LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Howdy! yaw;

I have been thinking about all of these land lease deals that folks are talking about, and how they are are becoming the norm in a lot areas.

I would like to add a few comments and suggestions to the idea of renting and leasing private land for hunting. Not to step on toes or offend anyone, but this leasing craze may blow up in the hunting worlds face.

First, let me say I am not saying this because I have no where to hunt: only the opposite,I have currently 180 plus acres that I hunt any time I want.

The thing is if these hunting land lease deals continue; before long no one who likes hunt intheir local areas will be able to do so without paying for (safari) prices in excessive of $500 to $2000 dollars a year. For a local hunter who only hunts local farms on an average of two to five days a month would in my opinion be throwing money away.

Another thing to consider, how long before the farmers and land owners start to realize that they have the hunters at an disadvantage, and start charging even more. I believe in the long run we are hurting our hunting rights and privlages as outdoors man and hunters. The average hunter is only going a harvest a very small percentage of trophy deer and other game.

In my final opinion I'd like to add this statement on behalf of the none tropy hunters; who use the hunting season to help feed their families. Why hunt if you have to pay triple or better the price(Safari) than you would for store bought meat. As hunters and outdoors man we all have the duty to make hunting and sports enjoyble and affordable to all the masses not just the rich sponored trophy hunters,but the poor to average hunter who hunts not just for himself and bragging rights,but to feed his family and friends.

So the next time one of you good folks think of leasing land to hunt think of the ramifications of your actions. You could just be bringing hunting as a lot of us normal folks know to an end. Without the means to pay for hunting leases the average hunter will not be able to afford to hunt. So in the long run is that trophy deer and bragging rights realy all that important?

In closing ,let me say in no circumstances,do I mean to demenor or put anyone down. These are just thoughts and concerns that I have for all hunters. If in writing this I have hurt or offended anyone,please let me say that was not my intent.

God Bless/Good Hunting!

Holler Critter

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

leases have been the norm in Texas for many years. it's not going away. 2000 per gun is pretty typical.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Exactly his point. When I lived in Katy, Texas as a young kid and teenager my family could not afford for me and my brother to hunt in Texas. We deer hunted twice in 12 years. :(If you don't have money available for hunting then you won't do much of it in Texas.


Holler, I agree with you 100%. Hunting isn't hunting any more. Every season that goes by it becomes more and more a rich mans sport. I know plaes in Alabama that charge up to $25 per acre to lease.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I live in the Washington DC area. Public land is far and few between in this area, compared to the number of hunters. If you care to take your life into your own hands and risk hunting with the masses in the WMA's, state and federal land, then that is your right. Not all hunters have access to private land to huntfor free. Why should homeowners allow access to their private property for free? Leasing land benefits the land owners, farmersand hunters. The farms I hunt are leased by the land owners to farmers tofarm. Isn't this the same senario as the hunter leasing the land to hunt? If the price get to outrageous then the land owners will not be able to lease the land to farmers or hunters. I look at leasing as a win win situation. I feel safe and secure on my leased land plus it is full of deer, compared to the public land that is over hunted and overcrowded. Just my 2 cents worth.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I agree, I think leasing land is just another way to make some money. We paid for hunting 2 years in a row, $200 for the season which is not bad and the man who leases it says he only wants the money to keep up the road going in. I almost shot a monster the very first time I went out there! Then his wife starts bringing the dog out for walks, and driving through the middle of the field honking her horn thinking people are trespassing!We no longer hunt there.

We have 2 small pieces of land one 11 acres and one is 5 acre's. I harvested my first deer on my own land and it was the best feeling in the world! I guess we are lucky as in Minnesota there is a lot of state land open to public hunting, and there are a lot of real pigs running around out there. (at this point I mean deer) You have to share, but it he land is there and if you dont have any other spots to hunt you may as well hunt state land. We have noticed that the weekend warrior's come out in droves the first weekend of shotgun, then its back to the couch for football! Try state land!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Just the the the thing I was talking about. If it were not for these so called trophy and pro wanta be hunters the average hunter would have more chance to hunt and harvest animals and food for their families.

