Camping in someone elses camp!?

[Flatlander5]

This past week I spent four days scouting a unit for deer and elk. When i arrived to spots we had found on OnX, I realized this spot was someone's designated camp spot. What I mean is I found multiple meat racks, hitching posts, split firewood, fire pits, even multiple toilets(wooden box with toilet seat). So my question is what do you do if this is the area you found elk? Do you set up camp and use it?

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

If they're not there, use it.

The risk that comes along with that, would be they'll most likely show up and you'll all be one big happy family.

Personally, I'd move out 1/4 mile.

 

[Wapiti1]

I'd ignore it, find a suitable camp site for little ol' me in the spot I wanted to hunt and hunt. If others have camp setup in the same area, that's nice. Although that sounds like a pretty elaborate setup so I would suspect outfitter. Not that it matters much.

Public land has these issues and you just have to roll with it. If you had plans that didn't include other hunters, probably should consider how to use them to your advantage. Pattern the hunters just like the critters.

Jeremy

 

[Deerhunter6250]

I would camp there if its on public land.

 

[Fridaythe13th]

Public land. Use it, burn there fire wood, crap in the toilet. Sounds like they should have been hunting or scouting not setting up camp for a week. If you feel bad leave a thank you note. Lol

 

[Sako76]

Bad Karma camping in someone else's setup (especially burning their wood), move a short way off! Just my opinion!

 

[MallardSX2]

Set your camp in another spot. Its a big world. Too big to deal with an argument over a camping spot on public ground.

 

[RBIA Rich]

I’d move as well!

 

[mmac]

I would find a spot nearby I liked and camp there.

 

[WoodrowCall]

Camp near the spot? Sure, maybe...

Burn their wood they worked to split? Absolutely not. Doing things like that is where outfitters (assuming it's an outfitter) develop distaste for DIY hunters.

Ask yourself a simple question: If it were my camp and I put in the work ahead of season, would I want to show up and find someone camped there using my wood, etc.? Yes, it's public land and a free country. Doesn't mean we need to throw common courtesy out the window...

 

[huntnful]

Had this exact same scenario. We camped maybe 200 yards away. The people who spent probably several seasons setting up the other camp did, in fact, show up while we were hunting. They were super cool and I'm sure they were glad we decided to not to set up in their area.

 

[cnelk]

If someone camped in a spot I had prepared, we gonna be real close neighbors for a week or so. Haha!

 

[Deerhunter6250]

You don't know what season (bow, muzzleloader, or rifle) they are going to show up or when or if during the archery season. Its a public area. Open to anyone.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Camp near the spot? Sure, maybe...

Burn their wood they worked to split? Absolutely not. Doing things like that is where outfitters (assuming it's an outfitter) develop distaste for DIY hunters.

Ask yourself a simple question: If it were my camp and I put in the work ahead of season, would I want to show up and find someone camped there using my wood, etc.? Yes, it's public land and a free country. Doesn't mean we need to throw common courtesy out the window...

Lol, the first thing I'm doing once I set my camp up is taking their firewood if it's split and stacked.

 

[*zap*]

Just leave other folks stuff B, period. If it is public and you like that spot then set up next door.

 

[Crowmangler]

I wouldn't bother anything & just move a few hundred yards away... I don't do drama

 

[rideold]

Personally I'd move off quite a ways. If they have that established of a camp of a significant size I wouldn't want to be hunting in that area if they show up. Too crowded for me.

 

[Team4LongGun]

Do unto others rings a bell......Find a nearby area and if you run into those fellas, let them know you respectfully left that spot even tho you planned to use it. It will go along way and possibly deter the "who set up camp right near us" situation.
Only an idiot would burn their wood.

 

[3forks]

The outfitter and his clients are bound to show up.

If the clients aren’t there when you show up, but you want to hunt the area, I’d set up your camp further away and get after it.

I try not to be careless while I was hunting and blow the elk out of the area, but I’d be more aggressive than I would hunt if I was in a basin all by myself. When the clients show up, I’d wrap my hunt in the area unless it’s so full of elk you can’t justify leaving, or don’t mind competing with the clients.

All that being said, outfitting on public land has been a component of western hunting forever. In my opinion, knowing where outfitters camps are, or calling the warden in the area you’re hunting and asking about where the outfitters are permitted is part of planning a hunt.

If I randomly came across this unoccupied outfitter camp and elk in the area at the same time, that‘s one thing. But, if I knew that outfitter was using the camp - I’d probably avoid it. Who would want to hunt with competition/company if you can avoid it?

 

[ID_Matt]

Camp near the spot? Sure, maybe...

Burn their wood they worked to split? Absolutely not. Doing things like that is where outfitters (assuming it's an outfitter) develop distaste for DIY hunters.

Ask yourself a simple question: If it were my camp and I put in the work ahead of season, would I want to show up and find someone camped there using my wood, etc.? Yes, it's public land and a free country. Doesn't mean we need to throw common courtesy out the window...

I generally agree with this... BUT, just to play devil's advocate, what are the odds that the outfitter shows up and claims it is his hunting area and tries to intimidate you out of the area? A lot of them seem entitled to an area of public land... which can be the reason that DIY hunters develop a distaste for outfitters.