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Message
re: Typical cost for hunting club membership.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 10:58 am to chief420
Posted on 7/13/11 at 10:58 am to chief420
If the terrain is really hilly and the hunters hunt at staggered times, you can get away with more members/acre. We hunted 15 on 1200 acres on our lease without problems for 3 or 4 years. We're about 11 members now, and it's nice to have less people going out at one time, but it never really hurt with the extra guys.
Now if it's relatively flat ground, then I wouldn't want more that 1 hunter/100 acres
Now if it's relatively flat ground, then I wouldn't want more that 1 hunter/100 acres
1
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:21 am to thedogman
I'll say this up front. You don't know who your friends really are, until you hunt with them. And, a good understanding makes the best of friends.
Set some solid guest rules. Be open with the accounting, and don't try to be a dictator. Limit joy riding during the season, and establish limits on what y'all are going to kill. Let kids kill what they want, when they want, and as often as they want.
600 acres isn't a lot of land and gets crowded quick. I just got out of a club just like what your setting up, 500 acres and 10 members. I never deer hunted, but I was the only turkey hunter so it worked for me.
Try not to get too serious, it's only 600 acres and unless your neighbors are on big buck programs, it's going to be a struggle trying to raise any quality deer.
Set some solid guest rules. Be open with the accounting, and don't try to be a dictator. Limit joy riding during the season, and establish limits on what y'all are going to kill. Let kids kill what they want, when they want, and as often as they want.
600 acres isn't a lot of land and gets crowded quick. I just got out of a club just like what your setting up, 500 acres and 10 members. I never deer hunted, but I was the only turkey hunter so it worked for me.
Try not to get too serious, it's only 600 acres and unless your neighbors are on big buck programs, it's going to be a struggle trying to raise any quality deer.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:31 am to Boats n Hose
quote:
If the terrain is really hilly and the hunters hunt at staggered times, you can get away with more members/acre. We hunted 15 on 1200 acres on our lease without problems for 3 or 4 years. We're about 11 members now, and it's nice to have less people going out at one time, but it never really hurt with the extra guys.
Now if it's relatively flat ground, then I wouldn't want more that 1 hunter/100 acres
I guess that makes sense, considering there isn't any flat ground in this state. The reason I was shocked is where I hunt on 150+ acres, 6-8 people hunt it pretty successfully and that property is surrounded by about four other properties about the same size hunted by about the same number of people. There just aren't 2500 acre plots out there to be had, especially just for hunting
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:37 am to thedogman
Do you own the land or lease the land?
If you lease the land, make sure dues cover the cost of the lease and have enough left over to cover costs of repairs to the camp, electricity/water for the camp, insurance for the club, road/stand maintenance, and a little emergency fund for if something comes up.
They type of hunting will also determine how much to charge. If it is a pine thicket or a big open hay field you can't charge that much. If it is badass hardwood bottoms loaded with huge bucks, you can charge much more.
Pine thicket leases with not many deer usually charge from $600-$1200.
Larger leases with hardwoods and nice deer usually range from $1200 - $2000
Leases that have been managed for years and have huge bucks charge as much as they want; $2,000 - $5,000
My swampy, half flooded hunting club charges $350/yr.
If you lease the land, make sure dues cover the cost of the lease and have enough left over to cover costs of repairs to the camp, electricity/water for the camp, insurance for the club, road/stand maintenance, and a little emergency fund for if something comes up.
They type of hunting will also determine how much to charge. If it is a pine thicket or a big open hay field you can't charge that much. If it is badass hardwood bottoms loaded with huge bucks, you can charge much more.
Pine thicket leases with not many deer usually charge from $600-$1200.
Larger leases with hardwoods and nice deer usually range from $1200 - $2000
Leases that have been managed for years and have huge bucks charge as much as they want; $2,000 - $5,000
My swampy, half flooded hunting club charges $350/yr.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:42 am to Slickback
You need to set the rules and make sure everyone knows them.
If it were me I'd allot each member a set # of does and bucks. Guests and kids are allowed. Kids hunt free, guests are $15/hunt, but guests and kids kills count against the members allotment.
