I guess since you are so disgusted with the hunting in FL, it is only neighborly to point out that you're welcome to return to OH anytime you want. After all, if it is so great there, why don't you simply go home?
I'm out in the Pensacola area and can hunt several of the WMAs every year. I have never failed to get a quota tag for Perdidio River and don't even need one for Escambia River. Both areas hold hogs. I know a guy in Okaloosa county that allows me to hunt his land for a very small tresspass fee and he has lots of hogs. It sounds to me that you really haven't done much research and looking around. But then it is so much easier to just complain rather that finding a solution to your problem.
Maybe the problem is you and the way you approach people? Just food for though.
:cowboy
How did anyone get that I voted for Obama? I don't understand that one.
Luv2hunt, I am happy for you, your family and friends that you can make the sacrifices necessary to have a place to hunt, fish and recreate. That's great. I have no doubt you work hard for your money and you are spending it on the things that are important to you. I'm just saying that when all the private land is taken up by leases it gets to a point where $1000 isn't good enough anymore and then it gets to $2500, then $5000. When the economy turns around and people are making more money the price is going to go up. It can't do anything else. Before you know it all landowners want to get a lease started and they won't let anyone hunt their land unless they are in on it. That's totally their right of course, but it doesn't bode well for people that want to hunt.
As for the WMA's I live about 3 miles from Babcock-Webb and the first week I was here I was over there asking about pig hunting. They told me it is a draw permit and since I wasn't considered a resident at the time there was no use putting in for it. About 2 or 3 months ago I went over to the range at Babcock and every piece of grass was covered with tents and trailers from all over the place. I had never seen it like that. I asked someone what was going on and they told me it was small game hunting, which didn't include pigs. There were HUNDREDS of people there for that hunting. When I seen that I knew I didn't want any part of what it must be like when they are hunting pigs over there. Could I hunt there now, probably, but it doesn't look like the kinda thing that would be enjoyable.
flags, if my life revolved around hunting and it was that important to me I would probably move back to Ohio. The thing is that hunting is not like that for me. Would I like to hunt pigs here, yes, is it going to shatter me if I never get the chance and have to enjoy my TRAD gear shooting at my target from now on? NO, it won't.
I don't watch any TV hunting programs. I have checked out many of the hunting operations in Southern Florida and I don't think I have found one that is less than $200 per day to hunt. There is one out towards Arcadia that charges $500 for a weekend and if you kill a hog that has 1 inch cutters or larger they tack on another $350. That's $850 for a weekend of hog hunting, assuming you're successful and bag a nice hog.
You all can enjoy your leases and hunt to your hearts content. I'm happy for you. I guess I'll just enjoy shooting at my foam blocks in the backyard.
Happy Hunting to you all.
Nalajr
I think one thing overlooked here is the private land owner themselves. If they are using their land to produce, ie agriculture, cattle, timber, citurs etc there is a certain amount of carrying capacity they are bound by. However what they are selling is considered a commodity and is priced based upon market conditions. The market does not care what a property owners expenses are to deliver the product. Property taxes however are not based upon these mechanisms. No matter how much they produce or what they can sell it for, it seems that Uncle Sam continues to raise property values in FL to meet their operating budgets. Alot of land owners lease their hunting rights to help cover this type of added expenses which are not controllable.
The other issue is liability. Florida unlike states like GA have not passed any state wide legislation indemnifying private land onwers from allowing hunters onto their properties. Why take the risk without a return. Without the risk/reward scenario it truly would become a situation where you only get to hunt if "you know somebody". The market will always dictate the pricing and with supply/demand being what it is, pricing can swing widely. You are right prices will go up when the economy returns but so will taxes, insurance, expenses, etc for the land owner as well. Why risk losing your land because some hunter shoots his friend by accident without a reward. They always go after the deepest pockets first.
Land is the only product they do not make more of. It does not depriciate and it only goes up in value over time. I just do not see why someone who has taken the risk, spent the time and money to own and care for it should not be able to ask for a return on their investment. IMO, I do not see it as greed but simply capitalism as its finest and a free market operating the way it should.
I have been of both sides of this sitaution as a land owner and a holder of a huntig lease and I still hunt a no quota WMA 10 mintues from my house. Even with a "feral pig epidemic" running wild, I wouldn't expect any landlowner to just let me onto his land, free of charge without personally getting to know me and what I am about. IMO a land owner is just asking for trouble in this scenario.
Dude's a troll,brought me out of retirement.lol
Yeah I'm a troll. Your powers are impressive Obi Wan.
Nalajr
