Questions to Ask! - Larry Weishuhn

“I’m looking for a place to hunt. Can you help me?” I looked up from signing and doing a

drawing in one of my DEER ADDICTIONS books at most the recent DSC Convention and Hunting

Expo. As I did, the person stuck out his hand and said my name is “Tom”. I took his hand and

introduced myself. “Know who you are. Been watching you and reading your writings since I

was a very little kid.” He continued while I finished the drawing, “Grew up in just north of Ohio

River in Illinois, across from the Kentucky property you had leased several years ago.” His

statement brought back many great memories of the 12,000-acres I had leased, with another

person, for hunting. The property we called Game Trails. “My wife and I moved to Texas last

year. I hunted in Illinois last fall. I was still considered a resident. Now we’ve been in Texas

long enough that I can buy a resident hunting license.”

“I’m scheduled to do a talk in ten minutes. After that I’m on panel discussion. I should be

finished by 3, would you mind if we visited then?” He nodded affirmatively, “Actually I’ll meet

you behind the stage. We can then crawl in a corner and visit”.

I did my back to back stage appearances, then walked behind the stage. Where Tom waited.

“What is it you’re interested in hunting, and, do you have a hunting budget?” Both necessary

questions.

“In Illinois I was spending about $5 to $6,000 a year to hunt whitetails, which paid for the lease,

but not other things involved with getting there and home or camp and food. That’s my budget

not including travel, food for camp and the like. This coming fall, I’m not going to have a lot of

time, next year that will be different. I know about leasing property and I’ve been on a couple

of outfitted hunts in the past, including going to Canada for black bear. I’m going back and

forth about trying to decide whether to try to get on a lease or doing a guided hunt. Regardless

of what I do, I want to do it in Texas hunting whitetail deer. This first year I’m primarily looking

for a mature buck and a couple of does for the freezer.”

I had listened intently then responded, “Here’s what I would suggest. Spend time here on the

floor visiting with outfitters who do hunts in Texas. The outfitters who are in our DSC show as

opposed to others are extremely well vetted. They’re top-notch and do as they say. Numerous

likely offer management buck hunts. The size of such bucks and their antlers in that category

can vary a tremendously, from scoring less than 100 to essentially 150 Boone and Crockett

score. With such a hunt, usually the outfitter or ranch offers the opportunity to take a couple

of does as well. Management buck hunts are usually less expensive. But, they offer all the

excitement and experiences of hunting the largest antlered buck on the property. Such a hunt

too, will give you an opportunity to spend time with the outfitter, see his operation and the

ranch. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other hunters in camp.”

“While you’re here if you get a chance visit with others who are attending and find out if they

hunt in Texas, and, what and where they hunt. While doing so you will likely meet someone

who is on a hunting lease. They may have a vacancy.” I continued, “With a package-type hunt,

all things are covered like meals, lodging and guides, was well as a place to hunt. But it’s only

for a specified number of days. With a lease as you know, you would have more time to hunt. A

lease could be just for the fall hunting seasons, or, year around which allows hunting

throughout the year, within the State’s seasons. There might also be the possibility to fish, if

there’s water; spring turkey hunts if they’re present, mourning doves, upland game birds,

waterfowl, small game, predators, look for sheds or simply explore.”

I continued, “I have done both and continue doing both guided hunts as well as leasing

property. We do have some public land hunting in Texas. Those include National Forest lands in

the eastern part of the State as well as numerous wildlife management areas. Generally, you

have to be drawn to hunt those. The chances of being drawn however are pretty good.”

I went on to explain regardless whether he decided to hunt an outfitted/guided hunt or get in

on a lease there were several questions to be asked. I prefer hunting mature animals, bucks

that are at least four years old and older. They tend to be bigger bodies, have bigger antlers and

are more challenging to take.

I added to my ongoing answer, “Regardless of a lease I want to know first of all the total price

of the hunt or hunting opportunity and what all is involved in terms of amenities. If it’s a lease,

I want to know if the property is a year around lease. Is the property under a Managed Land

Deer Permit (specific to Texas)? Is the property under a wildlife management program, and if

so, who is in charge of it? What is allowed in terms of hunting on the property? If there are

supplemental feed or food plots involved, if so who is responsible for those whether it involves

plantings or buying the supplemental feed. Are there camp privileges, meaning is there a camp

house available to all? Are there hook-ups for travel trailers or camping sites? What is the

current deer density? What is the current buck to doe ratio? What was the fawn survival rate

for the past six years? What is the “average” buck taken on the property. Are there private

deer blinds hunted by only one individual, or can anyone hunt any blind with prior mention? Is

there heavy hunting pressure on the perimeter of the property? Then too I will want to know all

I can about those involved in the lease. And of course also what is the cost per year?”

“There should also be other questions such as how long has the group been leasing the

property? How involved in the management and hunting program are the landowner and his

family?” I added.

I explained I tend to ask many of those same questions if I’m going on an outfitted or guided

hunt. Before committing to a hunt or a lease I want to know all I can about the property, the

wildlife and deer population, and anything else I can learn.

“Something else I would seriously consider is becoming a DSC member, if you’re not already.

Then become a member of the DSC Chapter closest to where you live. Get involved with that

group and you’ll meet numerous people who who can be a great source of information

whether you want to get into a lease group or go on outfitted hunts. You can do both by going

to the DSC website, www.biggame.org.”

“While you’re here at the show let me suggest you go by the Hornady and Stealth Vision booths

to visit with them and if you’re not already familiar with those two companies, and I strongly

suspect you are, get to know their products. When you get back home look at the

www.vinyardmax.net, www.mossberg.com, www.taurususa.com websites.”

He smiled broadly, “I own several Mossberg rifles and shotguns, and exclusively shoot Hornady

ammo. And I do have a .44 Mag Taurus Raging Hunter revolver that I truly enjoy hunting with

and shooting. By the way it dearly loves Hornady’s Custom 240-grain XTP. I’ve used the

combination in the Mid-West where I could hunt with a straight-wall cartridge handgun. Shot a

couple of really nice bucks with my handgun and a few does.”

I was beginning to like this guy! We talked a bit more about his hunting experiences with both

rifle and handguns. “Show closing for the day in 30-minutes!” Came the announcement over

the facilities PA system.

“Are you spending the night?” I asked. He nodded an affirmative. “Let me visit with a couple of

friends at this evening’s banquet and see if they know of a good lease that might have an

opening.” I did.

Next morning, I called Tom. “Meet me at the DSC membership booth at noon. Got a friend I

want you to meet about a hunting lease….”