Ground Hog hunts

C

Colorado Redneck

New member
Ground hogs don't live around where my stompin grounds are, so I ain't never even seen one. Shooting prairie dogs is much appreciated by the ranchers in Wyoming and Colorado, and is legal with almost no restirictions.

Some of the big ranches in wyoming have been leased by outfitters, and you have to pay to play. That is fine, since the land owners pay taxes and have to live with the federal government and darn near every politician east of the Misssissippi River trying to tell them what not to do.

So, I got to wondering if this "pay to play" idea has migrated to the farms in the midwest and other areas plagued by these critters, the wiley ground hog. Any comments will be appreciated to the fullest!:D
 
So, I got to wondering if this "pay to play" idea has migrated...
Click to expand...

Yes, and it's spreading like wildfire here in South Eastern Ohio fueled by the fact that there are really no restrictions, guide license or qualifications as of yet here. Seems as though every other hunter around here has become a deer/turkey guide service. Its very easy to get ripped off.

Whats comical is they'll rent a 25-50 acre plot for say the week of deer shotgun season, paying the farmer $250-$500 for that week and charging each client $2500-$3000 for the week. Get a 50 acre parcel for $500, put two clients on that parcel at $2500 each, not bad profit.

I know of one 'guide service' that the owner of the guide service only owned 7 acres but that 7 acres butted up against a much deeper woods. Client was made to believe the guide owned alot of property. Guide had two stands, one at each end of the 7 acres. Client paid him $2000 to hunt 1wk.

Since this is fairly new here, most the farmers don't realize the high charges the guides are charging the clients but words getting around quickly and I'm sure their rent will go up.

Again, the "pay to play" idea has migrated but people really need to be careful.
 
I haven't seen it with ground hogs since here in Ohio walk 10 feet and you're falling in one of their holes, but like the above poster has stated there are a ton of transactions taking place for deer season. Also for feral pig.
 
Here in the Eastern part of Iowa, we have had our share of leased land. Mostly because the landowner can have more control as to who is on his property. Costs are not outrages. However, there is still a lot of open range to hunt if you know where to go and how to ask. Sadly our Pheasants have been pushed out. As far as groundhogs, we have plenty but far from what you get on prairie dogs as groundhogs don't live in colonies. I have gotten three this year mostly by chance.



Be Safe !!!
 
NorEast NC

"Way out here" people kind charge you honesty, we have yet to be infected by the Bug that forces people to do such things. Also Taxes arn't bad here either so must people just give you some guidance or restrictions and expect you to honor their wishes!
 
Thanks for your posts!!

Life is changing. I was out in Eastern Colo the other day, and they are putting up bunches of those big (I mean BIG!!) wind generators. Cutting roads into the prairie. I suppose my grand kids won't get to see much that looked like it did when I was young. All I can say is Heck!

Maybe someday it will be possible to go to Iowa or somewhere and shoot some of them pesky ground hogs.:D
 
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