Looking to join my first lease in a couple of years. Where to look? What to avoid?

[Kman]

If a club has stands,zones or areas you are not allowed to hunt, don't join. The best clubs are friendly, all areas open to everyone and any stand can be used by any member. We work together to help each other put stands up, make food plots and maintain roads. About 100 acres per member, if kids and wives come for free, be careful because some people will have a lot of hunters for 1 paid membership.

 

[colts]

All the the listed and then some. A tight group of guys who live near the property can be bad. If you lease timber land, its not all equal. I would look for land that has different age pines, a creek or swamp, preferably with oaks. Bigger tracts are better if you have a good group. Huntable acres is a key factor. It wouldnt hurt to have good neighbors too. I don’t think Werhauser sprays but dont lease timber land that has been nuked with arsenal. There deer all over Ga. but certain areas are known for numbers or maybe trophy animals. Close to a major river and maybe rowcrops would be great . I use satellite photos to check the surrounding area. If i wanted to see lots of hunters and few deer, id be hunting Wma still.

 

[Datacomguy]

Great thread, have same questions. This is a new world to me that I really want to get in to, but its daunting.

 

[gh1950]

As for size... I'd say at least 100 acres per member

In our area, that means you have to be willing to pay $1500 just for the hunting rights -no food plots, no tractor work, no nothing - just to cover the lease. We haven't been able to find many people who are that enthusiastic about deer hunting.

 

[StuP]

I'd just enjoy your own land, if it was me.

 

[Nate]

In our area, that means you have to be willing to pay $1500 just for the hunting rights -no food plots, no tractor work, no nothing - just to cover the lease. We haven't been able to find many people who are that enthusiastic about deer hunting.

It would have to be some awesome hunting for darn sure

 

[YOTESHOOTER]

The hunting land is and also what you are willing to put into all year long.
Tractor work, diesel to run it, repairs to equipment to work the land for food plots.
Seed, fertilizer, lime, and site prep. Fixing gates as others tear them up, fences, inter roads as they are messed up by rain, trucks, tractors, skid loaders, skid steers, etc.
Rules are put into place because previous members before just could not make intelligent decisions on what affects or would others.
First come first served sounds good until its your stand someone takes it over.
We are personally are not very happy when someone goes to our stand and we are told you can go else where to hunt I got here first. It's not going to end very well that day you are guaranteed. Everyone should have their area should they want to hunt your stand they need to ask for permission if not they are gone from the membership, harsh yes however one example and things get straighten out very quickly.
100 acres per person sounds good, achieving that goal is very difficult and different most people are not going to shell out $1,000.00 to $1,800.00 per year. Property lease is running about $10.00 to $18.00 per acre.
Insurance to protect the landowners property is not inexpensive either.
Getting power to land is expensive, then getting members to pay for hooking up to it is a pain.
Having camping areas is a pain trash left behind, partying into the wee hours of the morning.
Some awake to hangovers, and get up and take their equipment being impaired into the woods, not good.

We have managed 8-12 properties for over 25 years, your biggest problem is the people, even though you check them out thoroughly some will be able to slither into the clubs/property. Then there are the locals that will try to hunt your land through the week when you are not there, try to get a few retired
individuals who can or will hunt during the week when others can't! Gives your lease a constant eye on it in addition to the trail cameras. Be sure and put your trail cameras up high then they are not so noticeable and can't be easily destroyed or have the memory chip removed.

So be sure and ask yourself do or are you ready for job which will demand a lot of your time, patience,
and listening to complaints from ones who want to skirt the rules.

Your own lease is not an easy thing to take on, its like rental property, a new drama every year. Always one who thinks he can skirt common sense, common courtesy, and common respect of others.

Remember the 80% - 20% law before getting a lease, your name is on the dotted line no one else's, and
your behind is the one that will get burned, so make sure you have your asbestos under wear on and ready to take the heat, no one likes the rules, you do not need them, rules came about because others before could not behave as adults. Only 20% will be doing the work, 80% think you are the Hotel manager and are responsible to have a buffet, room service, if you are cooking your supper or other meals, they think they are at home and just help themselves, that happened (2) times the first and last time.

You will be dealing with, people, alcohol,possible drugs, landowners, DNR WARDENS, local SHERIFFS DEPUTIES, COUNTY POLICE, and sometimes GSP. When dealing with these agencies, listen, listen, listen, and then think before you answer or respond, because your words can bite you in your asbestos underwear... It's much better if you can work it so you and them having a good working relationship...

GOOD LUCK SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO UNDER TAKE THIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY.

a few suggestions to strongly consider before getting started on this tireless adventure...

To whom much is given much is required...

just a few things some do not want to do or abide by, so do not take it personally just move on...

 

[aragorn1]

Watch out for leadership that is too controlling, read rules very carefully and you can decide for yourself who those rules benefit the most. Also watch out for clubs with a lot of turnover in membership. There is usually a reason for that if you know what I mean. The good clubs rarely ever have turnover and the majority of the members will have been members for years. Of course every club may lose a member or two, but be aware of a club that has leadership that has been there for years, but all the other members are all new.

 

[mfoster]

The more acerage per hunter the better,which will mean more money,join a club where all members are on same page and have same goals.good luck as stated about if you can lease or buy 100+ acerage for yourself the more happier you will be.