Thoughts about road hunting?

[arrowslinger21]

Just curious after a recent discussion with some people...how many of you out there are for or against road hunting and why? Do you road hunt? Do you dislike road hunters or are you ok with them? Just curious to hear some thoughts on this one. Thanks,
Kevin

 

[TwoBear]

I don't have an issue with it per se. I don't think it is the most effective method, however, some folks can't hike. Montana has a strong tradition of hunting, and I see nothing wrong with an 80 year old hunting off the road. Usually, they drive around and park get out and wait. At least they are giving it a shot, beats sitting in front of the tube during hunting season!! We also have some handicap folks that like to hunt and this is their only way. I know Sunday afternoons will have road hunters as well. They have to be at work Monday to pay the bills and they know they can't get one out in time if they hike in. So I guess, not everybody that hunts the roads does so because they are lazy.

 

[Jerry]

I agree with TwoBear, There is a time and place for it. Actually the more people that road hunt keeps them out of the wilderness areas!

 

[Thomas]

I don't have an issue with as long as people get out of there damn truck and take the animal legally plus it keeps them out of the backcountry where the real hunting takes place

 

[Elkcrazedfrk]

Agreed with above posts. I see plenty every year ridig their wheelers up and down the trails lokking for the big wapati to run right out in front of them. I've watched elk more than twice lay there and watch guys drive right by em. After about 20 mins they settle down and go back to sleep. I look at it as one less person in the woods to mess up my hunt.

 

[Jerry]

Agreed with above posts. I see plenty every year ridig their wheelers up and down the trails lokking for the big wapati to run right out in front of them.

Quads and 4 wheelers are a different story. Because they can go so far off road, I have a problem with them just bombin thru the woods. Handicapped people, older hunters and a few other circumstances like getting into and out of a remote camp would be ok. But even that is being kind of disruptive to other hunters who are trying to keep noise and other disturbances to minimum.

 

[arrowslinger21]

Yeah I would agree to that. I highly dislike 4 wheelers. I think that they should only be allowed on improved roads. I do not like them in the woods at all. They are too easy for guys to get around gates that are supposed to be closed to all motor vehicle travel, and they are too noisy and ruin the hunting for the guys who are trying to do things the right way.

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

You know I was not a fan of road hunters, but Two bears made a great point, thanks for sharing that.

 

[jjs4429]

My dads old hunting partner had 8 knee operations .He couldn't get around so well.He became very proficiant at road hunting and harvested some nice mature bucks.

 

[Shane]

Older people and handicaped I don't have a problem with, and I have even done the occasional Sunday afternoon drive, bit it really ticks me off when I see someone shoot a nice bull or buck from the road when you know damn well they didnt even walk and don't deserve what they have just shot.

 

[Bobmuley]

I don't mind it as long as they don't leave their truck idling in the middle of a 10' wide road, doors swung open, and matching Miller Lite bottles standing on each side of the toolbox. Then its annoying.

 

[*******]

I'm not against them. They don't effect my hunt so I don't mind them.

 

[Archer32]

I always wondered how dudes get a whole elk in the back of the truck. Everyone I've ever killed has been hauled out piece by piece on my back. I'm not against it, long as everything is legal. I spend lots of time behind the wheel driving block management areas to put the stalk on antelope with the bow. Actually had a shot with the bow right outside of the door last year on an antelope. I love sept as they get pretty silly.

 

[anglinarcher]

Never hunted a road before how do they taste? J/K

Roadhunting is not my gig. I really like getting back in there to be on the animals turf and get the full experience. Don't get me wrong I have taken a shot at a few animals that were within a quarter mile of the trail head. I hunt the second I leave the truck all the way to where I pitch my tent.

 

[rpeebles]

I love road hunters! Less people to deal with in the back country. Folks have made some really good points on the Forum. As far as I'm concerned, as long as people are legal and SAFE, have at it and enjoy yourself.

 

[Sharpstick]

Yeah, to each their own as long as it's legal and not pissing me off like the guy who rides his wheeler off the road and ended up parking it below my tree stand. That's almost grounds for a rubber dub in the butt!

 

[elkslayer4x5]

I don't mind it as long as they don't leave their truck idling in the middle of a 10' wide road, doors swung open, and matching Miller Lite bottles standing on each side of the toolbox. Then its annoying.

With you there 100%, thats as annoying as the trail of bottles they left from there.!

 

[jhpam3117]

Road hunting with only going 100 yards from the truck is all I knew until I got into bowhunting 6 years ago. I don't have anything against them...it seems those hunters are out for a vacation/hunt than an actual hunt. Since bowhunting I have found the value in walking a few miles off the beaten path!

 

[turkeyhunter60]

No problem with it at all.....I heard of A guy few towns south of me, Shooting a big 6 point bull elk laying down, 60 yards off the road....

 

[BOHNTR]

I don't have a lot of experience in dealing with road hunters the last few years, as I mostly hunt where there are no roads (wilderness).

When I bowhunted the Kaibab all those years, there were plenty of road hunters and a fairly large network of roads on the plateau. There were plenty of places to get off the road and still-hunt.......only issue I've had is when they "block" the top of a road waiting for prime time while I'm trying to drive past them so I can park and start hiking before daybreak. Most of the time they just let me by, but some wouldn't until we had a chat and they realized I wasn't road hunting.

I do feel that those who exclusively road hunt that are physically able to hike, as I feel they are missing the beauty of the hunt itself......but if they're content and it's legal where they're at, who am I to say otherwise. JMO