WV HAS ALOT OF PUBLIC LAND, THE BOW ONLY COUNTIES IS MOSTLY COAL MINES. ALL OF IT IS PUBLIC UNLESS YOUR NEAR ACTIVE MINE SITES. AND EVEN THEN IF YOU PARK OUT OF THE ROAD THEY NEVER SAY ANYTHING. BUT LEASING ISN'T HARD HERE EITHER. I CALLED THE OTHER DAY AND MEAD WEST VACO HAD A LOT OF LAND READY TO BE LEASED.

Antler greed and money greed are slowly destroying this great pastime. Here in Ohio the paper companies have gotten into the act. Large tracts of land that used to be available through a $5.00 season pass now exclusively leased to those willing to shell out big bucks. Guys running feeders non-stop in acorn filled woods to keep deer from moving far from their leased area. It has become "all about mydeer and you can't have them" mentality. I go back to my first experiences in deer camp where everyone was in each others corner. If you ran into a hunter that you didn't know you typically made a new friend and shared some insights. The guys that put in the work and time were almost always rewarded with success. Now find an outfitter with exclusive rights and buy the hard work and time and get that instant success. I thank god for friends that I have that have great hunting land and enjoy my company enough to allow me to come back year after year. When that stops and I have to pay to play then I will just take up golf and pay to play that game and hibernate in the winter.