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Questions to ask about new deer lease
#8211874
03/23/21 02:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,801
booger
OP
Veteran Tracker
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OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,801 |
Looking at a possible new lease that is already established with another group. What are some great questions to ask of current members, I know a couple of the guys but have not hunted with any of them or really in the area.
Thanks
Big ones line-up, little ones bunch-up
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8211877
03/23/21 02:43 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,153
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,153 |
hunter responsibilities, guest privileges, access limitations
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8211888
03/23/21 02:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,457
DQ Kid
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THF Celebrity
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Personally, I wouldn't come out firing with 50 questions or anything but maybe just ask a couple of priority ones like: "What is the general harvesting philosophy on the lease, mature, age structure, etc.", also, "What are the sleeping arrangements, accomodations within the group, travel trailers, cabin, tents, motels, etc.", "What are the location/stand rules - open (first come/first serve), private with particular areas only to be hunted by each, etc." and lastly, "what are the anticipated costs within/outside of season for each hunter meaning supplemental feed costs, lease maintenance costs, etc.". Could also ask what the "harvest policies are related to how many deer to be taken per hunter/paid spot, etc. and maybe ask for some pictures around recent previous harvests"
Beyond that, you're simply beating a dead horse and being anal and annoying.
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8211913
03/23/21 02:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861
PMK
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how many acres, total hunters are on the lease and guest rules, are hunting areas assigned or shared, feeding philosophy, harvest limits/rules, any livestock, costs, any recent pictures of animals from the lease ... I would also ask if there are written rules or lease agreement and how are those enforced.
times have really changed over time in my opinion.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8211983
03/23/21 04:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,432
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,432 |
IT DEPENDS. You need to think about what is IMPORTANT TO YOU in a lease and then ask questions accordingly. If killing a big buck is important then ask questions accordingly. If you like to drink and party then find out if the rest do to. Etc etc etc. Rank your questions in importance but I would caution you against having too many "deal killer" questions cause its hard to find the perfect lease and you may have to "settle." I manage two different leases and I have "interviewed" prospective new members many many times and I can tell what type of lease a guy is looking for by his questions. If I think he may be a good fit, then I will help him out by asking him questions that he didnt ask. Ive had guys grill me about the size of every buck weve ever killed and then others that said they like steak on friday night and ribs on saturday and wondered what we usually cooked. IMO your goal should be to find a lease where the person in charge, and hopefully most members, are as "likeminded" as is practical. It would also depend on if you have already been offered a spot or if you are trying to sell yourself so you will be considered seriously. In our situation its like a job interview, in that, it works both ways. The interviewee has to want on and the interviewer has to want him on. Some leases will give a spot to the first person to write a check but other leases may be asking YOU more questions than you ask them. You also mentioned talking to "current members" but didnt say you were talking to the person in charge. WHO you are talking to may make a difference in the questions you ask. Ultimately, your goal should be to first determine what you really want/need out of a lease, and ask questions to find out if this situation fills most of those wants/needs.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: freerange]
#8211995
03/23/21 04:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,457
DQ Kid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,457 |
IT DEPENDS. You need to think about what is IMPORTANT TO YOU in a lease and then ask questions accordingly. If killing a big buck is important then ask questions accordingly. If you like to drink and party then find out if the rest do to. Etc etc etc. Rank your questions in importance but I would caution you against having too many "deal killer" questions cause its hard to find the perfect lease and you may have to "settle." I manage two different leases and I have "interviewed" prospective new members many many times and I can tell what type of lease a guy is looking for by his questions. If I think he may be a good fit, then I will help him out by asking him questions that he didnt ask. Ive had guys grill me about the size of every buck weve ever killed and then others that said they like steak on friday night and ribs on saturday and wondered what we usually cooked. IMO your goal should be to find a lease where the person in charge, and hopefully most members, are as "likeminded" as is practical. It would also depend on if you have already been offered a spot or if you are trying to sell yourself so you will be considered seriously. In our situation its like a job interview, in that, it works both ways. The interviewee has to want on and the interviewer has to want him on. Some leases will give a spot to the first person to write a check but other leases may be asking YOU more questions than you ask them. You also mentioned talking to "current members" but didnt say you were talking to the person in charge. WHO you are talking to may make a difference in the questions you ask. Ultimately, your goal should be to first determine what you really want/need out of a lease, and ask questions to find out if this situation fills most of those wants/needs.
