Saturday is opener

Woollybob said:
There are just more hunters on opener than there are decent spots so having the field to yourself is expecting a lot.
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I don't think its unreasonable at all to get to a spot and expect to hunt it if you're the first one there. Its downright disrepectful to show up as the second or third group and start hunting the same parcel as someone who's been waiting there for an hour or two. I would never do it, and I would expect the same manner of behavior from others.

I would often encounter this while waterfowl hunting. I'd get to a good spot in the marsh a couple hours before legal shooting time and some dip shits would show up and set up 100 yards down. They'd shoot at birds I was trying to decoy.

If you wait until the Tuesday after opener, many of these spots will be nearly completely void of hunters.
 
gimruis said:
I don't think its unreasonable at all to get to a spot and expect to hunt it if you're the first one there. Its downright disrepectful to show up as the second or third group and start hunting the same parcel as someone who's been waiting there for an hour or two. I would never do it, and I would expect the same manner of behavior from others.

I would often encounter this while waterfowl hunting. I'd get to a good spot in the marsh a couple hours before legal shooting time and some dip shits would show up and set up 100 yards down. They'd shoot at birds I was trying to decoy.

If you wait until the Tuesday after opener, many of these spots will be nearly completely void of hunters.
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Duck hunting was always crazy rushing to a spot or getting out there at midnight ha was always just part of the experience and was expected.

Pheasant is different for me though and I try very hard to stay away from others and won’t usually hunt if there’s another truck there. Sure part of it is having the dog with and actively covering ground compared to sitting the cattails in one spot.
 
I have question for those complaining about hunters showing up at a WMA after another vehicle is in the parking lot.

I am a rather new resident of Minnesota. But I have noticed that a number of the WMAs in this state are very large but have very few parking areas or access points.

Do some of you think that you essentially own the public land by virtue of having the first vehicle in the parking lot on opening morning?
 
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John Singer said:
I have question for those complaining about hunters showing up at a WMA after another vehicle is in the parking lot.

I am a rather new resident of Minnesota. But I have noticed that a number of the WMAs in this state are very large but have very few parking areas or access points.

Do some of you think that you essentially own the public land by virtue of having the first vehicle in the parking lot on opening morning?
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Not own it, but I would say some common sense and respect comes into play. See grims post above. You have to work hard on public and if you put the extra effort to be at a spot first I think other people should respect that.

It obviously depends on the wma and the land as well.
 
Sleep in. Hit the field at 4 when the birds are moving back to cover at the golden hour . Everybody's wore out and gone home...
 
If the piece is larger than 160 acres and I can hunt part of it without impacting those already there, then I will hunt it (assuming one other vehicle is hunting.) But I personally ONLY park at designated parking areas so it’s obvious I’m there, and make sure I don’t pull in next to anyone else. There’s plenty of land in this great state. I hope everyone else that faced the crowds had a great opener. I just wrapped up my day with bird 2. Horrid scenting conditions, but remarkable dog work for 18 month old Josie. If you see a gray ram 1500 in SW MN over the rest of the season with a red bearded guy yelling at a dog, come say hello!
 

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Springer22 said:
Not own it, but I would say some common sense and respect comes into play.
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Oh, I agree. Common sense and years of experience suggest that I will see and meet other hunters on public land on a weekend opener. You can still respect each other while hunting limited public land.
 
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John Singer said:
Oh, I agree. Common sense and years of experience suggest that I will see and meet other hunters on public land on a weekend opener. You can still respect each other while.
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I agree with that as well. Just basic respect to your fellow hunters. I imagine we are all on the same page here.
 
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Got up and out of the hotel early. I’m sitting on a 94 acre piece waiting for 9am and a couple others have decided 94 acres is enough room for all of us. Oh well.
 
I generally dont...I won't say I never have.It depends on the size.Sometimes you either hunt it, or drive a long ways.
 
MNMEAD said:
If the piece is larger than 160 acres and I can hunt part of it without impacting those already there, then I will hunt it (assuming one other vehicle is hunting.) But I personally ONLY park at designated parking areas so it’s obvious I’m there, and make sure I don’t pull in next to anyone else. There’s plenty of land in this great state. I hope everyone else that faced the crowds had a great opener. I just wrapped up my day with bird 2. Horrid scenting conditions, but remarkable dog work for 18 month old Josie. If you see a gray ram 1500 in SW MN over the rest of the season with a red bearded guy yelling at a dog, come say hello!
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I shot a very young rooster this morning, not at all unlike one of your birds. I suspect we are seeing some very late hatch birds.
 

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Got my 2 again this morning, one older looking possibly early hatch, and one last years bird. Those real young birds would be safe but they can’t help but cackle and reveal themselves as hen imposters.
 

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Cheers to pheasant season. Very odd opener, got birds where I didn’t expect and no birds where it was expected from past experiences. All in all decent opener.
 

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John Singer said:
I have question for those complaining about hunters showing up at a WMA after another vehicle is in the parking lot.

I am a rather new resident of Minnesota. But I have noticed that a number of the WMAs in this state are very large but have very few parking areas or access points.

Do some of you think that you essentially own the public land by virtue of having the first vehicle in the parking lot on opening morning?
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Minisoooooootins are known for their slob hunting tactics nationwide.
 
Springer22 said:
I agree with that as well. Just basic respect to your fellow hunters. I imagine we are all on the same page here.
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While I think that this forum is a good represenation of dedicated and (mostly) respectful upland hunters, I will tell you 100% with first hand experience that there are a lot of low baggers out there that don't give a shit about it. I'm sure you've encountered a few. I know I have.
 
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Also, just a reminder that starting Thursday (through Sunday) there is an early youth firearms deer season and an early antlerless deer firearms season that both run through Sunday, so additional blaze orange requirements will be in effect. Your orange had or orange patched-vest is not enough during these seasons.

Right now the weather looks terrible to deer hunt so there may not be as many participating. Warm and windy.
 
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