Locally farmers have started mini auctions to sell Goose hunting rights in fields. What started as some of the guides offering money has turned into pay to play auctions for all.

Kind of losing interest in hunting as it becomes more commercialized. Do a bit of trapping, bit of fishing but don't have the willingness to spend 100 or 200 dollars for a chance to shoot a Goose for a day.

Agreed. That was my big push for owning my own ground. Its going to get nothing but worse from here....we arent too far behind europe...if you dont have deep pockets or your own ground, you wont be hunting. As for the farmers, let the deer and geese pillage their fields. Dont get me started on them....

Yep I feel that , can't even ask for advice without someone trying to sell me something. Remember when everyone was DIY now it's " hay bro you should totally buy that from my company !

Some of the people I trap for pay $6500 a year just to hunt deer

… and most don’t kill a big one as they have all kinds of criteria on what you can or can’t shoot

Rich men only clubs everywhere in the west

This past spring I went to buy my turkey license, got to checkout and it was $53 with all the fees and license and game bird stamp. I decided the state of Indiana could keep “their” overgrown sparrow.

And this is why I don't turkey hunt myself. The kids do on the youth license. Wors is It's $1 cheaper for them to hunt in KY untill they are 11. after that it's 24 more for each 2 deer than hunting in Indiana.

And it's still stupid the amount I spend driving them around and $ on turkey shells.

I decided I will just raise or buy turkey cheaper if I want turkey.


Seriously thinking maybe Alaska needs a visit. My daughter keeps talking about moving up there at some point. Nurses can work about anywhere. Maybe in the area it's not really colder than it is here? But then I could hunt for everything state wilderness being a resident if I ever moved and learned how it is done for each animal.

I've never paid to hunt or lease anything and never will. I haven't hunted game in many years either. Outfitters and leasing are big business here in rural NE. I don't care for Outfitters one bit. To me that's what hunting is. To go out to learn and try to be successful on your own.

I'm only in my mid 50's and when I was young the farmers and ranchers really enjoyed seeing people out hunting and being successful. Just about everyone would give you permission. Those days are pretty much gone thanks to the almighty dollar.

… and that’s not to mention all the money they spend on corn, protein.. tractors for food plots feeding them cradle to grave… and the side by sides to drive to the big shooting houses

Why? It's their land. They can do what they want with it.

I don't understand it either. I have a place I have been leasing for 20+ years. When I lose it guess I will hit public land or beg neighbors.

I don't even own a four wheeler. Been using a cart, wheelbarrow or tarp for as long as I can remember.

And who in the world thinks it's a good idea to drive into the woods to a deer stand with blaring motor and blinding headlights. That won't scare anything off I'm sure.

…. Deer so conditioned to feed they don’t care

No baiting allowed here.

You should see what they pay to duck hunt in Arkansas

I have 96 acres but hunt mostly public land with my kids in early seasons. To kill the # of deer they do each year off my farm would be to much for our population to recover. Plus it gets old hunting g the same slamm area when I Gere up able to hunt 3 counties. back then it was where to hunt today not where can I hunt. And seldom hiting the same area more than 3 times a year.

I suspect one the kids are off I probably won't hunt alt all unless the kids want to go, I have grandkids or other kids that need someone to take and teach them.

I'm lucky I can hunt on 1 piece of private ground here and I buy the landowners some things they can use every year. This past year I also gave them some deer sticks and summer sausage I had made as well. So I spent $150 to $200 a year. To me that's cheap considering some people are spending $1500 to $2000 or more a year for the chance to shoot a deer on leased ground. I just went and seen them last weekend and got permission for this year again. They also told me the population is getting out of hand with this years fawn crop with the easy winters and said start shooting some does. I do anyway if I get the chance and they know that but they just wanted to reiterate it. I got the hint. I've hunted their land all my life so over 40 years.

20 years ago I could hunt a few places that joined the ground I hunt on. Not anymore as the ownership changed on 1 piece and the others don't let anyone in other than themselves or not at all or they leased it out. The surrounding landowners also don't shoot does period. Awhile back I was talking to a co worker and started thinking about the different landowners that join or are close to the land I hunt on. I estimated it at about 3500 acres. I know in a years time their isn't a dozen does shot on that much land. I'm not kidding either. Everyone wants the big buck. The deer also know that so when the first shots ring out during gun season they go in there and stay put. Also no one moves around on those properties so they don't get chased out. The old style deer drives do not happen anymore as the hunter numbers go down and private land is near impossible to get permission on. Times have changed and it's not for the better IMO.