They say that leasing provides a more secure,safe and relaxed hunting enviroment; maybe so,but these rich and privlaged trophy hunters who do not hunt for food or conservation,but for their own pride ,bragging,and endorsement rights or the fact they want all private and public land for themselves is truely unsportsman like. Hunting private land was just as safe and secure beforeso called pro and semi wanta be pros flooded the woods. the only difference now is we have to pay to hunt were we used to hunt free on our neighbors farms. Used to be all you had to do to hunt was talk with and be friendly to to local farmers and land owners.

I tell the truth be told, if this hunting scenero of leasing to hunt continues, hunting as we've known it will not exist. After all the idea in hunting should be to eat what you kill and not to brag to your buddies or for endorsements. How are we going to continue on with the hunting traditions and land and wild life management, If we take the average hunter out of the picture. I'm sure the ones to suffer most will be all of us not to mention the wild life.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

holler, i'm too young to know of times before lease hunting. something like 97% of land in Texas is private. my family does not own land, and we don't have money. fortunately, we have some very good friends that let us hunt their land because we always follow their rules and help them out on workweekends.

in texas, we don't have a choice.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I tried to bring this topic up a while back and found little interest.

Here in WV, timber and coal mines companies own most of the property. It has always been an understood agreement that if their property was not posted it was ok to hunt. Now, just recently, (past 10 years) these companies have begun leasing their property to hunting clubs. The hunting clubs are posting all the property and not allowing local residents to hunt anymore.( tens of thousands of acres) Many generations of these local residents have hunted these properties and can no longer do so. Now, they are just just supposed to forgot all the memories they have created over the years with their dad and their dad's dad and move on.

I think it stinks! WV is a very rural state and many people depend on deer as a food source. These companies, instead of the state, should own the deer because they control access to most of the land. Its all about money and as long as people are willing to "pay to play" it will not change.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

3% of Texas is public land. Of that 3% not very much is open to hunting. The land that is open is very highly pressured. The chances of being successful are slim at best. I pay $450 a year to hunt a 400 acre lease. There are not great numbers of deer or any monsters out there but that is all I can afford. Maybe in the North you may still be able to stop leasing from becoming a reality. In Texas it is pay the lease, buy your own land, or hunt with the crowds on public land. That is the way it is and will continue to be here. There is no turning back now, Ican promise you that. I have tried asking ranchers if I can hunt thier land and always get the same response. No it is leased. There is no such thing as a free property to hunt here to the best of my knowledge and I looked hard to find it.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I don't pay a lease but I have to drive far enough to avoid paying a lease so that I end up paying it to the gas companies and to Ford Motor Company. It seems like you can't win. Hunting for the most part is for the rich. If you have access to land because your family owns it then you are technically paying for it. Or at least someone is.

I like the spirit of the original post but it is a pipe dream. Figure out your own situation and move on. It isn't getting better only worse.

Tom

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

What is the alternative to leasing? Don't say public land because the closest public land to me is 2 hours away and I have a public job, therefore a 2 hour drive to be able to hunt 2 -3 hours, then a 2 hours drive is not feasible.

Buying the land? Well if I had the money I would have already bought it.

What is the alternative?

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Quite the opposite here. I had to lease land to start up my organization. How am I bringing hunting to an end by leasing land to teach kids how to hunt?

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Hold on there dude, I am looking for a lease, butI am not a rich man. I am looking to ink a deal in Ohio in Dec. I sacrifice many things to get this lease. You paint a pretty broad stroke with your "Trophy Hunter" comment.
I did not make the rules, I just go with the flo. Looks like leasing is going to stay. Can you blame the land owner/Farmer? They need to eat also:)

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Agreed! I knocked on a few doors a couple of years ago and everyone either starts talking money or they hunt it themselves. I wont pay for the mere principal of it (plus I'm a cheap wad). But it's a 175 mile round trip where I hunt that equates to about $350 for the year. A $300 lease for a small plot close to home will make sense.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I'm not even hunting this year because I can't swing it with tags, gas and processing the deer. A lease would simply be out of the question, which is what it is coming to around here as well. I just started hunting in 2000, I don't like the way it's going to be honest. I may be hanging it up before long, or take up small game or bird hunting.