Decide at the beginning of the year how many bucks and does should be taken. Divide the # of bucks and # of does between members and that's how many they get to kill.
As for the camp, it will be a PITA. You'll have some members who don't clean or pick up after themselves, and others who will sweep the floor underneath you. You'll also have members who won't bring shite, and rely on others for food and drink. Put some lockers up in the bunk house and keep your food in there and cold stuff in ice chests.
If it were me I'd allot each member a set # of does and bucks. Guests and kids are allowed. Kids hunt free, guests are $15/hunt, but guests and kids kills count against the members allotment.
Decide at the beginning of the year how many bucks and does should be taken. Divide the # of bucks and # of does between members and that's how many they get to kill.
As for the camp, it will be a PITA. You'll have some members who don't clean or pick up after themselves, and others who will sweep the floor underneath you. You'll also have members who won't bring shite, and rely on others for food and drink. Put some lockers up in the bunk house and keep your food in there and cold stuff in ice chests.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:44 am to Boats n Hose
quote:
If the ex president and his nephew run a 4 wheeler up the back porch and pushes the ice machine through the window, the cost of a new ice machine and repairs are on them.
hmmm. Sounds like this has happened on your lease? 
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:45 am to Slickback
quote:
If it were me I'd allot each member a set # of does and bucks. Guests and kids are allowed. Kids hunt free, guests are $15/hunt, but guests and kids kills count against the members allotment
I agree, except for the kids. If it is their first deer, it shouldn't count against any ones quota. Let'em drop one and have a blast bloodying them up!
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:49 am to Vol Fan in the Bayou
quote:
I agree, except for the kids. If it is their first deer, it shouldn't count against any ones quota. Let'em drop one and have a blast bloodying them up!
What about the members that have 4 kids? Should that member, who is paying the same as one without kids, get to kill two or three times the number of deer?
Not talking shite, just asking questions that may come up and cause problems.
He really needs to decide if it is going to be a family-oriented club with laid back rules on kills, or if they are going to be strict and try and grow some big monsters.
Both clubs are fine, you just need to make sure all the members are aware of what you are going for. That way you won't have a guy passing up 8 points while a kid shoots a 1.5 year old 4pt. shite like that can cause a ruckus.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:49 am to chief420
Most areas that are hunted in the south are not just for hunting. many are working cattle ranches, pine plantations, or farmland.
The deer poulation density in the NW is MUCH higher than it is in most areas of the south.
Square acerage does not equate to actual ground surface area when you compare flat land to mountainous terrain.
Different climates and flora dictate and allow differnt types of hunting. Establishing defined game trails, and spotting and stalking are MUCH easier in mature decidous forest with frequent snow fall than it is in the nearly evergreen flatlands of the south especially in a drought year.
For OP, we have 1000 acres, and 7 members one of which only pays for and stays on one half of that property. Only 300 of those 1000 acres are not actively used for cattle. We pay right at $7 per acre. Our limits are one doe and one buck per paid membership. Make sure to address members bringing guests and what they may kill. Address what in season and off season activites are allowed (target practice, 4 wheeling, gunfire durign bow season, trapping, camping, ect.)
Address any expectations of group work like trail and food plot maintenance. Decide and put in writing how stands will be handled. On our lease we have several community stands and then members put up their own stands. Individaul stands, and for that matter general hunting areas, are hunted by that memeber only unless he decides to allow another to hunt them. Based off of discussions on this board you may also want to address drug and alcohol use and if/when it is allowed.
The deer poulation density in the NW is MUCH higher than it is in most areas of the south.
Square acerage does not equate to actual ground surface area when you compare flat land to mountainous terrain.
Different climates and flora dictate and allow differnt types of hunting. Establishing defined game trails, and spotting and stalking are MUCH easier in mature decidous forest with frequent snow fall than it is in the nearly evergreen flatlands of the south especially in a drought year.
