Sometimes you just have to shake your head in disgust...

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

RLLigman said:
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.
 

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.
 
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......
 
cordless drill and some deck screws, edge of tire near sidewall, can't be plugged....[;)]
 
gcs said:
cordless drill and some deck screws, edge of tire near sidewall, can't be plugged....[;)]

And if someone sees you or a camera is in use, you would be the one on the short end of the stick.
 
Ramp behavior has really never been an issue in my "neck of the woods". And our ramps are HEAVILY used.

Now for a little history on the introduction of a world class fishery. Back in the 60's is when the Pacific coho salmon fishery exploded with the introduction of plants in northwest Michigan's Platte Bay. It was known as coho fever! There was an abundance of the invasive Atlantic alewife which migrated up the Welland Canal. With not enough natural predators, (ie: lake trout) they died by the TONS on our Lake Michigan pristine beaches. That brought the introduction of Pacific coho salmon. Their successful introduction in the 60's changed the fishing landscape for the next 50+ years. Just imagine the excitement of a bass fisherman trolling in a 12 foot boat catching a 20# fish! Some here will say 20# coho? There was so much forage base available they grew to astonishing weights.

Picture a small boat ramp near the mouth of the Platte River with hundreds of car trailers parked along the roadway. As a youngster I fished with my dad with the hundreds of boats longline trolling for a chance to hook into a fish this big. Talk about trolling chaos! Word spread very quickly. Unfortunately many were unfamiliar with the power of the Great Lakes! And there was no advanced warning systems in those days. After close to month of calm seas and great fishing, a fast building wind and storm on Saturday September of '67 caught many by surprise, 7 fisherman drowned when their small boats capsized. My dad was out fishing with friends that day. They raced back 2-3 miles to Empire to our village's single boat ramp from Platte Bay and wisely ran their 18' boat up on shore. My dad watched 2 older fisherman afraid to run their boat up on shore capsize when they turned their boat sideways in the waves, sadly drowning before they could be rescued. It taught many novices to respect the power of the Great Lakes.

Now the frenzy is for 30# Chinook salmon. Early morning launching can be crazy. My daughter, (a 1st mate on a charter boat out of Glen Arbor for 5 summer years while in HS and college), and I always tried to teach ramp etiquette. Nothing more frustrating than a boat blocking the ramp while they take way too long to get ready to launch. And if they had trouble backing up a trailer, my very impatient daughter would volunteer to back up their boat trailer down the elevated single ramp. Part of her job every summer was to back up a 25' trailer w. boat while the captain was aboard the boat.

We often ask to help our fellow hunters or fisherman launching and loading. Anything to speed up our ramp time either coming or going. I understand certain regions of the country may not be as friendly. Too many selfish, inconsiderate or down right A..holes.
Luckily in northern Michigan or in da U.P. this would not go over well with the locals. If the sign says "No Parking in launching area" you will get a ticket or worse actions by the other parties offended, as Rick noted.

These ramp stories just brought back memories. I won't get into the territorial blind issues many face. I guess dealing with inconsiderate people is just a part of life these days. Being retired, I try and avoid the "weekend warriors". I let the game settle down after the weekend and get out later during the week. I remember when I was in my working 30's jealous the the old guys hunting for a week or more on the U.P,'s Munuscong Bay. Now Ligman and I are those old guys.

Steve
 
S Lewis said:
We often ask to help our fellow hunters or fisherman launching and loading. Anything to speed up our ramp time either coming or going. I understand certain regions of the country may not be as friendly. Too many selfish, inconsiderate or down right A..holes.

People just lack common politeness. I'm not a chatty cathy by any means, but when I get to a ramp and there are boats there launching for duck hunting I say hi and good morning (and have in the past offered help to people if there was an obvious easy need). The frosty response that just saying "hi" generates is pretty disappointing. Sure I've had plenty of good interactions, but the number of guys that pretend you aren't there is pretty bad. What do they think, we aren't both leaving to try to do the exact same thing?
 
I'd do something about it. Maybe call the warden, the sheriff, or even a tow truck and get it out of there. If I knew his routine, maybe beat him there and block it first to make a point. Maybe buy a junker car and tow it down there and put it in front of his. Beat him in to the spot he hunts and tell him you'll be there every day until he quits blocking the ramp. Or find another way in a fish very near where he hunts and don't be quiet. Lots of things to do that are legal. He does it because he's an azz and nobody makes him stop. Tell him he will get respect when he gives it.
 
tod osier said:
S Lewis said:
We often ask to help our fellow hunters or fisherman launching and loading. Anything to speed up our ramp time either coming or going. I understand certain regions of the country may not be as friendly. Too many selfish, inconsiderate or down right A..holes.

People just lack common politeness. I'm not a chatty cathy by any means, but when I get to a ramp and there are boats there launching for duck hunting I say hi and good morning (and have in the past offered help to people if there was an obvious easy need). The frosty response that just saying "hi" generates is pretty disappointing. Sure I've had plenty of good interactions, but the number of guys that pretend you aren't there is pretty bad. What do they think, we aren't both leaving to try to do the exact same thing?


