Decisions

[Hunting Man]

I have to make a hard decision this year. I have been hunting PA for 37 years and the deer hunting has been very good to me. However, the last several years has seen the deer numbers fall dramatically to the point that seeing one is getting difficult. Not to mention that they are going nocturnal to boot. The problem is we have a great deer camp and great hunting buddies. The trade off would be finding private lease property in Southern Ohio and starting all over. I know the hunting would be far better and better quality bucks, but giving up half a hunting lifetime/history/memories is not an easy decision to make. Thought I'd throw this around for imput, thoughts.

[rdrader2002]

That would be a tough decision to make. But I'm gonna toss in my two cents worth anywho . . .

Guess it all boils down to what you're going hunting for in the first place. Obviously, bringing something home to put into the freezer is the top priority. But if it's the comraderie that is just as important, then you should stay right where you're at and wait to see what shows up in your rifle scope.

But that's just my opinion. Anyone else care to put in their $.02 worth???

[kemster99]

was about what i was gonna say. any of your hunting buddies thinking the same thing?? maybe some would make the move also.

hm, i would knock on doors in pa. you got a good "camp" that you really like. if you talk to the farmers you might be able to pick up a farm or two. not that the hunting there would be much better but it would give you options. I'm going turkey hunting in pa this spring just to knock on doors to see about getting us more options. there are lands that farmers get some kinda tax break for allowing hunting but you still got to gain perrmission (kinda a wierd setup cause they can tell you no) so whats the point. anyway, bailing should be a last resort. just my opinion

[BruceBruce1959]

Yeah I agree with ronn, there's no way I'd be able to leave a 37 year history not after all those memories were created,
I'd have to bite the bullet and just suffer without deer until things came back around to normal and they will come back to normal.

[buckfever]

Comraderie or deer? Are both? Is there a way you can pull that off. Can you be on both leases and have the time to manage/hunt both areas?

[guppy11]

tough decision, all i can say is i hunt alone a lot because I don't live near family that hunts. I miss the times when the extended family went elk hunting together. we didn't get a lot of elk but still had a great time.

[Buckshot]

If all the buddies would move with you to OH it's a no brainer in my book. Deer Camp will be deer camp no matter of the physical location. A change of scenery is not a bad thing. IMHO

[wmi]

Staying in Ohio would be a no brainer for me.

[Hunting Man]

This is a real tough one for me.