Advice on my experience today hunting squirrel

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GunGiraffe

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Ontario
Hello guys, I am in Ontario and have a relatively large property to myself.
I was hunting for squirrel today to eat and for pelts.

For background I was using a 22LR & CCI Suppressor which I consider quite quiet, no need for ears for 1-3 shots.
I had already got one squirrel and had 2 misses ( so 3 shots fired so far. in about 40 minutes )

At one point during my hunt I ended up near a private road, around 25 meters away.
I was hunting alongside it ( fired 1 shot and got a squirrel )

The moment I fired my shot I hear screaming:
"TAKE YOUR ####ING GUN AND GET THE HELL BACK HOME"
"YOU HEAR THAT!!!"

So I left right away, I'm really sad about it too as I left the squirrel.
I don't think he had any idea where I was, but he certainly screamed quite loud.

Honestly though - the last thing in the world I want to deal with is an angry man as a hunter with a loaded firearm.
Now I feel like crap though, as it seems like I have an area on my own property where there is an... angry man.
lol

I didn't break any laws of course - but its still disconcerting and I don't want a conflict.
Especially as he is probably a neighbour, I assume

I am wondering what you guys would have done and how you would handle this.
 
I would have picked up my squirrel and kept hunting as intended. If buddy decides to come over for a talk, I’d expect him to be respectful. If he is not, I’d encourage him to call the police. I’d continue hunting with the hopes that the police decide to come by. If they did, I would be respectful, tell them what you are doing, show them your licences and inform them that a crazy stranger is interfering with a legal hunt and I would encourage them to explain to the @sshole that what he is doing is illegal.

What I absolutely would not do, is exactly what you did. Never mind that you left game to spoil, you spoiled your own hunt and allowed a stranger breaking the law get away with it.

Keep your phone handy and record everything for evidence….
 
Next time I think i will try to handle it like that.
It did totally spoil my hunt.

I am not someone who enjoys conflict and this was a big shock for me.
It was pretty surprising.

Keep in mind I do have to live near this person.
 
Had neighbours at the cottage a few lots away that tried to ruin our duck hunts regularly. She called the cops so many times and was given so many warnings that eventually she was punished. She learned her lesson and also learned to live with the fact that we hunted. The best part about the whole experience was she always stayed away from us from that point. We never liked that old bat anyway, so not having her ever around was the best thing we could have asked for.

Living life is not about pleasing everyone. The quicker you can get comfortable with that, the more you’ll enjoy the life you live
 
I have to say I was in pure shock at the time, I was not expecting to be randomly yelled at.
It was kinda like getting scared by a bear.

I do like your way of doing things though - I'll be ready next time.

I feel like these loud scary people like my old man and your bag are the kind of people who go lobby town hall to make it harder for people like us.
Im going and try to be as diplomatic as possible - maybe he was scared I was shooting towards his house or something
 
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First step is to not make excuses for other peoples bad behaviour. Also, never apologize when you have done nothing wrong. Only engage in conversations with people who are acting civil and maintain a safe distance. And most importantly, remain calm. If you see that a civil conversation cant be had, encourage the belligerent person to engage law enforcement.

I cant stress enough the importance of recording the entire interaction. It will force you to maintain your calm. If you are only recording voices and not video, its important to state the obvious so that its recorded. For example, you engage in conversation, actually say that you wish to maintain a safe distance and clearly state that you have unloaded your gun and proven it to be safe. Doing this sets the tone for the conversation and if things go sideways, you cant be accused of being an armed aggressor. If someone is not willing to respect this request, that is definitely a warning sign.
 
thanks all, i am steeling myself mentally for the inevitable next time this happens

Edit: I will update this if I ever have another encounter - I do not plan on leaving next time.
I am going to completely ignore him, If he decides to trespass Ill have to unload my firearm/PROVE ( and inform him of so )
Let him know he is trespassing and illegally interfering with a legal hunt.

You guys are totally right, my initial thoughts of "i have to be cordial with my neighbour" and "i dont want to cause a conflict" are not real.
The guy already did cause a conflict and obviously is not cordial.
Not to mention this is my own property. and fully legal.
 
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If you were on your own property there should be no problem. Some people are just dicks and like causing trouble. Although one thing I will mention, I’m not sure about Ontario but here in Manitoba some municipalities have by-laws about not being allowed to discharge a firearm within 300 meters of a dwelling, just saying. You may want to check on that.
 
GunGiraffe said:
Hello guys, I am in Ontario and have a relatively large property to myself.



At one point during my hunt I ended up near a private road, around 25 meters away.
I was hunting alongside it ( fired 1 shot and got a squirrel )




Honestly though - the last thing in the world I want to deal with is an angry man as a hunter with a loaded firearm.
Now I feel like crap though, as it seems like I have an area on my own property where there is an... angry man.
lol

I didn't break any laws of course - but its still disconcerting and I don't want a conflict.
Especially as he is probably a neighbour, I assume

I am wondering what you guys would have done and how you would handle this.
Click to expand...

How big is your property? Are we talking a few acres? A 1/4 section? I can't see any reason why hunting/shooting on your own property would be a problem legally. I don't quite understand the "private road" part though. Standing on your land, private property. Between your land and the next guy is either some kind of road allowance? Or just my land, fence, other guys land?

What's the deal with the private road?
 
100+ acres - private road owned by me lol, but we let people use it so… according to regs id consider it a public road.

there is no bylaw here related to firearms discharge or noise all legal.
the setback in hunting regs like 9m? from the road which already is like way too close, i was around 25-35m
the only reason i was there is cause there is like a bajillion squirrel


im happy i posted this, like i mentioned when it happened i was im shock but im going to go out again and now i feel much more comfortable :).
 
GunGiraffe said:
100+ acres - private road owned by me lol, but we let people use it so… according to regs id consider it a public road.

there is no bylaw here related to firearms discharge or noise all legal.
the setback in hunting regs like 9m? from the road which already is like way too close, i was around 25-35m
the only reason i was there is cause there is like a bajillion squirrel


im happy i posted this, like i mentioned when it happened i was im shock but im going to go out again and now i feel much more comfortable :).
Click to expand...

Well, sounds like the neighbor is just a doughhead then. I wasn't trying to say you were the author of your own misfortune, just that it was hard to get a read on the area you were in. Would be a lot different if there was 10-12 small acreages in a tight area, and you were across the road standing on the neighbors fenceline, at the only patch of trees for miles lol Enjoy your hunting and that guy can FRO
 
Agreed lol, now i'm ready...
After sleeping on it i'm like wtf. I deeply regret not getting my squirrel.

It was like coming up on an angry bear hahaha. I was pretty shook.
 
1963beretta said:
Had neighbours at the cottage a few lots away that tried to ruin our duck hunts regularly. She called the cops so many times and was given so many warnings that eventually she was punished. She learned her lesson and also learned to live with the fact that we hunted. The best part about the whole experience was she always stayed away from us from that point. We never liked that old bat anyway, so not having her ever around was the best thing we could have asked for.

Living life is not about pleasing everyone. The quicker you can get comfortable with that, the more you’ll enjoy the life you live
Click to expand...

it has to be repeated and quoted for life.
 
GunGiraffe said:
Agreed lol, now i'm ready...
After sleeping on it i'm like wtf. I deeply regret not getting my squirrel.

It was like coming up on an angry bear hahaha. I was pretty shook.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about it, lots of hungry critters in the woods so it didn't go to waste. I'm sure your next encounter will go better for you knowing you're not in the wrong.
 
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