re: What is the future of hunting?

Posted on another thread but here it is again:

"(Access to land) will be the end of hunting in this country. It will become a rich man's sport, like in Europe, but eventually so few people will hunt that it will lose public support.

It's the same story everywhere. Thirty years ago you could knock on a farmer's door and get permission to hunt (it's still that way in some places, but way out of the way). Most places it's been leased out to some deer or duck club, or some outfitter is bringing in out of state hunters so the few can profit from what should be a pastime for many.

I will never pay another guide or outfitter the rest of my life. They are stealing our heritage."

Duck clubs have pretty much leased up the South Platte from Denver to the Nebraska line. I had a buddy that leased some farmland up there for years. One season he brought a "friend" out to hunt with him. The next season the "friend" leased the place out from under him so he could outfit on it. With that revenue stream coming in, he can afford to pay more than the recreational hunter. When I was living in La. I called a club in Gueydan and they wanted $5,000 for a blind for a season! Other than a corporate tax write off and a few lawyers or doctors, I don't know many people that can swing that.

Personally, I drive WAY out onto the plains and then still hike in a pretty good ways to hunt some public areas that are still almost deserted. It costs me way more in time and gas to do this (which also cuts down on how often I get to do it) but at least I still get some enjoyment out of it, Eventually I will get too old to do all that crap, and it will just end.