Hey guys, frustrated with having few small areas to hunt here in my home state of Illinois I am looking at the possibility of securing a large piece of property with a long term lease. I would want to find a group of like minded traditional bowhunters to be members. Of course there will be no gun hunting allowed.(Like I really needed to say that). This would NOT be done for any profit whatsoever. Basically, all members would split the cost of the lease, and would be able to use it whenever they like. I just want to get a good piece of property and be able to keep it for years and hunt with some good folk. Access will be year round for scouting, hanging stands, turkey hunting, etc. This may or may not happen this season, but it is something I am looking into seriously and am wondering if anyone would be interested in this sort of thing. Let me know what you think.
I may be interested .
I'm interested also
I am interested also.
I would love something like that. PM me
Allan
sounds good! long as the cost is not to high i'd be interested as well.
I'm definately interested.
I am interested as well. We would likely have to set it up in a trust. Have certain rules, like a memeber can only have so many guest per season. How many bucks/does harvested. Size of bucks harvested per year? how many turkey's harvested per year? spring turkey season gun or bow? Like am said am interested, will need to find the property then have a gathering of people to talk all this through and go from there.
Keep me in mind. I live 10 minutes east of St. Louis. A couple strip pits on it sure would be nice.
I would be interested as well. Please keep me / us posted. Thanks John
I'd sure be interested in hearing what you find Jon.
I would like to hear more about it.
I would definately like to hear what you find. Please keep me informed.
Mike
Toddster, I like your ideas, and agree. I've been on this for a little while now guys. I'm hoping to make it happen. I know it's getting close, but I'd like to get it together this season, but if not, I feel confident I could get it together by next season.
I would definitely be interested.
Please keep me posted.
Hmmm... sounds kinda interesting. Let's hear some more.
Me and my dad are interested in hearing more about the club.
I might be interested Jon. Hap
I likewise would be interested.
I think its same to assume, everyone is interested in an large tract of land in IL solely devoted to traditional archery hunting?
Jon, keep us informed, me and my Dad might be interested. Thanks, Jr.
Jon, I'm interested, please keep me informed.
---
T
I am interested as well. Really hinges on where in Ill. Keep me posted as well.
thanks,
matt
I want to know more
yes :bigsmyl: :campfire:
I will be watching this thread and you can include me if enough members can be arrived at so the cost isn't to prohibitive. Please keep the info coming so a final decision can be arrived at.
Rick
I'm interested but totally ignorant... :knothead:
Are you thinking of you leasing from a farmer and sub leasing to the eventual group or having the group lease directly from the farmer or.... buying as an individual and leasing to the group or buying as a group and sharing actual ownership....
Lots of ways to do it for sure and I'm sure many end possibilities for the expenses, dues etc.
I'd love to be in on it but honestly don't know what I'd be able to afford a year from now. The ol' career path is taking some hits and changes in the new Obamaconomy.
If you are gonna make up a list, put me on it and I'll let you know when the time comes.
I am in.(please) keep me(us) posted.
Chuck-
HHHMMMMM very interesting Jon! As Dave Bulla said there are alot of ways this could go.What part of IL are you looking into.This may be a dumb question, but is IL a state you have to draw for a tag?I have heard out of state tags are quite expensive for IL.Is this true?
Bill
Ok guys...it looks like there is plenty of interest in something like this. I have been looking at a couple of different properties, but will continue to see what may be available. Most likely we would be talking about the west central or east central part of the state. I have hunted a ton of counties here, and these areas are the best in my opinion. As was mentioned before, nothing is a done deal yet, but I wanted to see if others would be interested in this idea. I am looking for large parcels of land, especially those that have allowed little or no hunting as of recent. The plan is to secure rights on a long term basis, and involve enough members to pay the bills, but few enough to ensure quality hunting. As I said, I have a few different properties that may possibly work quite soon, but If not, I will continue the search for next season. This is something I have thought about quite a bit for the last 5 or 6 years, and am beginning to feel this is the best answer. All opinions are welcome. Thanks a bunch guys.
How many acres are talking here?
Jon, I might be talked into it.
Guys, thanks for the interest. I will let everyone know as to what develops.
Jon,I would be interested...
