I just saw from the hog hunting thread that we still have many misbehaving "hunters". We have all seen these guys; riding around a ranch all night with lights, shooting anything moving, blasting gate locks, leaving pastures open, trashing the fields, etc. I want to be far, far away from those fellows. Years ago, I hunted with a bunch from a hospital and a bank in West Texas. Many bad actors, immature idiots. Several times, I had to go to a landowner, tell him what happened, and pay for the damages they had caused, just to keep peace. This always got a good response from the landowner and many times got me invited back. I took care of 250 head of Herefords for Daddy while I was in high school, so I understand the problems. It seems that some nice, reasonable fellows become raving idiots when they have something to drink and a rifle ! Finally, I got to where I just wanted to hunt, my Son & I, alone. Many smaller ranches will make a deal to let a reasonable person hunt, for a fee, even if they normally "don't take hunters". Occasionally one can get a free hunt, if a landowner is approached correctly. One good entrée, if you are a pilot, is to take the rancher or his foreman up for an air inspection of his ranch facilities. I can learn the ranch while he is doing this. $75.00 of aviation fuel can buy a good welcome and make a friend. I was raised to take good care of other folks' property. Fifty years ago, all it took to "find a place" was to knock on the door, introduce yourself, and ask. Please comment on your experiences.
