Last year when the farmer told me that we were not going to be able to hunt there anymore after 26 years, part of me was upset while another part was ok with it. Dont get me wrong walking away from a place you love to hunt, have so many memories and know well is not easy. But the guys that I were hunting with that I let in were not making it any fun. They did not help at all and it seamed like I was there guide instead of their hunting partner. When I decided to try and keep it I knew if I got it back it would be with all new guys. I didnt find out until the season started but was happy anyways. We did not get the whole 1200 acres but we were able to keep the best 400. I first opened it up to get onto the lease to our Pro Staff and it only took 3 days to fill pretty excited to hunt with some great people and enjoy hunting there more than the last few years.
It's hard to maintain a lease when the goals and hunting styles of all the leasers are not the same. I truly know what you mean about it becoming no fun, doing almost all the work, and being expected to be guide.. It's a fine line to walk as a lease manager to keep all hunters happy and involved in all the work that it takes to make a great lease. Its never easy, but it has its rewards when you have the right mix of hunting partners!
