Been hunting public hunting land for the last couple of years as I have two kids in college. I hiked in over a mile to area I have been hunting yesterday morning before dawn. I carry all my gear including a climbing tree stand which weighs 27 lbs. I get up in the tree just as the sun comes up. I look over to my right and I see a tree stand complete with climbing sticks 35 ft up in the tree about 10 yards from where I have am. I recognize the stand from last year I seen in a different area. This stand was there for several weeks. The prohibited acts for hunting public lands clearly states a maximum of 72 hrs for blinds. So the question is what would you do? It infuriates me that some people don't follow the law and think the public lands is their own private lease. Would game warden or management area office do anything if I gave them gps coordinates? It's public land so I know I will always be hunting with others but everyone should play by the same rules and follow the law.

call the game warden .....wait for him to show up ....identify the stand .....he will catch em for sure

I've seen park rangers on corp of engineers land take and or cut tree stands down before

You Hunting Tawakoni?

Stop carrying your 27 lb. climber in and hunt that stand.

I guess he figured he'd rather pay the fine than haul his stand around with him. Not really any different than speeding IMO.

That's just part of the deal when you hunt public land...Do what needs to be done.

+1

I agree, its one of those things, people nowadays dont follow rules very well.

Agree, and there's a bunch of them out there.

You should walk the hunting areas of Lake Lewisville or Lavon. There are stands EVERYWHERE, feeders EVERYWHERE, Pig pipes, even hog traps! I know several people that hunt the public areas and most of them either put up a stand (make shift ground blind or hang on stand in tree) next to their corn (either piles, pipes or feeders). You don't have much of a chance out their unless you are cheating like the rest of them.

I am so thankful that I have my own land to hunt....that public stuff gets crazy and can be very dangerous.

Call them with GPS coordinates. Some places will not really care and others will be out the same day confiscating the stuff.

The "it's alright as long as you don't get caught" attitude is a bunch of if you ask me.

If they wernt in the stand why let it bother you? I understand your upset about them not following the rules but there is plenty of places on public to hunt without being around anybody. ive had a guy climbing in my stand when i walked up he got down said im sorry i said no worries you can hunt it ill go to my other stand. He looked at me like i was crazy but like you said its not a lease.ive got two stands one for north wind one for south. I hang them friday afternoon pull them down and hide them under a brush pile sunday evening. so not breaking the law and my back by carring a stand a mile in and out after everyhunt.As far as calling the gamewarden he might say you can get it but dont see him putting his life in danger going that far into the woods for a stand but the guy is breaking the law.

No, hunting farther east.

It's interesting to read everyone's replies and thoughts. I have been hunting various public land areas for three years now. I have met some good people. From what I have observed, there are a lot of people who DO follow the rules. But as with many things there are also a number of people who believe the rules don't apply to them. I definitely don't have any concerns hunting units which are bow only. I agree gun season can be a little crazy. I have done well hunting public lands. Last year I ended up with 3 does and a spike buck. One doe and the spike came out of the antler less draw hunt. My experience is you get out of it what you put into it. I may at least check with the warden and see if they are interested. Thanks to all for your feedback.

I would be willing to bet the GW will go out and pick it up... I've seen it happen before!

Been hunting public my whole life and where we hunt I have constructed several ground blinds out of natural brush freshly fallen trees I always have a back up plan if someone has found one of my ground blinds And it's out of natural brush and string no harm done and not against the rules

Maybe, maybe not. I've seen a 4x4 box blind on public and know the wardens know its there, looks to be older than I am, and also a wooden ladder stand about 500yds from it. It appears the ladder stand was left standing, but the took the seat platform off of it.

Had one come out and take a tripod and feeder in a city park along the Trinity....the guy was ig hunting

There is a ladder stand very close to where Ive been hunting the last 3 years. He put it in there just before the season started last year. Ive never seen him hunting it and I hunt often. I have tied his pull rope up and I can tell when he hunts and apparently it is not very often. I too carry my climber and it kinda irks me off but it is what it is. If he leaves it thru the season it Im going to let my cousin have a new stand. I have mentioned it to the game warden and he didnt really act like it was that big of a deal. I hunt Tawakoni WMA.

Sure you do

Yeah, on Grapevine Corp. they take the stand, blind, or odd feeder (BIG no no) and leave a note to see if they are stupid enough to pick it up.

funny we hunt same public land and your not seeing them maybe you can start looking under brush.lol
besides if ya see my stand in the tree call gary he can have it if i break the law.

Call the gw with gps. Your humping it in and playing by the rules so should the owner of the other stand.

I'll call Steve