So just how does a duck hunter develop such a sense of entitlement that they think it's fine to park their truck and trailer on a one-lane-wide public ramp, blocking everyone else, while they leave for hours? Does the thought of vandalism not enter their mind nor deter them, in the absence of decency? Reprobate!


Here in North Alabama this is starting to happen a lot. Seen it two weekends in a row. Are we dealing with some local inbreds or is this common in other states too?


Eric

I'm shocked no one cut the trailer loose and rolled it into the lake...yet. Being a jerk rarely pays off in the long run because there's always a bigger one out there somewhere.

I don't recall seeing that level of selfishness or idiocy. Plenty of jerks taking up multiple parking spots, and littering is also common. I wouldn't think the rig would last long if it totally blocks access. The appropriate action is to park a big trailer in front of them so they're trapped when they come back. Let them sleep at "their" ramp.

Eric,
This is not the first time you have experienced idiots and beyond at your ramps. At first I wrote it off as no different than the rest of us. But the accumulation of experiences you have had is starting to make we wonder about the character of the boys in Alabama.

Besides you and yours of course!!

Larry

Unfortunately I used to see it around here some especially on narrow public paved backroads near the rivers which when flooded made for some easy launching and would cut way down on boat travel time to some of the best spots.

There is a guy that does it here at one spot. I don't use that access but i pass it. I used to be associated with guy that had no tolerance for such actions. One time he saw a boat he didn't like hunting a private spot of his. He stopped and pulled the plug while they were ashore.

Sounds like they were trespassing since it was his private spot. Here in Alabama trespassing fees are steeper than a pulled boat plug, assuming he didn't sink their boat.

Eric

Larry

I can't specifically remember the things I've mentioned in the past, but yes, there are some very rude and inconsiderate hunters on local public waters. Not sure how typical the behavior is in other areas, but I figure it exists to some extent everywhere. But thankfully we have good citizens too.

Eric

I have seen a truck and trailer that were blocking the ramp get hooked onto and towed out of the way. I have not witnessed it in person but I have heard of hitch pins getting pulled and tossed into the weeds.

How the hell could someone have a fun duck hunt thinking they were blocking the ramp or others? Beyond feeling bad for limiting others ability to enjoy the ramp, I'd be afraid of what I'd come back to. Unbelievable.

Eric,
Coincidental timing? Just today this was parked at the ramp when I got back from hunting. Yes, there is room for others to launch but still, why?





Seems entitlement was the theme of the day.

Shortly after sunup, a trapper came into the immediate area in which I was set up hunting. No way he could miss seeing the decoys. Not to be deterred, he spent the next 45 minutes making his sets. (making NEW sets, NOT checking previous ones)

Then a canoe paddler appeared, looked over my direction with binoculars, then proceeded to paddle within shotgun range, as he traveled to the far end of the back bay I was in. This is a dead end bay so it was only a matter of time before he retraced his course past me a second time.

I generally don't see this much activity on a weekday.

---

Take care, Huntindave McCann SHELL ROCK IA. ,,,,,, "As sailors grow older, the wiser ones move to smaller boats." Thomas Firth Jones, Multihull Voyaging

 I can not say that I have had that experience ,but I have had plenty of situations when a guy pulls in to launch and proceeds right to the ramp then takes 20 minutes to a half hour to get ready. I always pull off to the side get everything ready before I proceed to launch.

There was a posting on a Minnesota site not long ago about a guy getting all 6 tires on his dually slashed and both trailer tires as well. This guy wasn't even parked near the ramp. It takes all kinds. Maybe if this fella had to replace some tires......I didn't say that!

Take care,

Ed L.
East Moline,
Illinois
_________________________________________
If I'd had asked what they wanted they would have said faster horses" - Henry Ford

Dave

He just cut the throughput by a third. That would be problematic on busy weekend mornings. Hopefully your weekday hunts will resume to less interruption.

Eric

Kind of wondering if the person was in such a hurry to get to a good hunting spot that her or she absentmindedly forgot to park the truck and trailer, and just headed out. I could especally see this happening if they were late. Keep in mind that many people have accidentally left children in the back of their car when rushing to work or someplace

Not sure there are words to describe that level of rudeness and lack of civility.
Did you call the cops or game warden?

