Why Hunt High Fence?
- Thread starter Circle J Ranch
- Start date
Midwest, that's the way a lot of them do it. But I've been on some ranches that didn't have feeders at stands and saw plenty of good bucks. Even on the ground at the right place and time I've seen 7 shooters rattled up. We were low fenced and weren't even in a blind. We didn't mention that some areas that hardly grow cactus don't make good food plots and corn is their food plot out of a sack. Your thoughts?
Joined Apr 2009
702 Posts | 0+
Marquez, TX
There are plenty of different ways to hunt in Texas. I've hunted in box blinds, ground blinds, tree stands, on ground, stalking, trails, over water, over staging areas, scrapes, food plots, etc... To think you can only hunt over a corned road or corn feeder is just ignorance. I think it's ridiculous that people hunt a 3 acre section of woods surrounded by corn fields on every side, but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones 
i think high fence is going to be my next step. I have had a bad taste in my mouth for awile now about paying to hunt anyware. Before i started raising deer my family and i paid to hunt with an out fit in NC. There was 10 of us and six tags a piece, you do the math right. well we saw altogeather 4 deer and brought home 2. not a good ratio. the deer we shot we could have gotten behind the house you know.
For the money we spent we could have hunted high fence but like many lack of knowledge about them kept us at bay. Knowing what i know now, i would hunt one today. Feeders do not bother me corn roads either. How many of us use bait piles to patern deer? How many of us hunt on private land and keep the deer to ourselves?
I think for us to sit here and talk about bad preserves and good. Its like contractors, you get what you pay for. Do you go wiht the lowest bid or quality of service? Do you ask for refrences, and look at jobs that have been performed? Research, Research, Research. I should have!
Hunter Vs Hunter we all have a different oppinion on how to hunt, what to were, what scents work the best, and even what gun to use. What works for one might not work for the other. Like yardsales one mans trash is another mans treasure. Same aplies here corn piles might not be for you but might be whats right for someone else. Hunt the way you want to!
High Fence Here I Come, If santa lets me! LOL
For the money we spent we could have hunted high fence but like many lack of knowledge about them kept us at bay. Knowing what i know now, i would hunt one today. Feeders do not bother me corn roads either. How many of us use bait piles to patern deer? How many of us hunt on private land and keep the deer to ourselves?
I think for us to sit here and talk about bad preserves and good. Its like contractors, you get what you pay for. Do you go wiht the lowest bid or quality of service? Do you ask for refrences, and look at jobs that have been performed? Research, Research, Research. I should have!
Hunter Vs Hunter we all have a different oppinion on how to hunt, what to were, what scents work the best, and even what gun to use. What works for one might not work for the other. Like yardsales one mans trash is another mans treasure. Same aplies here corn piles might not be for you but might be whats right for someone else. Hunt the way you want to!
High Fence Here I Come, If santa lets me! LOL
Just read through the thread. Interesting. Midwest has voice the opinion that I believe a lot of hunters have. In my opinion, it is fairly ignorant of most of the high fenced hunts that I know of. For instance, the home range of a whitetail deer is about 300 acres here in Texas, according to Texas A+M. SCI has a good definition for fair chase. Basically, if you can guarantee a specific animal, it is not fair chase. Certainly, there are bad ranches. And there are very bad public places, with tags that have to be drawn, and even a governor's tag that is for auction. The winner of that tag usually hires several guides, lets them do all the work, and then "hunts" the animal... My reason for hunting high fences?
1) Safer... the number and placement of hunters is controlled. That is not the case without a ranch manager. Yes, it is possible to do this on private land, but not on public land.
2) I don't have to deal with jerks. If a real jerk shows up at my ranch, I don't have to deal with him. But, on public land, i would.
3) more comfort. I like having a decent meal and a place to sleep at night. I spent far too many nights in North Dakota freezing my tail off, without a payout.
4) More and better game. Certainly, a high fenced place has a chance at being well managed. With feed, it can contain more game and better game. And the ratios can be to the health of the herd. IE: we take a lot of does. In CA, killing a doe is illegal. Hence, the deer herd is out of balance.
5) Healthier and older game. On a high fenced area, the owner keeps the hunter from shooting a promising 2 year or 3 year old. The deer are fed as necessary, sometimes wormed, basically, the owner takes pride in his herd. On public land, anything with a fork will get shot. So finding a 3 or 4 year old deer is unlikely. Just look at the records in CA. 90% of all deer taken are forked. only 2-3% are 4 points on a side...
6) I own my 1300 acres. I can hunt it without dealing with Joe Sixpack... If someone hunts my ranch, I form a personal relationship with that hunter, and have met several friends exactly this way.