Then to top it off the local gun club wants $200 a year to join that. It is a nice club though.

Maybe I should take up fishing, there are like a zillion lakes in Michigan. Too bad I don't like fish;).

I don't agree with the point about leasing land to be farmed being the same as hunting it. When someone farms your land they make a profit off from it. Not really the case when someone hunts it.

I guess it will just become like it used to be, a sport for rich people. But hey, that's what America is about, making a buck.

Paul

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

90% or more of all the hunters I know detest leasing. To put it bluntly I hate leasing! But even I have one particular spot that I would lease in a heartbeat if it came down to it. I hunt private land by permission or public land, but I no longer have land by permission to myself any longer and those that I have to share with have virtually ruined a few properties by practicing terrible stand placement(within bedding areas), riding their ATV's, and using their trailcams. I can understand in some areas or states why leasing is so prominent.............if you don't follow you could be left out.

So far I am holding out on leasing, besides I really can't afford it. I do know one thing........wish I had been smarter many years ago and bought land when I could have.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I have to agree that I don't like hunting leases. Here in eastern Illinois the problem has been guys from out of state just coming here to kill a big trophy to brag about despite the fact that most of them have awsome hunting right in their backyard. Three different places I have hunted over the years are now being leased out, and I or anyone for that matter isn't allowed in there anymore because of it. The problem I have with this is that these people could just go and get a plat book and call the landowner like everyone else and more often than not they would let them hunt it like everyone else. Evidently that isn't good enough and these people seem to think they need the land all to themselves. Last year we had a guy lease up over 60,000 acres in the county I live in and he then sub-leased it out to people from out of state, thankfully this got him in trouble and it's not as much a problem this year. So many people including myself(gun season) last year didn't hunt because they didn't have anywhere to hunt. Money doesn't grow on trees for the mass population so owning or leasing your own land isn't always possible. For me and most people I know and hunt with they too rely on permission from the landowner, if the trend continues where everybody from out of state is leasing up the land then where are we(the locals) going to have to hunt and to take and teach our kids to hunt. It's hurting our heritage and taking away something that is passed down from genereation to generation. If that isn't reason enough to be against leasing then I don't know what is!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Leasing land makes me sick to my stomache. Where i live deer are so over populated it is easy to find property to hunt. I hope that i never have to pay for hunting property...

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Your already behind the 8 ball. All your fears of the future are hear and then some. The some came in the form of anti hunters are already leasing land from under hunters. Heard about it last year in Maine, but hey Germ, the land owners got to eat also.[:@]

It all started because someone didn't want to share the land with others and they throw the land owner a bone. Bones aren't cutting it anymore.

