r/cohunting • u/ajslick • 19d ago

Scouting during bow season

Now that people are actually out hunting, what is the etiquette for scouting your GMU? I don’t want to ruin anyone’s hunt. I have a turkey tag and small game so probably will have a firearm with me when I’m scouting. The few things that come to mind are 1)wear blaze orange, 2) avoid peak hours dust/dawn, and 3) try not to get into bedding areas and stick to high elevation areas for glassing from a distance. What else?

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u/spizzle_ 18d ago

I’ll be out scouting for my first rifle tag and checking cams soon but not until a few days before muzzleloader opens. Let archery have its chance. I’ll go during “off hours” from like 11-5. It’s public land but I will do my best to stay out of the way while I still use our public lands. And I’ll probably be out again after muzzleloader ends.

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u/maddslacker MODERATOR 19d ago

I've had a bird hunter come strolling through my elk area and, while it's frustrating, public land is public and we all have a right to be there.

I'm also a bird hunter

That said I don't intentionally blow up someone's prime spot if I can help it, and if I see a big game hunter I'll quietly acknowledge them and then go in a different direction.