Confrontation

[elk_hunter]

My brother and I were reminiscing about our 1st season rifle elk hunt last year in Colorado and it sparked a memory. There were 6 groups of us, coming from a few different states for an annual hunt. 3 groups had already arrived and we set up camp at the end of a dead-end road. We set up camp and waited for the other groups to arrive. There was about 2 feet of snow on the ground so we had a nice bonfire raging and a tarped shelter around the campfire. We were all catching up on family stuff when a truck pulling a travel trailer drives in. 3 guys from Indiana (license plate on the truck) get out and start walking through our camp, weaving in and out of our tents as if they're looking for something. So we said, "Hey! Can we help you?" They said no and kept wandering around. Then one guy goes back to his truck and starts backing his trailer up like he's going to put it in between 2 of our wall tents. We were like WTF is going on here? These guys think they're going to camp with us? So we head over and get in the way of the trailer to block them so they can't get settled in our camp. This was the gist of the conversation:
<us> Excuse me, what are you doing?
<them> We're setting up camp
<us> Not here you're not
<them> Yes we are; you've got a nice kitchen and fire going and we like this spot
<us> What makes you think you can set up your camp in the middle of ours?
<them> Because we pay taxes and own this land just like you
<us> This is Federal Land and you're entitled to use it, but right now it's occupied so you'll have to wait your turn
<them> We camped here 10 years ago for Black Powder so we're staying here again
<us> Sorry, but we have 3 more groups on their way and there's no room for you. Find another camp spot.
<them> We talked to the Ranger before we drove up here and he said we could camp anywhere
<us> Great; then head down the road and set up your camp on any of the many other fingers that don't already have camps
<them> We pay taxes and own this land and we're staying here
<us> Listen, the hell you're staying here. End of discussion.
<them> Yes we are; we're going down to get the Ranger and be back to camp here with him as an escort
<us> Okay; go get him and we'll discuss this when you all get back here
<them> *more yelling, screaming, swearing as they get back in their rig and drive out

They never came back (and the Ranger never showed up) but we saw them a couple days later down another dead-end like we suggested. So what's the deal...do random hunters hook up and camp together back in the midwest and that's why they expected to do it with us? Hell, I wouldn't walk through anyone else's camp unless I was lost or hurt, let alone poking around looking for a spot to throw a tent with strangers. Frankly, I was a bit scared; I wasn't sure if they were going to pull pistols or what. In my 20-some years of hunting, I've never been involved in this sort of thing, never heard of this and it really had my heart pumping. Would you have handled it differently? Thoughts?

 

[Washington Hunter]

That's just downright strange. Those guys had to have been drinking or on drugs to act like that. You don't go waltzing through somebody else's camp as if you own it, not especially when you know they have guns.

 

[sreekers]

Shoot, I even steer clear of sections of river, even if it is my favorite part if someone else is on it. Never had a confrontation like that.

 

[camo308]

You know about 3 years ago we hunted the first season in Colorado and a similar thing happened. We had a great place off the main road at the edge of some trees. Lots of open space and other sites around. Had our tents and cooking areas separated, (there were lots of bear tracks around) all was good.
About 2 days before the end of the first season these guys moved in about 20 feet away, 3 or 4 truckloads, a couple of utility trailers, ATV's, GIGANTIC MASH-type tent that they set a full kitchen up in with all their bunks in. They built a fire pit about 10 feet from our trucks. Then over the next day or so more of them showed up. Racing around on the ATV's "scouting" and partying all night. They were hunting the second season and didn't give a hoot about us or our hunting in the first season. I think they were from some midwest state too. We finally packed up a day early and left. These king of the slob hunters left an indelible mark on that trip.

 

[pa mt man]

Welcome to hunttalk elk hunter.

Camo 308, I know what your saying. But I find most of the slob hunters your talking about come from Colorado,Wyoming,Montana and Idaho! And the guys that use 308's to hunt with.


Like Bambi said "it's slow in here".

 

[1_pointer]

There's jackasses from everywhere...

 

[ELKCHSR]

Welcome elk hunter...

I would say not only no, but !!! H E L L N O !!!

 

[elk_hunter]

Thanks guys; glad to be here!

It was really weird. As for alcohol or drugs, I'm not sure. They were probably in their 60's (senility kicking in?) and we were having a 'thoughtful' conversation...

I agree...there are asses everywhere, but it just reaffirms the kind of dangerous people are out in the woods. I was taught that if something is not yours and it's appropriate, ask to use it! Whether that's someone else's land, creek or any other tangible object, ask first! But, it does seem like a pattern (maybe more widespread than this) exists with this behavior in Colorado...my parents moved to CO to run a mountain camp outside of Golden. There were 'neighbors' who would just meander through their 130 acres on walks by themselves, with their dogs, horses, friends, etc. They'd stop and fish in the pond and we were all flabbergasted. My dad was like...who the hell are you to come on my property without asking? That's just wrong; you just don't do that. There really wasn't any excuse ever given; it was straight out defiance! Most acknowledged the camp was private but they liked it and wanted to explore, etc. Just unbelievable. To this day I can't believe the things that happened up there, including retaliation/vandalism when my dad politely asked them to leave. In fact, he told them to call if they wanted to visit...but no one did. Does this kind of crap happen all over? Or is it limited to some bad, drugged up apples in CO? In Oregon, we never heard of this happening or witnessed it. Same with here in Nevada. So where have ethics gone? It obviously comes from parenting (or lack thereof).

