Ever wonder why people don’t trust us on their land like I’m told they used to?

[Larry Ashcraft]

It is their land. They probably didn't buy it for the purpose of having strangers on it

And there's the answer.

We bought our little piece of paradise in 1994, 40 acres of Arkansas River bottom. It's rich with waterfowl, turkeys, mule deer and whitetails. EVERYBODY would like access for hunting, but we reserve it for family and close friends. I'm never impolite to strangers asking for permission because I've been there myself. But my wife and I have worked very hard for many years to own it. And we spent three years just finding it. Point is, anyone with a decent job, and a goal, can afford a place like this. We put up with a 1933 house that needed a lot of work, and all the other work and expense it takes to keep the place up. And it's been worth every penny. We gladly gave up our tri-level on an acre in a desirable neighborhood to get our dream place where I can play with my old John Deeres, shoot and hunt.

The only time we open it up is September 1st, Dove Opener, when we'll have family, friends and THR members out for an all day social event and dove supper. Of course, some, like Art Eatman or H&Hhunter, are welcome to hunt doves all season, or to just come by for a visit and some good food. Our only rules are, be safe, and pick up your hulls as much as possible. It's our favorite event of the year.

 

[buck460XVR]

Thing is, hunting land is a valuable commodity anymore, especially good hunting land. Used to be folks that didn't hunt didn't mind allowing access to their land to those that did. Once hunting leases became popular, there really wasn't a reason anymore to allow folks to hunt for free. I'm fortunate enough to have tens of thousands of public hunting land within a half hour drive. Yes, some of it is heavily pressured at times, but that's part of the game. You learn when and where to hunt, to avoid the pressure. The pressure can also be a good thing at times. I've also been privileged to hunt some dang nice pieces of private property over the years. I always tried to leave things better than I found them and always made sure if there was something that wasn't right, was known to the landowner. Sharing the harvest, giving a Christmas ham/card and doing work for free helped me to keep access most of the time. Still, slob hunters and the changing of the guard of ownership or relatives has cost me access, even tho the landowner and I are still good friends. I understand. My son has a premium parcel of land that provides excellent bow for deer and fall turkey hunting. We spend hundreds of dollars and many hours of work every year putting in food plots, planting apple and other permanent food sources along with proper cleaning and clearing of the woods. Hard to tell someone we don't know to go ahead and use it for free......especially after the amount of folks that hunt/forage on it without permission. Kicked two different groups of Morel Hunters off it just last weekend. Found plenty of other evidence they weren't the only ones that had been trespassing in search of the elusive fungi. We hate tellin' folks no, but folks have to realize there are no free lunches anymore. You buy, you pay, you help, or you hunt public land/or don't hunt. Just the way it is.

 

[mustanger98]

And not everyone can hunt together.

 

[Rembrandt]

People respect and take care of things they've earned and worked for.......people that wish to benefit from the efforts of others rarely appreciate the investment it took. Whether it's land to hunt or Freedom others fought and died for, those that paid the price make the rules.