Trad Gang

Or do you lease a property just for hunting? Or hire an outfitter?  If so, what part of the country do you hunt in?
  I'm not critical of any of the above. We live in a free market society and landowners, outfitters, etc. should be compensated. If I were a property owner I'd want compensation and if we want a quality hunt it may cost us.
  Even here in Wyoming I'd have to admit that I will nearly always see more elk, deer, and antelope on my private land hunts than on BLM or national forest. While I've known the property owners where I hunt for years, I always give them something in return for their generosity. Sometimes it's a fancy supper for the rancher and his wife, another rancher always wants several cases of Bud Light, yet another will let me hunt simply for returning the favor with some chores.  This type of access is slowly drying up though. Landowners that have good game populations are offered BIG dollars for exclusive hunting rights.
Again, I cannot be critical of those property owners, they are simply taking care of themselves.  
   Just a crude poll to see what your situation is.
 :campfire:

I hunt on private lands here in W. KY and back home in So. Il.  I'm one of the fortunate few who either owns or has family that owns quite a bit of land. (Farmers)  So leasing and permission and "lack" of access has never been an issue.  Here at school I have to ask permission.  But in a rifle state I almost think  people feel sorry for you when you want to hunt deer with a bow. lol!!

However, we (well, the family) does lease out one farm.  Don't know how much money is involved but like you, can't blame the uncle.  It just makes sense.  Besides, it's nice to get something from hunters instead of just trying to run people without permission off the land.

Now, I'm in a minority cause I don't trophy hunt at  all.  I've lost count of how many does I've shot.  2 buttons, 1 spike, one buck that needed culled he had a limp and his right rack was half the size of the left, one big bodied, small racked 8 pointer that had a very strange "kink" on one main beam, and one basket 6.   I've shot at least 3 times that many does.  I just don't care enough I guess.  If old mossy ever comes by that's great, but I can't justify going after him when does are still challenging enough and the meat is other big motivator........having said that if I DID care about scores a lot of my views on leasing/permission would be different.

never have never will. as long as i can walk i can find a place to hunt for free.

Just mortgage and taxes.

I agree with adkmountainken on that one. I live in the west where there's plenty of public land. The closest I come to paying for access is when I purchase a non-resident tag in a neighboring state.

Lease with 1 a 250 acre farm - only 60 is woods.
Share 200 acre woods lease with 4.
Own 20 - caretake 80.
Doing a late mz(Jan) outfitted hunt in Iowa.
Hope to go for moose in 09 or 10.

Steve

I don't have a lease right now but I'm in the market for one. Typical is $1000-$2000 around here.
Texas.

had leases for years, the last two years ive been public only. I cant take it anymore, getting a lease next year again. It seems every single person in fl that doesnt know anything about hunting edicate walks by me or asks me to help track gut shot animals, its an everyday occurance here. im done with it.

iam with ken on this one. but after saying that the place where i hunt is thinking about charging but he said it would only be about $60 or 70 or 80 or 100 all depends on how big the deer is. but over here ya dont have to pay a cent if ya dont want to there is plenty of national parks to hunt in for free if ya dont mind hunting when the gun hunters are in there. and all ya have to do is get a permit from d.o.c to enter there land and it costs nothing. zip zero. free. but as my hunting is half an hour away thats the only place i hunt.you can pay big money here to hunt if ya want with any of the outfitters it up to you. but i am all for cheap free what ever. if the day comes when i lose my hunting spot i will just have to look for another but you know the saying thats the way the cookie crumbles   :campfire:

QuoteOriginally posted by adkmountainken:
never have never will. as long as i can walk i can find a place to hunt for free.

X2

Quotenever have never will. as long as i can walk i can find a place to hunt for free

You've never walked in Texas then...   ;)

Granted we do have some public land but it is pounded hard if it's close to a major city or it's a long long drive for me and you aren't just going to take a 4 day weekend walk out there and shoot a deer. You have to do a lot of scouting and home work.

That's time and gas a lot of us just don't have. It's cheaper I think to just pay for a lease in the long run.

All of you that have good public hunting land consider yourself very fortunate.

i am very, very fortunate, i do not take that for granted. if i could not hunt without paying i would most certanily move, not to say thats what others should do its just that hunting and the Adirondacks are so important to me i could NOT do without either of them.

I don't think I'd ever go the lease route again. I belonged to one for 2 seasons. I was the only local that belonged. I hunted all week and the other members that lived 200 miles away kinda/sorta resented that. The first year, the timber company that owned the land was timbering the entire bow season. The second year a big buck showed up and got everybody worried about who was going to shoot him. He ended up getting shot across the road on stateland anyhow. Had guys that would wait until the evening before opening day to scout and hang stands and take dumps near others stands. Come work days building food plots, 3 out of 10 members would show up. Lots of backstabbing between the members. Tresspassers out the gazoo. Just wasn't a very nice experience. Never again.

 I'm a loner, always will be a loner. Other people in my immediate hunting AO gives me heartburn. Plenty of state land to hunt for free if you can find the deer. I'll stick with that.

I own some land. Lease a couple of hundred acres with two others and belong to a club with 2500 acres and 20 members. I also occasionally hunt public land but not more than once a year or so.

My land is adjacent to 800 acres that the club leases. Across the road is another 240 acres that we lease.

I've hunted some of this land for 26 years other of it for the past 8. We have a lot of deer and a few nice bucks. We also have very low archery pressure. 8 bow hunters this year. During the week there might be 2 people hunting.

My experience is a higher density on public land than on the private land I hunt. Thursday I went to a public land for a controlled hunt. We had 8 hunters on 250 acres.

