While scouting on government land you find flagging tape marking trails to stand locations. Do you leave it or consider the flag

[charlie elk]

While scouting on government land you find flagging tape marking trails to stand locations. Do you leave it or consider the flagging tape litter and remove it?

[mesarich]

If I did not put it up I would not want to take it down. Some hunter may have a problem finding his stand without it. That said, after the season the hunter who put it out should come back and pick it up.

[Cgull]

I remove em, then replace in a loop away from the area.

[www.dropjhook.com]

If it was along a trail I would leave it, if there's a bunch in one area that might be the works of shed hunters marking where they found a shed & where they already looked for the matching shed. I do remove the shed hunting flags, you will notice the difference the shed hunting flags are near or right in the animals bedding area. Makes me wonder what happen to the traditional way of remembering your way by paying attention & remembering the trees!

[Mark-O]

If I'm Scouting, like the question says, that's well before the season starts. I'd look at the flagging and if it looks like its been there for a bit of time (a month or more), I remove it as though it was trash.
You'd be surprised how much of this crap I find in the woods. And, much of the stuff used is surveyor's tape. That stuff is not biodegradable, in fact, its designed to be darn near indestructible.

[jcarlin]

Old tape I've pulled. reflectors that were mine I grab after a second trip into an area becuase I typically no longer need em and don't like to leave such an obvious sign. I leave others tacks becuase I don't want to ruin someone's day, and I like to know where they're going.

[jspfirefighter]

if they appear to be old markers i would remove them. they were probably left by a lazy hunter. fresh markings i would leave with hopes that whomever left them would be resposible enough to remove them at the end of thir usefulness

[Kody]

I got one of those Bushnell tracking devices that you mark your stand, your truck location and one other spot if required. It is perfect for those of us who are technically handicapped. It also has the advantage of not leaving crap behind in the woods. Two seasons ago, I found myself in the dark and in the midst of a blizzard as I tried to retrace my steps from the goose hunting blind to the truck. When I hit the fence line I had no idea in which direction to walk, my flashlight could do little in the darkness with the heavy blowing snow. Understand, finding some marker tape would have been like finding a needle in a haystack. I guessed right but was ready to turn around moments before I stumbled on to the pick up truck. I made some hints that Christmas and got one those little devices as a gift. I carry it every time I go hunting. I put the markers in place regardless of how silly and unnecessary it might seem at the time.

[AMM0]

A lot of hunters at the end of the season forget to remove their flagging tape on accident. If the tape looks like it's been out in the elements for a few seasons, I'd opt to remove it.

[Treestand]

Leave it you have no right to remove it!

[mwoller]

if it's goverment land there should be rules about this type of thing. You can always report it if it's not suposed to be there. usally you can't leave stands on gov. land either.

[PigHunter]

If I did not put it up I would not want to take it down. Some hunter may have a problem finding his stand without it. That said, after the season the hunter who put it out should come back and pick it up.

Great answer, it shows a live and let live attitude.

[PigHunter]

If it was along a trail I would leave it, if there's a bunch in one area that might be the works of shed hunters marking where they found a shed & where they already looked for the matching shed. I do remove the shed hunting flags, you will notice the difference the shed hunting flags are near or right in the animals bedding area. Makes me wonder what happen to the traditional way of remembering your way by paying attention & remembering the trees!

That's where a GPS would be handy for shed hunters to use

[PigHunter]

If I'm Scouting, like the question says, that's well before the season starts. I'd look at the flagging and if it looks like its been there for a bit of time (a month or more), I remove it as though it was trash.
You'd be surprised how much of this crap I find in the woods. And, much of the stuff used is surveyor's tape. That stuff is not biodegradable, in fact, its designed to be darn near indestructible.

Good point. If it's obviously faded from being there several years

[PigHunter]

Old tape I've pulled. reflectors that were mine I grab after a second trip into an area becuase I typically no longer need em and don't like to leave such an obvious sign. I leave others tacks becuase I don't want to ruin someone's day, and I like to know where they're going.

The tacks are often not even noticeable during the day.