Sound advice here....
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8212012
03/23/21 04:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427 |
Cellular Game camera ideology
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8212191
03/23/21 07:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,801
booger
OP
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OP
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Thanks guys!! I was asked about joining the lease and know a couple of the current members, one being the lease leader.
I appreciate the thought that was put into the questions and will definitely take advice! This is my first lease to join as others have been our group.
Big ones line-up, little ones bunch-up
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8217310
03/28/21 04:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170 |
I would advise that you take the flying under the radar approach. Being humble and not coming across as a know it all will go a long way to being accepted. I would direct my questions to the current members you know one on one, starting with the one you know the best. Talking one on one you can get a better feel as they will probably share information you wouldn't normally get talking to the group. As an example: If you ask about filling feeders, work days, camp maintenance, and he answers with, "Oh we all contribute and everyone is great" then that means YOU will be expected to do the same. That's just one of the things that rubs lease members the wrong way and contributes to drama when someone doesn't participate or comes up with excuses.
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8217597
03/28/21 03:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,610
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,610 |
Thar b some awesome advice from previous posts... Other things ta consider ... Reason thar b an opening ? First lease got on twas buck only... $200.00 a year round lease... Roughly hour drive... 1,100 acres... My reason for getting on lease, (already had place ta hunt buck only), they were seeing hogs, the 24-7-365 hunts... Twas new ta & the leasing thing, every one twas doing it... That lease, & others ta follow, were basically the same... Lease twas place ta get tagether, camp, & do some hunting, tell stories around campfire... Legal buck twas up ta individual ta take shot or let walk.. No preasure, twas your tag... We did the family camping (tent) @ parks & such since youngens in diapers... i slept in a jungle Hamilton ta start with.. thar twas an old trailer, slept in it few times, whin another member went with, had rats... Wife decided bring kids, camp out, opened a drawer, big rat jumped out... She ended up finding a small camper, & it became our lease camp... We were basically only ones, family camp/hunt... That lease (land) twas threw bank... it sold, We lost lease... Like you, looked for lease ta get on... Area twas in two buck county, yet only $250.00 year lease... Soon found out reason for opening, reason - it went ta 1buck with 2-3 day for a doe... & thar might been other reasons... The so called, games played, had seen on other leases, the dont choot the young bucks, let em walk... Yet, end of season twas, (ground shrinkage)... Seen bro's arguing... One telling other, what they can & cant cull... Kinda like whin " holdem" the poker game caught on... Who twas the fresh fish @ the table... i pay for my Gov. Food Stamps... & tried ta stay clear of the dramma... U know your income, what your looking for in a lease... Ask questions, listen, & see if it fits your needs... Area's that i had, liked ta keep simple, started with a string ta pull rifle, bow up, (twas ypunger) then went with hang-on stands, ta climbing stands, mostly used during archery. Leases on each had own area, opening week end, then twas,put your name (washer) on a peg (stand) .... & yes sat in a few executive stands, out of the cold, & wet.. Me first stand built in sections floor, sides, & top... Dragged out ta area seen good sign, & hoisted, by hand in tree, tree stand.. didnt have the power tools of today... liked ta keep things simple, took a tiller, & tilled around the trees, did help out with the others... twas with a good group, leases were afordable, low-income, & family thang... Best Wish's... Hope ya find what ya looking for... Social distancing from MN..
i'm postaddic
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8217842
03/28/21 08:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,252
Texas Dan
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Posts: 22,252 |
My first question would be if bow hunting is permitted and if so, what rules are placed on those who rifle hunt. I don't bow hunt but have learned bow hunters and those who only hunt with a rifle don't always mix well. Bow hunters often want all non-hunting activities to cease on the first day of bow season, which creates a conflict with rifle hunters who are wanting to prepare for the start of the general season. The same logic applies if you're a bow hunter and the expectations you might have for permitted activities during bow season.
