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Author Topic: Do you pay for hunting access?  (Read 3071 times)

Offline Swamp Pygmy

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #40 on: October 26, 2008, 06:32:00 PM »
I hear ya ken. I'm about drowned in public land. More than I'll ever get to hunt.

From literally the gulf's swamps to rollings hills bordering mississippi in broken chunks but the better part of 100,000 densely wooded acres are within an hour and a half of me. Two places within a half hour. I find new parks and rivers and stuff on google maps all the time.

When I think of these other states that have hardly any public land it seems crazy. Only being able to hunt a handful of acres. It would drive me insane if I had to wait for pigs to wander in and out of my property boundaries. I can chase them until I pass out here. If I can't find them its my fault. Nothing to do with property lines.
South Louisiana Longbow Shooter

The only trophy you'll ever bring home is a good time. The rest is just meat. -SP

Offline adkmountainken

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #41 on: October 26, 2008, 06:59:00 PM »
%95 of Texas is leased or posted???? that is down right scary!! guess they found their pot of gold in hunters wallets, just don't seem right to me.
I go by many names but Daddy is my favorite!
listen to everyone,FOLLOW NO ONE!!
if your lucky enough to spend time in the mountains...then your lucky enough!
What ever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

Offline BigRonHuntAlot

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #42 on: October 26, 2008, 07:06:00 PM »
I pay for 3 different hunting parcels with others and enjoy the change of scenery. I could probably take enough deer where I live to feed my family but like the camaraderie with the other hunters! Each to his own, I guess.  Do what makes you happy and let others do the same.
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Offline Jerry Jeffer

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #43 on: October 26, 2008, 07:09:00 PM »
I'm fortunate enough to have plenty of public land that offers me many opportunities for various game. During the archery seasons I rarely see another hunter.
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Offline -Achilles-

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #44 on: October 26, 2008, 08:06:00 PM »
"Leasing will be the ruination of hunting as we know it"...I agree completely

Online MnFn

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #45 on: October 26, 2008, 09:34:00 PM »
Just a little different view on this topic.
I was fortunate to have bought 120 acres when prices were still reasonable. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, but even so the hunting is not "free". That 120 acres costs me about $800. in taxes each year and  since I moved out of the state I spend about $200 each year to hunt on my own land. I would not change a thing, but hunting it does have a cost. I occaisionally think about selling it but I look forward spending time with my grandchildren on it in the future.
"By the looks of his footprint he must be a big fella"  Marge Gunderson (Fargo)
 
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Offline Straitshot

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #46 on: October 26, 2008, 10:05:00 PM »
adkmountainken,

Yes, most of Texas' accessable hunting land is privately owned and for as long as I can remember unless you owned your own land or knew somebody who did you generally had to pay some type of trespass fee to hunt on private property. It just use to not be so expensive. As I said, there are some public lands over the state that are controlled and regulated by the State Parks and Wildlife Devision. Most of those are fairly small and are competed for through a drawing. If you are lucky enough to get drawn the hunts are usually 2 1/2 day hunts. You also have to realize Texas is very large so you may have to drive hundreds of miles just to get there. With hunts restricted to such short times your chances of seeing or taking game with bow and arrow is very low. The occasional hunter lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time might go home with a doe or spike. I have been on a few of these hunts and although the camaraderie can be great chances of anyone bringing home the bacon is slim.

Most of Texas' accessible hunting land is wide open ranch land that has been owned by families since the early 1800's. If they no longer own it it has been willed to Trusts and are owned by, believe it or not, school districts. We do not have large forests and mountains owned by the federal govt. as many other states. I am not necessarily complaining, that is just the way it is here and we have to learn to deal with it.

I might also suggest that the price of hunting tags that out of state hunters have to pay in some states is no different than a trespass fee. I can pay for a season lease in my own state for what it costs me to hunt a week in some of the other states. Again I am not complaining, although I wish it were cheaper, just stating the facts.

Once again, if you live where there is an abundance of public land to hunt on, be grateful.

Thanks, Louis
A man's true measure is not found in what he says, but in what he does.

Offline adkmountainken

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #47 on: October 27, 2008, 05:15:00 AM »
man that is terriable, note to self, cross Texas of the map if i ever have to relocate!
I go by many names but Daddy is my favorite!
listen to everyone,FOLLOW NO ONE!!
if your lucky enough to spend time in the mountains...then your lucky enough!
What ever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

Offline MikeW

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #48 on: October 27, 2008, 06:57:00 AM »
Quote
man that is terriable, note to self, cross Texas of the map if i ever have to relocate!
It's not so bad, like Straitshot said you learn to deal with it. Texas has great hunting you just have to own some land or know someone that does.
And if you don't you can usually find a decent lease for $500-$1500 a year, which includes deer,turkey,hogs,dove,quail and if you are lucky free ranging exotics like Axis. Hogs are a real problem here and if you are persistent you can usually find someone with land that wants them killed in the off season(deer)that will let you for free. My main problem is finding enough time off from work to do the leg work to secure few places like this. I've been lease hunting for a couple months now and I'll have me one by spring I'm sure. When I get one you have an open invitation to come kill some hogs with me.


