Sitting in a tree stand with no weapon

[USPENAMC]

I was wondering since i dont have a bow and havent started bowhunting.. if its ok to go scouting set up my stand on my day off and just glass the area or whatever and see what kind of action i see as long as i dont have a weapon on me???

[Wade Joseph]

Not only is it ok, it relaxing and educational. Take a camera along and "Shoot" whatever you want.

[Deitz Dittrich]

yep.. like WJ says.. go ahead.. as long as you have proper access to the land.

[chucker34]

On a related note, what if you had a bow and were going bow hunting and brought someone else along with you - say in a buddy stand. Do they need a license if they're not hunting?

[tealitup]

As long as they are not aiding you in taking game I do not think it is an issue.

[BuckRuttinFool]

That is wrong...Yes they DO need a valid liscence to share the same tree stand as a hunter....same as walking through the woods with another hunter (with a weapon) whether you have a weapon or not.

[chucker34]

So even if they are not hunting and do not have a weapon but just along to observe, the need a license?

[Code-Man]

I was under the assumption that if they didn't shoot they don't need a license. so you could take a person out to enjoy the nature and don't need a license as long as they don't have a gun or shoot something.

[BuckRuttinFool]

If you have a weapon and are hunting, anybody that is with you regardless if they have a weapon or not DOES need a valid liscense. It's a dumb law but it is a law....I had a game warden ticket a friend of mine who was running a video camera while I was bow hunting and his exact quote was..."I don't care if your just video taping or not the law is the law...you cannot be with another hunter that has a weapon whether you, yourself are hunting or not, YOU NEED A VALID LISCENCE!!! "

[lawdog]

The problem with it is that if they in ANY WAY assist you they need a license and how could a CO tell if they actually weren't assisting you. Even if he's sitting there and he says, hey here comes a deer, he's assisted you and therefore he needed a license. If he doesn't talk doesn't point anything out, doesn't walk anywhere that would stir deer up for you and you can prove all this, then you might be alright, but honestly being up there like that it will be a guilty until proven innocent type situation and there is little hope for him...

[Gissert]

This came up last year when I had a bull elk tag for Minnesota. I had only applied as an individual. My father in law came with me, as he wanted in on the adventure, and I wanted the company and horespower should I tag a bull.

I enquired to the DNR as to having him come along. It was fine as long as he did not help me spot, did not try to drive any animals, did not use or possess a call, etc. Basically, he could run the video camera and take photos. So he walked with the cameras - nothing else. Anything that was helping to actually take an animal would be out of bounds. Since I was the only one actually hunting elk in the state at the time, and the DNR knew he was with me, it was cool. All the rules were explained to again at the orientation session. They were VERY clear on what was - and what was not OK.

Now in the chaos that is the regular seasons when there are a lot of people out and about, I agree with Lawdog that there could be a lot of situations that will be open to what the CO observes you doing.

If you come out of the woods and the CO is there, followed by your unlicensed parter emerging 100 yards down the line, you will probably have some 'splaining to do.

[chucker34]

Kind of stinks but I understand the reasoning of how it would be hard to have the co. Tell the difference. In my case it would be a friend or my wife coming along to just sit and observe in my buddy stand. But guess I will pony up the extra $$$ go buy them a license. Worth it to take someone along, especially if I tagged a deer.

[LakeDocktor]

I spoke to the DNR this afternoon regarding this regulation. I plan on bowhunting this weekend and taking a non-licensed person along with me. I was informed that it is legal to have someone accompany the hunter as long as the individual doesn't aid the hunter in taking game. The person can sit in the same stand/tree as the hunter as well.

I don't see this regulation any different than the "average Joe" in the woods taking pictures of wildlife. If the person is there for the sole purpose of observing, then let it be.

[BuckRuttinFool]

I would definatly contact your local CO (gamewarden) about this....My buddies got the ticket to prove it, Unless they changed it for this year.

[lunker651]

I don't take my budding hunting with me without a license but do take my son without a licence with me hunting small game and big game. He helps me pick up down games and tells me any signs of game when I don't see it. That is aiding me but I email the DNR and they say it's okay as long as he doesn't have a weapon. LOL, he does bring his sling shot.

[BuckRuttinFool]

Under the age of 16 does not need a liscence as long as he is with a parent or guardian.

[bigbucks]

The dumbest part of the law is that they want you to shoot the deer. If they're just sitting there, which may help you stay out there longer & possibly help you get a deer that way, or even in other ways for that matter, it's accomplishing the desired goal. It doesn't make a lot of sense.