I have a bow only area that was 40 acres and than the gentleman hunting the other part of the property moved opening up another 100 acres. My son-in-law and I have exclusive rights to it now. The farmer family lets us hunt it for free and told us we can always hunt it/ I also have another 180 acres that was aquired this year all I did was ask. I aklso have another 100 acres or so around my house that is private and I have exclusive rights. I am fortunate as I also have several thousand acres of state land some as close as 10 minuts, others yake a 1/2 hour and than there is always the 3 million acres in the Adirondacks which most is open to hunting as well. Shawn

I live in California and we lease, pay, hire do whatever needs to be done so we can hunt.
Works well for us.

Just public land for me.  But then, I don't see many deer either.

I hunt about half the year on public land - the other half on leased land - I like both. Would not waste my time hunting private land that I did not lease though.
<>< <---------------<<<<<<<<<

I'm not against private land. More power to you.

But we're broke around these parts and I hunt public land. It would be nice to own land, and not worry about other hunters in a stand seventy yards from you and not know it, or the guy that shoots at everything that might be a squirrel.

But it's also nice to have tens of thousands of acres of land to hunt, and to have it like the indians had it. No food plots, no ag fields, no 4wheelers. Just push down narrow debris cluttered trails into the bush. I'd have to be Bill Gates to have that much land.

I'm with Ken.....I'll walk the public land.  And I could care less about Texas so don't bother with that remark.  Leasing will be the ruination of hunting as we know it.  And by the way, my father-in-law owns a hundred acres of mountain land and it has never been posted, nor is anyone ever charged to hunt there.  Sounds like Great Brittain....let's lease to the peasants.

Not a lease per say but we do contribute a good amount of   money to help the land owner friend  that has to pay his morgage and taxes. Seems like the right thing to do.

Keep in mind that we pay for the public land that we hunt!!

                       Paul J.

Im with Rooselk, we literally have millions of acres of state and federal land to hunt...PR

The small places I lease would be overrun and unhuntable if open to anyone wanting to hunt them. And the lease fee I pay helps stave off the development of 5 acre hobby farms that end all hunting - not just what some view it should be.

If someone feels I am contributing to the ruination of hunting, then that is their problem.
Frankly rather tired of the "entitlement" attitude and rather amused by it.

Steve

I have to agree withe SteveB on this one George. Leases are becoming the only way some can hunt and like it or not that is what the world is coming to. There are guys that would have to travel hours just to hunt public land and they do not have the time. I have never needed to lease but it may come to that, so I would not be so quick to judge. It is all good George. Shawn

our opinion was asked for and we are "entitled" to give it. as i said its not for me, you are free to spend your money as you see fit.

Ken - I see no judgement towards others in what you said. I respect your opinion.

Steve

i will say if there were no public land what so ever, i mean NONE at all and the olny option was to lease i would do it as a part of me would die if i could not hunt.  i really do feel bad for you guys that do not have a lot of public land to hunt. i live by MANY state forests which every one is at least a 1000 acres, also a ton of state land and believe it or not there is a lot of land that is NOT posted and free to hunt that holds a lot of deer and BIG bucks. i have stated before that i will give anyone who wants them gps coordinates to 2 of my stands on public land, i just feel that everyone should enjoy the privledge that i do. ya got to walk a bit up a mountain but the stands are there for you!

I dont..... But I would!  I'm sick of Public land hunts.
  :banghead:

I hunt on public land here in Ohio so yes - I pay through the nose for it.

In the west there are millions of acres of public land and low population. There are more people in a medium size city back east or on the west coast than in the entire state of Wyoming. I choose to hunt private land because I have the place to myself and I see more game. I've yet to pay a lease but I do compensate the landowner with a friendly token of appreciation.  
  However, if a person lives in an area of high  population density and nearly all hunting property is privately owned, I can see where a lease is a practical option.

Here in Ok you see more and more people leasing. I'm fortunate to get to hunt some private land for free. Initially a friend's inlaws gave permission. Now having established a good relationship with the ranch hand has kept me on the land even with the friend moving out of state. Some deer links, jerkey and shooting as many coyotes as I can goes a long way. The catch is I can only hunt alone. I'd lease the land in a heart beat if possible to have the opertunity to take new hunters and kids hunting with a mentor. But the owner is firm on me hunting by myself.

I hunt private land and am still  getting permission for a hand shake and respect,, But, I am driving over an hour one way to hunt too.  I know a lot of you are driving that far and still have to lease, so I am not complaining.

I have two leases in MO.  I hate doing it but I see a lot of deer.

I am very fortunate to have the lease that I do. 4 of us lease 550 acres and have done so for about 13 years now. We are able to manage the property well and the results are evident. With that in mind, we are not stingy with our lease neither. We invite others to hunt every year. We have 2-trad gangers coming in in 2-weeks to hunt with us. To each his/her own.

Mike

I do a couple of cheap leases that don't have the greatest success... but it does give me a break from the public land crowds when I want to relax. I also hunt public land that is difficult to access and have 1 small farm that I have permission to hunt for free... just 15 acres but I have taken many deer from it. It took ALOT of knocking on doors just to find that small farm.

I hunt both private and public lands. We do have quite a bit of public land in Wisconsin,and there are some pieces that are very large tracks.However with our very restrictive game laws make some of those tracks unhuntable.What I am trying to say is if you get back deep in some of these places you can have it to yourself and see a good number of deer.However having to register your deer whole makes it very hard if not impossible to get your deer out of the woods.So there is the catch,hunt close to the roads with everybody else or hunt private.

Nice to know you think so little of Texas, George. But with ninety five percent privately owned land, you figure on paying to hunt or not hunting.
My biggest place I hunt is payed for with hauling hay to the barn. Other places are paid for with cash. Public land hunting is crowded because there is so little of it and your chances of success is limited.
I sat at the corner of an oats field a few days ago and had 23 deer enter the field within shooting range. Thats not going to happen on public land. On private land I can afford to be picky in what I pluck a string at. I hunted horns last year till the last week of season. In the last week I killed my two does and a spike buck. Public land--Not going to happen.

