It's a Capitalist society we live in boys...just the way it is. If you hunt on private land (owned by a local farmer) today, chances are you'll be in a bidding war with the first person that comes up to the landowner and asks them if they would take $2000/year to hunt their 80 acres of timber. Or have a leasing agent knock on their door and tell a struggling farmer that he can get $3000/year from a hunter on a leasing agreement.

Unless the above mentioned farmer is also a dedicated hunter, he'll probably take it. I live in Central IL and this year is the first time I leased property. We pay $2000/year for 100 acres of timber (surrounded by 80 acres of farm land) and I think it's one hell of a deal.

One word of advice...if you currently are hunting on private ground for free (and it's not a family member), I would seriously consider offering up some $$ to the landowner for rights to hunt. Doesn't have to be a major chunk of change, but a few hundred $$ is a good start.

It's just reality guys...believe me, I don't like to pay $$ to hunt, but if I didn't, then I wouldn't have a place to call my own. Paying for land should be your #1 priority for hunting...not the latest and greatest bow, camo or climbing stand. Just my $.02...