I don't foresee me or mine having any problems finding happy hunting grounds though. Just need to be better hunters and neighbors. After all that's what were all about anyways.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Leasing is an EXTREMELY sensative subject to me!!!! I am 20 years old and have been hunting the same private farm land since I was 12. My grandfather owned the insurance agency that my father now owns, and he landed the property for us. This property holds some ofmy best memories.Every since me and my grandfather started hunting the owner told us of theone other hunter who had permission to be out there. Well a few years afterI started hunting my grandfather hadheart problems and had to quit hunting.SoI talked to the landowner and kept hunting it by myself. Well about this time the otherindividual who hunted the land decided to lease it. In this lease it stated that although he leased the land and had complete control over it I still had permission to hunt reguardless. Well since then I get a call from the landowner about once a year because ofcomplaints from the man who leases it. Everything from "He said youhave been poaching deer off the property","He said you have been bringing people on the property", to "He said you are hunting outtahis stand". I am sorry but I may not be a perfect individual butI knowright from wrong. AndI have morals and I know thata man is only as good ashis word. Straight up, thatsjust how I have been raised. I may not be old and as wise as some but I'm not stupid. I am very aware thatpoaching deer is illegal. I am very aware that I am not allowed tp bring people on the property. Why would I do these things and risk getting kicked off an AMAZING property? And hunting outta his stand?He is one of the most ignorant hunters I know. I used tosee between 5-20 deer a day.And on top of his lies to the landowner he wouldn't even confront me about it. You think a 40 year old man would have the courage to confront a 20 year old kid about an issue instead of lying to the landowner in hopes to get me kicked off.I also watched him SHOOT at another hunter last year who was walkin the property edge. The other man was at like 400 yards but stillthat is no way to handle a situation. Well as far as I wasconcerned whenI talked to the land owner before season I still had permission to be on the property. Well the ONEsingle morning I saw the guy leasing the property, hedrove up the lane AFTER day break andkicked 5 deer towards me on the way to his stand. I left my stand at 10 and came back to a note on my window that stated "Matt, you no longer have permission to be out here. You're stands must be out of here todaybecause I have relatives coming out this weekend." Talk about a a55hole!!!! I have never been so mad in my life.DO NOT get me wrong, I have no problem with leasing property!!! I plan on leasing some next year, but IDO havea problem withpeople who handle it wrong and are cowards!!!! He couldn't just be a man and have a little respect for another hunter!!!! Pisses me off!!!!!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I did not make the rules. There are some farmers who are struggling to get by. Leasing is here, I am not saying I like it, I just live with it. I am by no means rich, I have one hobby bowhunting. Farmers who want the deer killed, you may have to pay to hunt their ground, it is just the way it is.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I agree 100%..I've been saying that for years.
Hear in WV more and more hunting clubs..
i tell ya..We are cutting our own throats!!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I can really see both sides to this issue. It is getting harder and harder to find a place to hunt without paying big bucks. People are getting priced out of the sport. Let's face it - bowhunting is not cheap and it's only getting worse whether you are talking about bows, equipment, or land.

On the other hand, do you really expect landowners to just let people to hunt for free when there are people who are willing to pay them hundreds or thousands of dollars to lease their property? Money talks in this country.

The fact of the matter is the rich have greater access to lots of things that the middle class and poor do not. Hunting land is no different. As the middle class shrinks (because people insist on buying Toyotas and other foriegn products instead of supporting US manufacturing industries) the opportunities for "regular" middle class working people are going to shrink as well. That means the rich guys who own the companies that shipped your high paying union manufacturing jobs overseas aregoing tohunt the land that you used to hunt while you struggle to make ends meet by selling your bow and scentlok gear on ebay to supplement your Walmart paycheck. It sucks but thats reality.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

It's not a rule nor do you have to live by it especially here in Ohio. There are numerous opportunities. I found 3 more yesterday, 2 public and one private. I've been given permission to hunt places I've never hunted yet. It's no rule!

Farmers and hunters work together. Farmers are farmers, if they can get someone to pay them to get rid of a headache... They're notstupid. They will take whatever the best deal is.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

It's a Capitalist society we live in boys...just the way it is. If you hunt on private land (owned by a local farmer) today, chances are you'll be in a bidding war with the first person that comes up to the landowner and asks them if they would take $2000/year to hunt their 80 acres of timber. Or have a leasing agent knock on their door and tell a struggling farmer that he can get $3000/year from a hunter on a leasing agreement.

Unless the above mentioned farmer is also a dedicated hunter, he'll probably take it. I live in Central IL and this year is the first time I leased property. We pay $2000/year for 100 acres of timber (surrounded by 80 acres of farm land) and I think it's one hell of a deal.

One word of advice...if you currently are hunting on private ground for free (and it's not a family member), I would seriously consider offering up some $$ to the landowner for rights to hunt. Doesn't have to be a major chunk of change, but a few hundred $$ is a good start.

It's just reality guys...believe me, I don't like to pay $$ to hunt, but if I didn't, then I wouldn't have a place to call my own. Paying for land should be your #1 priority for hunting...not the latest and greatest bow, camo or climbing stand. Just my $.02...