I would also try to learn if openings are rare because it usually takes someone to die or move away for openings to become available on the best leases. For the same reasons, the worst leases are always looking for replacement members every year.
I suspect most if not all the remaining questions to help you decide have already been noted.
Good luck.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 03/28/21 08:50 PM.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8219296
03/30/21 12:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005
HornSlayer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005 |
Ask why the last group left? If the answer is they were to religious turn and run!
They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason!
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8223525
04/02/21 06:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
Exiled
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429 |
I think understanding the overall "philosophy" and approach towards management is critical. Is it "if it's brown its down" or "we only shoot 6.5 year olds"? Are the rules softened for youth? what constitutes a "cull" buck? position on doe management?
Personally, I also want to understand the degree of commitment towards hunting from the lessees. At my current place (10 members), 4 of us are hard core hunters, the rest treat the lease like a clubhouse to get away from the families with a little hunting on the side, and as a result we have friction over how to spend funds (i.e. new feeder vs. satellite tv at the cabin). Not a deal breaker since the property is fantastic and big enough for both pursuits, but I would still recommend aligning goals.
"Who Dares, Wins" Instagram: @HCConnected
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: Exiled]
#8223538
04/02/21 07:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,432
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,432 |
I think understanding the overall "philosophy" and approach towards management is critical. Is it "if it's brown its down" or "we only shoot 6.5 year olds"? Are the rules softened for youth? what constitutes a "cull" buck? position on doe management?
Personally, I also want to understand the degree of commitment towards hunting from the lessees. At my current place (10 members), 4 of us are hard core hunters, the rest treat the lease like a clubhouse to get away from the families with a little hunting on the side, and as a result we have friction over how to spend funds (i.e. new feeder vs. satellite tv at the cabin). Not a deal breaker since the property is fantastic and big enough for both pursuits, but I would still recommend aligning goals. "new feeder vs satellite tv", thats a great example Exiled. Lots of different examples out there on the importance of everyone being aligned and on the same page on philosophy and goals etc. Nothing wrong with the new feeder crowd vs the satellite tv crowd but it would never come up if everyone was like minded(as much as is practical).
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8223626
04/02/21 08:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,290
Roo Basher
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,290 |
There are a lot of ways to skin this cat.
I have been on a lease where one guy thought he was a game warden, and if he didn't like you he would figure out a way to get you kicked off the lease or call the game wardens on you for "ginned up" BS.
My last lease we had a million foxes, and no small game. The manager didn't want foxes shot, and he didn't want hogs shot in the forest (this was in Europe) only in the fields.
I saw foxes everyday and never saw a wildboar in a field.
But he wanted everyone to camp all night on the fields in hopes of getting one.
I gave my lease up within 3 months. I don't need that much drama.
Had another lease where the guy let his buddy kill 5 bucks because he was retired and lived in the lease. So that killed off the management plan for the place. And everyone else was stuck hunting wild boar, and roe deer does and nothing else.
Same thing called me at 3 am one night and asked me why I wasn't in the tree stand on a week day.
I hate drama.
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8224672
04/04/21 12:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,113
texasag93
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The last lease I left was managed by a new manager who wanted all of his fraternity brothers on the lease. It was an OK lease, but a few of us did not call 'soon enough' when it was time to renew. Having a place to hunt is like having a job and looking for a new one. It is more relaxing to have one and find a new one than not have one and look for a new one.
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: texasag93]
#8224973
04/04/21 01:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,252
Texas Dan
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Having a place to hunt is like having a job and looking for a new one. It is more relaxing to have one and find a new one than not have one and look for a new one. There can also come a time when it's best to move on to force yourself to find a new lease, rather than waiting to see if one will pop up somewhere. I was actually loading my gear from my old lease when I learned of the place I'm leasing alone now.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 04/04/21 01:20 PM.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Questions to ask about new deer lease
[Re: booger]
#8228545
04/07/21 07:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 191
roadkill54
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 191 |
A lot of good advice already given above. My quick comments would be ... >Does the ranch have the game >Are all the lease members on the same page regarding the management plan >Since your the newbie I would visit one on one discreetly to answer above questions
Life is to short for deer lease drama- I've seen it played way to much.....
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