I posted this in the deer hunting forum and probably should be posted here. Im new to public hunting on corps property but decided to give it a go this year. I've been scouting lake whitney for the past few weeks. I have found some really good areas but the best areas I found have cameras locked to the trees and pop up blinds, they are everywhere. It's a month before opening bow season and the rules state that you have to remove your blind after each hunt.....it's not even deer season yet. Is it normal for someone to set a blind up a month early to claim a good spot. Is it normal for hunters on public land to claim an area? I would think whoever woke up earliest and got set up has the pick. The early bird gets the worm, but not a month early.

They can’t claim anything, and you can always report their illegal blinds. I don’t know if it will do any good, or not.

10 years for your first post. Impressive lurking Their stuff will be gone as soon as the first dirtbag finds it.

Good. It is frustrating when I hunt some place like that and feel like I'm the only one following the rules. With an illegal unattended or semi permanent blind covering every good area and you have no choice but to to set up near one any given morning, it is only a matter of time before the person that built it will show up to confront you for being in "their spot" or reserved area demanding you leave. Makes it not fun and sometimes dangerous.

I think the blinds are supposed to have gear tags with name etc. they can only be there for 72 hrs. Like sneaky said I don't think they can claim the spot if some else beats them to the hunt.

No 72 hours at this location. Everything has to be removed when not actively hunting in the blind/stand.

“HUNTING BLINDS & GAME CAMERAS

Natural hunting blinds made of loose materials or portable blinds are authorized for hunting deer or waterfowl. No standing vegetation, live or dead, may be cut for any purpose. Hunting blinds may not be built in, nailed or screwed to trees. Tree stands are restricted to portable, non-bark penetrating types only. Stands must be removed when not in actual use. Hunting blinds must be removed and transported off of public lands after each hunt. The abandonment of property is prohibited and any personal property left unattended will be assumed abandoned and subject to imediate impoundment. Screw in or nail in tree steps and spikes are prohibited. Any personal property left on public lands unattended will be confiscated, and a citation will be issued for the return of any personal property.”