… we weren’t talking about Wisconsin

It's all about what it means to you and how bad you want to do it.

Folks that have hunted for free (on public or private lands) start crying when they have to pay to play. I have no sympathy for ya. Ive paid for hunting access all my life here in the Deep South.

You lose that free access and then ya'll want to "quit" hunting.....lol. Spoiled folks ya'll are.

You whiners could join a golf club and go hit a ball around a mowed field...smh!

I thought there were comments from several states so it's a general conversation. Over.

… my reply was to bowhunter on why people can get away with driving an atv to a shooting house c’mon

As for high license costs....Nobody is singling you out and charging you more. We all have to pay the same license fees based on the state.

I guess ya'll gotta gripe about something to make yourselves feel better....lol

I'm not a fan of goose, but occasionally some of my friends that chase waterfowl call wanting to kill some geese.

We stand down at the shop and enjoy some adult beverages. The geese come over my shop with wings cupped and landing gear down. We knock the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) out of them and don't have to set out decoys, call or get wet.

… not everyone was lucky enough to make a lot money off the taxpayer like you lol

OK then, sorry Savell.

Swamp Wolf do you put an asterik next to the big deer you shoot and say look what my money bought? It's exactly what it is. Probably got 20 game cameras out, a bait station and the old high fence around the property too. Get off you're high horse.

… yes ! Getting interesting now

… carry on

"A lot of money off the taxpayer"?

You probably make more annually from earned income credits on you dependents than I made with the state of Ga.

Turing hunting into a for profit sport has really changed the traditions and sport of hunting in my area. It has also lessened the skill set of the majority of hunters. Nice blinds, lots of corn, large deer population on property with very minimal pressure has took the skill aspect out of it. Now 6 year olds that don't even know how to load a gun and couldn't tell a cow track from a deer track are regularly killing nice deer. Less access and less skill will only continue the decline the hunter numbers. I got into to trapping about 15 years ago because I got fed up with the stupidness of deer hunting around here and wanted something the boys could do with me outdoors when they were little. When they got older and wanted to deer hunt it got me back into it. I prefer to go out west and stalk muleys with a bow for the challenge of it and to get away from the stupidness that goes with whitetail hunting around here. Luckily my oldest has grown fond of spot and stalk out west too.

You have no clue what you're talking about..."what my money bought?/high fence?" Lol..lol!


....go play golf and dry up those crocodile tears...

I only have 14 cameras!

You’ve always had to pay for hunting access down there? That would suck. I’ve never done it and have plenty of places to hunt.
Not as easy as it used to be, but you can still gain permission if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Like was said $56 for a turkey tag is dumb when you can buy 2 for that price. Sure for you it's about the hunt the fun the experience. Yes ther is all of that UT it has to lake economic since as well.

When hunting access is geting reduced And kids especially can't get on ground and hunt small game even becuse it's been leased for deer and they no longer hunt. You will be the first to cry about Take a kid hunting Hunter #s decline ect.. then back like and act like a jack leg and love all the land the kid used to be able to walk and hunt bit can not becuse it's rented out for deer and think it's just all great.

Also you know a ton of people and get more openings than the average Joe to a lot of areas. But keep on your high horse. Hunting should be something affordable poor people can do to off set groceries. Not have to work their but off to get access somewhere and pay through the nose for tags. I guess it's all about the good old boys club.

I love to hunt, trap, fish, forage it's been my life. But when the cost and effort gets to high I will just put cows out in the field And when only the rich can hunt like in Europe so be it. You seem to not be able to see that's how it's heading.

I have the lease available and money to pay for fun so everyone should . Funny how that works . Yet I own land Make great money, hunt public land in 2 states with the kids spending plenty on license and tags and I'm concerned about the cost and limited access. Not so much for me I can and do afford it but for those that can't.

I know many people that have quit hunting becuse they lost access and the cost of tags and traveling to hunt that don't have the money to spend. BuT daddy Swamp it's all about him and his situation. Everyone should be able to do what he does . To heck with those that can't afford or have a place to even hunt small game .

But he can't handle the Game warden hate usually rightfully given out.

I hear this even here in PA
The OP is from Minnesota

Tell me again that you have nowhere to hunt

Actually, I don’t think 53 bucks is too bad price for a turkey tag.

