So I have this small place that I get to hunt for doing some work for the property owner. She doesn't live in Texas and the neighbor watches over his and her property to keep illegal hunters off of their property (that's another story but they're gone now). He let's me park on his property to walk to my property and we have had a good relationship so far. Well, I shot a doe Saturday morning and he brought his 4-wheeler over to help me get it out so that I wouldn't have to drag it. So, you can tell that he's a decent fella.

When I was getting ready to leave he said that I need to get another doe before Thanksgiving ends because that's when all the hunting will stop. I said that I have all of December to get my buck too. Then he said that there aren't many bucks (not true) and that I can't take one. I have a hunting agreement with the owner that gives me exclusive hunting rights to fill my tags if I should feel the need or desire. This guy could give me a lot of problems if things went "south". How do you think I should deal with this situation to keep the peace?

If you have an agreement with the LO, then there isn't much that he can do about it other than harass you and that would be a different story. If it were me, I would park elsewhere and continue on like normal. And when he said something again, I would kindly let him know that there is an agreement with the LO that he has no say so over.

Or, after a hunt this weekend, let him know you will see him again next weekend and see where the conversation goes from there. I would try really hard to keep the conversation cool.

you don't have anything to lose at this point.

While I always believe in being civil and polite, and not needlessly antagonizing anyone, you need to tell him plainly that your agreement is with the landowner, not him. I am in a position that requires me to tell people stuff that they don't want to hear on a regular basis. I've found that it works best to be as brief as possible- literally whittle down what you want to say to about 3 short sentences or less, say it and then SHUT UP. Don't get sucked into an argument.

Back to what do you have to lose- not much. if this guy is actually the de facto decision maker and he doesn't want you to shoot a buck, you're not going to get to. If the landowner is the decision maker, you'll soon have this guy out of the loop. But always be nice... nice and firm.

Excellent advice. and never for any reason say the words "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" or act defensive.

If that agreement is in writing keep it with you, if it is a verbal / handshake agreement get it in writing.

He smells like someone who is afraid you will kill "his" buck.

Exactly, lol

Be nice and keep hunting. Get the agreement in writing and find a new place to park.

First, why is it you park on his place and walk? Is there other place to park and walk in?

I have seen many people "help" that are just being nosey.

Yeah, I'd get the agreement in writing and just be friendly, but unyielding.

You start getting hissy with a neighbor like that, you start finding your stuff destroyed.

Or shoot your buck and tell him you guess he was wrong, there are bucks out here.

If he gets pissy, you know where you stand.

sounds to me like someone has some day hunters lined up and or someone on a short lease on property they do not own and have no rights to lease

I would be sure to take a video camera when you head out there after the holidays and see what you see......which will most likely be some people telling you to "get off their lease"

make sure you have WRITTEN permission as the others have stated and make sure to ask those other "leasers" who they "lease" from as they try and throw you off and get the name on video

I have a buddy that is an absentee landowner. Im the caretaker and have hunting privileges. Neighbor is a d***head. He's tried the same stunts with me. Even destroying feeders. Called the G W, that worked for about 2 seasons, then another feeder destroyed. Ended up calling the Sheriff. Vandalism has stopped for now. Needless to say, we are not good buds...He knows that any more B S could put him in jail. Don't be a pushover. Sounds like hes got a big buck on camera that he doesn't want you to get.

Care to elaborate on that a bit? What kind of "problems"?

Please elaborate

It sounds like the neighbor doesn't have a dog in the fight if your agreement is with the landowner. Don't park on his place anymore. If he says anything else to you about not hunting, poilitely tell him to go F himself.

Hey ... If he's legal and has permission how could the guy give him "a lot of problems"? I'd just tell him to go away and mind his own business. Or did I miss something?

It might be a land locked piece of property and that is the only way to it.

That wasn't disclosed. If so, then he's walking a tightrope.

Parking on his place and such contact with a neighbor helping him pack out seems it is possible. If the land owner has legal access across the property he needs that in writing also as part of the lease.

My guess is land locked. Else, why not just drive to the property?

It isn't landlocked and I am going to try a spot to park that might work. It's just that he could cause a lot of problems by messing with my stuff which would ruin my season. He lives out there so it would be very easy for him to do that without getting caught.

Pretty simple really. Break all communication with the neighbor and avoid him. At least as much as possible. Volunteer no information to him about your hunting, when you go, what you kill, etc. When cornered don't make it obvious. Just keep it polite, short and sweet, have not seen much, wish I could stay and talk, but gotta go, late for a wedding and can't talk, wish I had more time to hunt these days, etc. Don't drive past, park on, or enter from his land. Hell, I would send him a christmas gift outdoors magazine subscription too so he still thinks your his buddy. Keep all your communication with the landowner and keep in your vehicle anything from the landowner you have in writing or email in case you need to show it to a game warden. Even though your legal and have the right if you kill a nice buck, don't brag in town and don't use the local processor. I lost a nice lease near Eden because a guy on our lease kept doing just that. Another group from town came and offered the landowner double our lease cost.

Good advice right there ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^

Silence is golden ..........

Has anybody asked how small this place is? If he has to worry about finding a place to park on the property, I am thinking it might be pretty small.