Anytime I meet someone new it goes like this:
Hi, I'm Mike, nice to meet you. Got any land?
Does your family have any land? Do you have any friends that have land?
    :biglaugh:

Edit:
My daughter is currently dating a guy that is going to medical school to become a heart surgeon.
I actually like this guy for a change....his family has land that is covered up in game and they all hunt. I'm working on him. Most dads would be pleased that their daughter is dating a future doctor I could care less, I was like, "You have a family lease!" I like this guy girl,you done good.
   :D
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

Offline Danny Roberts

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #49 on: October 27, 2008, 08:29:00 AM »
I pay Fort Knox $30/yr.

Offline George D. Stout

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #50 on: October 27, 2008, 09:53:00 AM »
Leasing is a way of keeping hunting to only those who can afford it.  Thank God for public land.

Offline allanburden

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #51 on: October 27, 2008, 09:58:00 AM »
If you consider the gas it takes to get me to public land paying, then yes.  Otherwise I am with Ken and others in that I would rather explore a place myself and hunt free than pay for a lease.
"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." Ernest Hemingway

Offline waknstak IL

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #52 on: October 27, 2008, 10:38:00 AM »
I only hunt public land. It just keeps getting more crowded. Lots of knucklheads out there. All the good deer get pretty much nocturnal after the first week.
"You can't have NO in your heart"- Joe Dirt

Offline BTH

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #53 on: October 27, 2008, 11:02:00 AM »
I have a membership for a club called Wilderness Unlimited. I've renamed it Wilderness Limited. It does give access to lots of properties but there are so many rules and members that actually getting on the property to hunt is problematic. I'll be dropping that membership and saving the money for other hunts.
Otherwise, I have access to private land that friends and family own. For the ranch the family members own I work on the cabin and the property for them, clearing roads, cutting firewood, maintaining the hunting cabin. For my friends I will help them out as well. I also give them half of what I kill on their place since they are non hunters. They really like that. We have a nice exchange system set up. They let me hunt their place and give me wine from their property. I help out when I can, give them crabs during crab season, give them half of the pigs I kill. Not to mention the friendship that has developed over the years which is priceless.
Pork, Oysters, and Beer...the Holy Trinity (Anthony Bourdain).

Offline longbowben

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #54 on: October 27, 2008, 11:14:00 AM »
Lease its a great thing.You can protect the young deer and let them grow up, now we need some hogs to find thier way to ohio.
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Offline BUFF

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #55 on: October 27, 2008, 05:42:00 PM »
i have several leases. After reading all the stories about what folks go thru hunting Gov free land, stolen stands ect. I wouldn't have it any other way. I like knowing who I'm hunting around and we can control what deer are shot and which get a pass for next year.

Offline cahaba

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #56 on: October 27, 2008, 06:05:00 PM »
I hunt public land. i do miss like it was when I was a kid though. You could hunt just about any where and nobody cared. The only thing I see wrong with leased land is that its getting to where you see more and more of it going so high in price that its getting out of reach price wise for the average person.
cahaba: A Choctaw word that means
"River from above"

Offline adkmountainken

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #57 on: October 27, 2008, 07:07:00 PM »
dam man, the Adirondacks have so MANY state forests and state land its un-real. i reaaly do feel bad for those of you who do not get to enjoy the free beauty that i do, i am not being a wise guy, it is a sad day when i read what others are going through to hunt.
I go by many names but Daddy is my favorite!
listen to everyone,FOLLOW NO ONE!!
if your lucky enough to spend time in the mountains...then your lucky enough!
What ever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

Offline myshootinstinks

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #58 on: October 27, 2008, 08:33:00 PM »
I remember in the early '70s when my Dad & I regularly obtained permission to hunt on a 256000 acre ranch.......for no more than a handshake.  The same ranch is now owned by an insurance company that will let no one hunt with the exception of their high paid executives.  Another ranch that used to let us hunt for free is now leased to an outfitter that charges $3995 for an elk hunt.
   In those days I never realized how good we had it. I cherish the ranches that still let me hunt for free and I'll do all I can to preserve the privilege. Times have changed, game has become a cash crop for property owners and I don't like it any more than the rest of you. We have public land in the west in great abundance and I very much appreciate it.  The only problem is that game will tend to migrate into the deep back country where you have to horse-pack in 10 miles or animals will move on to large private tracts where there is less pressure.

Offline Horne Shooter

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Re: Do you pay for hunting access?
« Reply #59 on: October 27, 2008, 10:43:00 PM »
We do have some public land hunts as well as some higher quality draw hunts.  In the first case, they are difficult and can be crowded.  In terms of the draw hunts, I've been putting in with a buddy for about 10 years and haven't been drawn for anything yet.  
I guess if you aren't used to paying for a lease then good for you.  I can see how it would be difficult to start paying for something you are used to getting free.  
Here in Texas (like said before) leasing is pretty much the norm.  But so is seeing deer every day and killing deer, pigs, turkeys, javalinas and other small game.  Bonner and I lease 500 acres and we have both have already taken does and pigs this fall and are waiting for the rut to fill our buck tags.  The place is one hour from the house.  I like going there when I want and knowing I won't be worried about someone walking by or taking my best spot.  As most everything else of value in life, it has a price.  If you don't have to/want to pay it, then so be it.  I love living and hunting in Texas.  We can hunt 12 months of the year and pretty much count on having meat in the freezer.  I also hunt in Alberta every year and it's all on free (ie. ask permission) land.  I guess the important thing is that you are enjoying your hunting season, I know I am and the best is still to come!
Live every day like its your last, one day you'll be right.

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