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

" don't agree with the point about leasing land to be farmed being the same as hunting it. When someone farms your land they make a profit off from it. Not really the case when someone hunts it. "

My point was,it is in the best interest of the land owner to do with his land as he pleases. If he allows hunting privalegs for free that is wonderful. If the land owner can lease it forfarming, hunting, fishing, recreation, etc. who are we to tell him what to do with his land.The last time I looked,we live in a free country.He owns it, and he must pay taxes on it. If he can generate revenue from any of these leases, to off set his costs, who are we to complain. We live in a capitalistic society. There is nothing free in life.
I'm very happy to be in a lease for hunting privaleges.We planto lease the land forlong term. Our members are not trophy hunting, were hunting and harvesting game. We do manage what weharvest and respect the wishes of the land owner.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Not yet, but with all the press Ohio is getting,it is only going to get worst.

Yes I saved my money and sacrifice a ton last year so I could lease some land in Ohio. I think the trap a lot of folks fall into is the we need at least 100 acres to hunt. The lease I am looking is not to big or expensive. What I pay in the lease helps the owner pay the property taxes. From the owner mouth not mine.

I own land in MI andI have paid to hunt every year.It iscalled property taxes, and they go up every year it seems.

I am sorry a package of venison and a stick of sausage does not cover any cost.

I am not going to apologize for saving my money, and giving up a ton so I can hunt some land. I would love to just goask folks, but the gentleman from Ill is correct. You may loose your hunting ground if it is free now, I think it sucks, but way it is or is going to be in a lot of states.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I REALY HATE REAPEATING MY SELF ,BUT LOOKS LIKE I MAY HAVE TO REINTERATE ONCE MORE. IF WE DID'NT HAVE A BUNCH OF SELFISH STUCK UP TROPHY WANNA BE HUNTERS WHO HUNT FOR BRAGGING AND WALLMOUNTSAND GREAT WISHES OF BECOMING ANOTHER TELEVISION ICON WITH NO REGARDS FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC HUNTING MASSSES,THEN MAYBE WE COULD KEEP THE TRADITION OF HUNTING BOTH AFFORDABLE AND ENJOYABLE FOR ALL FOLKS NOT JUST THOSE WHO USE HUNTING TO OVER COMPENSATE FOR THEIR PHYSCIAL TRAITS (HINT,HINT). THESE SO CALLED PRO WANTA BE'S ONLY LEASE LAND BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THEY CAN NOT COMPETE WITH REAL MEN OR WOMEN WHO LOCALY HUNTON THE FARMERS AND LAND OWNERS PROPERTY AND NEIGHBORHOODS. BY RENTING ANDLEASING THESE PROPERTIES THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE ENSURING THEMSELVES A PLACE IN VICTORY AND BRAGGING. IN MY OPINION , THE FARMERS AND LAND OWNERS WOULD STILL BE LETING THE LOCALS HUNT AND MANAGE THE HERDS IF IT WERE'NT FOR THE RICH AND HUNTING SNOB PRO WANTA BE'S. HOW ARE WE MANAGING THE DEER HERDS IF ONLY TROPHY HUNTERS THAT SEEK WALL MOUNTS AND BRAGGING RIGHTS WERE ALLOWED TO HUNT. THEY CARE NOTHING ABOUT HERD MANAGEMENT OR FEEDING THEIR FAMILIES OR FRIENDS.
IF THIS TURNS OUT TO BE THE HUNTING OF THE FUTURE THEN MAYBE A PERCENTAGE OF THE FARMERS AND LAND OWNERS PROFITS SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR THE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AND STATE WILD LIFE.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

My thought, it's not leasing that's ruining hunting, it's urban sprawl and population growth in general that's the root cause of the problem.

It's not the leaser's fault. Someone is now willing to pay $500 to hunt their 40 that is just sitting there. 20 years ago there was much more wooded land and less people = no demand for leases.

You can't stop supply and demand!

ok, holler, I agreed with you to some extent when you started the thread. now i think you are going off the deep end. Most leasers aren't looking for endorsements or looking to compensate for physical traits. They are just looking for a place to hunt. You can't blame someone for leasing land. everyone admits it's harder to find land to hunt.

if spending $1000 to hunt didn't bother you financially, and you had nowhere else to hunt, you would do it too!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

You have some issues(hint, hint)[8D] Who are you to tell folks how to hunt, if someone wants to drop a pile of money into land, hey more power to them. They want to shoot big deer, well it is their choice.

