Sick to my stomach at some "hunters"!

[Band]

I was stunned this morning to get a voice mail telling me the 90 acres of private ground I had permission to hunt on the other side of the state since last year has been taken out from under me at the last minute by a group of guys who paid for exclusive rights to hunt there.  I know who did this and it was a purposeful act by a guy whose group already has thousands of acres leased for hunting on adjoining properties because he doesn't want anyone to have a shot at any deer in the area unless they're a part of his group.

I was going to leave town after work today but now I guess I have to figure out plan B...which might be to skip the damn season this year.  %#*-@&

[runningboard]

which GMU if you don't mind?

[boneaddict]

Its gods way of saying "Check out a different ridge".   Change sucks, just ask any Obama hater.  Its how we roll with change that will define you.   

[Band]

which GMU if you don't mind?

GMU 130.  I researched this piece of property for years until finally asking and getting permission.  I didn't take a shot last year but I could have taken one of about 10 legal bucks the first two days but chose to wait for the big one which never came.  The place is crawling with deer, almost all of them bucks.  And now, back to square one.

[ICEMAN]

Its gods way of saying "Check out a different ridge".   Change sucks, just ask any Obama hater.  Its how we roll with change that will define you.   

Agree. Make this season a  chance to explore and learn something new.

[Band]

Agree. Make this season a  chance to explore and learn something new.

Sounds like a good idea, I just wish I had more notice than this.  I'd love to hunt near my new cabin in Roslyn but this doesn't leave me much time to research public land around there.  Grumble, grumble...

[lokidog]

That sucks, but blame could probably be spread around to the land owner and maybe yourself. 

The land owner could have said no, he already promised access to someone else, which would have been the stand up thing to do.  Maybe you could have done something more to maintain your position?  Touch bases more during the off season, offer to pay something for the owner's troubles, restaurant gift card, etc.

My parents have land (400+ acres) in northern WI on which about 10 friends hunt as well as them.  They have asked them to do at least one work day and pay $100 each to help cover taxes.

Again, don't want to come down too hard on you as it really sucks to lose access, especially at such a late date.  Hopefully others with a good deal will take note and do what they can to keep their own access.

Good luck, there are little pieces of state land all over.  I got a doe two years ago on one that I had never set foot on previously (never saw another hunter on my side of the road that split the unit) and saw a shooter on another piece the first time on it (after opening weekend).

[boneaddict]

Some damn fine bucks in the Teanaway.   

[snowshoes22]

I feel your pain it has happened to me for goose and deer. My family elders sold out a few years ago and it sucked. This year the land that was left to hunt is either coming out of CRP or getting worked and going back in. Now all the beautiful grass that was a bedding area is now ankle high.

[h20hunter]

Lots of folks (me included) could use a little extra cash coming in. Sucks but can't say I blame them for making it work for them. Would have been nice to get a little more notice though and not leave you scrambling.

[ribka]

That is why every year I make a back up plan with at least 2 extra areas to hunt every year and as mentioned an excuse to explore different areas. Can't blame landowners for wanting the money.


The past 20 years seems a good deal of prime deer property is being leased up all accross the US. Pay to play. If you find a good piece of land consider setting up a long term lease and pay for it.

[WAcoyotehunter]

That sucks, but blame could probably be spread around to the land owner and maybe yourself. 

The land owner could have said no, he already promised access to someone else, which would have been the stand up thing to do.  Maybe you could have done something more to maintain your position?  Touch bases more during the off season, offer to pay something for the owner's troubles, restaurant gift card, etc.

A small token of appreciation goes a LONG ways with landowners...a gift card, bottle of their favorite top shelf drink, some fish or smoked meat..those gifts pay off.

[link]

There is a ton of public land right behind your cabin. A lot of people too, but heck thats what I would do for sure. You've got your cabin right there. Seems like an easy choice given the circumstances. There are a lot of nice bucks in the area as well. Good luck.

[MtnMuley]

Time to buck up.  It'd take a lot more than that for me to stay out the hills.

[Band]

Maybe I rested on my laurels a little too much but here is what happened.  The land owner lives out of state and her daughter and son-in-law live on site.  I wrote to the land owner about 2 years ago telling her that I had researched the area, observed deer activity from afar, and asked if she would allow permission to hunt.  I detailed my hunting and no trace ethics and left her my contact information.  She was so impressed with my letter that she called me and was actually excited to let me hunt there.  And I expressed my gratitude.

The daughter and son-in-law both welcomed me back this year and I maintained occasional contact with them since they seemed to be taking over the permission duties.  And I brought them a nice smoked salmon fillet when I showed up to hunt last year.

And then I was surprised by the daughter with the phone call.  Apparently she had reminded her mom that I was coming and then mom said "oh, wait a minute...".