I was just told tonight that when my lease is up at the end of the year that is it unless we make drastic changes...less land and way more $$$. I understand that it is their land and they can do what they want but I have leased this land for 26 years so it is a real kick to the balls right now. The work that I have done to make this a better place to hunt and the difference in the size of the bucks is crazy. Here is my question if this was going to happen to you would you shoot bucks that you normally wouldn't so they don't get to benefit from your hard work or hunt the same way until the end of the year?
Shoot the ones that make you happy, and i would leave the land the way it was when you started hunting it, dig up food plots and what not. Sounds like they are trying to capitalize on your sweat equity.
Business write off..... Raxx product research. With killing big deer and word of mouth people want to hunt were you are doing well that's just the world in general. My advice is pay them. Started over is harder then you think.
After all these years hopefully you have a decent relationship with the owners. Try to negotiate. My guess is someone noticed and came along with more $$. Best of luck. Failing that, I would whack as many deer as possible. If you need someone in MN to make a contribution to pose with a nice deer and some product let me know. All kidding aside, if they are going to give you the boot I would try to keep it if at all possible. If not, I would cash in on all your hard work. If you made contracts regarding the lease you may have a legal course of action, but that is less likely.
Im in Kansas already.... with an unfilled tag.... just kidding. I would try and negotiate. if it goes bad have one heck of a going away party!
Like the others said, Try to renegotiate..Maybe something like this. You're paying X right now, they want Z Offer them Y for 1-2 more years, then move to Z. (If you can justify the costs in your budget) That way you can continue to work on the bucks that you've passed on, you'll still be able to take quality bucks and they'll get some additional money. My question to you is, have they had periodic rate increases over the 26 year period? Or are they just doing a massive increase because some outsider has witnessed all of your handwork walking around the woods and decided that he'd make an offer on the fruits of your labor? Do whatever gives you the ability to rest comfortably at night.
I think it would be a better story of him helping out a poor college kid looking to shoot his first buck.
Precisely why I hunt public land. It would be a tough pill to swallow knowing all your hard work to establish a good hunting ground belongs to and is decided upon by others. Some land owners may be put off by a hard line contract but that would be the only solution for land owned by others. Uggg... buy a lottery ticket, pray, and you just may obtain a lasting solution. Good luck.
If it was just $$$ I would try and work it out. We have had talks in the past about more money and I have always worked it out with them.
That is tough. I don't think I would take it out on the deer or the land. It's tough to fight green backs and win. I would start searching for a better opportunity. If you know there is no chance of salvaging the relationship and restoring the lease, then I would have to think I would hit him so hard he would feel it for the next 26 years.
I don't know how much extra you are talking but maybe there is another way to help pay the difference. A lpt pf clubs around here have dove shoots and make some nice change at 50-75 bucks per gunman. Chah - ching!
I was on a lease in illinois and the property owner said if we wanted to keep the lease, he was going to be needing a whole lot more money . 21000 - 35000. He explained that an outfitter came to him and offered 35000. He said he would give to us for the same amount. 2 years before that, one of the guys killed a 224 in buck (net) gross was 236. It came out to 1500 a person before and it was 3900 person. Some guys shot whatever they wanted to. I held out and didnt take a buck. Nothing big enough came my way. The price you pay is it worth it to you. Double + was not for us, good luck. I say shoot whatever you want to
For as much as you've spent on the lease, why not just buy your own property? Unpredictable people is the reason I don't mess with public land or leases.
I think some guys missed Raxx said they are cutting back how much land he can lease AND raising the price. It's not just more money. I don't have any advice though. Threads like this make me not want to lease even though I keep considering it due to how poor hunting is on Pa public land these days compared to what it used to be.
I don't think anyone here can really give you solid advice, we don't know all the details. Good luck with your decision.
I would call all of my friends with shotguns and we would have a hell of a harvest this year. If it's brown it's down. But that's just me.
