Landowner Exemption Conservation Officer Visit

[shibumiseeker]

Bah! I bought my ground and built on it at the same time when the asking price was way less than what people in the suburbs were investing in houses on half acre lots. There's lots of public ground around here, the Orange, Martin, Lawrence corner, that's not being hunted at all bow season or ML. This year gun season I saw one vehicle parked at the nearest public land entrance, down from a max of 4 years past.

I earned my way into that 1%, and I'm proud of it.

I originally bought 107 acres and have been adding to it. I’m at 150 now. I bought at age 19 and for seven years scraped hard to pay it off. During that time I went without the toys my friends had. Original piece cost me less than the extended cab dually one friend who never used it to haul cost. He no longer has the dually which cost him a fortune in fuel, repairs, insurance, and excise. My place has paid for itself several times over including paying for the bits I’ve added.

Priorities.

 

[rooster]

I originally bought 107 acres and have been adding to it. I’m at 150 now. I bought at age 19 and for seven years scraped hard to pay it off. During that time I went without the toys my friends had. Original piece cost me less than the extended cab dually one friend who never used it to haul cost. He no longer has the dually which cost him a fortune in fuel, repairs, insurance, and excise. My place has paid for itself several times over including paying for the bits I’ve added.

Priorities.

Well now that this is well off the tracks.


Thats all well and great and I’m happy for those of you that have managed to purchase land. However that same 107 acres now isn’t the price of a dually, it’s the price of a Lamborghini.Thats simply not possible for a blue collar tradesmen like myself. Doesn’t matter if you attempt to make it your priority by living in a tent on your 150 for ten years, it’s simply not possible to purchase land in any quality anymore without being well above the average blue collar fella making 50-60k a year.

That at being said you should expect more pressure on any carve outs from the younger generation like myself because we depend on public land and private land access programs. Those are the only things that stop hunting from becoming a sport of the modern aristocracy.

Thats is the hard truth and I realize it’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the new truth of this world.

 

[Mgderf]

Well now that this is well off the tracks.


Thats all well and great and I’m happy for those of you that have managed to purchase land. However that same 107 acres now isn’t the price of a dually, it’s the price of a Lamborghini.Thats simply not possible for a blue collar tradesmen like myself. Doesn’t matter if you attempt to make it your priority by living in a tent on your 150 for ten years, it’s simply not possible to purchase land in any quality anymore without being well above the average blue collar fella making 50-60k a year.

That at being said you should expect more pressure on any carve outs from the younger generation like myself because we depend on public land and private land access programs. Those are the only things that stop hunting from becoming a sport of the modern aristocracy.

Thats is the hard truth and I realize it’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the new truth of this world.

I'm afraid your youth is showing.
The biggest detriment to new hunters is indeed access to land, but many, many people have managed to help destroy the old order.
Time was, a body needed only to ask permission and some kind sole would allow hunting.
Far too many slobs, poachers, trespassers, litigants...assured the downfall.

People don't seem to appreciate other peoples generosity. They would leave trash and debris in the woods. Take game illegally, hunt land without permission, but one of the biggest culprits is the litigants.
People that would accept permission to hunt others property, then sue the landowner when they fall out of their own tree stand and end up in the hospital.

There are simply less and less people every day that will grant access for hunting purposes.
There are simply too many potential pitfalls, and not near enough incentive.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
If you want access to land that doesn't belong to you, be willing to give something in return, even if it's only a trivial offering.

I actually just got paid $100 by the person that owns land that I hunt.
I've hunted this property for a decade. A few weeks ago I ran into the owner. While talking I told him I noticed someone had dropped a couple of mattresses on the side of the road on his property.
I told him I would dispose of them for him and explained that I've done this in the past.
Several times over the years I've found a toilet, or car cowling, or a deer carcass in a trash bag. One time I found a single-pot meth lab! Called the sheriff to dispose of that one.
He told me that he had noticed trash, then noticed it gone, but thought the county workers were removing it.
He was THRILLED to find out it was me.
A week later I received a Thank you/Christmas card with a check inside and a note of thanks.

It's a small gesture as far as I'm concerned, but worth more than I realized to him.

 

[Blakec221]

This must be a common thing for C O’s to do this time of year. I just had a buddy get popped over a technicality this week. His dad married a woman with land. He and his dad both help with cattle and hay but not farm the tillable until next year. Because there’s no paper trail of him working the farm led to him getting his deer taken and a fine

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

It is a common thing to do for CO's this time of year. A neighbor got a January Sunday afternoon visit a few years ago when his daughter was just starting with youth hunt- which is in September! The meat was processed, paperwork gone. Questions, questions... Where did you take it, who helped you, what did you shoot it with, etc. Then the fishing questions... 'Any pics', then questions to a 12 year old to elicit a 'baiting' answer. No joy. The girl was frightened and almost didn't hunt the next year. Not good.