---

Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

 
HMMMmmmmmm

Back in the day, very bad and damaging things "could happen" to the vehicle & trailer, if not stolen outright.


Even though I would always park correctly to consider others. Once ya leave the ramp ya never knew. Being a considerate waterfowler includes a leap of faith.











"Art does not reproduce what is visible - but makes things visible." ~ Paul Klee, artist, 1920

Steve, I kind of doubt it. Seems as though someone started doing it and now it has become a common practice. There is another ramp next to it but during low water, like we have been having, there are large boulders as the end of the ramp and a steep drop-off. You risk damaging your rig if you use it. I think some rationalize their choice of parking by saying "they can still use the concrete ramp" when that really isn't the case.

Eric

Carl

It is at a well-known TVA public improved ramp, but I don't think it is a police matter because I don't think the guy is breaking any laws. There is a homeless guy living next to the ramp and has been for two years. If he can get away with that, I doubt the authorities will take action against someone leaving their vehicle parked where people frequently launch.

Like I mentioned above there is a concrete ramp that isn't/can't be used under low water (exposed boulders and steep drop off) or flood conditions (ramp 90 degrees to strong current). Next to it is a gravel ramp that enters the water at an easy angle and is usable in all water conditions. I think some rationalize their choice by saying "Well, the real ramp is right there so folks can use it while I park here because I'm not blocking the "official" concrete ramp." Well the problem with that school of thought is the concrete ramp isn't useable and when some jerk isn't on the gravel ramp everyone uses it. Anyone who has been down there knows this, and I guarantee you the losers blocking the gravel ramp know it but don't care.

Oh, I just learned the guy blocking the ramp Saturday afternoon is the same guy that left a BUNCH of trash where we actually hunt. My partners cleaned it up and wasn't a small job.

Eric

 

It sounds as if some sort of intervention is needed by the local hunters. Its bad enough that he blocks the ramp but trashing blind sites and other stuff is bad for the whole community of users.

If the hunter doesn't reform he is ways then I suspect that the other hunters will take action if he keeps doing stupid things.

Here in the UP of Michigan there is a phenomena titled "Finnish Lightning" that is correlated with this type of behavior.

 


That made me chuckle....

Where there's smoke there's fire. Have seen the aftermath more than once in several waterfowling places, and states.











"Art does not reproduce what is visible - but makes things visible." ~ Paul Klee, artist, 1920

 
Ya gotta also wonder, is such rudeness at the ramp bait?

Cuz the tab for the toys can't be paid.

There's a whole lotta Strange goin' on these days.











"Art does not reproduce what is visible - but makes things visible." ~ Paul Klee, artist, 1920

Eric

Something I have been looking forward to this year is the fact that the State Troopers are patrolling the lake in a big Jon boat with a cabin on it (they will stay warm all winter) and dual 150s on the back. They were all over the place earlier this fall and I hope they stay out through hunting season. I got checked by them for boat safety equipment and licenses (fishing and boating) 2 times while fishing. There are not enough game wardens in our area to control the idiots so maybe the Troopers being out there will help. If I see them in the next few weeks, I'm going to ask if they plan on patrolling all season and thank them if they say yes.

So, different but the same;

There is a new thing in the surfing world where Costco is selling "surfboards" for $100. They are flat and have a fin, but they are far from a refined surfboard. So as people grab their board, a bag of tube socks and a gallon of ketchup, they didn't stop and think that there may actually be rules to this game. They arrive in packs and all paddle out and think, like golf, that the 4, 6, 10 of them are now "here" and ignorantly, and often arrogantly think that they are just going to go into their own rotation of taking waves. They think it's fun to "join you" on your wave. They like to crash and bump into each other (my board is epoxy and $1100.) The level of straight up stupidity and disrespect is so bad, that it's hard to believe that it's not intentional. As for your truck buddies there.........maybe too much Duck Dynasty? If it's intentional, then the hell with the Karma Police, get the tow strap......