At what point...

[MUP]

does private land actually contribute more of a return than public? What I'm getting at is, even tho folks own land, and it is private property, doesn't necessarily mean that it's pristine, non violated, virgin hunting paradise. What acreage would you feel would be large enough to actually have that "untouched" area that only the landowner, or designees, could hunt w/o being subjected to public hunting land issues, such as trespassers/poachers? I do own the property I hunt on, but barely consider it private for the constant influx of trespassers and poachers. Opinions welcome.

Oh, I'm hunting a total of about 42 acres btw, but surrounded by other family members property totaling a little over 120 ac.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Within the context of your question I'm of the mind that the quanitity of acreage probably doesn't matter much to a tresspasser be it 42 or 4200 acres. In other words, unless some serious attempt is made to manage these instances, won't make any difference how much ground you own.

What these folks DO tend to more frequently acknowledge though is prosecution and the authority of the law: sheriffs, game wardens, judges, fines, property repossession, and the prospect of jail.

Landowners have to hit tresspassing head-on...right between the eyes. Fortunately in Tennesse laws are clear and very much in favor/defense of the landowner. In my opinion, zero-tolerance.

 

[fairchaser]

I guess it all depends. The habitat of that 42 acres would be the critical question. One or two stands would almost cover the entire property in some instances. But, if it was a thick tangle of cutover, it could hold several deer. If there are 25 deer per square mile, it would only hold 1.64 deer. You could get alot of pressure just from the neighboring property even if you never set foot on yours. To answer the question, IMO, you need a square mile 640 acres, with little hunting pressure for the deer to be somewhat protected from the public land syndrome. I hunted this size property for a decade and the deer responded to hunting pressure throughout the season by moving into deeper and thicker cover as the season progressed. But, it didn't feel like they were as skittish as public land deer where when you spook a doe she blows at you for 20 minutes.

 

[BSK]

I agree with fairchaser that the habitat is critical, but I still think it would take 100-200 acres to have enough sanctuary that deer aren't being highly pressured by neighbors.

 

[bigtex]

I only have and hunt 60 acres, which is plenty for me as I am the only one who hunts it except for the rare occasion that my wife or Grandson hunt with me.
Fortunately my property is bounded on two sides with a 600 acre clear cut that is privately owned and gets minimal hunting pressure.
Early on I had trouble with trespassers and poachers, but the word soon got out that "you better not mess with that ornery old man or he'll put the law on ya" it only takes a time or two to get the message across. I've not seen, heard, or found sign of anyone on my property in many years. Not saying I wont in the future but if I do and I can get to them before they run off they will be talking to the Sheriff. I will NOT tolerate trespassers and that's a fact Jack.

 

[MUP]

If any of you have read my exploits over the years on here you KNOW I'm a zero tolerance acceptance landowner when it comes to trespassers and poachers. I have my GW on speed dial and he has even busted a couple of them before, but they just keep coming out of the woodwork, no pun intended. I'm surrounded by private property, hunters and non hunters alike, and these low lifes literally think they have the "born here, raised here" right to poach and tread where they want. Problem is for them that I was born and raised out there too, although these are mostly relatively newcomers to the mtn, and are unknown by the community at large, for the most part. And then there are the thieving meth heads...

It's just not as great as some folks may think, having "private" property to hunt, especially when its almost as public as anywhere around the area. Public conflict, you can move to another location...conflict on your own land, you stand up and defend it.

On a more positive note, there is good cover, food, and water, and I've been blessed with exceptional hunting success there I do believe.

 

[bigtex]

I feel your frustration MUP been there done that and it sux.
I do have one thing in my favor and that is I live on the land I hunt so it is a lot easier to keep an eye on it and i'm sure it is a deterrent to those who would trespass otherwise.
Up until a couple of years ago I had a 300 acre lease in the middle part of the state. I maintained that lease for over 20 years. The poachers and trespassers soon figured out when the "old man" would be gone and every time I would return I would find evidence of them being there. Frustrating to say the least, it was one of the main reasons I quit that lease and now only hunt my own property.
I don't know how to solve your problem, sounds like your doing everything you can sans patrolling it 24-7 which is impossible.
Good luck to ya.

 

[MUP]

Thanks bigtex. It definitely would solve a lot of the problems if I did live out there. I'm only about 15 min away, but might as well be 15 hrs for that matter bc they can be there and gone in just a few min. I do have tentative plans to move back out there sometime in the future tho...

 

[102]

MUP,
I do not consider 42 acres surrounded by a total of 120 acres to be large enough to keep deer from behaving like "public" land deer.

I consider htose type deer tough to hunt.

IMO...it all depends on habitat. An open field of 250 acres with no cover will not hold much deer.

250 acres of THICK cut over surrounded by crop fields is a differrent story.

 

[MUP]

Exactly my point 102. Just b/c someone has private property they hunt on doesn't necessarily mean it's the promised land of hunting utopia. Lots of different factors play a role in whether the deer are at ease or on alert during the opening days/weeks of season, including a walk in to set a stand close to opening day.

 

[deerhunter10]

We have hunted one farm for 20 years and have only caught one person on it. There.may be more but not to many and no one hunts around us. I consider that piece virgin ground because we've hunted every bit of it. But then again I kinda do. Its 300 acres

 

[Winchester]

I agree the habitat and location is key. Some areas see a lot more trespassing than others!

 

[Lost Lake]

That's a good question MUP. I don't know that all private land is as easy to hunt as some think. Our farm was a beeline of deer travel for years until two surrounding property owners built houses right on the major travel paths that I'd been sticking to like glue and having great success. When they did that I noticed a complete change in movement. The deer still use the place heavily but it appears to be more random now. Another property owner timbered his place a couple years ago and my guess is his place now pulls a lot of deer into it because of that.

Soooo..... I've had to adapt and it's still a fabulous place to hunt. Honestly I hunt some public land that is even better I believe. Other than outmaneuvering people I don't have to worry as much about the above mentioned problems when hunting my public spots.

Now trespassers and dogs chasing deer....well that's a never ending battle.....good luck and hope things work out this year!!

 

[muddyboots]

I know a guy who leases 50 acres. I would say its the best spot in the county.

 

[MUP]

Oh man, forgot about the dogs. I have several pics of a couple of dogs that are bent on hitting the trail one of my cams is set on.....I hope they get put up before season opens.