Getting and keeping permission to hunt is a year-round job to my way of thinking. I have an advantage in that locally I am "famous". Just about everybody knows who I am. I am close friends with the landowners on the three places I hunt and I work to maintain that friendship.

When I hunted out of state, I often spent a week or so each spring getting to know the owners of the property I wanted to hunt. Most of the time, I did get permission to hunt. Since I only bowhunted, it was easier for me.

But each year I see more and more land taken out of use by hunters. I see no end to it and I see a slow but steady movement toward European style hunting. I also see no way to stop it.

Unfortunately, the folks who oppose management for larger antlers are 100% correct. it is going to drive lease prices up. It has everywhere it has happened. Big antlers equal Big bucks.