I have leased 100 acres of land with my father-in-law and brother-in-law for the past ten years. We keep in constant contact with the landowner during the off season and make sure he is supplied with venison, cheese, beer and, every now and then, a carton or two of cigarettes. Basically anything and everything to keep him happy. Last week, one week before the season opener, I went to talk to the landowner to make our lease payment and to do a final check on our stands.

The landowner informs me that he is going to lease the land to a large corporation so that they can bring in their executives and clients down from Chicago. So, in a nut shell, the land where I have taught my son how to hunt is now gone! Which means we don't have anywhere to hunt this year. I'm hearing this happen more and more, especially in Illinois, where farmers are leasing land for thousands of dollars a year with $ 2 - 3 million liability insurance policies. How do guys who use the land to help feed their families compete with that? These "executives" and "clients" don't use the land to support their families they use it to trophy hunt. I don't have anything against that but it sure is frustrating.

Well anyway, shoot one for me this year boys. Good luck and happy hunting. Bob