discouraging hunt at NJ shore

Gene Jr.

Gene Jr.

Well-known member
Hello all! Merry Christmas!

Last friday I went to a normal spot I hunt in Manahawkin bay and discovered a flaoting blind 100 yards right out in front of my normal spot. No one was home on friday, went back saturday morning, waited until the last minute to put out blocks, got one string out and started on the second and they showed up. Now what? So I finished putting out the blocks, then anchored my TDB on the OUTSIDE of the blocks so I would be shooting back toward my normal set-up. Not the best situation to say the least. We got a few passing shots on buffies and a merganser, nothing decoyed at all. The other guys landed EVERYTHING and water shot them.

I drive three hours from my home right beside the susqhuanna river to get away from this type of blind hunter behavior. Had they not parked the blind there they never would have felt entitled to set up 100 yards down range from another spread. I hope! I saw several other floating blinds within a few miles, all parked in the middle of the mouths of small coves. Effectively shutting down these coves to other hunters (assuming they are not willing to shoot directly at the blinds!). Without these blinds these small coves can support several hunters gunning into the center of the coves (where the blinds are parked now). I sure hope this is not the type of behavior that is spreading everywhere. I admit I was mad about it, but the longer it goes the more it just saddens me to think that this mentality is spreading to new areas. Part of what bothers me is that I've been saving my pennies for a BBSB or layout boat so I could enjoy the middle of the cove sweetspot someday. It never crossed my mind to get some plastic drums, planks, chicken wire and grass and anchor the damn thing in the middle of the cove.

Thanks for putting up with my rant. Sorry for no pics, rain on friday and forgot it saturday.

Best wishes,
Gene

ps: I'll be hunting the same area saturday morning, then monday and most of tuesday if anyone is interested in getting together for a hunt.
 
Gene, I have not seen this at the southern shore points. I don't blame you for being agravated. What is the legality behind doing that? Try going south a bit. PM me if you need any info. on ramp location and set up advice. Kevin
 
Gene were you using the dock Rd ramp? I noticed the blinds there also, Surprised they have not mysteriously floated away yet. Very annoying
 
I agree, funny how things break loose and float away on the tide. If no one shows up, tow it 150 yards and anchor it out of your way, or better yet use it.
 
Yeah, I used dock road friday afternoon. I also use the ship bottom ramp. Depends on wind and birds. I often hunt just north of the causeway but the brant and bluebills have been staying to the south this year.

Saw a seal on saturday. That wqas a first for me.

Hoping to hunt great bay for sea ducks this weekend, we'll see what happens. Anyone have any ramp suggestions down that way?

Best wishes,
Gene
 
Gene:
If you find a solution to that problem please let me know. It is tough not to blow one's stack and that's for sure.
wis boz
 
Gene, There is a free ramp at Motts Landing in Leads Point. It's just off of Rt. 9. It will give you acess to the south side of the bay as well as the Forsithe Refuge. You can also put in at Chestnut Neck off of Clark's Landing Rd., again on the south side, this puts you in the Mullica River just west of the bay. There's a ramp in Mystic Island as well but I'm not familiar with it's location. Good Luck, Kevin
 
Kevin,

Thanks for the info! I'll break out the charts one of these nights (probably 4:30am saturday!) and pick a ramp and give it a shot. I've fallen in love with the Jersey shore hunting. The environment, variety of birds, gracious hunters (until these darn blinds) and all around diversity. Just like seeing a seal last weekend, how cool is that! (at least I think so).

This is my fifth season hunting there so I'm not a complete newbie, a few guys are starting to talk to me at the ramps. I guess I'm starting to look like I know what I'm doing. I still have a lot to learn though. Tidal environments are fickle at times. Not to mention the birds! One day I can't beat them off and the next I can't buy one.

Best wishes,
Gene
 
Aren't those blinds first come first serve even though they were put up by non govt. people? In Michigan, if you beat someone to their own blind on public property, it's yours for the duration of your hunt. If they set up right next to you to try and ruin your hunt they can be arrested for harrassment.
 
