That's why we split it up between a couple of guys. Good farms in West Central IL lease for $30 to $100/acre depending on location, how much of it is huntable, etc. All because of outfitter pressure. They can lease the ground for $100 acre and still turn a profit if they run enough guys through it. Unlike somewhere like Iowa where non-residents have a hard time getting tags so the demand is a lot less and you can lease farms for 1/2 to 1/4 of that price. In our case for $1,000 per guy we get year-around access to the land whenever we want. Deer, turkey, shed hunt, etc. Put that up against paying 3-5K for one week of hunting with an outfitter and it's pretty much a no brainer. It's either that, or hunt public ground with Christine. You decide which is worse. :D Atlas - you're a funny guy.
That's on the higher end. Some great hunting available throughout this area (I live JUST East of it, and owned land in the actual area for 10 years) at prices that are lower ($15-$25) then are quoted. However, like Justin said - put it next to the cost of a 1 week hunt with an outfitter and the cost - benefit analysis is cake....as with most leasing around here. Justin and duke, you guys turkey hunt it?
Don't get me wrong Justin (Duke).....If that was the only route I had, I'd pay it in a heartbeat. But, it would pretty much have to be my only route. Awesome spot. No doubt about it. Nearly 15bucks a sq. mi. either harvested; injured or passed on (and that says nothing to the ones that didn't fit the bill....or escaped being seen/shot at. It's just incredible.
I don't know if I could ever come to grips if I had to pay the prices many of you do just to have a place to hunt. I hope & pray I'm never backed into a corner like that. Every trout & bass within an hours drive would be cringing in fear if that became the case.
So what do these guys know that you (or me for that matter) don't? What is their hunter success rate?
John - probably nothing. When it comes to killing big whitetails it's all about location, location, location! If you've got the spots and you're a semi-decent hunter (or guide) it's only a matter of time.
Those are some amazing bucks that is for sure. Just goes to show what proper management can produce. As far as the leasing goes, I subscribe to basecampleasing.com and get updates on a bunch of states that have leases available and what Justin and Mike were paying is pretty much on par with everything I see out there. That's not just for Illinois either, OH, IN, KY, etc. are all in that range as well. Leasing is not cheap, but if you want the land to yourself and the ability to manage it you have to do it. Especially in IL this is true because of the reputation for big bucks and the outfitters ability to gobble up so much land.
Yeah, the public ground I hunt already has too many people. Stay away! :D The 'Women's Hunt' Deb and I go to in Brown County is 700.00 for three days. It's a bargain by outfitter standards. That we residents have to pay through the nose to hunt in our own state sucks. You can see why there is so much resentment for the ridiculous number of non-resident tags sold and the outfitter business that it supports.
Oh yeah Justin, do I remember that area! It's not a high fenced deal, they just have thousands of acres of family-owned ground, and lease a-ton of adjacent properties as well. The area is in Brown County Illinois and we hunted very close to this place, some adjacent properties actually. There is no secret to killing world class bucks. All you need is the property and age class. Some are a little luckier than others to be born into a farming family - but no-matter what, big bucks (bow killed anyway) die from hard work whether it's a guide doing the work or the hunter. One thing is for-sure, these guys have the ground and age class! Good for them and congrats on one heck of a season! GEEZEEE!!!!
