Hunt Clubs (A Good Alternative)

I have always heard people mention hunt clubs through the years and never really paid attention to it very much. Then my 2005 season found me with two of my children hunting for the first time. I spent so much time trying to avoid other hunters on public land or even a few of the private properties we were hunting, there was less time and effort being spent for proper scouting or time to teach my kids the things I wanted to share with them. I knew something had to change If I wanted to teach my kids about hunting and get them on some animals too.
The first thing that came to mind was trying to find a lease. Honestly that was the only plan. I went out looked at a few properties and really wasn't excited with the properties I was seeing or the annual cost of the lease per acre. Due to the amount of time we have to hunt each year and the cost for three hunters, using outfitters was not an option. As I continued my search for a lease I came across a hunt club. After doing allot of research on the club, I found this to be a great option for meeting our hunting needs.
The annual dues to become a member were a fraction of what a lease or an outfitter would cost. The club is also structured in a way that will allow me to be with my kids and not have to worry about where other hunters are. These were a few of the things I was looking for with some extra bonuses thrown in for good measure. A couple other things I liked about this club was the fact that the land was not all in one spot. The member dues are used to get long term leases all over the state. This gives all members the opportunity to hunt different areas and properties. The second thing I liked was, the reservation system they used. You can call in or reserve a property online and the property is yours, no other members can use it during the time you have reserved it for. These were just a few of the things I liked about the idea of joining a hunt club.
If you have considered a lease or struggle with crowded public land, a hunt club could be just what you are looking for. Before shelling out the cash and signing up, you will want to ask a few questions first. Here are a few of the things I wanted to know before I joined.
1. Does it cost me extra to bring my children with me?
2. What is the rules for bringing a guest if my hunting buddy wants to come along?
3. Is there seniority to members before me?
4. Are there any management practices in place?
5. What are the annual dues and how often do they go up?
6. Do I have any input on how the club is run?
These were a few things that were important to me. You should ask many questions and have them answered clearly. You will also want to have the opportunity to go out and walk the property before signing up. There is no need to join a hunting club that doesn't hold the game you are after.
Hunt clubs can be a great way for young hunters or new hunters to meet new people and enjoy a quality experience afield. If you are tired of playing the public land game or just want a better quality hunt, joining a hunt club just might be for you.