So some people's logic is if I see it and noobe is around it becones theirs. Us it just limited to decoys and lanterns or if the tievtheir boat and walk a littke further you can take their boat. It is theft anyway you try to justify it just to make yourself feel better it is still theft

i'd say it is BS that people (especially guides) are cheating the other hunters who have no choice but to hunt public land, but i would also say that if you saw them and said something about it, it probably wouldn't be a problem for next time. no reason to go thieving.

Young guides get their boats the same way. Just take em when someone leaves them to go hunt

Dont get me wrong im not sayingbits right to throw some decoys out, hang a lantern, leave and say this is my spot no one else can hunt here. Im just saying stealing is stealing and there is no reason for it.

Oh boy! There are so many gems in this thread that its hard to pick out just one.


The above is what happens when women teach boys to be men.


Right answer is: If the spot is deserted of human life, gather up the decoys, tie them in a knot that Jesus couldn't undo and throw them and the lantern on bank.

When trespassers come to claim spot, point him towards the decoys and get ready to whoop his butt if he mouths off.

I can guarantee he will not leave decoys on public waters again.

Have a backbone guys!

Don't go crying if you leave your decoys to 'claim' your spot and come back to your decoys removed/relocated/ being hunted over. The only thing that saves your spot is you sitting there.

If you've camped out in that spot in the cold, then you deserve to hunt that spot. But if you drop off dekes and a lantern and expect it to be yours in the morning, I have no sympathy.

This is how I would have handled it in my first 40 years, before back surgery. Nowadays, I don't have the luxury to be a jack-arse and risk wrecking my back, again, by giving (or taking) a beating over a spot on a public lake. It's just not worth it to me. I've got a family to take care of.

I'm not saying you're wrong, 1 Year. Quite the contrary, actually. Fisticuffs are a young man's game; a necessary part of growing up. The thing is, I'm a half-crippled old man. I avoid physical confrontations as much as I can, but if someone comes at me, my family or a loved one with intent to do bodily harm, I'll use deadly force and forgo all the John Wayne BS. I'd be well within my rights to do so.I pray that it never comes to that, though. I'd rather just make a friend or walk away. Of course, I wouldn't ever leave deeks out to claim a spot, so it's probably a moot point.

Boy that would be something, get your butt whipped and go to jail for theft. Nothing wrong with moving the unattended decoys out of your way but once again stealing is a crime and if that whats it takes to make you feel like a man then good luck to ya.

Im stealing hogmans log in

unattended decoys are not theft, they are abandoned. Simple.

This is why it's called Public land and not TXDUCKHUNTER's land, or for that matter Cole P's land .

I understand that - and I think I did the right thing. I don't want to start my day with a fight, it's just not worth it. I am not as young as I used to be, so I would rather move on and find another spot.

I think what bothered me, was that we sacrificed and reserved our spot with our bodies - and not items. If you want a spot that bad, then sit on it - like we did.

Or maybe, I'm perturbed that they beat me at my own game and did it smarter.

Either way - it's over - can't go back - I heard many shots, so shounded like they had a good day -or they can't hit sh!t.

It's over - I'm moving on - PLUS I have some new tricks up my sleeve, so we will see how they pan out.

It's on B!t@hes

Good luck to everyone this weekend and if you see lights in an area - then assume it's a boat with people in it and move on.

Thank you

I'll reiterate what many others have said: UNATTENDED DECOYS = LITTER. You don't call the guy collecting a bag of trash every time he goes out a thief would you? You must be in your spot to claim it (including blinds) if you are hunting public.

I would absolutely pick up the decoys just like I pick up decoys I run across fishing in the spring that have been left unattended.

I mean you can't hunt a spot, leave your decoys, and expect to claim that spot the next day. So you are not stealing, you are collecting trash. If you want to reuse them then have at it.

I actually think most lakes have rules about not leaving items unattended.

I'm with you 100%, you did the right thing by actually being present at the spot. Just unfortunate this is the new 'norm' for public.

Everyone is talking about ethics but this is public and there are going to be way to many opinions. That's not changing. Is there a legal answer and who is supposed to be backing it up. I believe it's easy to know right from wrong but if there's no punishment then where does it stop? A lot of guy's have said what they would do how many stories are there about what was done. I can't see someone coming back to a spot they put out stuff to hold a spot only to find you there and there stuff gone and not having some kind of retaliation. If holding a spot is legal then you'd be doing an illegal act. If it was illegal and they came back to a gw who then revoked there public permit that kind of stuff would stop.

Hey I resent that remark even though I grew up in the part of Arkansas where we thought the movie Deliverance was a documentary.

On type II or APH lakes it is illegal, call the GW if that's your deal and it bothers you so much.
Been going on for years and do not see much of an end to it, it's wrong but young bucks are out doing it every season. I have never seen any of these bad*** internet warriors that are on this site ever do anything about them in person though.
Let's see how tuff everyone is walking up on four guys with guns in the dark, just does not happen much.

This gives me an idea for a new hunting based business. I know a lot of retirees that will go out at 2 or 3 in the morning set up your decoys etc., and save the spot until the "hunter" shows up.

Barney's Squatter Service for Duck Hunters will soon be open for business.

So a private car parked on the side of the street, which is public, is fair game for taking because it is unattended. Same logic right?

Ones illegal and ones not... but I get your point

Silver bullets makes great decoys

That's a great way to get your stuff collected/taken. Cause if it is left out there then I'd suppose you didn't want it anymore.

Bet they wouldn't do it again. Only takes once.

Well, the douchey move would probably be to set up on a spot that you recognize someone else has claimed. Or pick up someone's decoys for them. Sometimes it's worth it to be a douche as a matter of principle, but it doesn't sound like this was one of those times.

Yeah, you guys slept on an uncomfortable boat deck - but no one will ever call you a douche for it or question your status as a good-faith sportsman and you get to know that you're one of the non-douches who does things the right way. I think that's worth something.

Nope not me.... Maybe I go out of my way to be nice, so I can't imagine taking someone's stuff and feeling right about it. Even if they are in the wrong. I'd rather feel good about my self than have the perfect spot

Had a fisherman do this at a boat ramp once. Even the people fishing at the ramp didn't know why he did it. His truck and trailer were politely moved for him when he returned.