Originally Posted by
GrandSlamHunter
I understand how you guys feel. I live in Georgia and about 15 years ago Florida hunters started coming up here and leasing GA land. They came because of the high price of hunting in Florida due to all the development there. Our lease prices went from a couple dollars/acre to 15 or 20 dollars/acre. Many Georgia hunters could not pay it, some refused to pay it, and others hunted on public or family land. Florida hunters were not looked upon favorably but they were just doing what they had to do to continue their hunting heritage.
I hunt in Illinois along with several friends and I assure you that we are not wealthy. These guys have jobs and families and bills just like you do. They start saving in January to be able to afford one 5 day hunt in your state. Because of the economy this year, several who planned to come will not be able to. We drive 13 hours each way to be able to experience what some of you might take for granted, the opportunity to hunt where there are truly magnificent whitetails.
I don't have a solution to your problem. Some different approaches have been mentioned above. Just try not to look so negatively at the guys with the out of state tags. They are a lot more like you than you think.
And thats all I have to say about that.
I agree with you . You have the right to spend your money how you wish and if that includes coming to Illinois for a hunt so be it.
When deer slayer states it is about money I feel he is correct only to a certain point. His is about making money as well is the State of Illinois. If It wasnt outfitters wouldnt be paying high doller for leases and driving lease prices up so high the average guy cant justify spending that much. If it wasnt about making money the State of illinois wouldnt charge the outrageous price for non resdident tags.I have heard outfitters gripe about the cost of leases -well you guys did it to yourselves. A local outfitter once complained to me he was tired of local guys leasing land and tired of farmers leasing it to them.Said it was taking land away from them(the outfitter). I asked him well How does it feel? . I have been sure to mention this to most landowners in the area and landowners that lease to them.
the outfitter went on to even state how he has been outfitting for X number of years and has never made money off deer hunting. I say bull crap to that.
Besides I have been hunting 20 plus years and I have never made money off it.
Its not about money to guys like me and you(Grandslamhunter). Its about hunting deer.