Changing attitude about pay to hunt ?

Changing attitude about pay to hunt?

I have been watching this thread for several days and I guess now is the time for me to weigh in. I have to agree with Matt D. what land owners do with their property is none of anybodies business as long as they aren't breaking any laws. The only law that applies to this scenario is the law of supply and demand. If someone wants to pay for private access for good hunting ground and the hunter and the land owner can agree on a price then why should it be anybodies business.

Working with our local PF Chapters, County Conservation Services and State Natural Resources organizations to increase the number and maintain the precious public hunting property we already have and encouraging our farming neighbors to incorporate wildlife friendly farming practices on marginal tillage grounds are the things that will have an effect on public hunting ground.
 
Matt D said:
I don't even know where to start on this except to say you are way out there in the thought process and just doesn't make sense. I believe you have no idea on cost to manage property and the free market. Why do you care if someone wants to pay any amount at all to hunt private land? Whether it is $5, $50 or $300 it doesn't affect you at. It is private land and the owner of that land can do what he wants.
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I agree 100% what a private land owner does with his land & what people want to do with there $$$ has nothing to do with me .

OK now if u look at states down in the deep south & there quail hunting options its pretty much only pay to play plantations very little public land hold quail land was managed poorly & I'm sure if every public land quail hunter was asked to pay a 5$ access fee they would... Especially if the $$$ was used to gain access to quail hunting land turkey etc. Now the birds are gone to late...


MN has a WIA program used to be free now its 3$ It opens up land to hunters & give the land owner a little $$$ that is wear I got the idea... NE has a 25$ habitat stamp is that a bad idea also???

SD & parts of ND are some of the only states mostly SD wear u have a tradition of people sticking there hand out for 100+$$$ to hunt pheasants just because they know the guy down the road has guys pay him $$$ etc. it can't say I agree but its not my $$$ or land or type of hunt style... It would suck if the average guy gets priced out of pheasant hunting... That's why I love public land & if 5$-25$ from every public land hunter will help improve the public land habitat I'm all for it...
 
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"SD & parts of ND are some of the only states mostly SD wear u have a tradition of people sticking there hand out for 100+$$$ to hunt pheasant"

What about those folks in AR and MS holding out their hands for duck hunting, or the hand holder outers in TX and OK for deer/quail leases. There are duck clubs around Stuttgart, AR that are $600 per gun per day, you can only shoot until 10AM, and there's not an open spot for next season. There are public options available, but just like SD, you'll fight the crowds, normally you won't shoot as many, although sometimes you do.

It's not a "tradition" it's supply and demand, and it's not isolated to SD.

Thank goodness there are people willing to pay for the right to hunt private ground in SD, there's more than enough competition on the public.

The avg guy is not being pxed out of SD. If you're willing to put in the work, South Dakota has exceptional public opportunities. I come up twice per year, once on private ground with a group, and once on my own hunting public. I shoot more birds on private, but public, with just me and dogs, is the most fun.
 
Gumboot said:
"SD & parts of ND are some of the only states mostly SD wear u have a tradition of people sticking there hand out for 100+$$$ to hunt pheasant"

What about those folks in AR and MS holding out their hands for duck hunting, or the hand holder outers in TX and OK for deer/quail leases. There are duck clubs around Stuttgart, AR that are $600 per gun per day, you can only shoot until 10AM, and there's not an open spot for next season. There are public options available, but just like SD, you'll fight the crowds, normally you won't shoot as many, although sometimes you do.

It's not a "tradition" it's supply and demand, and it's not isolated to SD.

Thank goodness there are people willing to pay for the right to hunt private ground in SD, there's more than enough competition on the public.

The avg guy is not being pxed out of SD. If you're willing to put in the work, South Dakota has exceptional public opportunities. I come up twice per year, once on private ground with a group, and once on my own hunting public. I shoot more birds on private, but public, with just me and dogs, is the most fun.
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Hit it right on the head. Along the Mississippi River from north st. louis to the iowa border, littered with duck clubs. The ones around my hometown are anywhere from $3000-15,000 per year per gun. And you can go everyday if you want. I have been as a guest and done well some days. Sometimes the next club over is close enough to pepper those hunting in another club. This ground when not flooded used to be great for quail hunting. Now the clubs have flooded most of the crop and grass fields. I have permission to quail hunt free of charge on alot of these places after duck season is over. It's only a week or two window but there are still quail in these areas. Everytime I go I think to myself, "what if these places weren't flooded, thnk how many quail there would be." But its all about the money. Quail hunters don't pay because there aren't many of us left. The duck hunters pay dearly.
 
