I have been blessed with the quanity and quality of land that Ibowhunt and I don't spend a nickelfor a lease:
83A on my own farm (QDM) with access to the ~300Aof my two neighbors' adjoining farms;
2200A on a restricted-access military base (QDM and QTM practiced);
andfour more farms 5-10 miles away: 79A (BrownIsDown), 85A (BID), 200A (QDM), and 30A (BID). There arethreeother farms that I spring turkey where the owners have asked me why I don'tcome back and hunt deer?(streched too thin).
- I've feel sometimes like I've died and gone to heaven.I've known the landowners on some of thesefarms for20+ years and enjoy thefriendships we've developed.
- A clue to those who do not have much property: be a courteousethical bowhunter, treat the landowner with dignity and respect, visitlandowners near Christmas (with a token of appreciation)and during the off-season, do some chores (cut fallen treesout of pastures, pick up trash, mend fences, remove dilapidatedpermanent tree stands, help with hay, you get the idea); having the credentials of a Hunter Safety Instructor is a plus ("Sir, I not only practice hunting safely, I teach it" - a big concern to those considering letting a stranger on their property)...these farmers know other farmers - I have gotten permission to bowhunt properties without even asking ("I was telling myneighbor about you...").
Odd, but Irarely hunt my farm.
-fsh