Yep,,, "Well Said"! & I totally know where your coming from.
It's just that 10-year total that makes me shutter.
That ('OUR') $150 a Year spot on the Muskingun, that I'm talking about,,,,,
through all the years, we would drop dead trees, fix fences, fill barns with bails, help corral 100's of angus,,,,, fix the porch, the roof,,,, anything.
Eventually, the farmer invited us to his family cook-outs & parties. We became very close friends.
WE TRIED to hand him more money (6 guys) & he would hand most of it back!
THEN CAME THE out-of-STATE OUTFITTERS,,,,, (they dropped off 5-6 paying 'clients', & they NEVER even seen the property or surrounding area.!)
Then came the 'LEASE' buyers.
Some guy got out of his truck with a $1,000 in his hand, & BOUGHT IN for the rest of his life!
WE, still have the 'opportunity' to hunt & use the cabin there,,,,,,, but it SURE SUCKS when your sitting in your private property tree stand (since 1980) & a bunch of 'LEASERS' are aimlessly walking around,,,,,, & you can't say a word.
MY friends will no longer go down. THAT thrill is gone!
EVERYWHERE, that we now go and ask, IT'S A MONEY GAME! 20 years ago, the farmers BEGGED US TO KILL EVERY DEER IN THEIR FIELDS,,, & THEY would buy our shells!
Those 'HORNS' get MORE EXPENSIVE every year. & Force-ably, for everyone.
Those leases are ruining everything. That's why I would only BUY.
BACK TO Mbarrett
Our campground is 15 minutes from Erie. $800 a site, a year. No Hassles, no LIMITS. VERY 'outdoorsman' friendly.
IF YOUR INTERESTED.