Frankly, I am pretty sick of the argument in favor of "fair" chase or public land hunting. Public hunts are expensive per kill, expose the herd to unnecessary threats by removing only bucks or young bucks, expose the hunter to unnecessary threats from other hunters, and require draws. Most of the hunters that are against high fences act like "holier than thou" people that are better because they only hunt open land. But, since i offer both high fence and open land/fair chase/ hunts, you would be delighted to know that most hunters opt for the fence after less than a day of "fair chase"... Sorry for the rant, but this a real sore point with me,
Hardpan
1) Safer... the number and placement of hunters is controlled. That is not the case without a ranch manager. Yes, it is possible to do this on private land, but not on public land.
2) I don't have to deal with jerks. If a real jerk shows up at my ranch, I don't have to deal with him. But, on public land, i would.
3) more comfort. I like having a decent meal and a place to sleep at night. I spent far too many nights in North Dakota freezing my tail off, without a payout.
4) More and better game. Certainly, a high fenced place has a chance at being well managed. With feed, it can contain more game and better game. And the ratios can be to the health of the herd. IE: we take a lot of does. In CA, killing a doe is illegal. Hence, the deer herd is out of balance.
5) Healthier and older game. On a high fenced area, the owner keeps the hunter from shooting a promising 2 year or 3 year old. The deer are fed as necessary, sometimes wormed, basically, the owner takes pride in his herd. On public land, anything with a fork will get shot. So finding a 3 or 4 year old deer is unlikely. Just look at the records in CA. 90% of all deer taken are forked. only 2-3% are 4 points on a side...
6) I own my 1300 acres. I can hunt it without dealing with Joe Sixpack... If someone hunts my ranch, I form a personal relationship with that hunter, and have met several friends exactly this way.
Frankly, I am pretty sick of the argument in favor of "fair" chase or public land hunting. Public hunts are expensive per kill, expose the herd to unnecessary threats by removing only bucks or young bucks, expose the hunter to unnecessary threats from other hunters, and require draws. Most of the hunters that are against high fences act like "holier than thou" people that are better because they only hunt open land. But, since i offer both high fence and open land/fair chase/ hunts, you would be delighted to know that most hunters opt for the fence after less than a day of "fair chase"... Sorry for the rant, but this a real sore point with me,
Hardpan
I know not every place in the country offers the food we have in the midwest. I know not every place in TX hunts over feeders. But every ranch I have been on does. Thats just my experince. I know if you are brought up one way its hard to see others points. But to me its no fun to hunt where the animal as become dependent on the feed they are given that they come as soon as the feeders start so they can get some food. They know theres danger there, but take the chance so they can survive. But everyone has there own view what hunting should be like. Last time I was in TX the hunter said I like to get up 30 min before sun rise drive his mule to his tripod 10 min before sun rise. and if nothing comes to his feeder by 930 go back to camp till the afternoon and do it again.
Joined Apr 2009
1,428 Posts | 0+
Northeast Wisconsin
I prefer the term open range rather than fair chase. We feel we hunt fair chase on our high fenced property and that is answer we give if someone asks if we are fair chase - yes, on 250 high fenced acres.
I have been raising Deer for 2 years now. We are just starting to get some nice bucks. I would like to set up a Darting hunt. My deer are in a 22 acres Field an creek with lots of trees. We have to get a TB test on each of our deer done this year. The way i see it I can work all but about 5 of my deer. These 5 bucks you can't get close to. This would be a challenging hunt with a Dart gun getting within 30 yards for a good shot.
ChildersCritterCreek
http://S2.WebStarts.com/ChildersCritterCreek
ChildersCritterCreek
http://S2.WebStarts.com/ChildersCritterCreek
Here in AZ you go into a lottery to hunt deer. Your odds are 1 and 5 of getting Drawn and 10% of even seeing a deer when hunting. My farm in KY is so thick the only way to hunt is a Deer stand or Blind. You wait until a deer comes insight and you take the shoot if you get one. That is the same as a HF hunt as I see it. You have a place to set and wait and if a deer comes in your Shooting window you can take a shot. You don't get out of your blind and go running around the farm shooting at anything that moves. The hunts need to me controlled. Catering to grandpa that can't get around like he us to and wants to take his grandson hunting.
ChildersCritterCreek
http://S2.WebStarts.com/ChildersCritterCreek
ChildersCritterCreek
http://S2.WebStarts.com/ChildersCritterCreek
Darting hunts could run into some legal problems about administering the tranquilizer through a third party. Unless of course you are a vet or a lawyer.
Joined Apr 2009
2,617 Posts | 0+
Edgar, WI
The dart hunt stuff is something that gave the industry a black eye once before. It was used against us already please don't get involved with something like that. It is not good on so many levels.
B-Rad you would be better off building a nice high fence hunting ranch rather then darting!!! I dont know of many in your state...I think it would be more successful!!! Just my opinion. Good luck!!!
Scott Neeb
Chanlow Farms
Scott Neeb
Chanlow Farms
Many folks conduct photographic safaris for those opposed to terminal means. High and low fence. Pictures might promote your operation but they could serve to do the opposite should their be any mal-intent or less that creditable circumstances. Nothing new out there, I'm sure. Like Roger said about the "darting for sport"...I'd think real hard about it.