 

[Hkindiana]

This must be a common thing for C O’s to do this time of year. I just had a buddy get popped over a technicality this week. His dad married a woman with land. He and his dad both help with cattle and hay but not farm the tillable until next year. Because there’s no paper trail of him working the farm led to him getting his deer taken and a fine

No trees on the land? Raising timber IS "working tge farm"

 

[Michigan Slim]

They need to check all female hunters that tag a buck. Ask them to draw bow or load gun and hit our plate at 4O yd. They'll get more citations they worrying about landowner exemptions and whether or not they missed a License transaction.

Move your target to 200 so my daughter can duplicate this shot. Please. And hold it. Your in no danger.

 

[Leadeye]

Hey Shibumi, we have moved up from "landed gentry" to "modern aristocracy" in a day's time. I wonder if we get to pick titles like baron or earl now.

I've spent a fair amount of time in the HNF over the years when I hunted public land, the number one thing I brought home was trash. Picking up other people's junk is how I can always trail trespassers on my own ground.

I don't see land socialism as being something that will be well received, my own observation about why many young people don't hunt is there are other things that they like to do for entertainment better.

 

[Hawkeye]

Well now that this is well off the tracks.


Thats all well and great and I’m happy for those of you that have managed to purchase land. However that same 107 acres now isn’t the price of a dually, it’s the price of a Lamborghini.Thats simply not possible for a blue collar tradesmen like myself. Doesn’t matter if you attempt to make it your priority by living in a tent on your 150 for ten years, it’s simply not possible to purchase land in any quality anymore without being well above the average blue collar fella making 50-60k a year.

That at being said you should expect more pressure on any carve outs from the younger generation like myself because we depend on public land and private land access programs. Those are the only things that stop hunting from becoming a sport of the modern aristocracy.

Thats is the hard truth and I realize it’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the new truth of this world.

How is this "off the tracks"? Because people aren't agreeing with you?

 

[Mgderf]

I don't see land socialism as being something that will be well received, my own observation about why many young people don't hunt is there are other things that they like to do for entertainment better.

Like sucking condoms up their noses, and eating Tide Pods...
Oh, and let's not forget "planking".

 

[KLB]

Well now that this is well off the tracks.


Thats all well and great and I’m happy for those of you that have managed to purchase land. However that same 107 acres now isn’t the price of a dually, it’s the price of a Lamborghini.Thats simply not possible for a blue collar tradesmen like myself. Doesn’t matter if you attempt to make it your priority by living in a tent on your 150 for ten years, it’s simply not possible to purchase land in any quality anymore without being well above the average blue collar fella making 50-60k a year.

That at being said you should expect more pressure on any carve outs from the younger generation like myself because we depend on public land and private land access programs. Those are the only things that stop hunting from becoming a sport of the modern aristocracy.

Thats is the hard truth and I realize it’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the new truth of this world.

Sounds typical of a lot of your generation. You don't want to work for the things that others had to work to acquire, you want it given to you. Just another form of socialism.

If you depend so much on that public land to hunt, YOU should pay for it. The government is not entitled to more of my money. They get and waste far too much as it is.

 

[rooster]

Sounds typical of a lot of your generation. You don't want to work for the things that others had to work to acquire, you want it given to you. Just another form of socialism.

If you depend so much on that public land to hunt, YOU should pay for it. The government is not entitled to more of my money. They get and waste far too much as it is.

It’s got nothing to do with hard work or the lack thereof. I want nothing for free, in fact I believe that I am the one here making issue of others not happy with the scrutiny of their freebies.

I am a bit younger than most on here, I haven’t quite crossed 30 if you care to know.but to say that myself, your children and your grandchildren have the same opportunity to own and hunt private land as you had would be to be dishonest with your words.

I’m old enough to remember asking for permission and doing some chores and favors in return for access, now thanks to lawyers and those looking to monetize publicly owned animals this is a thing of the past.

The future of our sport and the continuation of it depends on all of us PAYING into the DNR and they are the ones protecting and expanding our ability to hunt,fish and trap.

 

[amboy49]

Rooster,

You’ll have to excuse my ignorance. Please explain how my sending my dollars to the State, and by extension to the DNR, will help ensure my future ability to hunt. From what I have seen the management of wildlife areas is done with conservation in mind but without any real emphasis placed on preserving hunting opportunities for the general population. You can point me to dove hunting lotteries and other similar activities, but for me that doesn’t quite cut it. I don’t believe the main reason the DNR exists is to facilitate hunting and fishing for the general populace.

Life presents opportunities to us all, only some are willing to take advantage of it. I was once told by someone pretty wise that I could have anything I wanted, not just everything I wanted.

Sorry to say the philosophy you exhibit is reflective of a generation that exudes to the “poor me” mentality.

 

[mom45]

Hey Shibumi, we have moved up from "landed gentry" to "modern aristocracy" in a day's time. I wonder if we get to pick titles like baron or earl now.

I've spent a fair amount of time in the HNF over the years when I hunted public land, the number one thing I brought home was trash. Picking up other people's junk is how I can always trail trespassers on my own ground.

I don't see land socialism as being something that will be well received, my own observation about why many young people don't hunt is there are other things that they like to do for entertainment better.

We have had neighbors refer to us as land barons. I just laugh and remind them that the borders are clearly marked and we appreciate that they respect that.

