Changing Times

[fredhorace77]

Yesterday I decided to take a drive and swing by and see some ranchers and farmers that I know of, places ive hunted as time has gone by. I do this from time to time just to say hi and visit with them. Upon arrival to a few of them, I had found that they had passed away....and so did my hunting privileges....

The new owners are "Leasing it out for hunting". As I drove off, it just hit me...how much I long for the old days....

I can remember when my dad and I would drive around and find some birds a day or two before dove or turkey season opened and knock on a few doors and ask for permission to hunt. We were hardly ever told "No".

Now it seems if you dont have several thousands of dollars to lay down, your not going to be hunting much. What has happened to my world.... I consider myself so privileged to have lived when i have. But I still long for the days when things were easier. Seems like the world has gone and made its self so difficult.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Hunting leases are an important source of income for landowners. I know some for whom that income is all that allows them to keep property that's been in their family for hundreds of years.

 

[fredhorace77]

Hunting leases are an important source of income for landowners. I know some for whom that income is all that allows them to keep property that's been in their family for hundreds of years.

I agree, and im not upset about them making money as much as im upset about how much things have changed....for the worse if you ask me. Used to, a farmer made enough from farming and ranching, but I guess things are just different now.
But when it comes to money....really when is, "enough is enough".

 

[1K6BRA]

Unfortunately the only thing constant is change. I too grew up in a day as a young boy, when I could follow my nose through the woods and wonder what's on the other side of the hill with a sense of adventure without the possibility of running on to a hunting lease. Gone I believe forever are those days. I must admit that I joined a hunting lease in 1994 myself. I could read the handwriting on the wall back then. Here in Pennsylvania that is basically what it has become unless you want to hunt state game lands with the masses. I am sure there are still some opportunities out there if you knock on some doors but they are few and far between, especially if you want to deer hunt .I find myself telling my 23-year-old son since he started hunting about the good old days. I certainly feel blessed to have a decent piece of land to hunt for deer each year at a reasonable cost but I realize I sacrificed my sense of adventure back in 1994.

 

[Tommie]

I too mourn the days when respectful hunters had open permission on just about any land.

Farmers/landowners have every right to demand leasing fees. But I've gotta admit that demanding money for prairie dog and ground squirrel shooting seems to me like charging Orkin to exterminate roaches.

 

[Caleb85]

You know I completely understand what your talking about! The same thing happened to me, however now that I am a land owner and farm 2000 acres, and corn prices falling below $3 a bushel I have to lease my ground out to spring goose hunters that carry around rolls of $100 bills in there pockets just to pay some bills. In return I have to tell the little guy that he can't hunt because of that.. it hurts because I was once him!

 

[Comrade Terry]

"You can never go home again."

 

[Wjesswheel]

Hunting leases are an important source of income for landowners. I know some for whom that income is all that allows them to keep property that's been in their family for hundreds of years.

I can understand a farmer needing that money, and leasing his land out. I leased my first hunting land 15 years ago, it got me some really good land and really good memories of fair chase hunting.

What I don't understand with the new laws in my state. How many deer farms have popped up, the Amish are raising tons of them along with everyone else. Most are saying they can't raise enough to fill the demand for the canned hunting that has gotten so popular, and it ain't cheap. I just don't get it, not that is wrong and just ain't me. When you pick your deer from a brochure is it still hunting?

 

[M995]

When you pick your deer from a brochure is it still hunting?

To some people it is, but not me

 

[T 700]

The hunting world is not changing for the better either. It's all about money, I think about what I could do as a kid and I'm not that old, and how my son will never experience it. Just sad

 

[ShootDots]

Guys, I was born and raised in Western New York State. There was never any such thing as a lease! You simply asked permission and went hunting. I don't ever remember being turned down. I know that no one will believe this. But myself and a friend of mine actually went 'chuck hunting in the southern tier! No Biggie, except we HITCHHIKED>>WITH A RIFLE! Had no problems getting rides nor finding a place to hunt! Fast forward>>> I moved to Texas in '78. I wanted to go hunting BUT I quickly found out you need to have a lease OR go on "Public Land" i.e. Sam Houston National Forest. Which I did for a couple of years. I renamed it "Sam Houston National Blasting Range"! I decided getting a lease might be a better deal. I also learned that you do in fact get what you pay for! Now leases that are really worth being on, run $2500-4000 in The Texas Hill Country. A really good South Texas lease $6000 on up! BUT there are good things on a lease. 1.) There is ONLY you and whoever is on the lease with you>>not 2000 drunk crazies! 2.) you control the size and amount of deer you shoot. Ergo you can grow your herd! 3.) The hunting was fabulous compared to what I went on at Sam Houston National Blasting Range and considerably better than any "private" lands I asked permission to go on in New York. Even though it was "private property" in New York, nobody was ever denied that I know of, so it was overrun with very nice hunters, who also were granted permission! LOL!!!

