What is access worth..?

1BigDeer · Mar 4, 2006

An outfitter leased the hunting rights to a ranch I had permission to hunt previously. The rancher is a friend, but said he just can turn down the money anymore. I understand and told him so. The outfitter gets $4000/5 days. My question is twofold.
1. What is access to a private ranch worth that consistently puts out 180 B&C and higher bucks. I have personally seen 3 incredible bucks but have not been able to tag them.
2. At what cost will the demand taper off, if ever? The outfitter has a list of hunters waiting every year and is always looking for more land.

I have been fortunate to take several nice bucks but I am still looking for that one monster. I can hunt the ranch, but it will cost me what the oufitter pays. I can swing the cost but have been saving for other hunts I have never done. I am inclined to try one more time for a monster because I know I will probably never have a chance to do this hunt at this cost. On the other hand, I'm thankful for the deer I've taken and almost ready to move on to other species before they too will be out of reach to me. This is a tough decision!

txhunter58 · Mar 4, 2006

I am unclear. I assume that it will cost you less than $4000 and that is what the outfitter charges a client? So how much would it cost you? I would think that the chance at a 180 buck would be worth quite a bit to most trophy deer hunters. The do NOT grow on trees. My demand would drop off somewhere between $500 and $2000.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

McKinney · Mar 4, 2006

How about some fence fixen and a handshake and a sincere "Thank you". Like the good old days.

McKinney aka Hiker
Proverbs 3:5-6

RACKMASTER · Mar 4, 2006

Some friend!!!
rm

txhunter58 · Mar 5, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Mar-05-06 AT 08:04AM (MST)[p]

Let's see, money for hunting or sell to subdivision developer? Hmmm.

I never begrudge a rancher trying to make a buck. For the most part, they put in more hours working and make less an hour than most people on this site. They are not all rich, money hungry land barons. Sometimes money from hunting is the ONLY thing standing between keeping it as a ranch and selling it to a developer. In fact, today the only people that could afford to let a friend go free are wealthy land barrons.

Let's put it another way. If you are an average working guy making/selling "widgets" and a few years ago they were worth $100. You have a good friend that you give one to every year. Now suddenly, and for the forseable future, they are worth $2500. You still going to give your friend one each year even though you could sell it for $2500???

What kind of friend are YOU if you still expect an item worth $2500 every year free??? Some friend indeed!

Now if you want to do $2500 worth of work on the ranch every year, then that is another story.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

McKinney · Mar 5, 2006

"The do NOT grow on trees. My demand would drop off somewhere between $500 and $2000.
txhunter58"

So if I was willing to do ranch work for a week or so, would it be even? In the good ole days, helping to rope and brand cattle, fixen fence and being a good neighbor would get you on most ranches to hunt. That's all I was saying.....I miss those days. Today it's all about money....sad but true.

McKinney aka Hiker
Proverbs 3:5-6

1BigDeer · Mar 5, 2006

My friend (the rancher) always has great bucks because he only allows no more than two bucks to be taken from his place each year. There have been years when none were taken. In order to keep the ranch and make it better he works two to three jobs outside the ranch. Having all that Canadian beef pouring across the border doesn't help the American beef rancher. With a family of five any extra money helps. The rancher feeds these deer all year and the grass could otherwise go to feed his cattle. I agree with txhunter - the rancher is entitled to make the money. I also agree with Mckinney that it is sad that it is about the money, but I'd rather spend it with the rancher than give it to an outfitter.
It would cost me $2000, but I could hunt as long as I like. With my limited vacation that would be about 7-8 days tops. Knowing the ranch very well, it would be more than enough time. That is also why I can't help around the ranch. I only get 80 hours of vacation and when it's a full day of air travel each way you can see it doesn't make sense.

Skunkterd · Mar 5, 2006

180+ opportunities are easily worth $7,500+

Christian · Mar 5, 2006

Hey, 1BigDeer
If you put a pencil to consistently having a chance at a 180 buck on public land, $2000 is a fair price. Don't forget to calculate the years spent waiting to draw tags for areas that can consitently put out 180 deer on public.
If you use Colorado Landowner Vouchers as an example, people are paying $3000 to $7000 to bypass the public draw by two or three years and many of these guys still don't shoot 180" bucks.

If you decide not to pay the $2000, let us all know. I'm sure even us wage earners could scrape up enough for the opportunity you're talking about. Just my opinion.

The Christian