Lease or Not?

[hammackc]

My situation is that I only hunt 5 or 6 times for deer, 10-18 days a year, I have access to family land and have for the last 28 yrs. Chances of good bucks are slim but plenty of deer, I have thought 2 different directions, lease in a quality deer area, or go on 2 or 3 mid priced hunts, in or out of Texas, if you are in similar situation what did you decide!

[tvc184]

It is according to how much money that I am willing to spend.

[Low Fence]

Leases are lots of fun and lots of work.

Lease money, stand money, feeder money, corn money, fuel to go back and forth, lodging, protein (possibly).........then all that and stillhave to deal with landowners from year to year "will I get back on there", roll of the dice of neighbors, theft......goes on and on.

Or spend half that and go on a relaxing quality hunt for whatever animal you want in new exciting places.

I liked leasing, but for the $$$ to fun ratio: I vote quality day hunt

[hammackc]

Leases are lots of fun and lots of work.

Lease money, stand money, feeder money, corn money, fuel to go back and forth, lodging, protein (possibly).........then all that and stillhave to deal with landowners from year to year "will I get back on there", roll of the dice of neighbors, theft......goes on and on.

Or spend half that and go on a relaxing quality hunt for whatever animal you want in new exciting places.

I liked leasing, but for the $$$ to fun ratio: I vote quality day hunt

I am really leaning this direction, if you put expenses, total expenses, gas, food, feeders, corn, supplies for the lease, x how many days you do this, before and after season, the cost easily doubles your original lease cost, for me I thinks I can take the same 3-4K and have decent chances at very decent deer, my family place fills the freezer!

[Tejas Wildlife]

Day hunt. Then the pressure is on someone else.

[denimdeerslayer]

Day hunts. Plus you are not stuck with only whitetails, varity of animals.

[gusman]

I pay for a spot on a lease, spend alot for my spot, spend alot for feed, spend alot on every thing that is there...Hunt around 20 days a year.....im ok with it, but dont ask my wife her answer is different .........

[Kdog]

Personally I would not willingly trade my deer camp for a day lease.

[hammackc]

I am mostly thinking out of state semi guided, have done many day hunts here in the past, mostly tough hunts due to wise to hunter deer!

[hornsboy]

If you share your lease with close friends and family members it's a blast. Yeah lots of work and lots of $$$. You do get the pleasure of watching some of the bucks grow up. Watch a buck for 4 or 5 years and have the joy of harvesting him or one of your buddies, that's priceless. Just don't tell your wife that the venison cost @ 80 bucks a pound, she wouldn't understand.

[txfireguy2003]

I went through this last year. I figured I could afford to go on two or three good day hunts, or I could spend the same money on a lease and have access to hunt all year. I get hogs and varmints in the off season, dove, deer, duck, turkey all for the cost of my lease right? Sounds like the better deal, and for me I think it is because I can use it all year, BUT, like others said, I've spent a lot on fuel, corn, and other expenses. I don't really look at it as a price per pound of meat, because you have to place a value on the entertainment value as well, and that's VERY hard to do. Honestly, I figure every pound of meat I bring home is free meat, because I spend the money for entertainment, the meat I bring home is an added benefit. That said, I'm starting to second guess my decision this season, because I've hunted every weekend since opening of bow season with the exception of last weekend (couldn't get off work, all the rifle hunters took off but that's okay). I saw more deer, and had more shot opportunities in ONE MORNING on an "extra" hunt we did in south Texas two weeks ago, than I have all season on my lease. We have tons of deer, but they are SMART.