Hunting & Fishing How far would you drive for a deer lease?

[Joe-n-TX]

I have the opportunity to get on a year round deer lease in a part of the state I really enjoy. The only problem is it's <span style="font-weight: bold">SIX</span> hours away. I don't mind driving and routinely drive out of state for vacations and such. But, for a deer lease? During hunting season I would stay for days or a week at a time.

At first I didn't even think about the drive. Now I'm starting to wander a just a bit. Even with the other members it makes
keeping it up(feeders stocked, etc...) a logistical challenge.

Thanks for input!

 

[JCH]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

rotate turns to fill feeders etc...

Stay on the property for a while when you hunt, makes it all worth it.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

As far as driving to a lease, I couldn't deal with a 6 hour drive unless I was staying for a week or so.3 to 4 hour drive seems a little more reasonable.

 

[hunter223]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

about 15min to my hunting spot!!!

 

[kraigWY]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Back porch

 

[RebelRouser]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Not sure of how the local politics are down there but up here deer are everywhere and if you ask the landowners and farmers you would be suprised what you can get into! Just be nice! RR

 

[glocksig40]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Mine us 3 hrs but it's family land and I don't have a payment. Still hard with small kids and a family to get away but it works for a couple of trips per deer season.

 

[jhedg]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

I used to drive 5hrs to Ga., but I would stay 4-5 days each time

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Six hours is a long way. Just logistically how would you transport everything you need,your kills,etc. Then you always have to consider if you were to need medical aid.

 

[FF_T_Warren]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

if you could stay for days and there where some bohemoths then I'd prolly do it but just for normal hunting, NO WAY

 

[rlw]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

six hours...i dont think so

 

[rnd00]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Six hours makes for a long drive especially on the day you are returning home. Hunted south texas for a number of years with a 6 1/2 hour drive to the lease, but the hunting was great. Holidays & an occasional 3 day weekend is all I could get away for. Chances are you will only go 3 or 4 times at the most during the season and probably opening weekend of dove season for hunt/work day. Go for it, you will never know unless you try it for a season and save a few days for the rut.

 

[mdesign]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

I drive 5 hours and that is too far if you have a busy schedule(job, family, etc). Yes I have vacation time to hunt but time to scout and enjoy, not so much. Its far enough that my kids have elected to not go at times which is disappointing to me.

The hunting is pretty good, I have taken some 150-160 deer and the boys have got a nice buck or two but it is not so good that I would not trade it for something closer if I could find it. Really tough to find places to hunt anymore.

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Part of our ranch is leased to hunters from Houston (400+/- miles) They do it all the time.

I lived in Dallas and the drive was about the same for me 6-6.5 hours, I did it 9 time in one season, brutal but worth it! Now its just a hop skip and a jump from San Antonio to Brackettville.

If the product and experience is what you want, the drive won't matter once you drop your trophy.......

Keith-Allen

 

[cut rifled]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

3 hours every weekend for 3 months.

 

[retrieverman]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

I live a mile from my place here in Texas, but my family has a place in NW Oklahoma that is a full 8 hour drive away. My parents are semi retired and spend quite a bit of time up there, and they handle most of the real work in keeping up the place. It would be impossible for my brother and I to do what they do since we both are self employed and can't just leave our businesses.

Unless you have a very flexible schedule, I would stick to something 3 hours or under.

 

[Boomholzer]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

I live in a state that has far better access to hunting land (no offense TX) and still drive 3.5hrs and 6hrs to two different state locals (WI and UP). The longer drive sucks but I rather be alone/isolated vs. deer hunting at all. It's also time to prepare and reflect.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I would stay for days or a week at a time....

...in a part of the state I <span style="font-weight: bold">really enjoy</span></div></div>

The drive don't matter once your there. Quantity vs quality. But only you can answer your Q. I would think that whether or not you could make group/lease obligations (if any) and $/time is the bigger factor. I read that the area fits well with you.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RebelRouser</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not sure of how the local politics are down there but up here deer are everywhere and if you ask the landowners and farmers you would be suprised what you can get into! Just be nice! RR </div></div>

Dude he's in Texas! Every square inch of private land for hunting is leased down there and folks file lawsuits to keep from adding others to the lease on occasion. Asking for permission without paying for a lease is about as likely as winning the lottery.

 

[USMC_2674]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

It would have to have some MONSTER Deer for me to drive 6 hours on a regular basis.

An hour or two max is my limit for a daily commute for hunting.

 

[rware91]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

my lease is 7 hours. i live in houston and it is in ozona. i find it harder and harder to get out there. i would say 4 hours would be perfect.

 

[tansinator]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

8 hours for me. I do it 5 times a year. Its not too bad. I would go more if it were closer.

Eddie

 

[toddacguy]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Use bigger feeders.

 

[glocksig40]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

Todd did you make that out of an old air conditioning unit? I know you got a sheet metal guy that did that in your shop...Nice feeder!!

 

[hamr56]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

If your going to drive 6 hours you really need a place to stay. I go home to hunt on family land 6 hours from where I am and I would not want to try and hunt and do that drive in the same day. If you had a camper, or a place to crash I don't think it would be a big deal. As far as transporting your kills, just find a nearby butcher.

 

[CT]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

7.5 hours to our lease but it is loaded with deer & turkey. Been doing it for 15 years ........ great camp with nice camphouse, full size showers/bathrooms, clean lighted skinning racks on elevated concrete, walk in coolers to hang. Or several processors less than 15 mins from camp.

Nice 30' camper under big oaks for private time and 2000 acres of crop fields mixed with timber, bottoms, & river bottoms.

Both my boys love it and the trip is a big part of the adventure. They're 11 & 13 and have been doing it with me since they were 4 yrs old.

Everybody has a different idea of perfect.

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: How far would you drive for a deer lease?

5 1/2 to six hours, Houston to Barksdale for the 4 legged critters, and 2 hours to Hackberry for ducks and fishing.

It's worth it, but you have to have the right stuff at each end, so you aren't packing and hauling everything every weekend. Having a cooler at the ranch makes it better for sure. Lucky for me, wife is cool with it. She goes when she wants, does other stuff when she doesn't.

Hardest part for me is bringing guns, having the right ones and correct ammo for each. Deer lease looks like an ammo store. Brought a 20 ga gun duck hunting once, with 12 ga 3 1/2 shells.... it was a great morning! I did catch a limit of reds in the marsh that day tho....