When we start telling folks what or how to hunt we start down a slippery slope. I am for freedom of choice, hunt what you want, shoot what you want. I will be the first to say great job:)

I love the compensate arguement, same one the ARA use. Some hunters just like a challenge, and most do not want to be on TV who try to shoot a mature buck.

You keep labeling hunters, meat, trophey, etc. Maybe one day we will learn we are all hunters with a choice. The choice is the greatest gift of all. One day we may not have a choice, withno one to blame but ourselves.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I can't fault the landowner for wanting to maximze his investment in his land , or the leasing agents and other middle men who drive the prices to obscene levels , it isn't really their fault . That said , I'm against rampant uncontrolled leasing , too many people dodging taxes and shutting out the local boys for the almighty dollar . This is the kind of thing that's killing sport hunting in many european countries , and it will just as surely kill it here . When Joe Average Guy can no longer afford to hunt the sport will slowly die .

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

For what is middle class today, here in northern Virginia some 16 years ago there were plenty areas for the local hunter to hunt. With the growing population of our area DC Metro this has come to past.

We always have the military installations to hunt Quantico, Fort Belvoir, Fort A.P. Hill etc. but as you may not know if your not active duty you get last draw of zones, area’s etc. Even though they're not leases, they aren't free either to hunt.

Now there’s the need for the local hunters to obtain a place to hunt, public lands are over crowded the WMA’s so hunters revert to leasing land as a club which has grown tremendously over the years. IMO it gives us the buying power per say to lease chucks of land as a club for a minimal fee per year. I currently pay 250.00 to hunt on over 4,000 acres in distributed throughout several counties. I’m not that of the rich, nor am I that of the poor nor do I consider myself middle class anymore. Due to the fact of the rising demand for homes and their value.

A decent apartment runs anywhere from 1,200 – 1600 these days. Home mortgages anywhere from 1,800 3,200 depending on it’s age and value. Some may say then leave the area, why? I’ve manage thus far to survive and maintain if your not aware Northern Virginia is one of the fastest growingplaces in this country.

Which means there’s very little land to hunt anymore, yes many areas are over populated with deer, then again you cannot hunt them. However the state has several counties in which a hunter (Bow Hunter) can help manage the populations by Urban Archery even then one now must qualify himself with the particular organization set forth. I hunt property as well that I have access to. However I cannot bring along all my hunting buddies.

I cannot fault a farmer or land owner for what he/she does, prior to obtaining our most recent tract of 1,400 acres the farmer had another club there. However they didn't abide by his rules of his land plus there's a DMA set forth on his land. We offered a bid and was awarded the lease after he investigated us as a club. There's 5,000 acres divided among 3 clubs which sits upon the shore lines of the Rappahannock River.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

It's simple. People that have the money to spend on a lease are all for leases. Those whodon't have the extra cash to spend on a place to hunt are against it.

I can't afford a lease. Finally got tired of trying to elbow my way onto public land with the other poor sods. As a result, I got disgusted enough to pitch it all. This is the first year since I wasold enough tobe licensed that I haven't bought a hunting license. So, I can say for an absolute fact that the lease system has created at least one ex-hunter. I doubt I'm unique in thatregard.

Non-hunters + anti-hunters + ex-hunters (who stop voting favorably on hunting issues because they don't care any more) = Political disaster for hunting.

Think about it.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

It may get worse since most hunters can't keep their mouths shut and take a lesson from states like Ill. and Wis. and Texas

(sorry to hear that Arthur. You ever want to hunt Ohio I'd be the better for it. I'm surprised you don't carry enough weight to get a free ride most places)

(big mouths, ruined their own state),but... again we have over a million public reasons (just to mention one) not worry that we will have no place to hunt. For selfish reasons I hope your attitude prevails.