Not everyone is blessed to have a lot of public land to hunt on as do many of the states. In some states most if not all accessable hunting land is private. If you live in a state that has a great deal of public land then count your blessings because those of us that don't have to learn to make due with what we have. Many land owners have begun to realize that hunters will pay exorbitant fees to hunt, thus the game ranch and outfitter explosion. You can see it any night on the Outdoor channel. Hunting in states that have mostly private land has become a big bucks ($$$$) industry. Excuse the pun. Many who pay those exorbitant fees are out of state hunters. You don't see many poor good ole boys on those shows. Many land owners are learning that it is more profitable to sell hunting rights than livestock or increase your profits and do both. Really can't blame them.

I have tried both. Where I live there is some limited public land. Back in my younger days I spent most of my time there and learned every acre of it like the back of my hand. I hunted it with both gun and bow and had good success, but as the years went by and the population of the area increased and interest in hunting increased the demand on the area also increased, thus the regulations that governed the area also increased. Once I could hunt any of the public areas from October through December any amount of days any time the urge hit me to go with little or no interference from other hunters. My last few attempts to hunt at one of the areas was met with confrontations from lazy unethical hunters capitalizing on your hard work. The other area is so regulated now and is divided into numerous small areas that your only chance for seeing an animal much less taking one is mostly based on pure chance.

About 6 years ago something terrific happened which has afforded me a most valuable opportunity with regard to hunting. My uncle works on a ranch about 17 miles from my home, and knowing how much I loved to hunt asked the land owner if I could hunt there. For about the last 6 years I have had the opportunity to hunt on as good a hunting as there is in all of Texas. I know it will not last forever because my uncle is old and when he no longer goes out to the ranch I will most certainly no longer be allowed to hunt there. So I count my blessings and am truly thankful to have this wonderful opportunity. When it is gone I don't know what I will do. I might could afford a year or two of the ever increasing pricing of private land leasing, but I hope to retire in a couple of years and all extraneous spending will come to a halt. I am too old and crotchety to try the public land here any more. Would still like to go a few more times to the mountains to pursue the elusive elk or mule deer. Boy, I envy you guys in the mountain states. Might just spend the rest of my days killing foam and telling stories to all you younger guys.

By-the-way, I spent plenty on all those elk and mule deer hunts to New Mexico and Colorado. Spent enough going multiple times on my own to have paid for a couple of delux guided hunts. Guess I should have. Hindsight they say is 20-20.

Count your blessings and be thankful for what you have.

Louis

If I had to pay I wouldnt hunt...I would hunt illegally then I suppose

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.

%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 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.

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.

"Leasing will be the ruination of hunting as we know it"...I agree completely

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.

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

man that is terriable, note to self, cross Texas of the map if i ever have to relocate!

Quoteman 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

I pay Fort Knox $30/yr.

Leasing is a way of keeping hunting to only those who can afford it.  Thank God for public land.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

I purchased 26 acres with a spring fed creek winding 3 times thru it and approximately 30% of that property is creek bottom with trees and overgrowth. That was 12 years ago, and at one time it was paid for. 4 years ago I decided to add a building and believe you me, I'm paying to hunt. The interest to the banker is more than most pay for a lease on much larger property.
I'm not complaining because I fell in love with the property and feel fortunate to have found it.
But it would be cheaper to lease.

Yep...

I have hunted public land when younger and enjoyed it to the fullest,now own and lease some of the land I hunt and enjoy it to the fullest.This cost me a lot more than public but lets face it all public land is paid by taxpayers yourself and myself included just more of us paying a lease more or less.Now for the ones who enjoy private land at no cost thank you lucky stars.I am afraid that will not last much longer b/c the taxes will soon get so high (at least in my area) that they will have to accept some compensation to keep the land or have some other means of return like selling lot for houses.Just my .02 Kip

I am a first time hunter and am lucky enough to have 2 parcels of private land to hunt for free. One parcel is 80 acres and the other is 100 acres. The only thing I pay is what I give in gratitude. Both places are loaded with deer and turkey.
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/huntinggrounds015.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/huntinggrounds012.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/huntinggrounds022.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/huntinggrounds014.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/huntinggrounds001.jpg)

I have no issues paying for access. In fact, I prefer it that way. Keeps all the weekenders off the places I hunt!

Thanks to the Military I have had the opportunity to hunt quite a few states. I am forever envious of the folks in Upstate NY. I hunted the Adirondaks for 4 years, never paid a penny and never hunted more beautiful and bountiful country. I spent 3 years in North Dakota. I hunted the shelter belts, always on a handshake from the farmer. Froze my A$$ off and enjoyed every minute of it. Never paid a penney and the variety of fish fowl and game was astounding.
 Now I am in Texas, a state I dearly love, my home untill I die. I DO NOT HUNT here. Leases begin in the 1500-2000 dollar per gun price. Plus most have a fee for any animals you kill based on trophy size, that can run to the tens of thousands.  Hunts for "cull or Management" deer, the ones they want out, run 1000 to 1500 per animal and does about 200-250. The wild hogs that rancher detest for tearing up their land go in the 150-200 range. High fences and Geneticaly bred deer that I feel are becoming to look a little freaky are becoming the norm. Deer breeding stock and semen sales from prize bucks are advertized everywhere. It is a sad state of affairs we have gotten into and I fear for the future of the sport.

We all pay for access in one way or another. I pay for access by having to buy a license and tag to hunt public land. But what I look for is big roadless area with few if any people. I will not pay a lease fee...ever.

Depends on where I am.  I've hunted on my tax dollars most of my life living in Washington State.  I now live in Texas am fortunate to have friends and customers that invite us to hunt there properties.  I also pay to hunt on a few select places that we really enjoy.

I have paid trespass fees in Wyoming to hunt antelope.  Like Biggie said it's nice to have the property to yourself.

I guess my answer is yes.

Mike

Blessed to have a couple hundred acres of family land to hunt. Also have a family lease of about 500 acres.  Leasing is pretty much a fact of life in SW Louisiana.  I like having a piece of land that I know the people that hunt it.

