Trailhead Etiquette

[HairyScandinavian]

I've had a similar thing happen, I went elsewhere because I'm people-phobic and don't want to waste time where some other yahoos have blown all the animals out. Having said that I think you should hunt it because you definitely have a leg up on them and as someone else stated their pressure could help you. I would have a backup plan though because they could run all the animals out of the area pretty quickly and you may need to switch gears.

Long term camps, couple places I've been in Wyoming we hunted for a solid 10 days and saw wall tents in prime camping locations that never had a vehicle visit the entire time, no tracks in the snow at all. Campers covered in snow that look like they'd been there for months, etc. It's definitely a problem and should be addressed by the FS for the rules. There's been a couple times I really needed a decent camp location and had to back out a mile or so because of these squatter camps.

 

[oldhornhunter]

As I another fellow idaho resident. I can confirm and approve this message.

Going to be interesting next year !! According to the National Forest guy I spoke with they are changing the 14 day MAX to 72 hrs. He said they are going to enforce it with tickets starting at $150 & will also start towing vehicles to impound yards that are still there past 5 days

 

[hunthikecamp]

The vast majority of my interactions with other hunters in the field has been positive. I think if you go into it with a positive attitude you'll have a good outcome, might even make a friend.

This 100%^ dont go into it nervous thinking about a 'potential altercation with a guy with a gun', that will frame your perspective and you'll naturally react different, and maybe less friendly, if you do end up encountering them. Just respectfully walk through or slightly around their camp and go on your way.


Id still hunt in there, but would also rely a little more on having a few backup plans at least roughly identified in case they have blown out the basin.

 

[Jbehredt]

I’ve walked through TH camps to hunt and received dirty looks on the way out. I’ve also accessed drainages the hard way not knowing there was a trail and been approached by an angry hunter who thought I’d wronged him by walking through his TH camp. Whatever. Hunt it. If they actually show up and blow it out have a plan to hunt where the elk may have gone.

 

[LongWayAround]

Going to be interesting next year !! According to the National Forest guy I spoke with they are changing the 14 day MAX to 72 hrs. He said they are going to enforce it with tickets starting at $150 & will also start towing vehicles to impound yards that are still there past 5 days

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Hunt it. Most everyone I run into out in the field away from trailheads is fine. Often we all have different objectives (species, quality, etc.) anyways.