The Darting for sport is not a good option. You would have the Anti's after you for torchering the animals......plus it truly is putting the animal threw stress over and over again which is not cool. Hunting is what it is. Its been around since we have been around. Our great father God put the animals on this earth for US.....not to be equal with us as some might think they should be.......now with that said, we need to do our part and make sure we do not abuse this great priviledge.....and i think the darting would be doing just that.....Hunting is about going out and enjoying the awesome outdoors with ourselves or the ones we love and trying to bring home some food for our families that is the plus. Wether you go to the store and HUNT for the food to bring home or go to the WOODS and HUNT for your food is no different and it should be as simple as that.
The state keeps wanting me to take blood or check for this and that. Each time it cost me money to tranq My deer. I don't like them being in small enclosures. So to get what the state wants I have to do this to my deer. I would rather get paid for the act of knocking the deer down and I can get everything the state need at the same time? I deer are Free range and wild not eat out of your hands pets. Dart are about $10 each and the drugs are $50 each. That's what I'm talking about.
This is a great thread I look forward to reading it as it grows over the next few days/weeks. As of right now I am not a deer farmer(hopefully some things will come together and I will get to do so by this time next year) so my perspective will be as a hunter. Before reading this thread my opinion on High Fence hunting has been on the fence (no pun intended).
There have been some really good points on why people should hunt high fences, the best reason I saw was from Predator3 "The more money spent the safer all hunters are to the anti's." All hunters should support other hunters as long as the LAW is being obeyed. We as hunters have to many other enemies to waste time arguing amongst ourselves.
I live in Texas and when I read other "hunting" forums and the High Fence argument comes up most people not from Texas believe there is nothing but High fenced ranches all over the state. My personal opinion on why most people don't think High Fenced hunting is "fair" is their perception of an High fenced operation. Most think that all the deer are tame, eating out of your hand, coming inside the house laying on the couch with the family dog and watching tv. While I am sure there are some operations like that, it isn't the majority but what family, organization, business doesn't have at least 1 bad apple.
I currently pay for a 800+ acre piece of property to hunt on. Because of the location, surrounding hunters killing the deer before they are mature and other factors I will not have an opportunity to kill a 140+ at this place. Until I read this thread it didn't bother me to spend the money I spend and not have a chance at a "trophy" animal, since it has really made me think and get a little annoyed.
Like many have said as long as the deer being hunted are still "spooky" and have plenty of room to roam, the hunting experience will be no different then public land, except you will have a chance to harvest a 190+ deer instead of a 130+.
Sorry for the long post I just really like this topic.
There have been some really good points on why people should hunt high fences, the best reason I saw was from Predator3 "The more money spent the safer all hunters are to the anti's." All hunters should support other hunters as long as the LAW is being obeyed. We as hunters have to many other enemies to waste time arguing amongst ourselves.
I live in Texas and when I read other "hunting" forums and the High Fence argument comes up most people not from Texas believe there is nothing but High fenced ranches all over the state. My personal opinion on why most people don't think High Fenced hunting is "fair" is their perception of an High fenced operation. Most think that all the deer are tame, eating out of your hand, coming inside the house laying on the couch with the family dog and watching tv. While I am sure there are some operations like that, it isn't the majority but what family, organization, business doesn't have at least 1 bad apple.
I currently pay for a 800+ acre piece of property to hunt on. Because of the location, surrounding hunters killing the deer before they are mature and other factors I will not have an opportunity to kill a 140+ at this place. Until I read this thread it didn't bother me to spend the money I spend and not have a chance at a "trophy" animal, since it has really made me think and get a little annoyed.
Like many have said as long as the deer being hunted are still "spooky" and have plenty of room to roam, the hunting experience will be no different then public land, except you will have a chance to harvest a 190+ deer instead of a 130+.
Sorry for the long post I just really like this topic.
You make very good points Jon, One of the biggest benefits from owning high fence is you can manage your herd... you can let bucks reach maturity and full potential and still keep them wild!!! 800 acres is a nice piece of property to manage and im sure you have good management practices but unfortunetely all those bucks have to do is cross the property line of another owner who does not have the same management practices as yourself and bang !!! game over!! You will never know how that deer could of turned out... 190+ very possible.. When you consider all the work and money you put into good management it really sucks that all neighbors cant be on board also!!! You can always fence that 800 acres in and make one fine hunt ranch LoL !!! Good luck!!
Scott Neeb
Chanlow farms
The heart of PA Dutch Country
Scott Neeb
Chanlow farms
The heart of PA Dutch Country
Jon_Strother said:
You know this is why i started this post! Was to educate not only myself on the topic but also those i come in contact with on a daily basis. I have already talked to so many about it and using the stuff from this thread got them thinking. I only wish i could get the ones back i talked to before having this information. Good luck, enjoy
Neeby said:
I agree totally, unfortunately I don't own the land that I hunt on so it isn't my call to fence it in and the owner knows less about deer then my great grandkids (I don't have any kids yet).