Post by boonechaser on Feb 6, 2023 9:19:46 GMT -5
When I picked up my first permission farm, it was tough just seeing deer. Habitat was gorgeous and you would think that it was crawling with deer. But, the previous hunter and his son lived by the saying "If it's brown, it's down". I didn't shoot a deer there my first 3 years.
Myself and the property owner established a sanctuary on the farm, put in food plots, did some hinge cutting and made the pond bigger.
Over time, I acquired two other permission farms that boardered the first. (I have since gave one of those farms away to a 70+ year old who had lost his only permission piece. And he shot a dandy this year!) I developed a good relationship with all but one of the other hunters around me. Although it took some time, we all eventually came together with the same deer management goals. We now share trail cam photos and discuss which deer we'd like to harvest and which ones we'd like to pass. We also discuss doe numbers and how many we should harvest. Of course, we never try and tell each what we can and cannot shoot. We all get along pretty well.
One of the neighbors actually shot a buck opening weekend of firearm. It was one of the bucks I had been passing during archery. I didn't complain one bit to him, just congratulated him and enjoyed hearing how the hunt unfolded.
Putting the time in with the landowner and discussing deer management is a huge first step. Managing the land to make it a desirable place for deer to eat, drink and sleep and feel safe is another. Developing a good relationship with neighbors is important too. Then management goal discussions with neighbors are easier had.
I don't know a whole lot about land management nor do I have 170" bucks around every stand but, if you would see my permission pieces 15 years ago and now, you wouldn't believe it. It took a lot of time, trial and error, even some unfilled tags, but myself, the land owner and neighbors are happy with what we're now seeing.
Thats awesome and well done. That is way it's suppossed to work. Never understood neighbors fighting and arguing Does noone any good. Working together, helping and forming friendships benefits everyone.