I think you have a great idea cooking. I would be intrested. Please keep me posted.
I would also be very interested in an IL trad only lease. Keep us informed.
Put my name in also, Phil and I can ride up together.....
Onestringer said: "If Geronimo shot a Black Widow, you would be speaking Apache."
Geronimo had a Winchester or Henry, lever action. Just a bit of historic information *^).
Maybe pretty soon the whole state can be locked up in exclusionary leasing. The midwestern states are already headed in that direction and it is not good for hunting in general.
QuoteOriginally posted by George D. Stout:
Maybe pretty soon the whole state can be locked up in exclusionary leasing. The midwestern states are already headed in that direction and it is not good for hunting in general.
George IL has already rwached that point I'm affraid and thus my interest in this!
Guys, just wanted to update you on this idea. This idea is not new at all obviously. Gene and Barry Wensel did this in Iowa with Excellent results. I am looking to do something similar. I have looked at a few large parcels. Large parcels of land in Illinois are a little tough to come by anymore. Anyway, I had a VERY promising tract of land that I was looking at, but the landowner wanted to retain gun hunting rights for him and his entire family. Even though gun season in Illinois is relatively short, I had to decline. This is most likely not going to happen this season, but I feel it will happen by next season. As was mentioned before. This will not be for any profit at all. I am not interested in being an outfitter. But I have lived here all my life, and hunting opportunites are beyond the point of being a premium. I constantly get permission for a place, only to lose it the following season. I can no longer hunt the property where I killed the buck in my avitar. The reason is that the landowner is kind of a deer hunter. Once he found out about this buck he decided he needed to hunt the area more often. I can't blame him...it was a tiny spot but it was good. What I am looking for is a large property to be leased on a long term basis with some good like minded members. The cost of the lease will be split amongst the members. Access will be open to members year round, and numbers of members will be limited to ensure quality hunting for some of the best bucks in the world. The reason I posted this in the first place is because I wanted to make sure there would be enough interest in such a thing to make sure I could get enough of the right guys to cover the lease costs. It looks good, so I plan on going forward with it.
George, I understand what you are saying and agree. I don't like it anymore than you do. But I have been a lifetime resident of Illinois and I currently have 2 tracts of private gound to hunt. One is 22 acres and the other is 19. And I am not the only one who hunts them. Leasing has taken hold here. Every winter I make huge efforts to gain new places to hunt, but it just does not work that way anymore here. I send letters. I offer labor. I tell them I studied wildlife biolgy. I tell them I will never use a 4-wheeler or bring other people with me. Farmers in my state realize that everyone wants to hunt Illinois, so if you don't have something worthwhile to give them in return, you are out. Can't blame them. Deer hunting to me is not a hobby....it's who I am, so I'll do what I feel is necessary. But it is not all bad. Good deer management can happen when the right guys have control of the right property.
Well said Jon. Keep us informed. Ignore the naysayers, they usually don't have anything good to say about ANYTHING anyhow! Gosh negative people get on my nerves.
I'm still interested.
Mike
This sounds like a great idea, and much needed. I will be watching for any updates and participation.
Good Work!
Does the property need to be only IL? As I own 45 acres of prime MO deer and turkey archery only land. Interestingly enough there are over 800 acres which join my property. I've owned my property for 4 years and every year have worked to improve the habitat for deer and turkey. The property itself was un-hunted for the previous 20 years and is very productive; 9-point non typical last year 12 point typical 2 years ago with numerous opportunities. The property itself is a natural funnel connecting other properties and holds many deer and turkey.
I'd be very interested and live in rural Illinois. Where are you looking for land? I can look in West Central Illinois for you if you like. I know most of the farmers and that would be excellent to lease a farm which is not hunted. Great deer in my part of the state.
Let me know
sam
Sam...ABSOLUTELY. The more people we can get involved to find the right property the better. If you have any leads, I would be extremely interested, as long as the landowner was open to a long-term lease with no gun hunters. Send me a PM or contact me at jonsimoneau@hotmail.com or (815) 549-5186.
I'm quite serious about getting something like this together, so any of you that may have a possible land connection would be a big help. I'm looking, and am confident that the right property will come up.
count me in keep me posted
What part of Illinois are you in John?
