The Best Laid Plans....ruined opener.

[MikePal]

The fella that bought the farm next to me (3 yrs ago) is an avid bow hunter....he has done all the prep work and has what on first glance, is the perfect hunt scenario/setup.

He rents his fields to a local guy who alternates Corn/Soya and it attracts deer almost year round. He erected a great stand in a nice choke point in the far corner to ambush deer as they travel to and from his field. This field is a good 1/2 mile from the road and in a fairly secluded area. A Bow Hunters paradise, heaven.

EXCEPT....

My farm happens to also be 1/2 mile back in from the road and our shared property line is only 300 yds away from his stand and it's fairly open (minimal trees). His soya beans butt against my hay fields. So I can see his stand clearly as I walk by ....which means he can see me..clearly..worse.. I walk the property line 4-5 times a day , every day for the past 17 yrs.

And I'm not alone...I'm with my two very large free ranging dogs. As a round the corner I often see the White Flags go up as the deer take flight and leave the field for the bush. If the dogs see the deer, the chase is on till I can call them off.

Being a fellow hunter I feel sorry for the guy. I waved sheepishly this morning as I went by

Two of the daily walks happen to be at sunrise and sunset, everyday. So it's the worse time for me to be interrupting his hunt even if it only takes 4-5 minutes for me to walk by that area. To add to the insult, if I'm out hunting myself then my wife takes the dogs...so there is no down days...it happens 365 days a year.

I have tried to delay the walks by an hour at either side to help during weekends, but it probably doesn't do much.

I know I ruined two of his Turkey hunts this past spring and scared off the Tom's before I realized that some of the Gobble calls were his, but to late.

Not much I can do I guess, he's never mentioned it when we talk so it's not a burning issue. He has a lot more acreage (but all bush) farther to the back, which is where I use to hunt on the same property under the old ownership. I guess he'll have to relocate and change tactics if he wants any success.

But still....

[werner.reiche]

I think I'd be a lot more accommodating to a neighbor...find out when he's going to be out there and take a different path for your walk? Sure it's your land and you have a right to be there whenever you want - but what about the golden rule "do unto others..."

...and that he hasn't mentioned it doesn't mean its not bothering him.

I have two dogs running at large (no one is ever with them) on my property. They eat my bear bait, piss on my deer bait, etc. And I haven't mentioned it to the owners because a) I don't want to piss people off and b) in case something happens to the dogs....they run a lot of deer hunters properties, I'd guess.

[TurkeyRookie]

Was feeling the same way as Werner, given that you are an avid outdoorsmen yourself, and from your post, it's obvious you do feel somewhat bad about it.

Maybe a chat and coffee with him, just mention, I noticed I may be messing up your hunt with my dog walks, and work out a compromise, maybe walk the dogs on his property, etc.

If the roles were reversed, I'm sure you'd be level headed, and understand, it is what it is, and he's walking his dogs on his land, but at the same time, I'm sure you'd be a little frustrated and wish there was something else that could be done.

[Fox]

If you stop taking those walks it will screw up the deer, you do it every day.

I would not be surprised if you go by with your dogs and the deer come back right away.

[rick_iles]

I hunted a farm where the landowner had a daily routine as well. There were times when he spooked deer but they didn't go very far, as they were used to his routine as well. Most times, the deer just stood at the bush edge and watched him. If you have been walking the same route daily, the deer around there know you aren't a threat. However, I think I would try to schedule my walks so your neighbour isn't effected. Surely he doesn't hunt every day ! Just a thought !

[MikePal]

I think I'd be a lot more accommodating to a neighbour...find out when he's going to be out there and take a different path for your walk? Sure it's your land and you have a right to be there whenever you want - but what about the golden rule "do unto others..."

Hunting season is now until Dec..3 months...if it was only a week sure I'd try to accommodate the timings..I'm also sure playing phone tag to confirm hunt schedules is a poor idea.

My hay fields are cut, so even from the far side of my property to his, is wide open so no, I really can't alter my walks, the dogs run the fields freely all day anyway.

Being 'neighbourly' doesn't mean I have to alter my lifestyle to accommodate his.

[MikePal]

I would not be surprised if you go by with your dogs and the deer come back right away.

I hunted a farm where the landowner had a daily routine as well. There were times when he spooked deer but they didn't go very far, as they were used to his routine as well.

Your (both) right..the deer aren't bothered much by even the dogs giving them chase. The lure of the 'soya' is to great, they still come there day after day

In reality I'm probably doing him a favour, they are so used to the 'human' scent now he's not seen as a risk to them

[punkrockerpj]

a case of beer, an apology and an offer to work together might go a long way with a neighbour. i'm sure he's a reasonable guy.

[TurkeyRookie]

If you stop taking those walks it will screw up the deer, you do it every day.

I would not be surprised if you go by with your dogs and the deer come back right away.

I hunted a farm where the landowner had a daily routine as well. There were times when he spooked deer but they didn't go very far, as they were used to his routine as well. Most times, the deer just stood at the bush edge and watched him. If you have been walking the same route daily, the deer around there know you aren't a threat. However, I think I would try to schedule my walks so your neighbour isn't effected. Surely he doesn't hunt every day ! Just a thought !

I would tend to agree, deer get "use" to certain sights, and sounds. In the manner of passing cards along a road by fields they use, to gunshots going off all season.

Not so sure a deer would ever become accustomed to being chased by a dog, I could be wrong, but I think their natural instinct, to run fast and far, kicks in, every time

Will they come back to that spot? of course, they haven't been caught / hurt from it, but if you're trying to hunt and the deer that was coming in, now has the flags up and is leaving at break neck speed, they aren't coming right back as they watch the dogs leave.

[MikePal]

a case of beer, an apology

You make it sound like I did something wrong....