It goes without saying that COVID-19 has significantly influenced our lives this year. From shutdowns to mandatory masks, we’ve all felt the weight brought on by the virus. However, it’s a bit short sighted to say all of its effects have been bad; right now we’re seeing a mass movement back towards the outdoors.

This year, Michigan has seen a 95% increase in new hunters. This is the biggest spike in the last two decades and one that will certainly impact your experience in the woods. We’ve spent most of the year trying to provide helpful insight to the new hunter. So far we’ve focused purely on tactics.

With so many more newbies hitting the woods, now is as important as ever to understand how to exercise proper etiquette in the woods so that your hunt and the hunts of those around you are as enjoyable as possible.

Don’t Blow Up Primetime

Deer are creatures that operate on edges. They move along edges of different terrain features and typically move on the “edge” between daytime and sundown. This twilight period is known as “primetime” by many hunters because it’s when you’re most likely to see the most movement (of course that can all change during the rut).

Most guys and gals spend their entire hunt looking forward to this 30 to 45-minute window at the beginning or the end of the day; don’t be the person who decides to get up and walk around during this time.

If you’re running late in the morning, wait for sun up before heading out or simply find a place where you know no one else is hunting. In the afternoon, don’t get up and walk in during the last hour of shooting light. Stay put, even if your hunt is over. You’ll probably have a better hunt yourself and you’ll definitely spare the person you walk by the heartache of waiting hours only to have their spot blown up.

Give People Their Space

Every year I work hard to identify places on public land where I think I’ve got the best chance to put down a buck. Often I’m looking for areas that are difficult or inconvenient for other hunters to access. This year, that’s proven more difficult than normal as I’ve encountered other hunters on every single public land hunt I’ve been on (something I’ve never had before).

This hasn’t always led to a spoiled hunt. On several occasions this year, I’ve had other people head into my area to hunt, not knowing I was already set. After a few quick flashes of my headlamp, they moved on and I ended up having a great hunt.

But on some of my hunts, people haven’t picked up on these clues and have plopped down right next to me (inside of 40 yards), despite knowing that I was there (or they’ve just come over to chat for a while at full volume). Those all ended up being “bad” hunts. I sat there frustrated for waking up so early, missing family things, etc. just to have another guy blow out there area.

If you walk into an area and notice that there is already another person there, move along to another spot. Give them their space. Most of the time, public land hunting runs on the “first dibs” system. The first one in an area earned his or her right to be there. Honor it!

“Trailhead Diplomacy”

Trailhead diplomacy is a term that’s been thrown around for years. It refers to that interaction you have with other people at the trailhead. Sometimes they are hunters, sometimes they’re folks looking to use public land for other purposes (biking, hiking, etc.).

When you meet other folks at the trailhead, be friendly and courteous. I typically go out of my way to chat with the people I meet, finding out where they’re going and what their plans are for the day. If they’re other hunters, I’ll even offer to help them recover/drag out an animal.

Over the past decade, I’ve found that this approach greatly improves everyone’s time out in the field. First, it is one of the best ways to paint hunting in a positive light. If non-hunters see us as combative, selfish jerks, it’s going to hurt our access to public land in the long run. If we’re kind and considerate, we’re shining a positive light on public land hunters everywhere. Second, it helps both parties understand where the other is planning to be, allowing you to give each other a little space. This is both in your self interest and in the interest of the other party. Third, you’d be surprised by the intel you gain through these brief interactions. Sure, most people aren’t going to give away the coordinates to their prime spot but many people will key you in on some great information about the area you’re headed into. Oftentimes, nonhunters are very willing to let you know where they’ve seen deer hanging out.

Do it Right

When you’re sharing a space with a bunch of other people, you’re bound to run into each other on occasion. These interactions can either be a positive or a negative thing and, often, that depends mostly on how you act. Be considerate, even if the other person isn’t. You and everyone else you encounter will be better off for it.

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