Your deer hunting will go on, but good friends are harder to find than a lease. I think you should tell him you understand, but are dissappointed, and that your friendship is more important than the lease. This will speak volumes to him. I have found that most of the time these high paying groups will do something to get themselves kicked off of the land. Then you will still have your friendship with this farmer and his respect for the work you did and how you treated him in hard times. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Mike