Something to be considered about leasing. I see there is a lot of negative feeling about - and I do not understand that except when people feel they should be allowed to hunt someone else's land for nothing. This is called "Mooching" - and I will have no part of it. LEASING has opened land to hunters that was not - or would not have been - available to hunters before. Not in all cases certainly - but in EVERY case I have been involved with. That is PLENTY of clubs - FL, GA, SC, TX, NC. Property owners feel like they aren't being "used" - get some help at tax time - have serious dedicated hunters on the place instead of wanna bees - and the members get to manage and hunt land at an affordable rate. Everyone can afford a lease with some simple extra work each year - it isn't free - but it is well worth it. Everybody wins with a good landowner who leases to a good club.
<>< <------------------<<<<<<<<

Mooching, are you kidding me????? its called sportsmanship from one hunter to another! i will not buy my deer thank you very much. talk about negative feed back. i have stated before i would gladly bring anyone that wants to go hunting in NY to my stands which they can feel free to use for years to come with or with out me. i would not accept a dime. i have been preety respectfull on what i thought about leasing untill you bring up mooching. man that will be the day when i pay to hunt deer becouse i don't want compettion from others and i want to have my little private hunting area all to myself. ya i guess i am a mooch becoue i ask permission and don't offer cash! seems to me like we think paying $$ enables us to write the rules. thank God for the Adirondacks, good health and fair play!!  :readit:

And we share the hunting we lease -with MANY people - and we do not take a dime. I take friends on public land too. If you expect to hunt someones private land for nothing - that is mooching. If the shoe fits - put it on. Don't confuse the issue though - The adirondacks is a huge public area - you work it - more power to ya - and I too enjoy hunting on public land ------ but we who lease are also generous with what we work (and pay) for - and remember - we have a track record of "Creating" hunting opportunity where NONE exited. How is that bad for hunting?????????????
<>< <-----------------<<<<<<<<<

how is that bad for hunting well i'll tell ya. how about all the young kids just starting out in hunting that do not have extra cash to pay to "buy" there deer?? sure maybe you would agree to take him for free but how about the 10 other kids that do not have $$ to "buy" an area? yeah i mooch, if mooching is sharing the game i kill, cleaning the area of garbage and offering to help with anything that needs to be done as well as offering to take the land owner to any of my hunting areas.

Cory,

If you ever lose a lease because someone comes along and offers more money, you will likely change your mind.

Or when it comes to the point that you can no longer afford it and there isn't much left that isn't being leased, you will change your mind.

Eventually everywhere will be like Texas.  You might not have to deal with it, but you will know someone in the future that will.

While leasing opens doors for a few it closes doors for many more.

It's bad for hunting because it reduces hunting to nothing more then an activity for the elite, closing the door to many who do not have the financial means to partake.  As more farms become leases it will only get worse.

There used to be a day where you could befriend a farmer, allowed hunt his property, maybe do a little work for him.  Now its changing, its all about the $$$.  I think it's sad that things are going this way.

I have lost land to a higher bid. I have thrown landowners overboard who could not keep their word. I didn't invent leasing - but I see it as reasonable compensation to the private landowner. I work at this continually - I take nothing for granted - only do my best - for the landowner, my members, and hunting overall. Have any of you ever considered how many people have gone on nice hunts directly because of those willing to lease.
Young kids take game with us all the time - again - on land that would not get hunted if not for our lease. This on no way takes anything away from any of you - it is opportunity created.
Folks there are many landowners who do not hunt - they don't want to go hunting with you - they want fair market value. Just because someone owns land that has game on it does NOT mean they owe you the right to hunt on that land.
For those who hunt a piece of land for a handshake or a chore - fine ---- but I would not assume that is the way it is suppose to be.
<>< <--------------------<<<<<<<<

People who do chores are paying for land as well. Some farmers around our parts want money, and some want work. Either way your paying for it. How about respecting the landowner enough to help him/her cover the taxes on their land. They are letting you use it you know. It's only courtesy. Cash and work is not expected from the owner I lease off of. I volunteer it! It's only fair to the landowner. It isn't much and it definately doesn't cover the taxes, but I volunteer as much as possible. Some are fortunate to live where there is ample amounts of public land to use. Outstanding! But to those of us who lease to pursue our passion is this bad? So when I go on a guided hunt am I paying for an animal there as well? Is a landowner who lets certain few hunt but not others the same as me? Sometimes we need to look into a mirror before we start throwing stones.

Mike

This argument falls back on the sad state of affairs our culture finds itself in these days.  When my dad started hunting in his teens, he could go to any farmer in the area and get permission to hunt for helping with the cows or fences, or just checking over the property.  Thanks to all the sorry, inconsiderate, worthless poachers, trespassers, and all others that desecrate the proud sport of hunting, that ability is now almost completely gone.  I choose to hunt public land, and on property that I am invited to hunt on because 1. I am a father of three with a stay at home wife and pastors are not exactly highly paid. 2.  I refuse to be told what I can or cannot kill.  I am out for meat, purely and simply. 3.  I don't mind sharing my area with others.  Yes, there are times when it can get crowded on public land.  But I have had some great conversations and made great friends with people I have bumped into or who have bumped into me on public land. Will I ever lease land to hunt?  I don't know.  I'm not sure what the market value is here in SC.  I know of a few clubs that chrage $500 to hunt.  That seems like a lot to me.  But then I'm just a poor ole country boy.
On a seperate note.  I disagree on ownership of the land as a whole.  Myself and others on this board wish our world would revert back several generations.  Yes, wishful thinking. Most would say we're childish, crazy, whatever.  But the fact remains that all land in this country was stolen when the first European immigrants came over.  Anyone could argue that we don't know who the natives took the land from, but we do not have that information in recorded history.  It is a known fact what happened to the natives of this land.  I know I'm getting longwinded, but I've grown tired of people bashing each other over paying or not paying.  I have my opinion.  It's in agreement with some, not with others.  Big deal, who cares, so what.  I'm happy with my hunting life and circumstances and I hope all others are too.  All land should be free to hunt, but it's not because it's too dangerous for society.

