Well I'm rather lucky...my huntin buddies aren't afraid of work. We are on family land as well just near Freer. There is NO fee to hunt, all I asked is that we work together and help to get the place the way we'd like it and we'll have a place to hunt for the rest of our lives. We schedule a "work weekend" 2 or 3 times a year...and that weekend is exactly that...a weekend of work....start at daybreak and work til dark...or til we just can't go on anymore...we do have weekends where we attack a small project and mix in some fun...but I have found it best to work our tails off on work weekends and get it out of the way.

The biggest problem we have is the family makeup....My buddies each have families w small kiddos...so theres basketball and baseball and the choir and band performances....all that stuff "daddy" needs to attend (understandably so)....whereas my son is 16 and very much self sufficient....so "FINDING" that weekend that works for all of us can be cumbersome from a scheduling standpoint...

IMO, if you are trading out work detail for hunting or playing priveleges, ground rules need to be set and followed...and as said above, if someone has to be "asked to work"....then they probably aren't the ones you want to co-op with...

OP-Depends on the situation


if i call someone and ask if they want to come hunting, i dont expect a hole lot of return... maybe a bag of corn or something...

if they call me, i would probably have em help me with something

Kinda like a cpl guys ive taken fishing, and when i stop to get the boat ready to go (un hook straps, put plug in, etc.) they sit in the truck.... they usually dont get a phone call the next time.


And then i have buds that i will talk to, and when i say im goin to put up a tree stand or something, they say "need a hand" not because they want to hunt with me or something, but because that is what a good friend will do.

I do have a few buddies that call and offer to come help me with stuff jsut to get a trip out there. Those are the ones where we conveniently schedule work to be done during dove season, etc. I've never hunted turkeys before, but we have some around. Had 50+ one fall a few years ago while I was deer hunting. Some of the guys that ask to go help with chores are the ones going with me to see if we're any good at turkey hunting.

I just got to ask what does "no ticky, no washy" mean?

old saying my father-in-law uses. Related to Chinese laundries. You don't give them the ticket showing you paid, you don't get your laundry.

Or I guess I could use a more modern phrase. Gas, grass, or arse, no one rides for free...

Here's what YOU should do,

Pick up the phone and give your buddy a courtesy call,
(be sympathetic / concerned)
and explain that you TRULEY understand he has had a
hard and stressfull week. You can all so understand his
wanting to just have a stress free / relaxing weekend, and
just vegetate, for the up coming work week. And maybe
the next trip you'll (meaning him) be more up to it.
So just relax, sit on the couch with you favorite beverage,
and watch the boob tube. And you'll touch bases with
him when you return.

I dont need an invite back if i help out. just being outdoors to work like that is enough for me. if i get a phone call to go hunt, then thats just a bonus. but i sure wouldnt mind just going out to help do work. I'll work sun up to sun down and then fire up the pit after work and drink a few. and im all good with that. maybe thats just the mexican in me. lol!

I have a badace hookup in South TX. I have gone down the last three years and shot a buck every time. They ask nothing for it. I always bring a grocery sack with meat, bacon, salsa, etc and a thank you card. It is so great to have a place to hunt and relax and I am happy to help fill feeders and fix fences etc, it's part of the fun. We spend the majority of the time having hunting, shooting 22s, eating, etc... And I take this friend duck hunting in return whenever he can make it during the season. In my opinion, if you don't feel that your hospitality is appreciated, don't invite him back, or at least talk to him about it first.

It's kind of the same principle when your friends find out you have a truck and/or a trailer. It's amazing how many you friends you have at that point.

Anyone who wants to come to your land on your work weekends better be ready to work themselves. Freeloaders ruin it for everyone!!!

You will always have a ton more friend when the work is done and season starts LOL who else agrees.

Owning land is a pain sometimes when it comes to friends. I've got to the point where I just say no when someone wants to hunt. I've got two brothers which is enough company for me.