At my bowhunting only lodge I had a guy call (left a message) today asking if he could take some kids out on a youth hunt. I havn't returned his call as of yet. I lease farm land for the bowhunters. He wants to hunt the soy bean fields. He said he would really like the kids to get a deer. Part of me don't want this to happen but another part don't want me to turn my back on an up and comming hunter. Of course the kids will be using guns. Also he don't really want to support my lodge as far as staying there as he probably don't live too far away. I would like the area kept silent for bow hunters but I don't want to become the jerk I always complained about. What would you do?
I would explain that your lease is bowhunting only. He needs to check on a gun club that might be interested in helping him out. You might check around and gethim some tips on who or where to talk to or look. Any public hunting in your area? That may be something he hasn't thought about.
Yes lots of public hnting. But I think he wants a slam dunk. This is another thing. I think a kid needs to learn to hunt. At my lodge (with a gun) all you need to do is get out of the truck and blast one.
I agree, make it sound like a done deal, you lease for archery only and gunfire is not a good mix, maybe not even allowed per agreements..
Would like to help, but hands are tied.
CHuckC
when I was a kid there was a guy who had a hunting lease that was for bow hunters. but to help manage the does he would let youth hunters shoot does on a week that he would choose some years it was early season some years it was late. he would take us out put us in ground blinds with our dads or older brothers or someone supervising us. Then he would come pick us and our deer up. got us thinking and seeing what deer management was all about at a early age.
I would let them hunt but say that they had to use a bow and offer to teach them to shoot and set up their equipment. You can build a bowhunter for life doing that.
Lease is for archery only. I'd say 'no'. Your bowhunter customers might be disappointed if you allowed rifle hunts on the property.
First gut reaction sounds like a poor situation for you and your lease if you do not previously know this person. In the spirit of brainstorming different possible solutions what about verbally expressing an interest in supporting his youth hunters within the context and parameters of your current hunting set up. Rather than change all the rules for the kids possibly choose a weekend to include them, introduce them to hunting as you and yours do it. They may not be archery hunting ready but imagine the possible experience you could give and share with them. Some variation of this would give you control over what strangers are doing on your property, maintain the parameters set for the land and introduce the young one to very possibly an amazing experience in traditional hunting that they may otherwise never get. Just thoughts from my couch to yours, best of luck.
P.S. I'm sure he would decline and take the kids and guns somewhere else and blaze away over another field letting you off the hook any ways.
I would ask if he knew that this area was bowhunting only and a for profit business. I would then ask him to stop calling me.
Sorry, I love to get kids into the outdoor sports but not like this. If you were a member and asked me to sponsor a kids day... maybe. If you were an organization like kicking bear... probably.
I used to have a very good property on which I would do invites for the less fortunate every year but I didn't involve myself with charity to people I knew nothing about or whom knew nothing about me.
Kill',
I agree 100% with these guys. Either figure something out along the lines of what Scott E is describing, OR you should politely decline for the above reasons. Sorry to say, but those kids don't "need" to "get a deer". I would offer archery only or the highway, respectfully.
I probably would not allow it. If your lodge is bow only, your patrons could feel a bit cheated to have gun hunters on the place, kids or not. I don't think archery is a solution, either. You can't make them proficient archers in this short time. As much as you would like to help, this may not be one of those times where it is practical.
Tell him it's bow only and direct him to another operation that would allow rifle hunting with a good success ratio.
.... those kids don't "need" to "get a deer" ....
True words 9worlds!
It's your lease, why be uncomfortable?
The lease I manage is trad archery only(except for owners one nephew in gun season).
I've had to say no a couple times to gun guys and wheel bows.
That's just the way the lease is written and I have to abide by it to be fair to the guys who hunt here.
Bowhunting only lodge, not unreasonable to say no to a gun hunter. That is probably partly the reason some bowhunters come there.
Just my .02
Well said JAG. x2
Explain its a bow only lease. Offer them a a chance to return and let the kids hunt when they pass a proficiency test.
Depending on the style operation you run, may want to discuss with other paying members.
Who knows, may be the best thing that ever happens to them.
Tell him to book a bow hunt for the kids and he would have to stay at the lodge. After all, it is a business not a charity.
