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Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
#8981306
01/02/24 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 177
HunterGuy
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 177 |
Do yall think hunting 25k acres high fence is fair chase? Heard that people will say its like shooting fish in a barrel. just wondering what are yalls opinions on large high fence game ranches.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981308
01/02/24 10:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,458
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,458 |
25k acres is a lot of property for sure. I use to own a 600 acre HF ranch and there were times I had trouble finding certain deer on it. 25k is certainly not fish in a barrel hunting.
Technically I do not think any HF ranch can be considered fair chase but there is certainly nothing wrong hunting a HF place (especially if it holds native deer) - you are going to get a ton of opinions on this thread so be ready for it
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981312
01/02/24 10:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,654
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,654 |
It's been so long!!!  Thanks HunterGuy for starting the New Year off right! I leased a 10K acre, high fence, pasture for 4 years. 'Great place. Several on here called it a "pen". One on here will cast aspersions on your wife over his opinion versus yours regarding high fence. True story.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981314
01/02/24 10:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,280
ntxtrapper
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981319
01/02/24 10:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,710
rickym
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,710 |
Here we go again.
Fish in a barrel can be high fence or low fence.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981327
01/02/24 11:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,607
Hudbone
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981329
01/02/24 11:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,608
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,608 |
IMO HF should be at least 1000 and maybe 2000 acres, but that's strictly personal opinion. Nothing scientific about it.
25k acres is HUGE.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981334
01/02/24 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,608
Texas Dan
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Nowadays, what defines fair chase is left up to the hunter and others who follow the same tactics. I suspect those in the non-hunting majority would often define the term much differently.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981336
01/02/24 11:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,579
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,579 |
It’s fair chase to me. I dont give a chit.
Is it fair chase to buy meat at the store? GTFO. Make meat. If the rack looks good get it mounted.
If you can afford to hunt a high fence place like that, it’s an achievement in itself.
Joshua 1:9
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981340
01/02/24 11:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,579
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Even if it’s not fair chase, who cares? 25k acres is not a penned animal. Would a public ground trophy mean more to me? Sure.
Bit if i had the disposable income i would have a freezer full of high fence elk.
Joshua 1:9
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981346
01/02/24 11:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,791
decook
Extreme Tracker
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 There goes my chance to lose 5 more pounds. Darned popcorn
Press ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/usergals/2017/01/full-15091-89291-full_15091_35556_phone1a.png) for an AMERICAN.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981347
01/02/24 11:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,614
5Redman8
Veteran Tracker
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,614 |
A pen is a pen no matter the size
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981349
01/02/24 11:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,579
10 Gauge
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The question should be is it ethical, and the answer is yes. And if you disagree, but you buy meat from the store, i guess you can’t know what you don’t know.
Joshua 1:9
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: 5Redman8]
#8981351
01/02/24 11:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,654
Creekrunner
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Posts: 27,654 |
A pen is a pen no matter the size See what I mean?
Last edited by Creekrunner; 01/02/24 11:47 PM.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: 10 Gauge]
#8981352
01/02/24 11:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,654
Creekrunner
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,654 |
If you can afford to hunt a high fence place like that, it’s an achievement in itself. There you go...having to hit on the crux of the matter. Well done! 
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: Creekrunner]
#8981354
01/02/24 11:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,579
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Virtue signaling in 3… 2… 1…
Joshua 1:9
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981364
01/03/24 12:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 22
DSpur72
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 22 |
I personally hate them - but it's not because of what is on the inside of it. If you want to shoot a 180-inch buck in 25 acres or 25k acres - your conscience - your money - you spend it.