Cory is right on about leasing! We have had many big name hunters come hunt our leases who publicly denounce it!
Cory said it a coupla times but it seems some of you guys aren't reading it, THEY ARE HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES CREATED!

You guys stick to your guns and "never" pay to hunt. That's fine. Those of us who live and breathe bowhunting will always have a place to hunt and I can't speak for Cory, but you guys will be welcome when your free ride ends.

i guess it comes down to where and how you were brought up.  hunting has been a way of life and a tradition where i live in NY. no one asks for money to hunt there land. its either open to all ( which most is ) or its posted and some times it just takes the common curtiousy of asking permission which many times is granted. i came from a POOR family. if had to lease to hunt i never would have been able to hunt period! hunting, the woods and waters kept me out of major trouble as a kid and young adult, i still found my way in to A LOT of trouble but if it was not for my passion of hunting i'm sure i would not be where i am today, i would have been lost in the numbers of vilonce, drug abuse and everything else that hammers our youth. i would NOT been able to hunt if leasing were the case so you tell me how leasing benefits everyone?? i know MANY young kids on this very forum who do not have the money to lease, how does this benefit them? leasing = the man that has the $$ makes the rules, HORSE CRAP!!!!

the free ride will never end becouse i have free will, good health and i would not live an an area that requires leasing.

Quoteleasing = the man that has the $$ makes the rules, HORSE CRAP!!!!

That's not true, it's the man that makes his hunting a priority in his life that will do what it takes to aquire undisturbed land to hunt.

If you're happy sharing land with anyone who wants to "hunt" there. That's great. November measn too much to me to take the chance that some guy in a jogging suit is gonna come by at 8am

well lets keep it cool here guys we are on the same team.

You both have good points. It certainly is a shame that hunting is becoming an elite sport that alienates more people than it attracts these days. Part of that problem is not necessarily leasing in every instance. But if nothing else the image that you need a lease to get animals and hunt anything worth hunting as Texas is apparently headed. Does make us look like a group of Cheney's. Shooting birds with clipped wings on farms. And makes younger generations of hunters unaware even of public land because they never thought to look at public possibilities. Or understand the allure of chasing animals in real wilderness either. Everything we see is over food plots.

But on the other hand leases allow people obsessed with hunting not to have the problems associated with small overcrowded public lands. Bad hunters, hikers, poachers, etc. These people may or may not have extensive time to hunt and they want undisturbed quality land. And that is okay. There is absolutely nothing wrong with land being set aside for wilderness instead of subdivisions whether or not its public land.

Unfortunately we all don't have the luxury,or the funds, to live only where there is public hunting. I live where the work is and hunting is second. I agree it says alot for a persons up bringing. I for one put my family first and hunting second. So i need to lease cause the work is here in OHIO. If work took me to N.Y. where there is endless public hunting, then so be it. But for now I will lease and have a place for my kids to hunt safely.

Really folks, is this worth an argument? I'm just as guilty and Swampy said it best. We are all brothers and sisters here who enjoy the same thing, hunting traditional. Does it really matter what type of land we hunt? I feel fortunate that we all have a place to enjoy our passion, leased or public. I'm gone from this one. Later all.

Mike

Biggie,
   if you see a guy go by in a jogging suit that is your cue you need to jog up the mountain a little farther where most are to lazy to jog to. i would shake the mans hand that jogs to where i hunt, brave soul!

I agree with ADK.  I've never paid to hunt and when it gets to the point I have to or not hunt then I guess it's over.  I have a friend who leases land and has for 20 yrs. and would quit hunting if he had to ask permission.  It's whatever trips your trigger I guess.

A lot of good points here from both sides.  At the moment I am fortunate to live in a state that has a lot of state owned public hunting land. If it come down to lease or quit hunting I guess I would try to move or find the means to lease.  I hope it never reaches that point.

I've been on a guided hunt with a group from this site.  Maybe that makes me hypocritical.    I just feel that it should not come to a point where leasing is the only viable option for hunters (Which appears to be the case already in TX).  It's at that point that it really starts to exclude those that don't have the financial means.

"Thanks to all the sorry, inconsiderate, worthless poachers, trespassers, and all others that desecrate the proud sport of hunting, that ability is now almost completely gone".........NOT TRUE...bad people have always existed...(that actually kinda sounds like attitude the whites had when it came to the indians)....bad people have always existed...What has changed is landowners and people in general  have become greedy..."do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is out the window....Heres a question I heard someone else ask for those who support leasing...simple yes or no answer...what if 1 man became so rich that he owned all the land in america and wouldnt let anyone hunt and wouldnt lease to anyone...Would you obey the law and not hunt?...I would hunt illegally and I dont care what you think because I dont feel I would be doing anything wrong...So if some guy comes along and buys all the land around me for hundreds of miles and says I cant hunt it...Well I dont have the money to move and I've lived here since I was a baby and I'm not leaving now...Guess what I'm gonna do?....leasing is bad for hunting period...You cant get more people,children into hunting if theres no where to hunt

Mississippi has about 50 WMA's. You can purchase a "WMA Permit" for $15 and pretty much hunt all of the WMA's.Also there is plenty of National Forest land available for free.The WMA that I hunt has miles of creeks with absolutely beautiful hardwood bottoms. You don't see many clubs or leases with that and if you did you would have to be Donald Trump's son to have a membership. I'm just afraid that with the price of leases going up each year the Public land will be very crowded in the future.

Aw c'mon Ken, can you see me jogging up the mountain????