Montana Husker said:
You seem consumed with Boone and Crockett bucks, why so? Is that how you measure success? I have never measured a buck to be honest, but have several 5 point whitetails, decent mulies, nothing too huge, my buddies boy took a 172 class buck in 2015, during Montana's hunting season as an 11 y.o. on his dads place. It is surrounded by national refuge, was finally pushed off of that...thanks public hunting! I am quite positive there are public lands that see little pressure, but, generally they are hammered. It would be nice if they put quotas on a lot more public land areas. The best reason I know not to hunt public, I do not run into folks like you...unless they are trespassing...which is not unheard of..
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You brag about your world class private hunting, what's the result/ I bet I have better deer on my wall, taken off public land than you will ever have.

They do put quotas on hunting, it's called limited draw.

No, Mr. aristocrat you won't see my infringing on your private hunt.

You know nothing of me, or my ethics, yet you assume, moron.
 
haymaker said:
If all the hunting operations that are in it as a business took the acres that are dedicated for the benefit of wildlife and put them back into ag production, would hunting get better or worse in South Dakota?
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There ya have it, this discussion could end right there.
 
small munsterlander owner said:
For public lands it mite not change like Chris aka u guide say what public land can produce is set by habitat & acres... Not what private land pheasant farmers do on there private lands...
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No, what LAND can produce is dictated by habitat and acreage. Trust me, pheasants have no knowledge of what side of the fence they are on.

Anyone who thinks that millions spent developing private lands for pheasant habitat doesn't benefit everyone regardless of where they hunt, is na?ve, at best.
 
ranchodeluxe said:
No, what LAND can produce is dictated by habitat and acreage. Trust me, pheasants have no knowledge of what side of the fence they are on.

Anyone who thinks that millions spent developing private lands for pheasant habitat doesn't benefit everyone regardless of where they hunt, is na?ve, at best.
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I'm not niave I just don't care about them private land birds or habitat ... You are correct birds don't know if they are on public or private land I was trying to say I wish the public land was managed like u guides property...
 
small munsterlander owner said:
But how does a private pheasant farm benefit public land hunters if no public in that area I'm to dumb to comprehend...

I like to spell like a dumb dumb it seems to keep u guys intertaned
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It benefits public land hunters by spreading pheasants out based on habitat. If the rancher provides good hatching habitat, and the hatch is successful, and his land can't hold all of them, nature takes over. They either find a place to survive, or not. I like to see fez, even the ones I can't shoot. I guess it depends on if you care about the resource, or just care about killing it.

Regarding your second statement, I wish that were the case, but I suspect not. I wouldn't even raz you about it, except for the fact that you don't care if you appear ignorant, so why should I?
 
ranchodeluxe said:
It benefits public land hunters by spreading pheasants out based on habitat. If the rancher provides good hatching habitat, and the hatch is successful, and his land can't hold all of them, nature takes over. They either find a place to survive, or not. I like to see fez, even the ones I can't shoot. I guess it depends on if you care about the resource, or just care about killing it.

Regarding your second statement, I wish that were the case, but I suspect not. I wouldn't even raz you about it, except for the fact that you don't care if you appear ignorant, so why should I?
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I understand the fact that them birds on private will & do use public lands also... In some areas of SD especially west river u go a long ways between public land options if its only private lands surrounded by more private land I doubt it benefits the public land population much...

I also like to see & watch pheasant turkey quail I also like to hunt them Not just kill stuff I always associated that mentality with deep pockets & pay to play pay to kill stuff vs take a chance on public...


At least u can do more then just nit pick & point out spelling errs...
 
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haymaker said:
Good luck finding a bowling alley that will let you bowl free, or a movie theater or a golf course. I guess they are greedy too. It is just business gentlemen.
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The prices these places charge are outrageous!!500 dollars a day? Are you kidding me??You can stay at the tash ma hall for 500 dollars a day.
 
Goosemaster said:
The prices these places charge are outrageous!!500 dollars a day? Are you kidding me??You can stay at the tash ma hall for 500 dollars a day.
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The question is are they booked? The price will be whatever the market will bear. If they fill up fast the price might go up, if they don't get booked up it might go down. It is a business decision.
 
It's real simple. They're just not that people that want to do what I do, pay or no pay.

Hunters can hunt places no little to no fees but can expect to hunt places where there has been little to no investment.

Thank God SD commercialized years ago so now sportsmen have choices across the spectrum of low fees to high fees. I mean low investment properties or high investment properties.

