeks before season to "reserve" a camping spot.

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

Yes to my knowledge 14 days. Guys where I’m at are notorious for setting up massive camps at the head of drainages, foot trails etc. Try to hoard an area all to themselves. Just gotta walk past them and ignore the shit talking

 

[midwestcowboy]

@IDbrushswimmer Man that is so shitty. I've run into that myself around Central ID. IDGAF if you are camped out at the bottom of a drainage or at a trailhead, it's not "yours" to exclusively hunt.

 

[Fredcohunter]

Doesnt ID have an outfitter operating plan with designated operating areas? I know this includes BLM and national forest but I thought ID was pretty well organized with its outfitters.

 

[midwestcowboy]

@Fredcohunter Hmmm it very well might and I'm just uneducated on the topic. Thanks for commenting, I can research and follow up.

 

[midwestcowboy]

I emailed the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board about what I encountered and will post a follow up when I hear back.

 

[alecvg]

If they are an outfitter, their camps are likely under their permit to use for an extended amount of time (I.e. the entire season).

I can’t remember the specifics in Idaho, but in Montana, you pay for so many use days as part of your permit. Some camps may be set up for half the year.

 

[justinspicher]

This seems to be a thing here in my neck of the woods as well. Each season it seems to get more common.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Appreciate y'all commenting. This just isn't something I've run into the last however many years hunting out here. If that's the case, then I am hoping they are guide camps.

 

[flyfisher117]

Pretty common.

In my experience good luck getting anyone to enforce anything.

 

[midwestcowboy]

I hear ya. Makes you wonder why they post the rules anyway if nothing is enforced haha

 

[ndbuck09]

In my experience, outfitters have a list of their "established" camp spots that are under their guide license. They then have to apply for special camp permits for spots outside of these established spots on a yearly basis based on client numbers.

I've had problems with an outfitter here in Idaho in the past and continue to. The forest service for your area manages the Outfitter's permits and they do need to be communicated with when an outfitter is doing something out of bounds because they will then take that into their record. Some of these guys think they're above the rules.

 

[Customweld]

Super common generally all over in Idaho anymore. I'm not sure about the guides, but guys leave camps up all summer. I've called the FS and complained. One FS LEO that I've talked to asked for time stamped photos of the camps. Summer campers are the worst. If you want a mountain property to park your camper on, Zillow is full of such properties.

 

[wapitibob]

The only time I have seen it enforced was when a local whined because someone put up an antelope blind on "his" water hole a month before season, on BLM. He called BLM multiple times till they sent a guy out and he put notes on blinds, then removed them. That was a one year deal and I don't recall it ever happening again.
The only camps they move around here are homeless camped on the streets.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Well I've got timestamped photos on my phone, GPS coordinates, and legit the same guys on their horses riding past my trail cam with timestamps as well.

Like I said above, I don't wanna just complain to FS or Wardens just because I'm pissed off. However, if what they are doing is actually illegal, I have no problem submitting a report with evidence. I follow the rules and regulations in this state as a resident, and other states as a nonresident - I expect nothing but the same from my peers.

 

[rogerdoger]

I find that camps like that are easy to go by in the dark mornings, most are all whiskey drunk from the night before.

 

[Pafarm]

I've seen this as well to many times. They think if they setup a large enough camp it's their mountain. IMO it's ridiculous and never saw anything done about it. Had a guy two years ago tell me that basin his clients were hunting, I walked by and said its public land.Just boils my blood they setup like they do.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Yeah it's extremely frustrating I hear ya @Pafarm. The best thing we can do is wake up earlier than everybody else and hike on past 'em.