Panic has set in: I lost all my hunting leases

['TUDE]

I got word a week or so ago that my deer lease owned by a family friend was now leased to a timber company. I was very disappointed but the place didn't cost me a dime, ever and I decided to plan on option two. It does really suck as there are some nice deer in that 800 acre lease. This is in Red River county, TX.

Option two is a large section of private land owned by a patient of mine. Every time I have visited with him, he has offered this land to me to hunt on come deer season. He has even offered me his cabin on said piece of land. I've never seen the place but it is described as never hunted nor would he allow anyone local to hunt there. He's shown me bucks that have been taken by him from there in the past and they are nice.It's in SE Oklahoma by the way. Well, I give the fella a call tonight and he tells me that he had to sell the place to cover bills due to his lengthy illness. I don't blame the poor guy. I'm just glad he had the place to sell.

Now, I move on to option three. Option three had the land owner die last month and the family is not letting anybody in.
Option four puts me on a small portion of gubment land which for years, was never published......that is until I started hunting for an up to date map and found that now IT IS PUBLISHED. Now every city-slicker will surely pack this virgin spot. Might as well dress up like a deer if i go there because saftey orange dang sure ain't going to help keep from being shot by the "if it moves, shoot it" bunch.

Sometimes you just can't win for losing. This weekend, I plan on scouting up near the Kiamichi Mountains in Oklahoma for a place, so wish me luck.

[Gunga Din]

There's always the "Back to Pennsylvania with Splattermatic" option.   ;)

And it sounds like you are durn close to needing it.   :biggrin:

[adam762]

Tude, pack up your gear and come up here for a week. They say that Muskingum county, OH, has more whitetail than anywhere else in the country. The town doubles in size during gun season. I know lots of folks with plenty of land, just bring your truck and your shotgun. Shoot, even my brother is an expert deer butcher.

I'd rather be in some mountains in OK though. Prettier.

[Windustsearch]

There are handing out two doe tags in places in NE WA these days because those critters are so thick. No need for a lease (I take it that is when you pay or get permission to hunt someones land?). Otherwise they are just getting pasted by the hundreds on the highways.

[CR1198]

Adam, you are not suggesting that your brother butcher any deer, are you? We just recently got him to take "butchery-related cutting" off his resume! Where would he do it anyway, in the shed? I want NO part of this!!

Seriously, this area is full of deer. If you don't get them, a car will. One jumped over the hood of my wife's car when she was downtown just yesterday.

[dougjones31]

Get your family friend to call the timber company and get you hunting permission. If he leased the land to the timber company he could have kept his hunting rights.....the timber company doesn't hunt. We do it all the time around here and 50% of the land around here is owned or leased by timber companies. I have access to about 10,000 acres. Even have the keys to a bunch of the gates. Getting to know someone at the Timber company is a good thing to do.

Some timber companies make you lease the land that they own before you can hunt it, but some do not. It does not hurt to ask.

[Muggzy]

It is happening her too (Illinois) Hunting Clubs, (I use the term loosely) are leasing the grounds. Also guys are offering the land owner money if they will give them exclusive hunting rights. Meaning...everyone is out but them and their buddies.

I have been fortunate in that the two areas I hunt, I have been at for over 20
years. One developer wanted to come in and build a sub division but it is listed
as "flood Plain" so that shot em down.

The other area I hunt is flood plain also...but...my mother in law has 40 acres
of prime farm ground that the landowner wants, so I get to hunt.

As more and more hunters come into the playing field the ground and available areas become less and less.

I will get to take my brother in law and his son firearm deer hunting this year.
It will be their 1st time hunting. I am anxious for them and also kinda of leary
at the same time. I want them to enjoy the experience....I don't want anyone hurt. I have tried to talk with them about respecting the animal they are going to kill...I'm not sure I getting through to them.....we'll see. There is much to enjoy while out in the timber and a great time to reflect on life, period. I hope
they enjoy it for more than just the killing of a majestic animal.

[Cummins_4x4]

Jeff, James and I lucked into a 3000 acre hunting lease! We're the only guns on it! Of course you're welcome to come hunt if you can't find an area. And just anyway!

['TUDE]

The timber company's contract is very specific and will not allow hunting while they are on the land with equipment stored. They are only cutting 100 yard swaths of timber at a time in an equal grid pattern per my friends instructions.

And no, I have never paid a cent ever for any hunting land. It's getting to the point that I might reconsider that next year. I have been offered to "go in together" with friends in the past but always scoffed at paying to hunt.

Thanks for the invitations too folks. I wish Ohio was closer.

Jerry, thank you friend. We may have to talk this one over.

[Hebrew Battle Rifle]

Tude:

I am a member of a hunting club ( very loose use of that term) that is in south central Arkansas. Deer o plenty here and the house has all of the amenities and plenty of bunks. It ain't the Ritz, but it is comfortable. Mag fed semi autos are legal so long as you aren't using FMJ. You are welcome to hunt there if you like.

HBR