Fergus Falls

[Mark Christianson]

Darn right Matt.

Areas I hunted just 5 short years ago in ND, are now leased and posted. It stinks.

I also hunt the Fergus area. My parents grew up with many people that still live in the area. I hunted lots of that land exclusively. And guess what. Someone came to one of the farmers with some cash in hand and leased out 200 acres of his land 2 years ago. No more hunting for me on that chunk.

Poutpro,

Never say never. If you have real deep pockets, then you will be fine, but for the average guy, the opportunities are shrinking. Don't be foolish.

[poutpro]

You know what you do then? You go ask someone else. Or you find a good public hunting place. I hunted public all last year and found no problem shooting ducks or geese. You act like it is the end of the world if you cant hunt the same spot that you have been for years. How do you think people that dont know connections to good hunting land do it? They dont sit and pout, they go find spots and work at finding a good hunting area.

[Mark Christianson]

I didnt say that I pouted. Disappointed, yes.

I just pointed to facts that I have seen it happen.

Not worth my time to argue this. Just stating some facts.

[ChuckN]

He said "work".

[ChuckN]

Ok, seriously. I live here, I hunt here. Leasing is definitely an issue. If I were more of a gun ho field hunter I'm sure there's a lot of possibilities out there to be found, but I find 90% of my attempts were "no, sorry".

Believe it or not, this area is more of the who-you-know than leasing. That is the largest issue IMO. I just get out and meet more people and gain more friends. Right BLB??

[poutpro]

I will agree that Id rather know the right people than be able to pay to lease land. Most people that live around here and have huntable land have some family or close connection that hunts. I have no problem finding duck hunting out by orwell.

[Mark Christianson]

Indeed Chuck, INDEED!!!

[poutpro]

I think were gonna need to agree to disagree on this one. On to something new... Was anyone able to get any geese on the river above orwell. I set decoys up on the ice the day after i saw them out there in the 1000s. The next day they were flying over constantly, but they would not come in. I dont know if this was because there were so many flying that they just tended to follow them or because the people next to us having a caller that sounded like a wounded chicken.