For OP, we have 1000 acres, and 7 members one of which only pays for and stays on one half of that property. Only 300 of those 1000 acres are not actively used for cattle. We pay right at $7 per acre. Our limits are one doe and one buck per paid membership. Make sure to address members bringing guests and what they may kill. Address what in season and off season activites are allowed (target practice, 4 wheeling, gunfire durign bow season, trapping, camping, ect.)
Address any expectations of group work like trail and food plot maintenance. Decide and put in writing how stands will be handled. On our lease we have several community stands and then members put up their own stands. Individaul stands, and for that matter general hunting areas, are hunted by that memeber only unless he decides to allow another to hunt them. Based off of discussions on this board you may also want to address drug and alcohol use and if/when it is allowed.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:50 am to Tiger55
quote:
hmmm. Sounds like this has happened on your lease?
It was hilarious
Posted on 7/13/11 at 11:58 am to Slickback
quote:
What about the members that have 4 kids? Should that member, who is paying the same as one without kids, get to kill two or three times the number of deer?
It wouldn't bother me in the least. If its their first deer, drop'em and don't count it. I would make it a rule that the child has to be bloodied though!
It should be about having fun and what is more fun than watching a child harvest his first deer? I know personally, I have an awesome time around the camp when a kids drives up with their first. They get so excited that they won't stop talking about it for months. Not to mention, the pride that the father feels is second to none!!!
quote:
Not talking shite, just asking questions that may come up and cause problems
Didn't think you were. You are right though, either way it needs to be clear up front.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:02 pm to Vol Fan in the Bayou
quote:
t wouldn't bother me in the least. If its their first deer, drop'em and don't count it. I would make it a rule that the child has to be bloodied though!
It should be about having fun and what is more fun than watching a child harvest his first deer? I know personally, I have an awesome time around the camp when a kids drives up with their first. They get so excited that they won't stop talking about it for months. Not to mention, the pride that the father feels is second to none!!!
Unfortunately not everyone is like you. Some of the best memories at our camps are when the younger kids kill their first deer.
quote:
You are right though, either way it needs to be clear up front.
That is the main thing right there. Be up front. Tell them "these are our rules, and how we do it." Let them decided if they want to join or not.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:05 pm to Slickback
quote:
He really needs to decide if it is going to be a family-oriented club with laid back rules on kills, or if they are going to be strict and try and grow some big monsters.
I'm in two clubs, one of each type. The serious one is about 4500 acres. Every member has to follow the state law when it comes to bag limits, children included. So a member with three kids, essentially gets 4 limits, 5 if their wife hunts. Guests get ONE kill and that's it for the year, doesn't count against the members limits. Now with that said we have guidelines on what size bucks we kill. Everyone follows this including kids, with the exception that if anyone under 16 hasn't killed a buck they may kill a buck as long as it is a legal buck in the state. After that the kids must follow camp rules.
My other club, 1000 acres, we are very laid back, let kids have first pick on where to hunt and just let them have a ball.
You're right, that decision has to be made on what the club is trying to accomplish. But on 600 acres, unless you can get some participation from your neighbors, you are wasting your time trying to grow trophy bucks (depending on your definition of trophy). It sucks to sit on a stand and watch a good 2-3 year old buck walk off, only to hear your neighbor shoot him.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:12 pm to ColesCreek
We had a company lease that was dmap and in the marsh. Our policy was that you shoot a doe if you want meat and only shoot a buck if you wanted to put it on the wall. Guests were told the same. We had 20 doe tags so that worked pretty well for us. Lease was 3000 acres at $5/acre. Only had a handful of people abuse it by shooting a buck and a doe on the same trip needless to say they weren't invited back.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:14 pm to thedogman
quote:
600 acres
quote:
10-12 members.
not good
we have 2300 acres and 8 members
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:21 pm to thedogman
There are a million paths to the same end. There's some good numerical advice on the board.
Good luck, it's a PITA. I gave up a ranch last year and became a partner in another so that it didn't all fall on me to make things happen.
I have 3 spots in S Tx for $6k a gun if anyone is interested. First class set up.
Good luck, it's a PITA. I gave up a ranch last year and became a partner in another so that it didn't all fall on me to make things happen.
I have 3 spots in S Tx for $6k a gun if anyone is interested. First class set up.
This post was edited on 7/13/11 at 12:22 pm
Posted on 7/13/11 at 12:48 pm to ccomeaux
Thanks for all the information I appreciate all the input. .
Posted on 7/13/11 at 1:16 pm to chief420
quote:
I hunt on 150+ acres, 6-8 people hunt it pretty successfully and that property is surrounded by about four other properties about the same size hunted by about the same number of people
How many deer are killed on this property ever year?
Posted on 7/13/11 at 1:29 pm to thedogman
We pay $850/year at my club. We have 24 members and about 4000 acres. No club camp or building.
Most of our members are old dudes that hunt the same 2 box blinds all year. So there is plenty of the rugged, long hike territory for the dozen of us younger guys. Probably only 8 of us bowhunt.
Rules that come to mind...
No guests allowed, members and immediate family only. That means your spouse and dependent kids as long as they are under 21 and registered in school.
NO 4 wheelers or gas motor ATV's on property during hunting season unless you are going to retrieve an animal or have permission from club pres (ie moving a stand, etc). Trucks and etc are allowed but cannot go off the main gated roads. We want quiet hunts!
No alcohol or consumption of alcohol on club property during hunting season. No hunting while under influence of alcohol (ie you tanked up at the house before the evening hunt).
No fighting on property.
No Baiting between Oct 1 and June 1
Any member that breaks a club fixture (stand, gate, etc) must pay to repair or replace.
Each member gets 2 permanent stands that can be locked from others using the stand. That does not mean someone can't hunt the location, just not from the locked stand. Most of us just call the member and ask permission to hunt the location if we so desire and its never been a problem.
State laws apply, but tack on 15" minimum spread for bucks. Each member can shoot 2 cull bucks but they must be state legal and mature deer. Fines apply for non-qualifying deer.
Mark where you enter for your hunt at the road so nobody comes in to hunt the same location. 1st come 1st serve type deal. Again, has never been a problem.
My group of guys (about 6 of us) all share from about 20 stands across the property. And we are all hunting way off the beaten path so we never see any of the other members. There is only about 2 weeks around Christmas where there is more than 10 members on the property at a time.
Most of our members are old dudes that hunt the same 2 box blinds all year. So there is plenty of the rugged, long hike territory for the dozen of us younger guys. Probably only 8 of us bowhunt.
Rules that come to mind...
No guests allowed, members and immediate family only. That means your spouse and dependent kids as long as they are under 21 and registered in school.
NO 4 wheelers or gas motor ATV's on property during hunting season unless you are going to retrieve an animal or have permission from club pres (ie moving a stand, etc). Trucks and etc are allowed but cannot go off the main gated roads. We want quiet hunts!
No alcohol or consumption of alcohol on club property during hunting season. No hunting while under influence of alcohol (ie you tanked up at the house before the evening hunt).
No fighting on property.
No Baiting between Oct 1 and June 1
Any member that breaks a club fixture (stand, gate, etc) must pay to repair or replace.
Each member gets 2 permanent stands that can be locked from others using the stand. That does not mean someone can't hunt the location, just not from the locked stand. Most of us just call the member and ask permission to hunt the location if we so desire and its never been a problem.
State laws apply, but tack on 15" minimum spread for bucks. Each member can shoot 2 cull bucks but they must be state legal and mature deer. Fines apply for non-qualifying deer.
Mark where you enter for your hunt at the road so nobody comes in to hunt the same location. 1st come 1st serve type deal. Again, has never been a problem.
My group of guys (about 6 of us) all share from about 20 stands across the property. And we are all hunting way off the beaten path so we never see any of the other members. There is only about 2 weeks around Christmas where there is more than 10 members on the property at a time.
Posted on 7/13/11 at 1:32 pm to TigerDeacon
2 per Hunter I'd say, usually 2-3 nice bucks per season. Not of a lot of monster bucks in the area unless you go to Ohio or down to some of the bow-only counties.
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