I hunted a piece of farm land. The section I hunted had at least 30% crop damage. The farmer said I could kill them all. I can't do that. Now he's a shrewd business man. I go and offer him money and he will take it while figuring out just what kind of fool is standing before him and how he might get a little more. I on the other hand leave him feeling like I'm going out of my way to help him out. :DWe both respect each other.[8D]Life in the country. We got our own ways of doing things.

If I loose the place I just go someplace else. I'm a hunter and the fear of something is the wrong reason to follow. May work on most when talking politics and the weather.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Here it is guys and gals

The world is going to crap !!Mostdonthave morals, values or respect anymore.. Its never going to change !!!

Most people mess it up for all of us cause we all know there a millions of dumb$$$es out there that screw everything up.. They shoot at buildings, ruin fields , trash land, steal, etc etc..

Plus there are a ton that don't know how to hunt or are to lazy to do it right and they screw up everyones hunts also..

Everyone is so dang Greedy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hunters don't stand together or think of all hunters as a whole they just care about getting theirs and screw everyone else !!!!!!!!

Hate to say it you better hunt now as much as you can cause every year that passes gets closer to the end !!!!!!!!

So if it takes me lease'n land to get away from the IDOITS out there well I'm all for it aslong as its not a outrages price..

Unless I could findpermission to huntsome private land that a bunch of buttmunchs didn't already hunt on..


Everything has its Pros and Cons.. Its never going to change so why waste time complaining about it just go with the flow.. It'll never change anything...

My 2 cents..

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Yep Nodog I remember when MI was like that, LOL Unless you head north you have to pay to hunt. I think I would hammer your DNR before other hunters. They keep posting 200 '' bucks and running their mouths about how they managed the herd for Trophy Bucks.

I am on your side, but I can see Ohio's fate. My buddy went down to Southern Ohio and hunted public land, he met one person from Ohio. He met people from six other states.

One day I will buy some land in Ohio, if we ever meet up I will have a tree stand for you:) No cost, just want to hear some great stories!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

This is one of my main reason for partisipating in a lease. I would not want to be in the woods with anybody who feels and believes hunting is a competition between hunters. That is how people get killed or shot.

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

NC, I agree. Everyone thinks about themselves anymore. Not saying at times you should consider whats best for you, but no one even considers others (In general) I have said it before and will say it again, I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH LEASING. But only if the motives behind it are right. If you have to lease a property so you can managethe herdthen more power to you. If you lease it because youwant to bring family on. Hats off to you...Keep the sport alive, pass it on!!! If you lease it because you want the hunters who don't have a clue what they are doing and spook deer and ruin the herdoff of the property...I feel your pain!!! But on the other hand I have heard of people leasing property because "They were sick of that other guy that hunted the property shooting all the monsters" If you ask me thats pathetic. Its simply LAZY. Instead of ruining the hunting for the other guy who has put much time and effort into it, why don't you put time into it. The other guy has obviously scouted and patterned the deer and is not bothering your hunting or ruining the herd. Why don't you try the same instead of buying him out then sitting in the same damn tree he did!!! LAZY! It happened to me this year. @ 20 years old and being a student at Purdue, I obviously don't have the money to throw around on a lease. I don't want you to think I am complaining. Because I'm not. I just think the world today is pathetic. The value of a handshake, a family friend, and a mans word has been replaced by the dollar. And NC's completely right, its not gonna change. Only get worse!!!!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

Tour, I agree...Huntings not a competition, its a PASSION, its a past time, its a tradition.Hanging a brute on your wallis one thing (its an accomplishment), but hunting strickly so you can brag on it is another. What happened to hunting for the love for the outdoors and the memories and friendships built? I don't know about you all but I'd rather spend a day in the woods without seeing a single deer, than spending it anywhere else!!!!

RE: LAND LEASES BAD FOR HUNTERS?
 

I dont see how anybody can fault a land owner for wanting to get some value from his land. Every lease Ive ever been to the guy would go out of his way for "his" hunters. And time and again I would see the hunters do something that would make the old farmer blow his stack and want to run everybody off.This is with him getting paid, I cant imagine what it would be like for him if he was just doing a favor for somebody who knocked on his door.Everytime one of those old guys get burned like that they talk and if theres one thing they do out in the country its talk.