Quote:
Originally posted by PeteM:
Quote:
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
Nope, it doesn't have to cost anything like that much to do it right. Sure, sometimes it does cost a lot because of presentation and some marketing, but it really doesn't always have to.

Some of the "I'm too special to hunt preserves" guys need to realize just how vital and important preserve hunting is to our upland hunting sport.

Yesirree, nothing is better than wild upland birds. It's a real rush, that's close to impossible to replace when on a preserve.

But that doesn't mean quality and affordable preserve hunting isn't fun, especially when it's done right and with dedication, and it's all that's on the table at that place in time.