The minimalist think it is always this OR this. The opportunists learn that it is really this AND this.
 
david0311 said:
I'll give you a good example of Golden Boys example of introducing new people with money into the sport--

One person I have guided at the-- HIGH END LODGE I GUIDE AT--(SMO' quote)
Has enjoyed it so much he just purchase over 800 acres of farm land a couple miles south--and is turning all in to pheasant-wildlife land-at his own expense--
Think that is good for the resource??? I do.:):cheers:
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God I wish I could just up and buy 800 acres and turn it into pheasant habitat...

I have no experience with any of this as my dog is only 6 months old, is my first dog, and I've never hunted anything other than muskies, this fall will be my first time trying for pheasant and ducks. I will say however that this thread really has me down and I guess I should have done more research before deciding to get into hunting because this thread kind of makes me feel like if I'm not paying I won't be finding any birds, my father in-law continually telling me "there's no birds left in MN," also doesn't help.

I guess my question is what's the point of spending all the money to travel to SD, lodging, licences, food, etc. and then paying what appears to be $100-$150 a day for hunting rights when I could just drive to a preserve that's only 40 minutes to an hour away for the same price?
 
Dami0101 said:
God I wish I could just up and buy 800 acres and turn it into pheasant habitat...

I have no experience with any of this as my dog is only 6 months old, is my first dog, and I've never hunted anything other than muskies, this fall will be my first time trying for pheasant and ducks. I will say however that this thread really has me down and I guess I should have done more research before deciding to get into hunting because this thread kind of makes me feel like if I'm not paying I won't be finding any birds, my father in-law continually telling me "there's no birds left in MN," also doesn't help.

I guess my question is what's the point of spending all the money to travel to SD, lodging, licences, food, etc. and then paying what appears to be $100-$150 a day for hunting rights when I could just drive to a preserve that's only 40 minutes to an hour away for the same price?
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Come on out buddy. Let me know when headed this way, be glad to point you to some great hunting, no charge. The preserve can't hold a candle to a real western hunting experience.
 
Dami0101 said:
God I wish I could just up and buy 800 acres and turn it into pheasant habitat...

I have no experience with any of this as my dog is only 6 months old, is my first dog, and I've never hunted anything other than muskies, this fall will be my first time trying for pheasant and ducks. I will say however that this thread really has me down and I guess I should have done more research before deciding to get into hunting because this thread kind of makes me feel like if I'm not paying I won't be finding any birds, my father in-law continually telling me "there's no birds left in MN," also doesn't help.

I guess my question is what's the point of spending all the money to travel to SD, lodging, licences, food, etc. and then paying what appears to be $100-$150 a day for hunting rights when I could just drive to a preserve that's only 40 minutes to an hour away for the same price?
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The difference is in the bird. They are wilder and more of a challenge. Wild birds are the real thing, pen raised birds are more of an imitation of the real thing. A preserve might be a good place for you and your dog to start. At some point I think you will want to try the real thing. I have hunters come from all over the country that tell me if I release birds they won't come back.
 
Dami0101 said:
I guess my question is what's the point of spending all the money to travel to SD, lodging, licences, food, etc. and then paying what appears to be $100-$150 a day for hunting rights when I could just drive to a preserve that's only 40 minutes to an hour away for the same price?
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You are right. The preserve near home is a much better deal. Honestly.

But some would say its not a fair comparison because it is not the real deal.
 
I had to skim through a lot of bs so I know I missed some good comments...

I will add I am from NJ and living here, unfortunately lol. Thank God we have options! Pay to play and public(no wild birds, duh lol so not apples to apples but its the gist/point)...you pick you choose. Who cares what others think! Id love to be able to hunt preserves here, public here AND hunt wild public birds out west. OPTIONS.

See, here we have little land and a huge orange army. The most dense state in the US. If the only day I can hunt will be a typical orange army type day, I can pay to avoid the crowds and hunt preserve. If I go on an "off" day I know there will be little to no crowds on public and can hunt that.

I have a young pup I am training. No doubt she will be hunting the preserves. Last thing I need is her getting shot because Im a "public only guy" or me getting in a fight with another guy because of multiple possible issues that could present themselves. I will preserve hunt until she is truly ready and/or use the public land if no one is there. There is always negative with the positive and vice versa. Its what you take from it. Ive learned, typically life(hunting and fishing too) is easier when I walk each step with an open mind vs a hard headed one. Your choice. This isn't about who is better and why...its about enjoying what YOU love. Strictly public...kudos to you! Strictly pay to play...kudos to you! Enjoy both...kudos to you!

Its nice to have options!
 
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