Lessons from the Viral “I Own the F*cking Land” Video

Unfortunately, one of the most-watched duck hunting videos on YouTube is about a landowner confronting hunters on his property. Jacob Sweere, a hunting YouTuber, filmed this intense interaction, which has garnered over 1.4 million views. Both the landowner and one of the hunters in the video are facing charges (read the story behind the charges here).

You can watch the drama unfold for yourself, or if you’re an experienced waterfowler, you can skip it since you’ve likely witnessed similar situations before.

The hunters in the video handled the situation well, while the landowner acted erratically. However, it’s more important to learn how to prevent this from happening to you.

Assholes Amidst Us

This aggressive behavior unfortunately exists in our duck hunting culture. I once hunted with a guide who initiated a physical altercation with a rival hunter over a spot in the middle of a river. His father, witnessing the violence, vowed to never hunt with his son again. The guide showed no remorse for his actions.

These individuals who seek conflict are easily identifiable. It’s better to avoid them by finding a new spot or outworking and outmaneuvering them. Generally, these individuals lack intelligence, making them easy to maneuver around.

Preventing Trouble

Fortunately, most waterfowlers are great people. That’s why I always communicate with other hunters to avoid any conflicts. If I arrive first, I inform them of my planned setup location. If they arrive first, I ask where they’re going and suggest going around them. This approach usually results in a harmonious arrangement. Likewise, most farmers and ranchers are also kind and generous people. I’ve had the pleasure of hunting in North Dakota and the farmers I’ve encountered were exceptionally kind.

Based on the video, the hunters did communicate with another group, which was commendable. If not for the angry landowner, both groups would likely have enjoyed a successful morning of hunting.

My hunting buddy Todd Gifford, a veteran of public-land duck hunting, often invites competing hunters to join us rather than setting up close by and competing for the same ducks. This strategy doesn’t always work, but it promotes cooperation.

The best things you can do are:

1. Arrive early, sometimes super early.
2. Communicate with other hunters and work together.
3. Always have a backup spot in case things go wrong.

Hunting the Line

The hunters in the video did nothing technically wrong, but they were set up right on the property line. Even if this is legal, it can still be risky. The neighboring landowner might hassle you or confront you if a bird drops on their land. Do you know the rules for legally retrieving it?

Alternatively, the neighboring landowner might observe you throughout the morning, which is never enjoyable. It’s advisable to set up far away from houses and outbuildings. If possible, conceal your trucks and try to isolate yourself from other people. This not only results in better hunting (since that’s what the birds do too), but it also minimizes disturbances.

If you come across a questionable spot that requires you to set up very close to the property line, it’s likely not going to be a successful hunt anyway. So it’s better to search for an alternative location.

Even if You’re Right, Your Hunt is Ruined

As the video progresses, birds attempt to approach the decoys but are scared off by the landowner’s presence. Game wardens were called, and they will determine if any party violated the law. However, what we know for certain is that these hunters had their hunt disrupted.

Disputes like this have no winners. You can’t shoot ducks, and even if you manage to bag a couple, it’s not enjoyable. I always avoid confrontation when possible because it’s distracting.

While it’s important to stand up for your rights as a hunter, it’s crucial to avoid unnecessary arguments and focus on hunting. In general, we should utilize all available hunting spots. I’ve successfully hunted ducks and geese in various locations, including a flooded ditch near a golf course, an old lady’s backyard, and a small island near a county park (all legally compliant setups). But in all those cases, I felt confident that conflicts wouldn’t arise.

I’ll never hunt in a spot where I anticipate conflict, even if I have the right to be there.

Knowing When to Move On

Years ago, while hunting tidal bays in Rhode Island, my buddy and I set up our boat near the shore of a vineyard. We positioned ourselves below the high-tide line, far from any manmade structures, making us completely compliant with the law. We shot a few ducks, but shortly after, we saw a golf cart approaching through the vineyard. A man in a suit approached us and politely asked us to leave, mentioning that they were hosting a wedding and the gunfire was scaring some of the guests.

We packed up and found a new spot. Sometimes, even when you follow all the rules, someone can ruin your hunt. That’s just part of the game. The best hunters laugh it off, relocate, and prepare for the next opportunity.

We packed up and found a new spot. Sometimes, even when you follow all the rules, someone can ruin your hunt. That’s just part of the game. The best hunters laugh it off, relocate, and prepare for the next opportunity.