Stand rules question

[Dahitman44]

I know there are private stands located on some public land and a few years ago the DNR had a big push to get rid of those stands.

Can you leave a stand on public land? Should you? There is a spot that is very hard to get to that is surrounded by private land and I thought about leaving a stand there. I have never seen anyone back there -- it is a good place to find "quiet" deer.

Thoughts?

[tealitup]

If you leave it - it becomes state property and anyone who wants to use it - and maybe take it - CAN.

[Powerstroke]

It depends on the type of public land. It is illegal to leave a stand overnight on a WMA. They will be confiscated if found.

State forests and National forests are different. You can leave them out there, but they become public. It becomes a matter of ethics then, but if someone does decide to setup in your stand there's nothing you can do. This is for portable stands.

The big push lately has been to eliminate permanant stands. The rules vary on those too and some counties are banning them altogether.

[Dahitman44]

Thanks -- I will ask about a spefic area when i think of what they are called --

Got it -- Nature conservancy.

What are those? How are they hunted? I guess you can buy a permit -- where do you do that? Can you bow hunt?

[Powerstroke]

In general nature conservancy lands (usually are SNA lands) are closed to hunting. Some of them are open to hunting by permit. To find out which ones are open you need to look in the DNR regulations. Most of the permitted hunting on SNA's are done by bow.

If you don't mind, what NC land are you referring to? If you don't want to say thats fine.

[tealitup]

All SNA's you can not put a permanent of portable stand (if anything is placed in the tree - like a screw, including steps).

[Dahitman44]

There are some in the county I live in so I was going to see whaat the deal was. I have heard that you can get a permit -- so I was going to check.

Thanks

[Dahitman44]

So a ladder stand that is not perm. would not work either?

So I guess ground blinds would be best.

[chucker34]

Ground blinds rule for WMAs. Lot of work to get as fixed stand into place for a few hour hunt. Also, the WMAs where I am are thick with waist and head tall reeds and weeds and thick brush. Bring a fold up stool along and sink into this cover and bend down a few shooting lanes at waist level and you may have a perfect ambush spot if its in the right place.

[Bogsucker]

From the National Forest website

Hunters Cautioned on the Use of Hunting Stands

The Minnesota National Forests welcome forest visitors to hunt under State, federal, and tribal hunting regulations. Hunters may use portable hunting stands that do not damage live trees and that are removed at the end of the hunt. Portable stands are defined as those that are chained, belted, clamped, or tied with rope and do no permanent damage. Portable stands must be removed within a week after the general big game hunting season.

Hunters are cautioned to not erect permanent stands or blinds on national forest lands. Unlawful activity associated with permanent stands and blinds includes, but is not limited to: cutting and damage of trees and timber, construction of roads and trails, and storage or abandonment of personal property, trash, and litter. Frequently, persons or parties engaged in the placement and use of permanent stands also attempt to reserve large areas of public lands for their exclusive use through acts of implied ownership or intimidation.

No special use permits for permanent stands or blinds are issued on the Chippewa or Superior National Forests.

From the State Forest website

Temporary tree stands are allowed in state forests, including portable and constructed stands, but marketable trees greater than 4 inches in diameter at 4 feet off the ground cannot be cut to construct an elevated hunting scaffold. However, shrubs, lateral tree branches and saplings smaller than 4 inches in diameter at 4 feet off the ground may be removed.

Construction of permanent shelters is prohibited in state forests. This applies to permanent enclosed deer stands, and structures associated with their use, such as toilets and camp shelters.

Deer stands on state forest lands are considered available for public use and must remain accessible to all.

Note the word "Temporary"

[Dahitman44]

Great info --

Thanks

Hit