 :biglaugh:

if ya do please wear more then yer underpants!  :scared:  don't think they would know what to make of ya round here!  :bigsmyl:

Now there's something I'd pay to see...biggie vs ken in the mountain joggin marathon.  But I have to agree with ken, more than underpants please, we don't wanna scar the kiddies.  :rolleyes:    :scared:    :D    :biglaugh:

Biggie you couldn't jog down the mountain if it was paved.      :bigsmyl:    

Cory Mattson....mooching?   Son you have a lot to learn about the respect that rural landowners have for their neighbors, and it is an ignorant comment to suggest it's mooching.  We own mountain land here that has always been open...never posted...and to think our neighbors are mooching for hunting it is worse than ridiculous.  Perhaps that's the mindset of people who have lost touch with rural values.  I bet you have hunted free access private land with little thought about mooching.

I can see all sides here I hunt public land, I lease some land, I hunt on some land just by a handshake and doing some work and I am a landowner. The land I own a part of is family land in S.E. Louisiana and we would love to be able to tell people to just help yourself and hunt as you please and in fact for many years that is just what we did. But became awfully tired of trash, gates left open, trees run over by people in 4x4's, and taxes going waaay up. so what are we to do just suck it up because everyone deserves it ?  Well we lease the land for just enough to pay the taxes and for someone to keep an eye on it, we would rather just let some folks just take care of it on a handshake, but guess what, most hunters are not like us. Think I am wrong, go to some of the other forums that you used to go to before Tradgang and see what is out there and who you would let on your land.

George, don't mean to be rude but before you start talking about an ignorant comment look at your comment about TX earlier, don't know your age but we are not a bunch of kids to be talked down to, you do that you know, again don't mean to be rude but you might want to look at the way you come across sometimes.
Let's just remember we are differant than most hunters here but unfortunantly the rest of the world sees those "hunters" as the majority, which they are.

Its easy to gain Free Access to hunt.

Finding Free Access to ones own defintion of quality hunting,  may not always be free and is worth whatever one wants to pay for it.

QuoteDo you pay for hunting access?

I bet poor ole myshootinstinks didn't know what a can worms he opened by asking a simple question.
  :smileystooges:


  :campfire:

It depends on the state!  I agree %100 with biggie and cory.  I live in the west now with tons of public, so I dont need to lease here.  I do take the money I save and put it towards other hunts which most of the time are on land that someone leased or a trespass fee to get on land that is hunted less.  Knowone on here is saying you have to do it, but how can you blame people for doing it, its a buisness.  It makes unusable land worth money and keeps it from being broken up.

I had not read any of this topic until tonight so I will put in my 2 cents now.
1) I hunt family property mostly and free acess property in north MO sometimes.
2) I don't see anything wrong with a landowner getting something for the game he is taking care of on his land.
3) Do I like to pay trespass fees? Not at all, I am as cheap as they come but I also understand that the landowner I am paying has contributed something to raising the game on his land and should be compensated if he feels he deserves it. Besides the money he is getting from me and whoever else is paying him could keep him from having to sell his farm which around here would be cobbled up into 3-5 acre plots or worse subdivisions.
In the end it is what it is and that is what each of us as individuals see it as. Some see it as good, others bad. It is all based on your values and what you want as a hunter. Some are happy to take home meat, others like a set of antlers to go with their backstraps. Some want the experience of a deep wilderness adventure while others want to ride the ATV down a logging road to within spitting distance of their stand. Different values and ideas. Just remember that if we don't stick together as hunters the other side will win by forfiet.

gehrke and swp make an excellent point. Whne farms (or any sizable tract) are sold off, they are mostly broken up into small tracts. If paying a landowner a fee helps him keep his land, that is reason enough to do it.

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong on this issue. I do think you fellas that say you're NEVER gonna pay to hunt are cheating yourselves out of some tremendous memories. PLUS, anytime you say never, you're one day gonna have to be so stubborn that you'll have to quit hunting or go back on your word.

Biggie....Most of us here in rural Pa. have grown up with access.  To me it seems natural and neighborly; of course, neighborly is fast becoming extinct.   Pennsylvania has seen fit (over the decades) to set land aside for public access and I don't see that ending anytime soon.
We are indeed fortunate that we are so blessed, yet we still have people bitchin' about no deer on this land...so they to will pay to hunt in Ohio or Illinois.

Granted, I don't chase whitetails in Iowa, Kansas, etc., nor do I have that drive to become an addict to the sport.  If I had, perhaps I would think differently.  Pragmatically speaking, paying a lease is probably no different than helping the neighbor build his fence, in one context...however, when we help build that fence, we do it out of respect, knowing we have the right to hunt there anyway.  To me that is different.

I am bull headed and still think that leasing will eventually create less opportunity...not more.  You see the area in which I live is poor by most urban/suburban standards.  Average income around here is probably a third of what some folks around the cities make.  Leasing would eliminate private land hunting in our environment, except of course for those with the financial wherewithal to do it.  

By the way....you can come hunt on my folks land for no entrance fee or lease...you just have to bring some good southern whiskey for my daddy-in-law.  You won't need much...he's 94..but he thinks he's still 60 8^).

I personally spend at least $1000/yr on hunting leases and I purchased 40acres of my own about 6 years ago. By leasing, I have access to over 3000 acres of hunting property, most of which is less than 10 minutes from home. I could hunt public land but would probably spend as much money on gas and/or lodging as I do on leasing so I could hunt inferior hunting land with a bunch of folks that I don't know. Thanks but no thanks.

If you don't want to pay to hunt private property because you think it is wrong, then try purchasing some property yourself. Let me put it this way, for the cost of the 40 acres that I bought a few years ago, I could have paid my lease on nearly 3000 acres for the rest of my life(at the current price). That is for 40 ACRES! Now consider that landowner down the road that you don't think you should have to pay who owns 200 acres. Give me a break!!

Also, leasing will not be the ruin of hunting. Development of land for purposes other than hunting will be. There are simply a lot more people in the world than ther was 50 years ago. Many places that I pass on my way home from work use to be great for seeing deer, turkey, and other wildlife. Now they have strip malls, quick stops, or sub-divisions on them. Trust me, those properties are gone as far as hunting goes, and leasing had nothing to do with it. If paying to hunt keeps someone from selling land to the nearest "developer" then let me get out my wallet.

