IT’S MINE!!!!

 (Repost of prior Article)

 “Hunting water holes on public lands from ground blinds and tree stands can sometimes lead to conflicts between hunters. All legally licensed hunters have the same rights to hunt public land. NO RESERVATIONS EXIST IN PUBLIC HUNTING AREA’S, REGARDLESS OF WHEN A PERSON BUILDS A BLIND OR STAND. Ethical and responsible hunters shall work together to resolve conflicts. Denying access to public lands is a violation of state and/or federal law.” (Retrieved from the 2001-2002 Arizona hunting regulations, page 27).

  This topic has been a thorn in my side for a long time. I think that this will stir the pot a little. We seem to have a some selfish hunters here in our great state of Arizona. I guess it really started to bother me about 6 years ago when I was going to hunt elk in 6A and I found a little pond that had a lot of sign and I thought this would be a great place to put up a blind. Well I came back about 2 days before the hunt, intending to build a blind and found a paper plate nailed to the tree I was going to hunt from. The plate had a note written on it stating, “I will be hunting from this tree for this years hunt. Let’s be ethical, I was here first.” Dated, August 20th, 1995 and it was signed. Let’s be ethical, was he going to hunt every day at this stand? Did he expect the rest of us to stay away from his waterhole? I agree that you should not intrude on another hunters stand, but that is a daily issue. If he is already there when I arrive, he should get the stand. I really didn’t know what to think at that time. So I just let him have his piece of the world and moved on. I know one thing for sure though, I didn’t like the idea of someone else telling me where I wasn’t allowed to hunt on public land. To make that long story short myself and my other two hunting partners filled our tags and Mr. “It’s mine” didn’t.

  Ladies and gentlemen of the outdoor community, I know that we as ethical outdoors folk act in an ethical manner but we have about 10% of the hunting community that is just a little stingy in one way or another. I have been hearing a lot of scuttle butt of this type in the hunting community. The main thing I keep hearing is,” How do these intelligent individuals intend to hunt 7 blinds all at once on opening day? Well I really don’t know how these people plan on achieving this feat, but I do know that it’s just not right.  

   I guess we could call the Game and Fish and report the offender. From what I understand the AG&F will tear down the stand and if possible fine the individual and make them clean up the mess.

  This issue can go on and on forever, but I think you get the point. I can see setting up your tree stand a day or two in advance, or tying a ribbon to let other hunters know that someone intends to hunt an area on opening day. But when you start telling people where they can’t hunt, well your wrong. All Arizona’s have the right to hunt where they please. It comes back to common courtesy and respect for your fellow hunter. You know, the stuff your father or grandfather taught you. It’s your honor. We are all out there to enjoy our hunts and get the best out of our coveted tags, but don’t be stingy, IT’S NOT YOURS, IT’S OURS!

Louie Urquides

Team AZOD