Just found out (from a fellow THF member) that the person that owns the land I lease is allowing a "friend" to hunt the property when I'm not there.

To make matters worse, he killed the buck I was after out of my stand this morning.

What's wrong with people these days!?!?

Bummer. Sorry to hear that. Makes me count my blessing, my LO is a friend and really upstanding

Some people aren't worth the air they breath.

Do you have a lease agreement?

Sure do!

Take the paper to the landowner and confront him about it then.

Is there a friends of the landowner clause?

No sir. Specifically states myself, my girlfriend and a guest of our choice.

I could easily see this happening in a handshake agreement that never mentions exclusive rights.

Sounds like breach of contract.

Since you've brought it up, what are your plans?

Absolute breach of contract.

Now the question is, what to do about it?

A) Nothing. Landowner's buddy will continue to hunt your stand. However, you'll have a place to hunt for the rest of the year and then bail after the season.

B) Confront the LO and he may agree to refund your money...or not. Or he may kick his buddy off of the place...or not.

C) Set up some hidden game cams to get photo evidence of LO's buddy hunting your set while you're not there. Then if you decide to bail and ask for your money back and the LO refuses, you'll be able to make a case with the local justice of the peace.

Good luck.

Good advice from LP

My plan is to set up some game cameras to get proof first. Once I have that, I'll decide how to proceed.

I just don't get it, I'm a simplistic man. I show respect for everything that deserves it. In this case, I feel respect is not present, kind of sad.

It is sad, and even with a contract it's usually not worth the hastle or expense to press an issue if you confront the LO and you don't get any satifactory results, and then it's just better to chaulk it up as a learning experience and move on.
Contracts or for the landowner and not for the guy that is leasing. It shouldn't be that way, but that is reality.

Maybe a hassle but sue for breach of contract and having proof go ahead and tack on court cost and legal fees! doesn't make hassle go away but softens the cost somewhat.Then post who and where so others here can avoid the same situation.In case the LO gets horsey let him know of proof and to prepare for legal action...lawyer may take this probono and possible for lost wages(during legal proceedings) and compensation for work you put in on lease!

I'd say catch LO's friend in the act, and call game warden for poaching. Then when he explains he's a friend of the LO, GW will contact LO to ask. When he confirms, bust out the lease agreement. If the agreement is solid, and you have posted signs up, there should be no reason for him not to be considered a poacher.

It's not poaching if the landowner gave him permission.

How big is the place?
Reason I ask, if there is a part that don't really hold deer, then tell the LO you saw a Huge Buck there. He will then tell his buddy and the buddy will hunt the part where there are no deer.
I did this to a guy on our lease one yr. Everytime I killed a deer, the next year, he would move a stand in where I killed the yr before. So I just told him about a big buck I had seen and sure enough, before the next season, he put a stand in there. Everytime I saw his truck parked, I would have a good laugh.

It wont go anywhere because the landowner gave him permission as far as trespassing goes.

At least you'd have a GW to prove he was there and a paper trail.

Going through the same crap. Not the land owner but the group of 5 new guys that we just brought on. No respect for rules or authority or just plain principal of hunting.

i got 3 new guys comming on dont know them yet hope they dont have bad attitudes about rules and such.

Probably to late this year to have any good come of it other than the landowner kicking you off; and having to deal with the P.I.T.A. of any kind of legal mess which depending on the cost of the lease can be non cost effective.

I would gather evidence for the remainder of the season and wait until the day you are suposed to pay for the lease which hopefully is just before the season starts.

Instead of handing the owner a check(or cash) hand him the lease agreement with the "restricted access" clause highlighted and ALL of the pics you have of his buddy throught the season.

"Who is paying for this lease; and who has a contract?"

If he starts to back pedal or fire back simply explain it like this.

"If I rent you a house with a legal lease agreement, does that mean my buddies can sleep in your bed while your at work?"