It's always been cheaper to buy fish at the store than to be a fisherman. It's always been cheaper to buy meat at the store than hunt for it. A guy is paying for the chase and the experience.

I don't play golf or I guess played poorly at it which was 20 years ago or more. 1 camera is more than I've got. I may get 1 sometime but I haven't yet. With 14 cameras out you ought to have them timed and patterned right to minute give or take a few. The rut will throw that off a bit though. I've got 2 hang on treestands up for bowhunting and during gun season I stand on the ground. You still can kill deer doing that and you don't even need a raised blind or tower with a bait pile out front or a food plot. I also stick to about a 40 acre area of the land I hunt on. It's wooded pasture with quite a bit of open area. The other group of guys hunt the rest of the land. I'm friends with them and talk to them during season so I know what they've got or been seeing.
What you kill is what your money bought not your skill set. Yes Sir hit the nail on the head whether is ticks people off or not. It's true on what deer hunting has become in the majority of the country. Pretty sad honestly.

That's not true for everyone. Not anywhere close.

Shouldnt be able to when they are whining about too many deer and receiving numerous free permits to take deer out of season. In the same breath that they are whining about 'crop damage', theyll turn away a 14 year old kid that knocks on their door and politely asks for permission to hunt. Is that 100% of farmers..no, but its the majority around here and growing each year.

I bought land, dont have to worry about it....but its still sad to see.

It's not about being singled out, its about how they spend the money.

Missouri Department of Conservation charges a hunter $1.00 for a "convenience fee" that allows that hunter to print their own license out on their own printer and paper. I haven't figured that one out yet. You'd think they would give you a discount.

ol' dad

Well...well....a landowner with 100 acres (with deer on it) attempting to call me out on my views about crybabies that don't have a deep enough interest in hunting to be willing to pay to play....laughable.

I own 1.5 acres with my home on it in a small town....No live deer there.

Since I was old enough to have to pay my own way I have had to join a hunting lease. I was fortunate to lease some property myself (with members to help pay). Ive always lease from timber companies. I have ONE friend that allows me to hunt a 375 acre tract that he owns....but I rarely hunt there because he hunts too.

You jacklegs on here always gouge at me about my game warden service....like I milked it to get something special. What a joke!

Go play golf with badger!

Indiana and KY has a lot of public ground as well. I spent well over 2k in gas alone driving to it last seasion. Cabin s, camps, and tags not included. Or property taxes.

Myself I just like being outside and no longer have any need to pull the trigger or take any game myself. I get more enjoyment watching and helping others that still get excited doing so. The kids had been keeping us in meat and I don't need to do any shooting. It's more fun to watch them do it.

Antler
s and the crazy about them is the driving factor in this lease and hunting stupidity.

… got the warden stirred up good this time lol

I wish I had free access to hunting land like you seem to have.

Sure have.

Crybabies have that effect on me.

Makes it more fun when the shots are personal

That's not true. You can bait deer in 14 counties in Wisconsin.

Savell, maybe you should take old Swamper out and teach him how to hunt. You'd probably have to feed him though because with out his lease, game cameras, fancy hunting blinds etc. he'd most likely starve.

He'd probably try to give you a ticket though for you know actually hunting. It'd be a foreign concept to him and he'd be scouring the regs to find a violation.

… any further name calling will be considered flaming lol

…. He’d likely not have dig too deep in the regs to get me lol

Well this has been fun but I've got to go to work. I'll check back later to see how this goes. I'm sure Savell will keep it under control or maybe not.

If I had free land to hunt on it might make me a better deer hunter.

I hope this topic doesn't touch a nerve with anyone

Im going to go work on my hunting lease so it'll improve my chances of killing another good buck.

How easy can one make it before it loses its fun? Sincere question

Cull me from the herd.

Golfers, freeloaders, moochers, wannabe deer experts, and crybabies don't care if I'm gone.

They'll just find something else to whine about that they're too lazy & cheap to do themselves.

Hey Swamp Living in town vs buying land is your choice. Game wardens don't make crap I understand that and it's a needed job. It's the ones that are jack wagons I don't like and that's been the majority.

Young girl buys her own tags for the first time at 18 now that she is not geting yout license goes bow hunting and shoots a 170. GW think it was her brother or dad that killed it and starts digging around bothering them. Turns out she bought the wrong tag being her first time doing it. She ran it through the on line tag system did everything right just made the simple mistake clear to see it was a mistake. Gw took her deer. She gave up hunting.