Kids aren't going to learn anything from plugging a deer with a gun tens steps from the truck anyway. I know I didn't.
QuoteOriginally posted by Scott E:
I would let them hunt but say that they had to use a bow and offer to teach them to shoot and set up their equipment. You can build a bowhunter for life doing that.
I would let him know that you are interested in helping young hunters get involved in hunting. I would then tell him they are welcome to hunt your property on specific dates IF they agree to hunt with a bow.
homebru
It would open a can of worms if you let them in my opinion.
That's a tuff one but actually IMHO it's not, just like most folks here have said. Sure he's welcome but to hunt here but to the same rules everyone else has to abide here to hunt!
I would have to politely decline. How well do you know the guy? I can't believe that he didn't want to throw some sort of support your way. If it's your land and people aren't paying to hunt there it's a different story,but when you have other people that pay to hunt there,it could be a source of tension.
A friend of mine let some youth hunters on his land. One kid and his grandfather got on it. When the deer came the grandfather took the gun and shot the deer. He is also a hunter saftey leader in the next town and my brother. His grandson squealed on him, but nothing was ever done about it. My friend ended letting the youth hunters on when he went out to check and found three youngsters along a field waiting, while the fathers were trying to drive deer to them. Nothing against youth seasons, but stuff happens when over zealous fathers get impatient.
I would take this as a good time to prepare a written policy on how the land is to be used. Spell everything out as detailed as you think it should be. Then have a polite and respectful conversation with this gentleman, and show him the document. Tell him that this is the policy that applies to everyone, not just him.
Then ask him if they would be interested in learning trad archery!
Thanx guys, I am going to feel better about telling him NO. Also he wants to coon hunt. This just keeps getting better and better.
These days, a lot of people feel free to ask you for anything. Unfortunately, so many people are asking for so much that legitimate requests can get lost in the crowd. These days, we don't even bother to answer the phone unless we recognize the number or name that is calling. In my parents' day, they would drop everything to rush and answer the phone, because a phone call back then generally meant somebody was calling because they had something important or personal to say to you. I'm not saying that the person who asked you for permission wasn't one of the few valid requests among the many leeches, but I am saying that we have to remind ourselves that unless we asked for or solicited a call from someone, we have no reason to feel guilty in saying "no," to them, and we have to say it a lot these days.
Easy to want to be a good guy, try and get the kids involved.. Other side of the coin, maybe, when I make a request, ask for permission, whatever the case may be, it is with the prior knowledge that there is at least a 50% chance that the answer will be a no.
If you,re not comfortable doing something, you probably should,nt do it.. Think I heard somewhere that "no" is an opening and closing statement, requiring no further explanation..
It would be better to teach the kids how to shoot a bow and HUNT rather than step out of the truck and blast one.
I's say no myself. Besides he'd be on you constantly for other freebies.
I hate to be the bad guy but telling him no will make less people upset than telling him o-k. Actually I can't believe he even asked. After all, would you stop by a Holliday Inn and ask to use the pool.
If you allow it, what are you going to say to the next guy with kids, and the next and next.......
QuoteOriginally posted by kill shot:
I hate to be the bad guy but telling him no will make less people upset than telling him o-k. Actually I can't believe he even asked. After all, would you stop by a Holliday Inn and ask to use the pool.
:laughing: very funny but true
I told him no. He took it well. I dread stuff like this but it went o-k.
QuoteOriginally posted by kill shot:
I told him no. He took it well. I dread stuff like this but it went o-k.
I know what you mean. Glad it all worked out :)
QuoteOriginally posted by kill shot:
Yes lots of public hnting. But I think he wants a slam dunk. This is another thing. I think a kid needs to learn to hunt. At my lodge (with a gun) all you need to do is get out of the truck and blast one.
I would let him know that the lease is bowhunting only. Help him find other options. Hunting isn't a slam dunk. It's hunting. Hunting doesn't always mean killing. it's about the total experience.
I think saying "yes" would/could open a whole can of worms. JAG had the short sweet answer.
what Brother JAG said as it would not hurt anyones feelings and would be the right thing to to anyhow good luck on that. :thumbsup: