Originally posted by DickJones:
Obviously we need to encourage higher quality hunts from preserves but I can't see that calling preserve hunting a sham is good for our sport. I think that often we stress things to emphasise the quality of our own life experences.
I find the quality vs non-quality preserve interesting. I know of 2 quality preserves / clubs. One is open to the public, Orvis endorsed and has been written up in DGJ. I have hunted there. Not the place I could afford though at $500 a day.
The other is a very private club located in Wisconsin. I was there once, but not allowed to hunt. The land was well managed and wild as you could want. A lot of their birds were wild born. They also did regular releases to sustain the populations. I was told to join, you need 3 members to recommend you, a $15,000 initiation fee and $5,000 a year in membership. After that answer, I didn't ask any other questions.
Most of the preserves I know of that are successful have learned to attract corporate clients. While they have individual memberships, the money is with the corporate client.
I would hope that most hunters today have the sense to belong to an organization, such as Ducks Unlimited or The Ruffed Grouse Society, that is committed to reclaiming the land and increasing the wild populations.
Pete