 

[speedgoattaxidermy]

green platers

they are the worst, i go fishing at local glendo lake and well they are everywhere, and they act like it is theirs? what you guys don't have water in colorado? i like to think of colorado as "the hippies that got kicked out of californa"!

 

[elk_hunter]

LMAO; I just don't understand...if it's not yours, leave it alone unless you get permission.

 

[sreekers]

What is funny is that I have had good experiences with Non-residents and some bad experiences. They have never tried to take my camp site, or get some type of squatters rights on property. We watched some guys from Nevada start shooting at a moose they legitimately thought was a bull elk. I couldn't believe it!

Last season I met some guys from California who I ended up crossing paths with twice during the week. Once I was about 3 miles in, and we had to share the same path to get to different places. They were respectful, and didn't tell me to get lost, but we headed our separate ways when our trails changed. It was nice to know not all the california hunters that migrate to Wyoming aren't idiots.

Some of the walk in areas around Gillette where i live get dumped on with nr's and they generally tear up the place. They broke a lot of rules for the walk in areas and it drove me nuts, in fact so many of them were there that deer didn't come back til this spring.

 

[elk_hunter]

Very true; good and bad experiences come from anyone...whether they are residents or not.

 

[A-con]

I had an experience about 10 years ago.
Three friends and my self got into a verbal confrontation with three older men, who were all packing handguns. They tried to intimidate us into giving up our campsite, the only decent one around.
It was the afternoon before opening day of deer season. I guess these guys thought they would surprise us and bully us into leaving. It didn’t work, by the time the shouting died down, all three of them tucked tail and left. Later that afternoon, we found their camp, a 30 ft motor home on the side of the road, Los Angles plates and a “rent me” bumper sticker.

 

[ELKCHSR]

Maybe it was the same guys....

 

[elk_hunter]

LOL...yeah, maybe!

 

[Moosie]

Sometimes hunters are the worst kind. We've been in several altercations. thats why I like back packing I would never pull up and camp next to someone else. That being said, I invade alot of campgrounds from the YAkity Yack standpoint. I love meeting people and hearing stories. I know that 95% of the stories are BS, Usually the guys that say they seen elk/deer every where slept in and the guys that have seen nothing have a nice 6 point under the tarp in the back. But talking and hearing stories is fun. I like meeting and sharing stories. Specially in the fall when the sun sets early. We've had guys walk into our camp and we throw on an Extra steak or offer a pop or beer. If someone ants in and isn't an ASS they can share camp any time. Guys that think they own the place (and it's public) get the other treatment

 

[elk_hunter]

I couldn't agree more! If you aren't an ASS, there's always a cold one with your name on it! There were 12 of us altogether last year and it snowed several feet over the course of 1st and part of 2nd season; most everyone left after only a couple days except a group from Texas (who we helped winch off the side of a hill when they lost control and careened off) and a group from Minnesota. We chatted with both of these groups and it was great. In fact, some of the Minnesota guys rode up on their quads and we exchanged info (not many people shot anything because of how hard and fast the snow came) and it was totally cool -- heck, these guys even stopped probably 20 yards from camp and seemed real attentive to not stepping on toes. Indeed, it is fun to hear stories and meet new (non-ASS) people.

But I'm curious...is it just me or is it common practice to pull into a camp and think you're going to share it with them? Does this happen naturally in any part of the US?

 

[Moosie]

The only time that happens is when you're at an end of a road and there is no place to park but there and you have a horse trailer going in on horses. Other then that, if someone is in your favorite camping spot you find another. There are pleanty of good ol' boyz that are Redneck Arses that would pull up, set up camp and hope you move becauese you are in there spot. But pleanty of sitty slickers too

It's not common practice, and not only that, it's downright rude. Now, if somone beat you to your camp, you outhunt them, and leave the gut pile in their camp with a poliroid picture so they know you out hunted them.... thats Acceptable !!

 

[elk_hunter]

That would be hilarious to leave a polariod and gut pile...LOL!

 

[Curly]

But I'm curious...is it just me or is it common practice to pull into a camp and think you're going to share it with them? Does this happen naturally in any part of the US?

I wouldn't want someone to move in and try to share my camp. Never had that happen either. We did have somone come into camp (while we were away hunting) and steal our big ice chest and all of our food, though.

Might have to get a polaroid.......that's a great idea, Moosie.