How to Start a Hunting Club
"There is a passion for hunting, something deeply implanted in the human breast." ~ Charles Dickens
Every time you step into a wooded area you feel exhilarated. You never know what you are going to run into. No matter the season, duck, deer, bear or rabbit, hunting stimulates your senses and rocks your reality. It's you against them, nature and the beast. It's time to ready, aim, HUNT!
- Find potential members. No sense in starting a hunting club, or any club for that matter, without members. Ask them what they would like to see happen and how they would like to see the club run if they were to join it. See if they want to aim for yearling bucks, or if they would rather challenge themselves by going for three-year plus-bucks -- the ones with the huge racks. Get a feel for what potential members want and go from there. This will help when writing your club's rules and regulations.
- Write the rules and stick by them. Make sure that each member reads the rules and regulations, signs that they have read them and have received a copy. Keep copies posted in various places at the hunting lodge; places where they are easily seen.
- Find the best property. Post ads in your local hunting periodicals, on hunting websites or call your local Department of Recreation and Parks to see what they suggest.
- Decide if you want to lease or buy the property; this will help determine fees and dues for each member.
- Check out other hunting clubs to give you a feel for what to expect. Also, decide if this is going to be a private club or open to the public.
- Obtain appropriate licensing for your hunting club. Seek an attorney's advice if you are uncertain of the licensing requirements.
- Check out any land before purchasing. Walk over the land to get an idea of where to set up everything. Are the roads and paths good enough to retrieve fallen game? Is there enough room to set up campsites? Can vehicles come through without any trouble? If you are not satisfied or you don't think your members will be satisfied, continue to look for other places to hunt on. It will be worth it in the end.