Cousins wife shot her largest buck it was running tword a road. farmers stoped and Un loaded on it from the road missed only shot that hit it was hers shot from the other side. GW was renting his house from the farmers that shot from the road and let them take her legal deer. and said we'll I didn't see them.shoot from.the road so can't prove they did. Clear blood trail was also over looked Cousin and wife had permission to hunt there. Farmer that shot from.the road didn't own the land farmer that did didn't want in the middle of the mess.

Cousin shot a nice buck that made it 20 yards across the property line where GW hunts. Can cleary see it is down and blood trail jealous gw was mad my cousin killed the buck he was hunting and wouldn't let him go get his deer..

So the few I have been around earn my opinion of them. it's not all of them but people general lump others into groups.
That said they know what's going.on an generaly have an inside track with land owners at least around.here.

Just becuese I have land and financial ability to spend money to hunt Does not make me puff up and say everyone should buy land or be willing to drive thousands of miles to hunt each year.

Maybe it's rembering making 20 to 30k a year and hunting in my back yard being to broke to use the gas to hunt vs driving to work And the 7 to 14 deer I shot each year was a big part of my eating well that makes me consider those not in my current good situation. And how the cost and limited access effects them.

The fun part is riding that tractor and doing things like planting food plots, etc....you know doing things that give back to the wildlife, instead of just taking all the time....like freeloaders and moochers do.

…. I only have one bullet and I’m saving it for a Yankee lol

How about fishing....now there's a lot of money spent on boats..
Motors ...rods ,& Reels...fuel to and from ... tackle...

Just to catch a trout and release it....lol

Of course I could have gone to the Grocery store and bought

Wild trout...and invested that saved money in the stock market

And been a millionaire by now..

Ive spent more time on a tractor than most on here and can say sitting on a tractor ISNT hunting, it's farming and if u enjoy farming for wildlife that's cool but it isn't hunting.

I guess it's easy to group all GWs into one big (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman)hole bin. Oh well...to each his own. I've heard it all my career from every direction. It never ends...lol.

Me buy hunting land? That's always been my dream, but I'm 60 now and that's probably not gonna happen. Has a little something to do with 20% down and being able to make a large payment. I don't have that kind of money...never have and likely won't b4 Im dead.

Ive made sure I had access to deer hunting all my adult life. It hasn't been cheap, but I have no other hobbies (other than trapping and Ive used the proceeds from trapping to go deer hunting.)

The money I spend is for leasing the property, planting food plots, stands and other gear, tractor equipment, etc. Its simply hunting land management expenses.

Locals dumped some corn in front of the game warden's duck blind.
Then " tipped off" the Feds...

I was actually leasing ground almost 50 years ago.
Was $1/ acre back.then
Got priced out pretty quick, maybe mid 80s?

Been hunting state, Federal,my own, and friends and family land since

You’re kinda painting with a broad brush here, SW. Isn’t fair to call other hunters freeloaders because they don’t do it like you do.

Farming for wildlife. Yep...thats it. And riding the tractor is what it takes to get it done. There is a good feeling knowing you did something for the game you enjoy hunting.

Nobody does that in your area of Kansas?

Everybody does it here in the Deep South.

I agree with you there also. I have sat in a stand when a neighbor threw out corn. Within 30 minutes does and yearlings were showing up.

And I am not above shooting a doe. I am one of those single tooth meat hunters.

…. I used to lease a hundred acre pine thicket for $200… didn’t farm it just hunt the smz that ran through the middle… killed some good deer off it … then it got sold to a rich man from Houston

… went to hunting strictly public after that … killed some decent ones off there too…I like being able to bounce around on the public but there ain’t many deer and they wilder than a Comanche

The freeloaders and moochers Im referring to are the one's that hunt free on private land (that they dont own).

Some of those folks are criticizing me for spending money on deer management when all they do is purchase a license (and even gripe about that) and shoot a deer that they have no investment in. Freeloaders!

Got no problem with food plot guys. Got a buddy who has spent THOUSANDS on food plot implements and tractors and trucks and trailers to pull them. I enjoy planting food plots and have planted my share. It is not a place you go to kill B&C deer every day but food plots do keep wildlife on or near your property.

As a hunter ed instructor I have come to realize we need to be thankful there are all types of hunters. Those who bait, those who food plot and those that do nothing. The deer benefit from all of it.