Depending on how you look at it>>>I do miss the "good ole' days" >>> But I also understand the "for real" benefits of leasing lands AND I would rather have the leases of today. I spent A LOT of time hunting deer in New York and rarely even saw a buck! I did however, see many, many nice deer hunters behind nearly every tree!

 

[DRNewcomb]

.......2.) you control the size and amount of deer you shoot. Ergo you can grow your herd! 3.) The hunting was fabulous compared to what I went on at Sam Houston National Blasting Range and considerably better than any "private" lands I asked permission to go on in New York. .......

People do a lot more active and scientific herd management these days. My family belonged to a hunting club when I was a kid (late '50s- earl;y '60s). I don't recall the club doing much to grow the herd. (I maybe heard about running pigs into a small corn field.) Today lease holders regularly plant specific deer crops, manage feeders, etc to help grow the herd. We also did a lot of hunting on our own land and the land of the neighbors and friends. So, I understand the frustration of being told, "Sorry but it's leased."

 

[jdh47]

Things are a lot more complicated today as opposed to the past. Land owners are taxed more and more. Municipalities are paying attention and grabbing all the tax revenues they can. A lot of good land is developed and taken out of production. More people are hunting and shooting than ever before and a lot of them are pretty careless.

There is just more competition for less space to hunt. As time passes the situation will get worse. God Bless the farmers and ranchers.

Joe

 

[hogpatrol]

As others have stated, times have changed. The respectful WW2 guys are gone and their offspring are getting out for some of the reasons given. From what I've seen they have been replaced by newbies with no family hunting background or upbringing. Their only preparation has been phony tv hunting shows, youtube, video games and hunter safety training courses. Add in over regulation and game commissions trying to please everyone, it's a perfect storm for increasing use of leases and hunting clubs.
Ben, here in PA, we have the State War Game Lands to hunt on if you don't have a lease.

 

[olddav]

Just a quick uninformed opinion. I think the problem is population growth. More people on available land can only increase the value of available land and as a consequence fewer people will be able to afford access. I don't like it, but it is a natural and predictable consequence.

I am in the same boat, I can not afford the "fees" to gain access so "I hunt at the indulgence of others".

 

[ShootDots]

As others have stated, times have changed. The respectful WW2 guys are gone and their offspring are getting out for some of the reasons given. From what I've seen they have been replaced by newbies with no family hunting background or upbringing. Their only preparation has been phony tv hunting shows, youtube, video games and hunter safety training courses. Add in over regulation and game commissions trying to please everyone, it's a perfect storm for increasing use of leases and hunting clubs.
Ben, here in PA, we have the State War Game Lands to hunt on if you don't have a lease.

"State War Games Land"! LOL!! I do understand what you mean.. The last year I went to Sam Houston, a group of guys drove in the Friday before the opener. We had already set up camp and were peaceably making dinner. They were out of sight but close enough to hear them shooting. Just about dark, the shooting started. From the sound of the guns, I would guess maybe 7-10 "hunters". The BLASTING was like a war and lasted past 1a.m. in the morning! There would not have been any deer after that for at least 2 counties! I gave up and started leasing land! Much better! So I sympathize with you!

 

[1K6BRA]

It's getting expensive being me!

 

[jds holler]

I'm out west, in a state that I think is about 2/3 public land. We're are incredibly lucky compared to back east, but things are still changing -- and not for the better.

The best hunting lands are still on choice tracts of private land or certain over-hunted sections of the public units. Over the years, my recreation has become much less about hunting, at least for big game, and more about shooting, and pursuit of other species like coyotes and varmints.

For most of us in the "Boomer" age group, you've gotta admit that it's been quite a party, and in a lot of ways the party is over. I grew up in a world where I could simply walk from my back yard with my rifle, and start hunting on whatever property my feet took me to. The land owners simply didn't care. When I was old enough to drive, a couple gallons of gas would take me to areas that were virtually teaming with game. At least I've got the memories.jd

 

[Barlow]

Just a quick uninformed opinion. I think the problem is population growth. More people on available land can only increase the value of available land and as a consequence fewer people will be able to afford access. I don't like it, but it is a natural and predictable consequence.

I am in the same boat, I can not afford the "fees" to gain access so "I hunt at the indulgence of others".

That may be true in many areas, but where I live in northern Wisconsin the population has dropped over the years. When I was a kid everybody went everywhere on neighbor lands and nobody cared. Ownership of the land has changed over the years and it's all posted. I do have permission to hunt coyotes on some of it, but the majority I can't. Barlow

 

[hogpatrol]

In my junior year in high school, I took a J.C. Higgins .22 semi-auto to school for my public speaking class and gave a demo on disassembly and cleaning. We had a female teacher and the only thing she asked was if it was loaded. Walked to school carrying the gun case, put it in my locker and went to class with it later in the day. Talk about changing times. Today, it'd be swat teams and live coverage on CNN!