I currently live on the border of Kankakee, and Iroquois county.
I would definitely be interested.
Just make sure your contract ("Da Rules") has been gone over well by a lawyer, and don't forget mandatory safety rules and waivers, etc. The last thing you need is that one guy who wants to sue the club. Contact some large ranches in Texas and see how they handle this. They've been doing this for decades.
Count me in. I have been in a couple of deals like this before so, I have a few suggestions for the rules. As Tom said everything needs to be worked out in advance. Including penalties for breaking the rules. This can work, But everyone needs to be on the same page from the start.
Yep lets get together sometime, either have a little lunch/shoot or squirrel hunt. We can lay some ground work.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tom Leemans:
Just make sure your contract ("Da Rules") has been gone over well by a lawyer, and don't forget mandatory safety rules and waivers, etc. The last thing you need is that one guy who wants to sue the club. Contact some large ranches in Texas and see how they handle this. They've been doing this for decades.
I totally agree with this. Even great guys can have conflicts when the guidelines aren't clear. Everyone has a different vision of what's exceptable if it isn't agreed on from the outset. May I suggest looking at A Practical Guide to Producing and Harvesting White-tailed Deer by Dr. James C. Kroll (http://forestry.sfasu.edu/outreach/dr.-kroll-books-videos-3.html) ? He has a whole chapter on how to set up a hunt club from liability to charter rules, how successive generations fit in etc. I'm not interested in a commitment but wouldn't mind being a "guest" someday. :biglaugh:
I would like to be included if there is an airport close by. Thank you.
Rick
Try this guy. We used him for a lease in Wi about 5 years ago and was reasonable. Land owner sold property to the state and away went the lease. Looked at land about two years ago and to tell you the truth we never had anything showed that was any good. What the heck you can only try! Good luck. Oh yeah, I will let the club pay for my first year out of state tag for giving you the tip!
http://www.leasehunt.com/index.asp
Jon I sent you a PM.
ttt
I would be interested.
Mike Lee
I'd be interested. It would come down to cost and distance for me. Please keep me informed.
-Jeremy
Jon I gave you a call, left a message. I can see Illinois from main street in the town in Indiana I live in and have never hunted there. One thing all we nonresidents should keep in mind is that we can only buy Illinois tags online or by phone and they go fast after they start. In fact last year or the year before all non-resident tags were gone in less than 24 hours.
I thought that Jon just told me they had some left.
I have never had a problem of getting tags in Illinois. Sometimes i have waited three weeks after they opened up the system to order and still have gotten my tag. Not saying they will not run, but i have never run in to that problem.
Hey guys, obviously there has been alot of interest in this concept. I just want to say that this will most likely not be happening this season. However, I have recently been talking to a realitor whom I have known my whole life who deals with many properties in the west central part of the state AKA the "Golden Triangle" He feels he can help me find the right property, as finding a large block of property in Illinois is becoming more and more difficult. We have agreed that we want to deal with only one landowner. We want a property that is large, or a few broken properties in close proximity to each other. He will do this for me for no commision due to being a family friend. I am open to any suggestions from anyone on this site as far as properties, and/or rules. However, I have already come up with some on my own and they are as follows if it is agreed by everyone.
There will be ABSOLUTELY no guns whatsoever allowed on the property for any reason (this includes turkey hunting) Not that I really need to mention that here, but just to be sure.
NO compound bows! I don't mean to be too picky, but I am looking for membership of a bunch of like minded individuals. Nothing against compounds, but they will not be allowed here.
NO four-wheelers period. Four wheel drive trucks will be allowed to retrieve deer as long as they never leave a road. If your buck is big enough to shoot, you won't mind dragging it out! HA! I will make myself available to help drag out deer any chance I am able.
This property will NOT be near my home. It will not be something that I am hunting non-stop while out of state members are not around. I have to work for a living like most of you and will be doing most of my hunting near home until November rolls around. November.....makes me salivate just hearing the word!
Membership will be limited, and will be on a first come first serve basis. Members from this site will absolultely come first. I am looking for something fairly long-term. I am thinking 5 years to start with. If you join, and need to get out for any reason, a new member will be required to fill your spot. We can work together on this, and I doubt it will be much of a problem to work this out if needed.