Just like antler hunters and meat hunters. Both are needed. If everyone was a meat hunter, the deer population would plummet. If everyone was an antler hunter, the deer population would overpopulate and die from disease.

We are all doing our part to maintain great herds of animals for the most part. Where we stumble all over ourselves, is when we poke each other in the eye.

Savell would sing Kumbaya and ask us all to hold hands. Can I get a hippy picture of Savell please?

in 1986 ! purchased a share in a hunting club, I own 1/450th of 13,400 acres, in 1992 I purchased a share in another club that contains 4,500 acres, these shares are mine and will be willed to someone when I'm dead.

That's a heckava co-op there. Nothing like that down here...that Im aware of.

Not too much. Around here there's wheat, beans, corn, milo and alfalfa most always within a half mile or less. But you didn't exactly answer my question about how easy can hunting get before it becomes not fun anymore. The actual weapon in hand hunting part

Geez, next we are gonna start calling compounds, bows

Aint real unless you’re paying top dollar for that property, planting crops so them horns grow real big, have some cameras up to name and catalog each deer, have a good ol high fence (just to keep the poachers out), drive on up to your favorite named stand cause your getting old and earned it, get that ol new compound out that got a 420IBO with the new rage, rangefinder in he scope sight rectifier and smoke that big ol buck like our forefathers. Post that up on the internet, good as gold

YesSir,
Do you bowhunt? If so, you already know the answer to your question.

I don’t "farm for wildlife" to make it easy to kill deer. If that supposedly makes it "easy" to kill deer then Ive never reached that point. Probably won't ever get there. But, it give me a feeling that Im giving something back to the deer.

Could I go out on my lease and just kill "a deer"? On most fall/winter days...yes. Can I go there and kill a mature buck on any given day...very unlikely. Usually only get a glimpse of 2, maybe 3, "shooters" during Georgia's entire 4 month season....on my lease.

The only high fences in my part of Georgia are put up around a few ag fields to keep deer out....so there's that.

I hunt public land a little (not every season), and the midwest on private lands past several seasons....so all my deer hunting is not on that "EASY" lease where a couple thousand dollars are spent annually and trillions of drops of sweat have rolled off my body so I could have at least a decent chance of taking a 100" 4year old buck....

...... Christ y'all making me happy I don't ever kill anything so I ain't gotta argue like this

All this aint about killing WD91.

Its about folks that complain about the cost of doing something they say they enjoy...but they really have other interests that override this hobby....so they just gripe about the costs to participate.

Hope that explains it.

Where did all yall go?....this was just getting good.

…. Hunting is all about killing for me lol

https://www.facebook.com/MossyOak/videos/tk-mike-mossy-oak-go/575124080624642/

Maybe you should put a sign on your land saying freehunting anytime. I’m sure that you would have no problem giving back.

I rather enjoy these topics about hunting and or trapping especially if they stay civil and even if they dont they in no way impact my enjoyment of the activity

This is gonna make PF "puff up".

You know...he bought that 100 acres, did the work and put in the sweat equity, saved the deer for his family to hunt, etc but thats different than what I do....lol

Done with lunch so I'll b in and out while checking cows. I pretty much exclusively bow hunt. Off the top of my head i can only think of one buck out of the millions I've took that was harvested with a firearm. I'll share the point I was getting at with my question about how easy can it get before it's not fun later as it's going to take a bit of time to make it.

Me too!

Discussion is a good thing.

Even though we all live in different parts of the country and can only base our opinions on that....we still act like we know how, why, what for every place in the world....lol

To add a bit more of an answer to your question: I dont see what folks get out of a fully guided hunt (where the weapon handler has never set foot on that property b4. The guide scouted, put up stand, told said weapon handler which one to shoot, etc). That's not for me, but its legal, so to each his own.

High fence hunting does not appeal to me either. Now, high fence ranches, such as those I've heard of in TX, may be more of a fair chase deal. But Ive never been to one so my knowledge is nill.

….biggest one I killed with a bow … got next to his bed on a scrape line … got him right at dark as he was about nocturnal… probably after legal light but he was 6 yards away…. Centered him up quartering away in the sight gaurd as I couldn’t see the pins lol

Savell,
I got to meet TK & Mike in person several years ago. Those 2 were just like that in person. I laughed till I cried at the crap they said. We hung out for hours at a sporting goods store.

