As the 2003-2004 Hunting Season comes to a close for me, I began to ponder the imposition of finding a new affordable lease.  I still have the option of hunting turkey in the spring, but since I haven’t seen one on the lease to date, I don’t know what will be different.  On my 400 acre lease, only 3 deer were taken out of 5 seen.  None were taken with a bow.  The only thing there was an abundance of coyotes, skunks and old oilfield equipment.

All four guys on the lease including myself were very disappointed with the success or lack of that we shared this year.  We face the arduous task of searching want ads, calling ranchers, and traveling to check out the territory.  This ole Indian scout is not looking forward to returning to camp to tell the other chiefs, “No Buffalo here”.

I envy guys I talk to that have been on one lease for ten to fifteen years.  They talk about sitting in their stands and seeing numerous deer under their feeder.  I want that!  I want a lease that I can invest time and sweat into that will produce the harvest other hunters experience.  I know that by planting food plots, feeding year round and going in once to set up stands and blinds and keeping my stinkin’ carcass out of the area will ensure hunting success.  But there has to be animals in the area for this to work.  It’s tiring to have to pull up stakes every spring and search for another lease.

My Resolution for 2004 is to invest more time in searching, ask more questions and keep my eyes open for a better lease.  I want to find a home for my feeders, blinds and stands.  Like me they are getting up in their age and don’t like traveling much.

Have a Happy New Year and Stay Safe

Ron Parker

Field Editor

Bowhunting North America

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