Was part of a 1200 acre lease for around 15 or so years. Hunted it for free for over 25 when it was owned by a coal company. Coal company had 2200 total, went bankrupt and any who wanted to use it could. Eventually it was spit up and sold. Owner did some periodic timbering and did it right for wildlife. Always was great Deer and Turkey country and remains so today.
At the highest there were 20 people, but usually around 15. Couple serious bow hunters who took some hogs during the rut. No rules other than Pa Game Law rules. Most of the members didn't use it all that much and after the first day it wasn't rare to hunt and only see a couple others or no-one. Especially if the weather became a little nasty.
The individual lease fee pretty much paid the owners land tax. Started out at $500 per individual and ended up at $800. I thought it was reasonable for 1200 acres of prime Deer country.
No meetings and as mentioned no rules. But with one or two exceptions it all worked out. Couple members who wanted to sit all day objected to some of us who liked to roam around most of the time. A couple thought they had exclusive dips on a specific area whenever they would decide to show up. That got settled quick and they either adapted or moved on.
Got sold last year to an out of state fellow who wanted his own private hunting ground. $1.2Million. Miss the place more than a little. More than a few memories and Bird Dogs rest their bones there. However last year hunted within a mile of it most of the time. Same type of country and I couldn't cover it all in a week.
Addition: No it is not the same. No long streams path their way thru it. No cut highwalls wrap around the hillsides with hot spot funnels when the Deer want to come down. Not as many Grouse. Few high points that you can stop and look out for a couple miles. It's not the same, but it will do.
Last edited by battue; 02/11/16.