Access will be allowed YEAR ROUND for members, for scouting, hanging treestands, fishing, turkey hunting etc.
This operation will be done FOR NO PROFIT in any way. I don't have the time nor the desire to be an outfitter. Video cameras are fine, but NOT for anything that will be sold for a profit. I will not make a dime and will likely lose money, but I feel it will be worth it.
As far as restrictions on deer size goes...I would be open to your suggestions, other than NOBODY will be fined for shooting a buck that does not meet someone elses critera. We can set goals, but will not penalize someone if they make a mistake. Let me know how you guys feel on this.
I'm getting really excited about this, and feel it will happen in the near future.
Please address any concerns, or give suggestions/comments here.
As you you know, Illinois has many different rules and definitions. I would be very carefull as you guys go forward, and find out from authorities about the definition of "Outfitter." It may not be your intension to be an outfitter, or to make any money or "monetary" income, but the definition is very loose. If you take a large tract that has not been hunted, that is one thing, but if you indirectly move other people off so your "club" can hunt, it oftentimes creates bad feeling. These other people can call you in and request to check your outfitting license, and insurance etc. It has happened, and the law can be a little vague and changing.
Mike, good information to know. I'd be willing to hear anymore info you have about this. I guess if necessary, I could get the license, and all of that. But still it will be for no profit. I don't want to move people off of land they are hunting. I hate that. It's happend do me so many times...as I am sure it has happend to you here too. There will be many things to consider. Thank you for the help man! By the way...can I have those two bucks in your avitar? What a couple of beauties!!!
Kevin Bahr? Are you still interested? Let's work together here man!
I definately would be interested in being a part of thet
Jon.. the one on the left is older but doesn't have as many or as long of tines. I past him up two years earlier and his live image is in Primal Dreams. I filmed the one on the right in velvet the same year I took him, but the footage was too dark use in our film.
I have hunted over 13 Illinois counties, and yes, things are changing. Leasing is not what we all want, but is becoming a fact of life I guess. It is a way to give back to the land as well, if your landlord will allow you guys to plant trees, make brush piles, put up bird houses etc. Enjoying nature goes far beyond the kill. Mike
Mike, I gotta watch the video again and find that buck. What a beauty!
I agree with you too, nothing new there. What you are talking about is exactly what I am looking for. By the way, if you want to send those two bucks to me, my address is 3150 River Rd. Kankakee, Il, 60901! No way I could carry them both out of the field at once, but I bet I can carry both mounts! HAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Thanks for the info also!
I would be interested as well. Keep me posted please.
Jon, I may be interested in something like this also. Thanks
Jon, It took some doing, but I got both those deer packed and I sent them to you today. Look for them to arrive on Thursday, USPS. Mike
Ohh..I'm not falling for that one again mike!!!
Jon,
Definitely a lot of interest being shown, not sure how to get on the fist come first served list, but I am definitely interested. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist. I live near Champaign, Il. and would be willing to do some field trips to the west side of the state.
Hey Jon, yep, still interested. Just depends on where and how much. Just got the first tuition bill for Chase at ISU...YIKES! :scared:
Kevin, I'll be getting in touch with you. Chase needs a place to "chase" critters too!
Jon, I'm still very interested in this as well!
For those interested in this, I am still looking into it and have been talking with 4 different landowners. I feel I will have something put together for next season.
That is great keep me posted please.
I live on west river road between Wilmington and Route 113 I would be interested.
Mike Lee
I would like to be update when things happen I might be interested.
I'm interested,let me know...
Please keep me posted. Thanks.
Hey guys, I have written down everyone who is interested in this concept. I had a couple of properties that looked promising but fell through. I will continue to work on this and am hoping to put something together for next deer season. Actually, it's been a little tougher than I thought to find the right land. Especially in the golden triangle area, prices are high, and it is very competitive. It seems that I am having difficulties since I am looking for property that can be locked in for a fairly long term basis. Please be patient, and thank you for all of your input.
Last time I checked Golden Triangle lease rates were $30 to $50 per acre, depending on open land vs timber. Makes it tough to put together an affordable club with a manageable number of members. Good luck