What is this sport coming to?
 

Though some of you thought a bid of $10 per acre for 3000 acres ($30,000) was way too high for hunting land in Florida, I submitted it anyway. Turns out, I lost to another bidder who paid $15 or $45,000. With a max allowable membership of 6, that is $7500 each, plus insur, utilities, food plots, etc.

There were 9 bidders and half were higher than me and half were lower. This sport really is becoming one for only the wealthy, at least in some areas.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

tealboy, I agree. It is really too bad.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

My dad started telling me about it several years ago........and I laughed !! But fella's .......you better get ready !! I have been around several folks in the last 4-5 years that are pushing things in that direction..........taking $5-6 an acre leases for $12 ! And I mean going straight in at $12.....no negotiating......no trying to get it for $8 an acre or anything......walking in at $12...getting the land and walking out !! An average guy just can't compete and a landowner sure isn't going to pash it up.........especially if the wealthy guys are making great land improvements !

Man.....I am joining a small club this year with some of the best deer hunting to be found within several hundred miles and it is going to cost me $2500 to join with 5-6 other guys ..........for a whopping 365 acres !!

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

I agree. The sport is getting high priced, but so are all the other ones. You can't fish, golf, fly, etc heavily without spending more than you used to.

I guess it just motivates us all to make what we do have last a little longer. In relation to land, we better treat the land owners better than ever to keep them from looking elswhere for hunters.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

Thats why my family and I just made a HUGE financial sacrifice and bought our own land. I want to ensure my kids and grandkids a place to hunt.

BTW, last time I checked there was some really good public land around the country.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

BTW, last time I checked there was some really good public land around the country.
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That is true. I hunt one of the national forests in Wisconsin and I see that most guys just hunt the easy access places instead of treking into more virgin territory. With some extra effort you can have the best hunting of your life for free.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

Yeah it's a shame. And IMO thats too much for any land to hunt on. For $7500/year per person, you can BUY land to hunt on. You won't get 3000 acres, but at least you'll own it.

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

At my family's ranch in west Texas we charge 750.00 a family to hunt year round. We know its too cheap but weve had the same group of hunters since 1978, we have good working people that really cant afford much more. I think we have lost and added two families since 1990. It never turns over, we never have trouble with our hunters. They treat the place like it is their own, and I guess after hunting it that long in a sort it is theirs..

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

DC, We just did the same thing. It is NOT 3000 acres, it is 80 acres and it is ours. We put a lot of work into it with building a cabin and food plots but now we have a place for family as long as we own it. Next I want to work on some improvements in the woods. It is about 55 acres woods and 35 field. A great mix for both bow and gun hunting. We also have turkey, rabbits, squirrels, grouse and even pheasants. Kind of my dream come true.:D

RE: What is this sport coming to?
 

I used to hunt in 277,500 acres, but only used a 30-yard diameter when I set up. :D