Yearly Lease vs Yearly Hunting trip - Whats your opinion
So I was in the tree stand the other day thinking to myself. I am spending $2500 a year on hunting leases (roughly 1000 acres of farm land of which around 300 acres is woods and acutally huntable).
In the past 4 years I have been hunting them I typically take 1-2 decent deer a year but nothing with the “Wall Hanger” status. I would say between 7-8 guys hunting we only take 5-6 bucks total a year, usually in the 100-130 class.
Between the leases, truck gas back and forth, corn for feeders, deer cain and mineral blocks, trail cams, stands, etc….I’m sure I’m spending well over $3k a year.
My question is this: If you were not after the meat but were actually after trophy animals would it make more since to plan a week long trip each year with an outfitter vs. spending all this money on leases?
Don’t get me wrong I enjoy hunting but it has gotten so competitive on these leases you feel like you HAVE to hunt hard or you will be left out. Another point is the other hunters are not close friends or family, they are just random guys paying to hunt the farms.
I’m thinking Black Bear and fishing, Florida Gator and Hog hunt, Canadian whitetail, South Texas whitetail, etc…just mix it up and do a real nice hunt every other year and a cheaper hunt on the alternate years.
I am afraid that if I do this I will find myself without a place to hunt in the fall (during rut) and will be beside myself.
What’s your thoughts? Just looking for some different perspectives.