EXACTLY, and well written.


When the hell did waterfowling become such a competitive sport?

Is it the times we live in, plus BS that is fed on shows, and "social media"?

When there were much greater numbers of waterfowl hunters than in these times. I recall hunters being more civil to each other. Sure there were rude folks, but it sure seemed not as many.


I dunno... Could be I'm just a Geezer outdoorsman rooted in the past, and glad of it. Trying my best to endure the present.

Example, when shopping and I walk in front of another person - "Excuse me." Older folks respond, and say the same thing, other folks it's like WTF. The "other folks" far out number the more civil folks, and that is a shame.
 
Huntindave McCann said:
gcs said:
cordless drill and some deck screws, edge of tire near sidewall, can't be plugged....[;)]

And if someone sees you or a camera is in use, you would be the one on the short end of the stick.

YUP!!!! Really gotta think about doing things these days because of cameras everywhere.
 
After thinking about it, I guess the best thing to do might be to leave the guy a note. A nice note, asking him kindly not to block the ramp for his fellow hunters. The high road is then taken. If he persists, proceed to the low road. I'm still inclined to block him in to make the point.
 
I,ll have to agree that the note under wiper is a good first approach, maybe with a phone # so matter can be discussed, explaining why you need use of that particular area to launch. There's a lot of people using our waterways & accesses that don,t have a clue until someone wises them up. After explaing circumstance's if he just wants to be an idiot time to reboot. The trashing the area you 2 are hunting might be discussed also during that phone call.
 
These types of activities are nothing new.

A small percentage of the population will do unethical things to their advantage. Odds are it?s intentional. Maybe a nice note on the windshield would enlighten the person but for the most part I think it?s just a person pushing the envelope because no one has pushed back.

As mentioned? retaliation may result in the retaliator getting in trouble. For all you know he could have a trail camera in position or something.
 
Some ?hunters? give other hunters a bad name. It never amazes me what some people think is acceptable. Today I noticed a pickup truck go by my house about 5 times in 10 minutes so when I heard it stop just down the road I decided to step out on the porch to see what was going on. I watch him get out of his truck and grab his bow and start walking out on to my property. He started to stalk a herd of elk that were in my hay field about 100 yards from my house. He hadn?t bothered to stop at the house despite driving by and turning around in my driveway. Landowner permission is required in my state to enter private property. I can?t comprehend what he was thinking. If he had successfully killed an elk he would have to either drag or carry the animal thru a 5 foot deep drainage ditch that is full of water or drive thru my front yard. I told him he was trespassing but just can?t believe someone would so blatantly trespass and be so clueless.
 
Brad

Do you think he got the message, or are you concerned he will be back? Here in Alabama you must have written permission to hunt private land or be accompanied by the landowner. Landowners still have to put of No Trespassing signs because a segment of the population ignores the law.

Several years ago while working at the hunting property I had two four-wheelers, each with two riders, come up on me while I was installing a control structure. I asked them what they were doing and they said they were just out riding around. I told them they were on private property and I was an agent of the landowner and could have them arrested for trespassing. They told me they were "lost." A bullshit story so I told them to follow me and I would escort them off the property. I got in my truck and they followed me for about two minutes and then took off. Next time I'm calling the authorities on the spot.

You mentioned blatant, absolutely, the behavior is just that. Clueless? Nope, they know exactly what they are doing but think the rules do not apply to them or figure nobody will catch them. I'll admit I'm fed up with their ilk and next opportunity the law will be called and I'll push hard for justice.

Eric
 
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I could see anti hunters blocking a ramp.

I keep a 4 way lug wrench in my truck....it'd come in handy for your situation. ;)
 
Its our rifle deer season in my area now . Beautiful weather past few days approaching 60 degrees. Decided to take a trk. ride yesterday to an area of river shallow and narrow enough that really a kayak or canoe is or was best means of transportation. Was thinking about taking a canoe trip down today to see if any concentrations of ducks could be found prior to season coming back in in a little over a week. Canoeists & kayakers will normally park rigs on shoulder here allowing access to edge of bank for loading /off loading their rigs right at waters edge as its barely accessible behind a guardrail. Well I get there about 2 pm and guess what. A mudmotor rig had backed down into access spot leaving trailer hanging in water hooked to pickup. Blocking put in /take out area access. I,ve used this spot occasionally for 30 years and first time i,ve ever encountered this. Maybe its the new norm with current generation.
 
Eric,I did stop him and let him know he did not have permission. The county passed a no rifle shooting ordinance for the valley floor because of road hunters shooting at deer and elk without regard to farms, houses and people. If he had kept going or had given me grief then I would have called the sheriff. I?m confident he knew he was trespassing but don?t think a sign would have stopped him. The clueless was how he expected to retrieve an animal if he got one. His choices were limited to wade the ditch or drive up my driveway past my house and barn. Guess I should have let him shoot one and then prohibited him from retrieving it without going thru the ditch.
 
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