|
|
Post by armando on Dec 30, 2020 6:49:56 GMT -7
Those of you that do your hunting with HC kit; do you mostly do it on private land? Do any of you do Historical hunting on game lands, national forests, Army Core of Engineer Lands, etc?
I have my hunting lease where I like to go experiment with 18th century hunting skills (and I know the other 8 guys) but I was thinking of doing a little squirrel hunt with another buddy in HC kit on public lands but don't know if others have done similar.
We are sure to bump into other hunters and get weird looks!
What has been your experience on public lands as far as encounters with other segments of the population, hunters or others?
PS, even when in kit I have a 20th century pistol on a chest rig for bear or other critters, 4 or 2 legged.
|
|
|
|
Post by brokennock on Dec 30, 2020 7:34:00 GMT -7
Those of you that do your hunting with HC kit; do you mostly do it on private land? Do any of you do Historical hunting on game lands, national forests, Army Core of Engineer Lands, etc? I have my hunting lease where I like to go experiment with 18th century hunting skills (and I know the other 8 guys) but I was thinking of doing a little squirrel hunt with another buddy in HC kit on public lands but don't know if others have done similar. We are sure to bump into other hunters and get weird looks! What has been your experience on public lands as far as encounters with other segments of the population, hunters or others? PS, even when in kit I have a 20th century pistol on a chest rig for bear or other critters, 4 or 2 legged. My only option is public land. This year I encountered few other hunters, odd considering that after years of hunting license and tag sales decreasing, we had a 6% increase in sales this year, and my game warden friend has been busy, busy, busy (mostly with hunter harrassment complaints, bear issues, and panicked nonhunters from our influx if New Yorkers not used to seeing armed people out and about). When I do, yes, some weird looks, but mostly a lot of curious questions. I do have a lot of encounters with nonhunters, usually dog walkers, mountain bikers, and when there is enough snow crosscountry skiers. Again, mostly curious questions, and some gentle encouragement for them to wear orange, or at least not white, until end of January. I do make a big effort to avoid any of these contacts if I can do so without them knowing I'm there or have been there. If I spot, or locate by sound, others in the woods and they haven't noticed me yet I do try to fade away. |
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Dec 30, 2020 10:51:09 GMT -7
I do both, never had any issues in any way. I'm lucky though because of the rural area I reside. However I wouldn't hesitate to step foot in period attire with period equipment even in a more frequented area of the public. I care less of what others think but also as nock mentioned I see it as a way of an introduction and educational experience if questions arise. Do as you desire and enjoy the outerdoors on your terms!
I will say hunting with a firelock does have its advantages if you are searching for permission on private land. I've found owners very much respect the methods of use and understand you mean well and obviously know what your doing hunting the way we do. Not just any joe smo can waltz into a chain store and purchase the arms we use, let alone be proficient without regular use. I love it when people spark conversion with "Oh I blackpowder hunt as well"... Ya sorry pal, in-line doesn't count...
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Dec 30, 2020 12:23:23 GMT -7
Actually, case in point... I got permission to hunt on city owned land just because of a firelock. Per ATF regulations a blackpowder firearm isn't considered a "firearm" under definition. Now there is stipulations for in-lines, cough, cough cheat-lines... However after pleading a case and providing factual information in an appropriate educational manner I was permitted to hunt on the grounds and do so in period garb for squirrel. One of my numerous honey holes!
This probably wouldn't fly in a more populated area but worth a shot if you have access to such land and are on good terms with people. I often day dream about that particular land because it was 100% home to the Shaawanwaki and likely ancestors many years ago, a real privilege!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Dec 30, 2020 13:03:44 GMT -7
Armando,
My aforementioned squirrel hunt was on BLM land and took place the opening weekend of elk archery season.
Our primitive camp was passed by quite a few hunters in pick ups and ATVs.
We encountered them on the roads and passed by their modern camps as well.
I can’t say we ever got close enough to talk but we waved back and forth pleasantly and politely.
We probably avoided them as often as we saluted them.
I’m planning a javelina hunt this March so I may be able to give you more intel from the field on this in the future but yet so far I have not had a negative experience yet
|
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on Dec 30, 2020 17:35:25 GMT -7
All of our trips/hunts have been on public land - short of day hunts on property owned by one of our group that borders public land.
We've had some interesting looks and conversations with others on the trail.
|
|
|
|
Post by brokennock on Dec 31, 2020 2:52:36 GMT -7
I guess there is a flip side that I didn't mention. All my face to face contacts except one have been neutral to positive. However, the evidence of other hunters, and, worse than ever this year, other woodland recreation participants, is another matter. Most years the litter problem is low to average throughout archery season, not too much worse when upland season starts, I start finding more through shotgun and muzzleloading season though. One guy who hunts one of the state forests I frequent, hunts with a shotgun then an inline, can be tracked all over the forest by his Slim Jim wrappers. Then there is the stupid surveyor's tape they use to find their stands, and don't remove at the end of the season. The mountain bike crowd seems to be the worst, in the woods, for litter. Lots of broken pieces of plastic and foil energy goo tubes.
Over all litter is worse this year with Covid, it is especially bad along our streams.
Let's not even get into the clowns riding their atv's, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles illegally in the state forest.
So while face to face encounters with other hunters and the dog walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers usually lack friction. I can't always say I enjoy their presence, but I do try to set a good example. If I'm headed back to the truck one will usually find me carrying out something that someone else should have. Hunters and shooters are under a microscope, our way life is threatened most seriously, and quite often we are our own worst advertising. I do usually find that those that have invested themselves into what we do here as deeply as this crowd are not usually the problem, we all as shooters and hunters need to be better ambassadors, and encourage other hunters and shooters to be so also.
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Dec 31, 2020 4:47:04 GMT -7
I guess there is a flip side that I didn't mention. All my face to face contacts except one have been neutral to positive. However, the evidence of other hunters, and, worse than ever this year, other woodland recreation participants, is another matter. Most years the litter problem is low to average throughout archery season, not too much worse when upland season starts, I start finding more through shotgun and muzzleloading season though. One guy who hunts one of the state forests I frequent, hunts with a shotgun then an inline, can be tracked all over the forest by his Slim Jim wrappers. Then there is the stupid surveyor's tape they use to find their stands, and don't remove at the end of the season. The mountain bike crowd seems to be the worst, in the woods, for litter. Lots of broken pieces of plastic and foil energy goo tubes. Over all litter is worse this year with Covid, it is especially bad along our streams. Let's not even get into the clowns riding their atv's, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles illegally in the state forest. So while face to face encounters with other hunters and the dog walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers usually lack friction. I can't always say I enjoy their presence, but I do try to set a good example. If I'm headed back to the truck one will usually find me carrying out something that someone else should have. Hunters and shooters are under a microscope, our way life is threatened most seriously, and quite often we are our own worst advertising. I do usually find that those that have invested themselves into what we do here as deeply as this crowd are not usually the problem, we all as shooters and hunters need to be better ambassadors, and encourage other hunters and shooters to be so also. This sounds like a mess... Unfortunately were humans reside there are always those ignorant fools who have little respect. Would you contribute this to being in a closer proximity to larger cities? A waste bag is always in my kit, modern or period just for this reason. |
|
