Private Land Disappearing

[gobblergetter]

Anyone else getting frustrated by losing their ground to hunt? I went out on "private" ground Sat. morning and had three birds hammerin hung up 80 yards from me so I went back Sun morning and their were two trucks parked at my spot. Where I was heading was a long way back on the property and when birds started gobbling right next to the trucks I figured that is where they "other" hunters were so I continued my trek only to get into position and see another hunter set up on the birds I was going to. I had just passed up gobbling birds right next to the truck to walk a freakin mile to stay out of their way only to end up in their laps. Needless to say by the time I made it back to the birds by the truck they were henned up on the ground and shut up. These guys had just as much permission from the landowner as I did so they weren't in the wrong. But man it's frustrating. I've hunted that farm for 15 years and until the last 2 or 3 haven't run into anyone. I might as well have been hunting public ground. Acutally, I went out Friday mornig on public ground and didn't see a truck. Hunted "Private" ground Sat and Sunday and run into two trucks. I guess thats just part of the hunting. Just curious if anyone else is in my shoes.

[philipfleek]

Same here, I had from the time i was born till 2005 about 15 farms I could hunt. People sold out, some died family sold the farm. My dad had an awesome place to hunt he died in 05 and step mom sold the farm. really sucks big time. When I started driving at 16 could not make up my mind what farm to hunt on that day..

[wkyoutdoorsman]

It is frustrating especially considering the circumstances of your situation on what happened to you over the weekend. It's happened to me on more than one occasion particularly while turkey hunting. It's tough I know but that's part of it sometimes. Hopefully works out this spring for you and you end up connecting on a couple of long beards. Good luck.

[notimlmit]

My BIGGEST problem is the two neighbors on each side that shoot turkey year round and not with shotguns--not been many birds heard or let alone seen there this year

[struttin&ruttin]

You know I have loved to hunt my whole life. My dad and uncle started me young. We always hunted in W. KY and hunting was no problem. About 12 years ago, I personally saw the problem coming. I had the opportunity to hunt on a great farm in Breckinridge Co. and killed several VERY nice deer. 2nd year the guy let another hunt there. He moved right in where I had been killing the deer. The next year he sold the farm that he had owned since the 1950s. He had many farms and allowed me to hunt on another. There we problems there with people sneaking in to hunt.

Fortunately, I moved to buy a piece of land about 10 years ago. I know if I hadn't of done it when I did, it would have been impossible today. My boys have always hunted on our farm. Last Saturday my second son who is 18 went turkey hunting on public land. He got out of the truck and another huntere was already there. The guy told him to stay away from his area. My son wasn't even going there but didn't appreciate the guy's tone. When he got home, he told me about it. I told him now maybe he will appreciate what he has!

I thank god for my career and opportunities that have enabled me to buy a place. It isn't the best place I have ever hunted but I know I have it!

[BowHunterScott]

i would get with the other guys and spearhead some sort of game plan that helps you all out...

[B.M. Barrelcooker]

You know I have loved to hunt my whole life. My dad and uncle started me young. We always hunted in W. KY and hunting was no problem. About 12 years ago, I personally saw the problem coming. I had the opportunity to hunt on a great farm in Breckinridge Co. and killed several VERY nice deer. 2nd year the guy let another hunt there. He moved right in where I had been killing the deer. The next year he sold the farm that he had owned since the 1950s. He had many farms and allowed me to hunt on another. There we problems there with people sneaking in to hunt.

Fortunately, I moved to buy a piece of land about 10 years ago. I know if I hadn't of done it when I did, it would have been impossible today. My boys have always hunted on our farm. Last Saturday my second son who is 18 went turkey hunting on public land. He got out of the truck and another huntere was already there. The guy told him to stay away from his area. My son wasn't even going there but didn't appreciate the guy's tone. When he got home, he told me about it. I told him now maybe he will appreciate what he has!

I thank god for my career and opportunities that have enabled me to buy a place. It isn't the best place I have ever hunted but I know I have it!
very true.....a little bit of security and privacy go a long way. Enjoy your investment in your fun and for your boys. In another twenty years they won't be able to thank you enough even if it is just for a place for them to bring their kids to roam and get dirty.

[buckslayer23]

I had like 7 farms before turkey season that i had permission to hunt. When i asked only two of the farms had people hunting so i thaught i was ok. Two night before season starts i call and make sure its still ok and every single farm had atleast one other person huntin it. Im with you it is frustrating.

[Hoosier5]

Same here, I had from the time i was born till 2005 about 15 farms I could hunt. People sold out, some died family sold the farm. My dad had an awesome place to hunt he died in 05 and step mom sold the farm. really sucks big time. When I started driving at 16 could not make up my mind what farm to hunt on that day..

When I lived in Indiana, I had the same problem too. Use to have countless areas to Hunt on. BUT one-by-one they soon disappeared only to become housing subdivisions or what remained was leased out to the highest bidder. My Brother and I solved this problem by moving to Ky and buying our own 83 acres of ground. Right now we're actively managing it, by working with the area Biologist, putting in food plots and improving the woods & two fields. It is VERY hard to find private land to hunt on in Indiana, and sadly it wasn't always that way.