Just my thoughts....

PS. That $1000 I spend to hunt is less than what most folks pay yearly for cable TV or a cell phone. Which is worth more to you????

I'm glad I live in PA.

As long as there are Amish farmers, strip mines, paper forests, game lands, state, and National forests, and landowners that permit access when asked... I will never pay a dime to hunt but one property.

As far as mooching, well I guess if the farmer thinks its mooching he can ask for a fee, at which point I can ask his neighbor to hunt there.  I treat the owner with respect and do what I can to leave it better than I found it. I abide by their rules. Occasionally they may get some wild game from me, or a helping hand.

I guess I'm a mooch then. But it doesn't cost me additional money to hunt.  Money that I can spend on things I actually need.  

But thats my choice.

Free access went out the window here thanks to trial lawyers...I'm glad there is public land available for those who can take advantage of the opportunity, but its not free. We all pay for it and that's fine by me... I quit hunting game lands here many years ago, simply because I would like to live to hunt next year. Here they are way overcrowded by IDIOTS, except for the few hunt drawing opportunities...With all that said, I wouldn't dream of trespassing/hunting on private land without permission or offering to pay/work or both. It may be the ruination of hunting but what little money that landowners get for hunting pales in comparison to the amount of property taxes. That doesn't even factor in the liability issue. I'm not a rich man by any means, but I hunt private land because that's whats available to me. I'm lucky now that most of my hunting is on land that I am caretaker for. One of my responsibilities is keeping other people off the land. This can be a hard job because of the number of hikers, dog walkers, dirt bikers, atvers, tree huggers, poachers, etc. who think they are "entitled" to be there. I would add hunters to the list, but here if you don't have written permission, its called poaching.

David

I figured this topic would turn controversial.  I can and basically do, live in George & Ken's world.  There's lots of public land in WY and while I do hunt primarily on private land, I don't have to. Nor do I pay a lease other than extending friendly gratitude to the ranchers, folks I have known for many years.
   But my situation, as well as George's & Ken's, are clearly not the norm. Many properties around the country have turned over to new owners in the last 10-20 years. These people have paid big money for these properties and have a budget to meet. If they'll let us hunt free, fine.  If they'd consider that mooching then I reckon we'll have to pay them for the use of thier property.  It's their call and I can't fault them for it. The old saying "if you want to dance then pay the fiddler".
     Right now, I don't have to worry about a place to hunt. One reason I started the thread is my wife & I may be relocating to the mid-west or east and would like to know what getting access is like. Shucks, I'll just move to the Adirondacks or Southern PA.   :campfire:

I live in Texas, being a naturalized Texan it was a real shock to find that the only way I would be hunting in this game rich state was to pay for the opportunity.

I grew up in Michigan, where I hunted on friends, neighbors, and family land.  Getting permission to hunt was as easy as falling off a log.

I have mixed feelings about having to  pay to hunt. In Texas 90 percent of the land is privately onwned.  Therefore, day hunting, and season leases are a couple of ways for the rancher to pay the taxes on his property, and in some cases make a handsome profit. For most Texans, this will be the only access.

I am all about free enterprise, but a cop don't make much money.  Last year I paid $1200.00 to hunt on a season bow lease that was a bust. Day hunting can run as little as 100.00 to 300.00 a day.  Most of the best South Texas leases, and prime Hill Country leases will set you back 1800.00 2500.00 a year.  

In my opinion, it has really hurt the blue collar guy.  The State land that is available is managed for all types of recreation, with hunting appearing to be the last thing on the list.

For you western hunters,  the public land in Texas, even the National Forest, won't have the number, or quality of game you guys have.  They also have a tendency to be over crowded by hunters, campers, and guys riding around on ATV's.

If I must pay to hunt, I will pay until I can't afford to anymore, then I will hunt public land.  

I will be hanging up the badge and gun in the next twenty four months.  When I do, I plan to move out west, buy me some land, build a log home, hunt, fish, and share my bounty with others who still have to break the bank to hunt.....some of you might want to look me up!

QuoteOriginally posted by leatherneck:
Unfortunately we all don't have the luxury,or the funds, to live only where there is public hunting. I live where the work is and hunting is second. I agree it says alot for a persons up bringing. I for one put my family first and hunting second. So i need to lease cause the work is here in OHIO. If work took me to N.Y. where there is endless public hunting, then so be it. But for now I will lease and have a place for my kids to hunt safely.

Really folks, is this worth an argument? I'm just as guilty and Swampy said it best. We are all brothers and sisters here who enjoy the same thing, hunting traditional. Does it really matter what type of land we hunt? I feel fortunate that we all have a place to enjoy our passion, leased or public. I'm gone from this one. Later all.

Mike

I'm not taking a pro/anti leasing position, but I hunt in Ohio as well and there is quite a bit of public land here.  You do have to put up with other folks out there but if you are looking for a public option, the ODNR's web page has quite a number of maps of public land.

The leasing thing is not everyones favorite topic.  It hurts to lose land, or have to pay big money to hunt, but it's just the way it is.  I live in Illinois, and have only been bowhunting 16 years or so.  Even when I first started, getting permission to bowhunt was no problem.  I even used to hunt in Fulton county in the famed "golden triangle" for free.  Those days are missed, but are gone.  I have never hunted in Pike county.  Probably never will.  I know a guy my age who lives in Pike county and has never hunted there because the leasing prices are so high!  I still hunt public land, but I also lease now.  Even if it is only a 25 acre tract of woods.  It's just the way it is now.

The only fee I pay is a $30 annual park access fee to cross Indian reservation land to get to Iowa public hunting land that is only accessable otherwise by boat on the river or across a private corn field.

I feel public hunting land is often too under-utilized.  I've seen more hunters on private ground of a generous landowner than at the nearby public spots.

