hunting high pressure areas

[Chief RID]

I understand your concern but it is part of the game. Most folks abide by the rule of first lethal hit, especially archers, so more folks than you know may be fair. Most folks would even take a shot at stopping your deer if they felt it was going to be a slow death when it came by them. If you did run into someone that wanted the deer bad enough you would have to decide who wanted it most. You could look at it as your hunt can continue but his hunt is over. You still have your tag. He does not.

[petey]

I've killed more deer than I can count with a bow and most all fall within sight or sound if there's still foliage on. If you hit them properly and take out 2 lungs they'll fall within 100 yards or less (more often then not, less if you don't hit major bone) Most often, they don't even know what hit them if you have pass-thru's.

Pick your shots, take out both lungs..you'll have a quick retreive. In the event of one lung hits, they can easily run in upwards of 150 yards before they lay down. If you don't pressure them you'll normally find a marginal hit deer no more than 200-300 yards from your stand. Personally in Archery...that's too close to another hunter for me. If you're forced to hunt that close to other hunters then I see your point. I've never had the "pleasure" of having to argue over who's deer it is. I would suspect most hunter abide by the rule of thumb of if you kill it, it's yours. Hunting in an area where there are "people who hunt" that are not hunters and don't abide by the cardinal rules would just scare me.

There are all kinds though, I've just been fortunate enough not to be around anyone that would be so idiotic.

Long story short..pick your spots make sure there aren't any other stands within that radious and you'll be fine if you do you job properly