Duck . who's farm do you rent Ricky Hudson, Snow, Hurd ? I only hunt shotgun I have thought about archery, but I am probably too old to get into that. I haven't even been down to the farm but once since 7/3 so I havent been looking for signs.. I hunt Milton the first 2 days of the season , then hunt up there 2 or 3 times during the week. I will soon go down and repair and check all the stands, clean out shooting lanes. etc.

lemond33, You really need to check out Sussex. There is alot of ground and plenty of deer. I rode by a few of the Industrial Forest land tracts last night and saw alot of deer. No real monsters but it was still a little early at the time. The tax ditches are dry so any water you can find will be a bonus.

Cut and paste the following for more information: www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/wildlifemaps.htm

RonM, My father and I sub leased the pit from Kevin Fox who leases all the pits on Jim Snows. I drove by there and the corn is looking dead (with everyone elses), but the Bean (which is covering our Pit) looks pretty good. Probably wont be cut for opening day goose.

I also sub lease a deer stand from Kevin on Rt. 6. Dont know the farmers name. Its pretty cheap but after the 2nd day of shotgun, that place is pretty much over. Only 1 deer taken out of the whole place last season!! and it wasnt by me. Not a good year. Hopefully this year will be different <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Like I said, your spot is in a great location and i'm sure you and your partners will have a good season!! Got love having land boardering Bombay Hook!!!

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

Duckmastor 2 Jimmy Snow and I are partners in a hunting camp in PA. There are 8 of us that own the camp, all are farmers but me and a new member we just took in a local electrician who is an excellant hunter. Small world. Small world in the state of Delaware, everybody knows everybody.. Does your dad bowhunt? How old is he ?

Actually Ron, I talked my Dad into joining me this year with the bow. Didnt think i could teach the old dog new tricks but he bought a used bow and has been practicing. He's quite good and is confident now out to 20yds. We'll see what his 1st seasons brings. Hes 62.

It is a small world. I've actually never met Jim Snow. I just hunt his farm. He has a nice spread.

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

debob, what area did u drive by. i may give it a shot. what time are you seeing the deer in the fields??

guys, how do u arrange to get these leases?? do i just drive up to a farm house and brandish some cash??

lemond33, I'd prefer not to adveryise the properties publically. I manage some property adjacent to some of the pacels and would prefer not to draw to much attention. Pressure pretty high shotgun week as it is!! As for time, I was by there at 6 and there were plenty of deer out and about!

Leasing...tough to do this late in the year. March to May is the best time to find ground. Most of the better ground is already tied up. Either with friends or family or a long term lease. You could outbid someone but the trend you start with that is never ending as it then becomes a bidding war. Only one who makes out is the propery owner!!! Some properties, particularily where goose hunting once was prevelant (e.g. Bombay Hook), leasing of a single stand is the norm. Sort a sucks as you really rely on a &quot;hope and prayer&quot; hunt that something will walk by!!!

Plenty of public ground available. Also, turn over in the southern clubs is fairly high. Hook up with a group or get the word out your looking and something may come up!!! Good luck!!

debob, thanks again...i didnt want u to tell me about your hunting spots though. hey, i wouldnt tell. i know where deer r on my end and i may have to stick it out here. i am not sure about going on opening day...to hot. i am thinking about a doublebull blind. do you know anyone that uses one??? what time is good to get out this time of the year??? let me know...thanks

lemond33, No, I don't have a ground blind. I hunt off the ground some but usually just back-up in the pines.

Best time is the last straggling minutes of daylight. Especially with this heat. But I have alot of ground to cover, and haven't had the time to focus on a single area, so I usually hit the road about 6. Does and fawns are moving at that time and are a pretty good reference where the preferred foods are.

Went last night to check out a property I have near Harrington. About 20 deer were in the field at 7. The bucks I was looking for didn't show themselved 'til about 8:15. Three were real good bucks and one was incredible. Changed my opening day plans for sure!!!