In NJ, good hunting land is so scarce that I do not know anyone that does not pay to hunt. Public land can be good if you put the time in to scout and get deep but for year over year comfort, joining a club is the way to go.

We lease 270 acres in NW Jersey and have 11 full members and 2 juniors. We stock pheasant and chukars and also have excellent small game/turkey. The deer hunting is very good and is basically the reason for about 1/2 our members.

We have a small clubhouse and have a once a year work party. Dues doubled last year as the landowner demanded an increase so we pay $750 each--ouch.

Anyway, I' m paying as I do not have a ton of time anymore to hunt and I can not put in the hours needed to scout Public land.