My gripe about high fences is the disruptive nature and the impact it has on wildlife - outside the fence. I border about 2 miles of high fence and some areas of my ranch have not seen a deer since that fence went up. I understand deer (and other animals) are adaptive by nature and to a degree, they have. With that said, a deer doesn't put itself in a position with no way out (if you understand what I'm trying to say). Unfortunately, when that fence went up (roughly 10 years ago), it created areas that are not conducive for a deer to feel safe - I presume?? I have no other answers as to why deer have vacated those areas and will not come back. I realize my perspective will differ from others and the high fence guys are going to hate - I am just speaking from first-hand experience and the impacts that a high fence has on me, personally.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981367
01/03/24 12:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,579
10 Gauge
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They probably fenced you out for a reason
Joshua 1:9
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: DSpur72]
#8981376
01/03/24 12:46 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765 |
I personally hate them - but it's not because of what is on the inside of it. If you want to shoot a 180-inch buck in 25 acres or 25k acres - your conscience - your money - you spend it.
My gripe about high fences is the disruptive nature and the impact it has on wildlife - outside the fence. I border about 2 miles of high fence and some areas of my ranch have not seen a deer since that fence went up. I understand deer (and other animals) are adaptive by nature and to a degree, they have. With that said, a deer doesn't put itself in a position with no way out (if you understand what I'm trying to say). Unfortunately, when that fence went up (roughly 10 years ago), it created areas that are not conducive for a deer to feel safe - I presume?? I have no other answers as to why deer have vacated those areas and will not come back. I realize my perspective will differ from others and the high fence guys are going to hate - I am just speaking from first-hand experience and the impacts that a high fence has on me, personally. there is the other side of the coin where the property is more diverse and better habitat for all species because its better managed and more inline with natures intentions.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: 5Redman8]
#8981377
01/03/24 12:49 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765 |
A pen is a pen no matter the size well atleast you stop bashing the outfitter because you didnt get a bull
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981382
01/03/24 12:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,393
txtrophy85
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Posts: 33,393 |
The overwhelming majority of Texas hunters cannot fathom what 25,000 acres looks or feels like, so it’s like asking someone is a 12 second car fast when most ride around in a 1/2 ton truck. You’re getting mostly speculated opinions based on no real experience
Something like 90% of properties in Texas are under 1200 acres so to throw out a number like 25,000 and ask if its fair chase is silly.
If you have access to it go hunt it, who gives a shyte what anyone else thinks. Hunters are always looking for ways to discredit other hunters. Lots of people think if you didn't kill an animal on OTC crowded public land its not a legit kill. Totally Asinine
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981397
01/03/24 01:44 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,559
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,559 |
No problem hunting HF to me. By the definition of free chase as I understand it, I don’t think it can be call that. I don’t worry much about it.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#8981402
01/03/24 01:49 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,765 |
The overwhelming majority of Texas hunters cannot fathom what 25,000 acres looks or feels like, so it’s like asking someone is a 12 second car fast when most ride around in a 1/2 ton truck. You’re getting mostly speculated opinions based on no real experience
Something like 90% of properties in Texas are under 1200 acres so to throw out a number like 25,000 and ask if its fair chase is silly.
If you have access to it go hunt it, who gives a shyte what anyone else thinks. Hunters are always looking for ways to discredit other hunters. Lots of people think if you didn't kill an animal on OTC crowded public land its not a legit kill. Totally Asinine out side of the panhandle and west tx most places in Texas you are hunting < a 600yard diameter circle at most at any giving time, hill country its probably way less.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: HunterGuy]
#8981404
01/03/24 01:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,323
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,323 |
I would love to hunt 25,000 acres, so many places to hunt and hopefully different deer to be seen. If you ask me about a smaller high fence place, I don't think my answer would be the same. Near our lease there is a 600-acre place that was sold 2 years ago. Always had hunters on the property. The new owner fenced 2 sides with high fence, he did not own the other. Makes no sense and there are no hunters this year. Know this is different type of comment than was expected but is still regarding high fence.
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Re: Thoughts on high fence ranchs?
[Re: redchevy]
#8981408
01/03/24 02:00 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,393
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,393 |
No problem hunting HF to me. By the definition of free chase as I understand it, I don’t think it can be call that. I don’t worry much about it. Free range and fair chase are different. By definition, technically hunting on an island like Newfoundland or Maui is not free range. Fair chase simply means the animal has a reasonable chance at escape. In many instances that would entail walking 25-50 yards and they are in the woods and in the clear. But, like yourself, I don't worry much about it. Live, Hunt and Be Merry
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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