We get thousands of questions from candidates. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Q1: What is included in member dues?
A1: Dues cover hunting rights, insurance, and technical wildlife management services. Depending on the specific property, dues may also cover food plots, lodging or utilities.
Q2: A forester was on the lease today and said that a timber cut is about to start. Can we require the loggers to wait until hunting season is over before cutting timber?
A2: No. Timber markets fluctuate based on supply and demand. When retailers need more lumber, the ripple effect means sawmills up their quotas of logs. A timber sale contract typically gives the logger a window of time (can be 6-18 months) to harvest the trees. Each logger juggles multiple logging sites based on weather conditions, sawmill demands for specific sized logs, and travel distance to the mill. Bottom line is that loggers work year round and cannot afford to curtail during deer and turkey season.
Q3: If loggers cut timber on my lease during hunting season, do we get a partial refund?
A3: No. If landowners had to operate on those terms, there would be no hunting lease.
Q4: The landowner drove through the property when I was there. Would you please advise him to give us a courtesy heads up when he plans to be on the property?
A4: No. You paid for the legal right to hunt on the property. The landowner retains all the other rights. That means the landowner has exclusive rights to access the land 24/7 for any reason such as to survey, cruise timber, inspect timber, count cows, maintain roads, or repair fences.
Q5: The rules state that each member is allowed to kill 2 bucks age 4.5 or older. If I don’t kill a buck this year, would my quota rollover so that I am allowed 4 bucks next year?
A5: Uh…..no. An applicant actually asked that question several years ago. We laugh about it to this day.