… I loved their videos as a kid … based my life after them lol

I killed a decent buck under those same conditions. There was only twilight remaining in the swamp bottom. Couldn't see my pins. Once I drew and string touched my nose I knew my anchor was correct. Buck was close...10 yards. Clean pass-thru....ran 50 yds and piled up. I think back on that and realize how lucky I was, but I shot a lot back in those days......yard practice and weekly 3D competitions....was in 1990, I think.

I own land. Saved my whole life and made it a priority to buy a farm once my 3 boys had college funds that would get them through an instate school of their choice. Went without the new trucks, bass boats, 4 wheelers and side by sides that ALL of my friends were buying to save and make it a reality.

After purchasing the farm, had a couple of those same ‘buddies’ ask me about deer hunting. 2 weeks before the season. Never once offered to come and put up posted signs when it was 95 degrees out or hang stands or chip in on diesel for the tractor. They got a fat “Naw” and haven’t asked again.

Couple of different ‘buddies’ asked if I would put in a dove field for a yearly hunt. I said certainly… farmer pays me $85 / acre to lease it. Offered to take 3 acres out of the rotation. Figured $100 for lime, fertilizer and seed per acre and I’d donate my time, tractor and fuel. Did the rough math in my head and told them we’d be looking at $550 for a 3 acre field annually. How’d they want to split it?? Both said they couldn’t justify spending $275 / year to dove hunt. I just smiled and shook my head.

I’m with you Mr. Swamp… can’t stand the whining either. Y’all fellers excuse me. I got game camera pics to check and seed for my food plots to order.

Doesn't count unless he has a cool name, u have everyone of his sheds, have had Keith verify he's related to it and have a pic of him every year on his birthday oh and a list of sponsorship

Lol

Thanks for posting this Gunnleg!

I so regret not doing what you did and saving to buy me a hunting tract. But, I was one of those that bought the truck, ATV, etc.

The difference in them and me though is I would've paid my share of the dove field and would've been there to help plant it too. That's just how we've always done it down here.

Not sure about Keith's lineage and the sponsors, but I bet you and your son had a name for that super-fine, large buck he killed a couple season's back. I already know that you had pic of him...so we will count that one!

I know that your son was right proud of that beast! And that you were proud of your son!

[/quote]Yessir
How easy can one make it before it loses its fun? Sincere question [/quote]



This is to easy. Sitting at the table in the cabin eating lunch. Alfalfa bales and the feeder. Never shot a deer out my cabin window yet. A little safe place for deer to eat and relax during hunting season


That being said it’s a lot different where I hunt. Have access to 100000 acres plus. Most neighbors say go ahead but I’ve been around here all my life. Never heard of paid hunting except with outfitters way up in the bush around here.

And farmers have a right to give access for hunting or tell you to pound sand. You have no idea of how many people they already gave access to or how many family members hunt. To think your entitled to hunt on their land is like me saying open your door so I can use the bathroom in your house!

My best Georgia bowkill....2022, I think.

0745 hrs....came grunting and stiff-legged walk with ears laid back up to a spike buck that was about 20 yds in front of me. I was about 10 yds inside the woods just off a powerline edge. No food plot. Spike was at a scrape. 8 pt came out down the powerline and saw spike at scrape. I couldn't see down the powerline. Didn’t see the 8pt until he was 25 yds. I was 20 feet up in a Millenium hang-on...but the buck saw me. I was able to reach full draw and the rest is history.

$$$ has severely changed the activity of hunting in my part of the world and not for the better is my only point. And I seriously doubt anyone that truly loves hunting and has lived through the changes I've seen would disagree with me. If that's whining than so be it but that's just my opinion based off my experience. Is it easier to harvest a big deer today in my area than it was 30 years ago? Yes if u can get on ground to hunt but so much of all the other experiences of hunting are lost because of the Dollar and what it brings to hunting.

Same here, to a certain extent. But, there are many, many more deer here than in the 80s and 90s. Back when there wasn't as many deer, landowners would let you hunt just by asking.

Money has changed it. Short of a catastrophic deer die-off, we aint never going back to the way it was.

But, what hasn't changed (for me) is my love for deer hunting. No matter what it costs, Im gonna hunt a mature buck. As costs increase, it may only be one buck a year somewhere I can afford, but Im not going to complain about it. I cant change it.

Over the years, by leasing, I have found a way to keep it going the way I like it. Ive told my sons to NEVER voluntarily give up the hunting lease...NEVER! EVER! Once you do...its gone!