Lee,

I don't know for sure. I know in PA the permanent/built blinds are that way. These floating blinds have white mooring lights on them. I suppose if they are registered as boats you could legally moore them anywhere you want and it would not be legal to board them. I doubt they are registered or need to be, as they are unpowered and short. Maybe someone else knows? I would tie off to one but I would NEVER enter it, that's just me. I feel the same about permanent blinds here in PA, I know it's legal but I wouldn't be comfortable.

I assume it is legal to have them there as the warden checked me 15 minutes after the guys in the blind pulled out for the day and he didn't say anything when I commented about my displeasure about it being there.

Gene
 
Lee, you're correct in your asumption. A blind on public land is up for grabs in Jersey. However, I've never seen the floating kind described here and personally would not board one. I agree that this is an ignorant thing to do. I've personally camped overnight in a spot just to secure it for the morning hunt. I believe that my spot was well deserved and earned after that. However, I would never try and secure a spot without actually being there. Not everyone is as ethical as us! Kevin
 
The floating blinds are a slick way to get around the first come first serve rule. They are classified as boat, just like a sneakbox. The law treats then no different than if you sat in your sneakbox early to secure a spot.

If they were permanent blinds, then by all rights, you could use them if you arrived first, but not so with the floaters.

I think this trend is a real travesty, as do many other guys. It's no wonder a few of these mysteriously sink or are burnt every year.
 
Jode, I would set up right in front of it then. That is just wrong. I would probably see a few of them listing also. Isn't that what Dewalt cordless drills and auger bits are for?
 
Jode, I would set up right in front of it then. That is just wrong. I would probably see a few of them listing also. Isn't that what Dewalt cordless drills and auger bits are for?
Click to expand...


You know what they say , necesity is the mother of all invention..............LOL!
 
Gene
I heard there are a group of guys who that gun that area and think they own the place. Was talking to a guy who told me they came and kicked him off the sedge. Told him it was their spot and he would either leave on his own or they would make them leave. He decided to find another spot.
I may launch off that ramp Friday. I would probably head North from the ramp. I could only see that one floating blind from the ramp, hope there are not more.
There are permanent blinds on the Del. river where guys do the same thing. You can get there 2 hrs before them and they will show before dawn and set up in thier blind 40 yds from you.
On a lighter note the seals are cool. They pop thier head up to check you out. They are shy about eye contact and will disappear once the know you see them.
 
Never seen a seal here in va. I did see one when I went surfing in palos verde california.

Its funny the local surfers in palos verde were verry teritorial and trashed our rental car surfwax the windows broke the mirors ect. kinda sucked but we caught them in the act and the 3, 200#+ virginia boys delt a lil justice on these punks and after whupping up on these 2 punks for a lil bit we decided to toss their bikes (both treks that looked in the $1000 price range) off the cliff and in to the ocean below. To this day I kinda feel bad for tossing the bikes in the ocean (because of the enviromental effects) but better the bikes then the punks could have gotten in some real big trouble for that.

I know that story was pointless rant but it does remind me how much I hate people pissing on a peice of land or water that they do not own and trying to limit access to everyone elese. I think it is some bull malarkey when people who try to lock up a surfing, hunting, or fishing spot that they have no legitament claim to beside they were here a few days before you and locked it down. do they think they are god and created the coast line and river water bay ect and are entitled to restirct everyone from the public domain. Now I can understand and apriciate a property owner limiting access or outright dennying access but public waters beaches and marsh are public for a reason.

james
 
Im hoping they try and kick me off the sedge. I usually hunt by myself so they will probably make me as an easy mark.

Good story with the Cali punks,, we got those types around here too, mostly up north beaches though.
 
In tennessee it was the first time I'd been intruded on. I must say I was rightly p oed afterdriving 11.5 hrs and getting 3 hrs sleep. I never thought about using force but I did prepare myself for defense if the situation arose. You never know what may happen. There is no duck or hunting spot worth me dying for, but I will never leave if I have a spot because I abided by the rules, and someone else was lazy and ignorant. Be safe and good luck.
 
your going to fight a loosing battel! the blinds are owned by the same outfite and they move them around all season long. just do a little more scouting in other areas and you will find better hunting. try to stay north of 72 bridge. and have a look at Absecon bay.

Mike
 
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