Trust me, it's coming. Where I hunt in Ohio is right on the border of PA. Eastern edge of Trumbull county. And nearly everything, even places as small as 8 acres (that's the smallest I've seen), is being leased up. Allegheny County the leases are full. Once they're full, more properties will be signing up.

As a landowner, why wouldn't you sign up? $3500/year for 62 acres. Can't beat that. Split between 6 hunters that's just under 600/ year to share 62 acres with 5 other people. Ridiculous. But can't blame the landowners.

By the way, that specific lease is in southern butler county, PA... not exactly a big buck hot spot. But this is what it's going to.

I mostly feel bad for my kids. I grew up in a blessed time frame for hunting. Farmers were asking us to come shoot deer. Lots of tags, lots of access. They'd bring their tractors back to help haul them out after we got them. But leasing is changing the game.

You might not notice it this year, maybe not next year. But in 25 years, when my kids are having kids... I think things will look entirely different in the hunting world.

-Jake