BTW....my lease is treated just like its my land. Other than the timber and timber management, I make all the land management decisions based on what the New Holland and I can do.

One of my better midwest bowkills (Ive been blessed (thanks to my great friend CC) with several bowkills from there, but this one is one of the better ones.) Also...in year 2022...I think.

… biggin …. What was his name?

… he looks like a Dennis to me

I know that your son was right proud of that beast! And that you were proud of your son![/quote]

His name was Jinx because I told the boys if we named him it would Jinx us. Lol
Only had one Pic of him during hunting season and that was about a week before he shot him. He was killed on the ranch I work on which was part of the deal of my employment. We were setting on a neighbor's ground that gave us permission to because as a neighbor I help him and it would keep us from spooking deer getting in and out.

The Ga buck I called Big8...had pics of him.

The midwest buck...I was hunting there for only a few days...no pics.

Yes if I agree with you on the money changing hunting. Some land around here has changed ownership and it’s no longer open to hunting. Paid hunting will make its way here eventually and in some places probably has. I know duck and goose land is getting harder to get permission close to the American border in Saskatchewan. Maybe even paying for access I have no idea. Had a buddy and his two kids,his dad and two of the kids friends hunting ducks and geese from Iowa here last fall. Had permission from anyone I asked and they killed a bunch on my land. Future is good here but like everything it will change!

Deer like this are possible if you put in enough time! But I like to be in the bush when it’s cold and rattle them in



Nothing like seeing nice deer walk in-front of your cabin when they know it’s a safe

So what about the guy that's other hobby is 80 to 100hr work weeks and paid cash for his land, Mows plants food plots, sunflower, mows in checkers bords so quail and wild life always has cover. won't mow April to late July so not to cut up fawns. Still drived thousands of miles and hunts lots of public ground becuse well 100 acres is not much and get boring. Doesn't feel like hunting compared to hitting the 25k acre tracks of public land And being successful. Lots more Elbow room early and late season. Don't hunt public on weekends or first week of gun season. I'm not suicidal or willing to fight and argue about who killed a deer.

I have what many want but still manage to clearly see the poor are geting priced out of hunting. No effect on me like I said I don't have a need to kill anything and don't care if I kill another deer in my life. They don't excight me it's just groceries. Antlers are just a taxidermy bill. Let one walk last year or the year before bigger than anything i have ever killed on my farm. 35 yards for 5 min had the x bow on him but watched him tell he walked off. I liked geting to see and watch him

I enjoy taking the kids. Mine and others. I also Wont pay what they want for A turkey tag on principle. Its ridiculous And prices of deer tags keep climbing as well.. Places to hunt are becumming fewer and public is geting crowded.

People are quitting hunting. More animal right people and less outdoors men being made. The same people that don't like it when we say licens and cost are two high are the same ths cry about low hunter numbers and take a kid hunting. Amazing they can't see the direct connection to price and access to reduced hunter numbers.

I can farm for them and watch them with a camera and grow cows. Or I can shoot them without license on my place. I have money to rent or drive to hunting ground. And I still clearly see it's to expensive and pricing out the poor and middle class.

I guess all of you they see it as a hobby have never been in the situation where that deer was shot becuse you wanted to eat it and the fridge and bill fold was empty! I hope I never get so I forget the times like that and digging in the couch and floor mats looking to get enough change to get gas to make it to work tell Friday.

And Swamp I don't golf I work, work on the farm, and do things with the widfe and kids . Today it was taking them to mow some of their yards tomorrow the youngest has a football game. Almost all my vacation and days off are during hunting season to take the boys. by the time gun season is in they are usually burn out from a month and half of hitting it hard.

Enjoy it while it last because once it's gone it's gone. And it happens faster than one thinks and it's worse than one would imagine. We r to darn close to them Counterfeit Texans here

My 2023 Georgia bucks...both 7mm-08 kills. No food plots, no feeders, no corn on the ground. Both killed from Summit climbers 0730 to 0830 hrs. I did have pics of both of these bucks...along with many more in same area. Never named them. No fence.

Stands placed based on big buck sign in area on suspected daytime travel ways. See Badger...I have a little buck hunting knowledge...

View a few minutes b4 I shot the 8pt...on Nov 3rd..




View a few minutes b4 I shot the 7pt...on Nov 5th..

