HuntingInMaine Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: spotlighting We can spot in maine and go out as a family many evenings. We have seen a couple nice ones, but are waiting for the hay fields to be mowed so we can see what has been hiding in there! We do have to stop spotting sometime before deer season begins and can't start again until a while after gun season has ended or you can be charged with illumination of wildlife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: spotlighting [ QUOTE ] I personally would not do it even if it were legal. We lay off our deer entirely till deer season and give them the most stress free, least pressure as possible-atmosphere that we can. [/ QUOTE ] So you do NO scouting before the season? I know for a fact that the deer here get less pressure from a spot light than when I'm in the woods scouting. These issues are just the same as different styles of hunting. Most folks never done it...but form an opinion of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: spotlighting [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I personally would not do it even if it were legal. We lay off our deer entirely till deer season and give them the most stress free, least pressure as possible-atmosphere that we can. [/ QUOTE ] So you do NO scouting before the season? I know for a fact that the deer here get less pressure from a spot light than when I'm in the woods scouting. These issues are just the same as different styles of hunting. Most folks never done it...but form an opinion of it. [/ QUOTE ] LOL, I picked up on that, also. First thing I thought of was high fences & then feeders. SOS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MCDillinois Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: spotlighting Snapper, Actually, I am quite active in deer scouting and my success at mature deer over 4 years old has been great. I have a 600 acre family farm and we spend a lot of our time scouting during turkey season, ie, sheds, etc. However, I have several food plots planted just for the deer and I use the binoculars rather than trompsing through the woods. I hang my stands in areas that have proven themselves year after year and there is no need for me to do any additional scouting. I grew up on the farm and if anyone knows it, I do. Back to the spotlighting....if you do it, that is fine by me. I was simply saying that it is not legal here in my state and if it were, no one in my area would participate in it. I dont need to cast a light across my field to let me know what is on my farm!! I watch my fields in before dark this time of year and trail cameras on my food plots tell me the rest. Not an argument, just my take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAhardwoods Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: spotlighting [ QUOTE ] I know for a fact that the deer here get less pressure from a spot light than when I'm in the woods scouting. [/ QUOTE ] I agree 100 percent...I love spotting a bunch of us will pile in the truck go out enjoy the warm summer night and look for big ol bucks... MC watch yourself you gonna get a nose bleed up on such a high horse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Re: spotlighting I think MC needs a friend here so I'll be it. I don't see how he is sitting up on a high horse. He was just stating that it is illegal where he is but even if it weren't he wouldn't do it. He never belittled anyone who said they did. I also wouldn't do it here for the same reasons he stated. I know what is in my hunting area from shed hunting, previous seasons, and just from the road on my way to get the mail. Sure I don't know of all the bucks I'm sure but I do know that if it were legal and I did it, my neighbour would be driving up to me while I was shining and telling me to find another place to hunt. I'm not belittling anyone who does it, I'm sure it would be a blast.........just sticking up for someone who scouts in the same mannor that I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Re: spotlighting I guess the part that got to me was the part about "locals shooting people shinning lights before the wardens got there". I do alot of scouting, trail cameras, etc...however, while in the woods (with binos ) I'm also leaving scent behind. While hanging stands...I'm leaving scent behind. No matter how hard we try...we can't go totally scent free. I don't use a spotlight for scouting purposes (for the most part) because the main areas I hunt, you can't get to with a truck. Spotting is a great past time...we will put 100 miles on a truck in a few hours just driving around looking at deer...video, pics etc... Besides deer, its also another great way to see other animals that we don't sometimes get to see very often. I wasn't trying to start an arguement...if its not legal in your state...thats really all we needed to know. When I see comments putting something down (ie: shooting at people for shinning lights) generally these comments come from folks who never did it or tried it. I never went hunting for deer with dogs...but that doesn't mean its wrong for someone to do it in a state that is legal. No problems...moving on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MCDillinois Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Re: spotlighting Snapper, that's cool. No argument here either. My comment about "shooting people before the warden gets here" was taken out of context. Although I have to admit, I know a many of guys around here that might very well be temped should someone shoot a beam across their fields. Spotting is a touchy thing here. Not sure if you know it, but Marylands Eastern Shore is known for chalking up lots and lots of high end P&Y bucks every year. That is no joke. The area I live in is teaming with them and we, that is, the local guys, protect them well. There is a major volunteer Trophy Managment Program going on throughout this area and shining a beam would not sit well with folks. Whether you believe it spooks them or not. But I have to respect the fact that you guys can and do spot deer. Several of the posts mention "family time" while spotting and that sounds great to me. Keep having fun and I hope you guys find a big one. MCDillinois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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