When the last five acres of vacant land adjoining us went up for sale last fall, I called the realtor the day after she put the sign out. I don't need more neighbors. The other neighbors were relieved that we bought it rather than someone they didn't know. There is land out there for sale. I see parcels in our county that still sell regularly for $5K an acre in fairly good size parcels.

We feel very lucky to have acquired the property we have, and I gladly give the wildlife a place where they can feel safe. I feed the deer and birds and our woods provides them with ideal habitat. We used to hunt the deer until we saw the numbers dwindling, and have switched our focus to hunting the coyotes and letting the deer herd rebound.

 

[Fargo]

It’s got nothing to do with hard work or the lack thereof. I want nothing for free, in fact I believe that I am the one here making issue of others not happy with the scrutiny of their freebies.

I am a bit younger than most on here, I haven’t quite crossed 30 if you care to know.but to say that myself, your children and your grandchildren have the same opportunity to own and hunt private land as you had would be to be dishonest with your words.

I’m old enough to remember asking for permission and doing some chores and favors in return for access, now thanks to lawyers and those looking to monetize publicly owned animals this is a thing of the past.

The future of our sport and the continuation of it depends on all of us PAYING into the DNR and they are the ones protecting and expanding our ability to hunt,fish and trap.

The DNR is one of the most anti-2am and 4am agencies in the state, and has been smacked around in court repeatedly for such. I am for defunding a bunch of what they do.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Well now that this is well off the tracks.


Thats all well and great and I’m happy for those of you that have managed to purchase land. However that same 107 acres now isn’t the price of a dually, it’s the price of a Lamborghini.Thats simply not possible for a blue collar tradesmen like myself. Doesn’t matter if you attempt to make it your priority by living in a tent on your 150 for ten years, it’s simply not possible to purchase land in any quality anymore without being well above the average blue collar fella making 50-60k a year.

That at being said you should expect more pressure on any carve outs from the younger generation like myself because we depend on public land and private land access programs. Those are the only things that stop hunting from becoming a sport of the modern aristocracy.

Thats is the hard truth and I realize it’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the new truth of this world.

It’s funny, I’ve never grossed more than $30k/year other than the years I sold timber to buy more land. $50-60k/year and I’d be living fat. Land -can- be expensive if you don’t know what you are doing, and it certainly is a little more expensive in adjusted dollars than it was when I bought my original piece, but not so much out of the reach of someone with sufficient motivation who is willing to sacrifice. My last piece three years ago was $1800/acre.

Are you going to find that ten minutes from Indy? Nope. Not now, not then. I drive an hour to get to my job, though if I wanted to retire now and stop buying land I could. Oh, I’m not yet 50 and debt free. Bragging? No, as I said earlier, I worked hard and did without a lot of toys my friends have, and still do.

Priorities.

 

[d.kaufman]

Definitely hard to find cheap land in Indiana but if you're willing to take a vacation to your own property out of state, 100 acres is easily obtained. Heres 100 acres in Tennessee for under 100k.


https://m.landwatch.com/tennessee/stewart-county/land-for-sale/?id=333471340

 

[ghuns]

...now thanks to lawyers and those looking to monetize publicly owned animals this is a thing of the past...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next Landed Gentry Association meeting.

...The future of our sport and the continuation of it depends on all of us PAYING into the DNR and they are the ones protecting and expanding our ability to hunt,fish and trap.

Bull

THEY are the ones, who for years, set antlerless deer quotas absurdly high. So high that in my area, you now see more bucks than does. If the desire is to get more people to hunt, to bring more youth into the sport, killing off the deer herd at the behest of the insurance industry is a sucky way to do it.

 

[KLB]

It’s got nothing to do with hard work or the lack thereof. I want nothing for free, in fact I believe that I am the one here making issue of others not happy with the scrutiny of their freebies.

I am a bit younger than most on here, I haven’t quite crossed 30 if you care to know.but to say that myself, your children and your grandchildren have the same opportunity to own and hunt private land as you had would be to be dishonest with your words.

I’m old enough to remember asking for permission and doing some chores and favors in return for access, now thanks to lawyers and those looking to monetize publicly owned animals this is a thing of the past.

The future of our sport and the continuation of it depends on all of us PAYING into the DNR and they are the ones protecting and expanding our ability to hunt,fish and trap.

You are young enough to have an irrational confidence in the government.

The DNR gets plenty of my money already. They don't need more.

For the record, I have some land. I do not hunt. Your wonderful DNR decried that I have to disarm and unload my weapon before I can go to one of the public shooting ranges, so I don't even do that anymore. They could be abolished tomorrow, and the world would be a better place.

 

[Leadeye]

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next Landed Gentry Association meeting.



Bull

THEY are the ones, who for years, set antlerless deer quotas absurdly high. So high that in my area, you now see more bucks than does. If the desire is to get more people to hunt, to bring more youth into the sport, killing off the deer herd at the behest of the insurance industry is a sucky way to do it.

Are those meeting where we get our titles? I already have duke picked out. Maybe I'll get more respect from my subjects, the raccoons and squirrels, after I get a title.