First let me say this is my first post. I joined the Trapperman Forums to delve into the archives , not ever planning to comment on any subject brought up by the base members. I, however, agree with Swamp Wolf wholeheartedly. Thing change and hunting methods and hunter's access to hunting properties change as time goes by. As a kid i drove 45 miles to see a deer track. Back home I hunted wherever I wanted as it was all small game and neighbors owned the land. Now the land has been sold by the heirs and deer and turkey are abundant. Hunting permission is hard to obtain. Just the way it goes.
For the record I too am a retired Conservation Enforcement Officer. I served proudly for 28 years. Yep I got rich. My starting pay was a little over $300.00 every two weeks. The people of North Baldwin County welcomed me with open arms as poaching and night hunting were totally out of control. All of you folks that think it is an overpaid job need to stop five drunks that have just shot a deer in a scared widow woman's yard. They literally backed into her yard to load the deer. It was 2:30 am and the nearest help from another officer was at least 30 minutes away. When stopped they all wanted to fight. Finally got it sorted out without violence. It was touch and go for awhile. The officer in the next county wasn't quite as lucky. Christmas Eve 1978, Frank Stewart was killed by an individual over a 25 to 50 dollar ticket for hunting without permission. A 12 gauge shotgun behind the ear leaves a real mess.
I was fortunate never was hurt or had to hurt anyone. I did my job using my 3 F's. Fair, Friendly and Firm. I was hired to do a job and I did it. I still have people calling to see how i am doing. Some are people I arrested.
The last 11 years of my career I served as Chief of Enforcement for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
One other item most of you complainers are missing is the liability of allowing someone to hunt or do most anything on private property. Most hunting clubs have liability insurance. Anyway I just want to say "nothing ever stays the same". You either adapt or quit.
For the record I have been a trapper since I was a kid. I help with our annual trapping workshop near Troy Al and really enjoy the excitement of new trappers when they see something in a trap they set.
This will probably be my only post.

….never owned a spy camera … never will

… they’re for cheaters lol

welcome Timc. Good point on liability that is state dependent though. Indiana has stepped it up amd given landowners that give hunting access protections. for a while even had printed land owner slips that said no liability to then and the laws they could sign for people.

Access and methods are also different in different states.. Absolutely stuff changes..

Don't be a stranger Chief!

Most of the GW gouging on here is meant in good fun. There are some that have hidden molestations in their minds that they blame on a game warden. But, most are supportive. I actually enjoy the back & forth.

Been retired since June 2022 (after 27 years). My career mirrors your's, except I never made it any higher than field sergeant (which was high enough for me). I too was assigned to an area that was lawless, even the government officials here were corrupt and many were sent to prison. I am still getting calls for service or when is next hu er or boater ed class and have to tell them Im retired.

There are a couple other retired GWs on Tman. Might even be an active duty one....not sure.

I did a beaver trapping demo at the Southeastern NTA up in northern Alabama a few years ago.....west of Ft Payne. Maybe we'll meet one day.

Stay in touch!

…. Using a deer spy camera is along the lines of a dude competing in women’s sports

Ahh...you're just too cheap to buy a deer camera to get a pic of a buck that some yuppy dude from Houston will end up killin'.

I get it.

What's up with all the name calling???
If ones opinion isnt the same as urs ur a whiner??? To me when it gets to name calling you have already lost, unless it comes to Savell.

…. lol I was dragging one of the yuppies bucks out one time … he showed me pictures of the buck and me on his phone …. Was a little upset I had killed “his” deer lol

…. I just told him all these deer live in my zip code not yours lmao

I think Being a Game warrden would be fun. Putting on the hunter Ed classes,Basic public education, Getting involved with things like banding ducks, and being able to learn more about what's going on with new studies. Locking up poachers, trespassers has its draw. After all there is mor to the job than 12 year olds tickets for a fish to small.

But Being out with limited to no back up, high neer 100% encounters are armed people, And we'll the pay is or was at least not going to go to far.

Some places probably do better screening for personality type in the hiring process Than what have been around here.

… very few deer hunters left … mainly just a bunch of wildlife photographers and recreational farmers lol

… hey Swamp …. There’s a crazy millionaire out here that owns 12 miles of lakefront and has only let one family hunt it since the 70’s …. Well ol Jesse Henry is buddies with that family and last year he was the only outsider ever let in there … here’s what he and and his buddy did one weekend



… his buddy was in the better spot lol