Around here you own land,have family/friends that own land, or lease hunting rights. I have family land I hunt, just bought a small track of land just for hunting, and also have a hunting lease so I have all three covered at this time. Not much public land within a several hour drive from me.

I hunt "behind" a friends house who has 4.7 acres. I have killed 4 p&y bucks off the place. I "pay" him every year with a beef tenderloin and a slab of smoked salmon.   BILL

I have a small place in Texas with lots of good deer. If I didnot I would be forced to (1) Lease land (which I used to do) and it is not CHEAP in this state! (2) Hunt Public land, over crowded? and not the quality of animial I like to shoot. I also hunt out of state (IL and ID) Idaho is great, 70% of the state is State/BLM land, you gotta hunt it hard!! I can't afford ( even a drop camp) 5-7 days hunting with a price tag of $2000.00+ to start. When I hunt Idaho I can do it for 30 days for half this cost! I know outfitters have to make a livin' to, so I can't complain about their cost.

I live near public land and that's what I hunt, but Wyoming ranchers have learned that they can make a buck by charging, and it is their land, so they can do as they please. Hunting private land here probably gives better opportunities, but there is an awful lot of great public hunting access. When I see hundreds of elk on private ranches, though, it is tempting until you learn that the trespass fees are in the thousands of dollars. Years ago, it was pretty easy to get access; just ask, and in most cases access was granted; "leave gates like you find them, don't kill our livestock, and don't tear up the roads". Too many idiots couldn't abide by those rules, so lots of access got closed.

In March I am going to Texas to try to stick a couple of javelina, and at least where I am going, I thought the fee was pretty reasonable. It will be a new experience, and I am looking forward to the different style of hunting for a different animal.

It would be great if access was like it was 'in the good old days', but it isn't and that isn't going to change. In the meantime, I plan on doing what I can afford and enjoying the hunting experience to the best of my ability.

Our ranch is enrolled in the Montana Block Management program:  http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunteraccess/blockman/faq.html    

We allow the public access to our ranch in exchange for a sportsman's license, limited liability protection, livestock loss reimbursement, and compensation to offset "potential hunting impacts".
FWP  provides signs, maps, permission slips etc.  
The "compensation" I receive is about $1600 per year.  (I've heard of folks with locked gates charging that much per deer). In a typical season, hunters harvest approximately 50 deer, 3 elk, a black bear or two + grouse and turkeys on our BMA.

My main reasons for allowing strangers with weapons to run around on my land are:

1 It helps reduce my crop losses do to wildlife
2 It enhances my own hunting enjoyment knowing that I am hunting deer and elk that are truly free chase and not just some half domestic game refuge animals protected by a fence.
3  I have not needed the liability protection or the livestock loss reimbursement yet, but knowing it is there helps me to sleep better at night.
4 I just plane hate to see hunting become a "rich man's sport"!!!  I feel good about the fact that hunting on my land is virtually for free.


The negatives are:
1 I often feel crowded when hunting and wish that I had the place to myself.
2 Me and my family seem to be constantly answering the phone or folks knocking on the door during hunting season.
3 Some people feel that because I am "being paid" to allow hunting --- I owe them something more than just the opportunity to hunt.
4 Many of my  neighbors resent the fact that I let the public hunt.  They feel that "My Hunters" are harvesting some of the bucks that they are trying to grow into trophies, to improve the "market value" of the hunting on their land.
5 Since my ranch cloths tend to be somewhat deer colored, I have an orange hunting vest on when out working.  Just because I am in Blaze orange doesn't necessarily mean that I am hunting and yes, I know that the access is walk in only--but -- This is  MY LAND!  

 I would like to see Montana's Block Management program expanded  and I think that it could serve as a template for other  states to use to expand  hunting access on private land.

depends upon what you mean for free . I recently bought my dream place, 300 acres of timber and bluffs and streams. Now I can hunt when and where i want but, it took  me 30 years of saving and investing and scrounging...... my hunting has never cost so much as it does now. But I am very happy......

If you still have a place to hunt for free that you dont own or have to pay the taxes on consider your self extreemely FORTUNATE!

Deff,
Thanks for participating in the Montana program. Wyoming has a similar program, with mixed results. Seems like there are always one or two morons that can't help but be a pain in the buttocks, and that can transfer to closed and locked gates. I sure don't blame the landowner when that happens. Landowners that do put up with hunters on their land should be applauded.
We appreciate it!

I took a friend hunting on land leased through my hunting club a couple weeks ago.  He was so proud to tell me all about how all he hunts is this isolated piece of public land in northern Michigan for FREE (unlike me)...

All he has to do he says is, stay at his cabin or hotel, hook up his boat and trailer at 2am every morning, drive to the river, somehow safely navigate in freezing temps and bad weather way up river to this isolated island/land and have at it, safely return to truck, put boat and motor on trailer and make it back home in one piece by 8pm in order to do it all over again the next day.  

No matter how you cut it, we all pay through time/effort, money, and tax dollars to get into some decent hunting these days.

Nope I don't even pay for camping...tee hee

Jer Bear

yes and no

I always give something to the people who let me stay with them in Kansas, and something to the landowners too as a big thank you.

This year myself and 4 other bowhunters paid to "lease" my uncles 300 acres. Why? Too many people hunted it without permissions, and "they" basically took away the fun of hunting there. Leasing is gave my uncle some cash, and gave me the power by signed permission to put up no trespassing signs and to keep people out.

I never wanted to do that, but times have come to it

we pay high property taxes on the 350 acre family farm.  The heck of it is that my buddy hunts only public land and gets much larger deer than we do on our private land.  Can't eat antlers anyway!  :D

I think we all pay some how, through effort or deeds. I'm a builder and offer odds and ends in exchange for privileges.
 Although I will say public land in CT is not hunted very hard during early archery season.
 I've been hunting Iowa since 94 and have a good public land spot out there. Have yet to see another hunter close by.