bcwn welcome, and alot of good questions. i like the club type atomosphere, you'll learn quick enough who to trust and who to believe, there will be some good guys that would love for you to kill a deer and there will be some that want to make you believe they know everything, all in all i like clubs, but i kinda keep to myself, and i bowhunt alot, and try to stay away from dock-talk, as far as the money you put up most clubs pay in advance for the property and cant really expect that someone would have to leave mid season, i'll wish you the best of luck on that situation. as far as taking friends and relatives find out up front most people will not mind you asking but might be pissed if you show up with your dad opening day, best of luck and enjoy the rest of your season