One of the beautiful things about America is having the Constitutional Right to own private property. As such, the landowner has the right to lease or not leasehunting rights to their landas they see fit. Ranchers and farmers may have "wealth" from the value of their land, but the one's I know do not make a whole lot of"income" doing what they love. If they need to lease land to make ends meet, make themortgagepayment, or send a kid to college,then they have every right to do so, and if they do, then good for them.

I can't tell you howmany times haveI talked tosomeone against leasing, or against the commercialization of hunting, while they are wearing a Mossy Oak shirt, some of Bill Jordan's Realtree camo, or have a truck full of "brand stickers" such as the Browning Buckmark, Matthew's Solocam, or a Cabelas or Bass Pro logo! When was the last time any of you anti-lease guys watched a TV hunting show? Jackie Bushman, Will Primos, Knight and Hale, Al Linder, The "Duck Commander" for goodness sakes? Those guys don't do that for free, and they are making A LOT more than the rancher leasing his land, all while you pay for those stickers to advertise for them to fatten their pockets -- and good for them -- they are living the American Dream too.

I hunt private land by helping the farmer every summer bail hay and doing some chores, and do not paythem adime. I guess that I quite simply made a friend, and show may appreciation by helping out and being part of the clan. But I am a Guest on THEIR LAND, and if they evermake the decision to lease the land instead, then that's their choice, and I must respect that.

I hope you find your lease, Gunny97, and have a good time hunting with your friends and family.