MC,

My reference to crop damage was directed toward "some" landowners. Obviously, the pros and cons of leasing need to be weighed on a case by case basis in terms of economic benefits. For example, my land is entirely wooded, so it would be economically feasible for me to lease it. On the other hand, if it was mostly cropland, I would be in trouble if i leased it to people only interested in taking a few big bucks because the crop damage would not cover the profits from leasing..

Timber Companies have tradionally owned most of the land in this part of the south and leasing has been around for decades. It's nothing new. The big change down here is individuals buying those timber company lands and deer camps closing down at an alarming rate.

It's definitely a rich man's sport in MS to hunt the prime ground. A good club can easily cost you $5,000 a year or you can buy a share of land in some areas for $300K plus yearly dues.

It will work just like everything else.If youdon't havethe money for what you wantthen you'll just have to do without it.

Yea, we lived in IA and wanted out,she applied for anything out west. We wanted elk and mountains. CO hired her and she went to two months of banking school in Denver. We went down to NM fora weekend to visit my sister and bro-in-law. He showed me a big game hunting pamphlet for the state, we loved the weather and thescenery, and we got back to CO and she applied for a promotion down here. She landed a job in the same city as where my sister and bro-in-lawhave lived for 12 years.After 4 months in CO we moved 12 hours south and love it. We loved CO but NM has the same scenery, but is much warmer with less snow and more big game to hunt.No flying insects. Awesome trout and other fishing.Booming economy as well. We are at 5200 ft, the same elevation as Denver, so it gets cool at night and warms up in the day. Air conditioning is optional here due to the low humidity and cool nights. No flying insects.Open your windows at night and close them in the am. The sun shines over 300 days a year here too, and that is awesome compared to what we had in IA.

So it's ok for the land owner tonot allow anyone to hunt but you because it's "his choice" but it's NOT ok for him to lease it? They are already not allowing anyone else to hunt it so what's the difference? Oh you don't want them to make money...They already haveenough huh?

I'm not a big fan of leasing either and I don't lease property but in the end(to use your own words) it's "their choice". This IS still America isn't it? Capitalism is still the backbone of our economy right?

I've got an idea....maybe we should ALL move to New Mexico, after all Iread somewherethat they havelike 23 million public acresandsomething like 11 big game species to hunt.........Now where have I read thatbefore.

The things you did for the landowner can have a monetary value placed on them so in a way you were leasing.

I agree with some things you say and disagree with others. I won't lease as long as I have places to hunt. BUT, I have leased in the past in Georgia. Leasing has been around a whole lot longer than 10 years.That was the way large blocks could be hunted down there. We were leasing paper company land in Georgia in the 70s. It's a cash crop to a lot of farmers. They have every right to extract as much as they can back from the land. No lease money may not keep the dogs away from their door, but it pays taxes, buys mom a new car etc in a lot of places. If you have 3000 acres and lease it for $10 an acre... it's not chump change. It's a significant boost to the old boys income without all the work and toil involved in raising dairy cows or planting crops which are dependant on the weather. It's a sure income that keeps up with inflation. If the old boy decides he's worked enough the new cash crop helps. I agree it's going to become the "Who's got the highest bid" and that really sucks. Thank God for public land, a few friends and generous farmers and land owners who stillwork withthe knock at the door.

I'd rather see the land leased and someone else hunting it then it being made into a stripmall or a housing development.

I lease every year, it's called property tax

The lease I am looking at in Ohio is 1000.00 bucks a year. My Dad's new Harley cost 21,000, hmmm let me see...... No one is forcing you to lease.

You brought up the east of Miss river comment, LOL I was just letting you know it was the Guys west of it that started the craze

Well folks, there are some things that you can do about it.

1.Educate landowners about the possible drawbacks of leasing their land.

2.Organize and pressure your state to acquire more public land.