I'm meeting the LOA tomorrow to finalize a hunting lease in Wichita County. I'll be filling two spots on the lease but want to have a set of rules written up prior to filling the spots. Does anyone have a copy of their lease rules they would be willing to share? Anything y'all would recommend me putting in the rules that you've seen in the past?

I don't want to be big brother and control all aspects but also realize a lot of issues that arise could have been avoided if expectations were clear from the beginning.

Some one will be along with a good list. Ours is thee brothers and two cousins and rules out side of the land owners are voted on. Below are a couple voted in last year.

One I wish we would have had from the start is, blood drawn = trophy kill. It seem like every lease has that "one guy." My BIL was on a place last year as a guest and a deer was shot but did not drop and the guy never spent more than 10 minutes looking for it. That is unforgiveable in my book.

Also, have something about blind etiquette. Some people are full commune and others are very individualist. Personally, I believe you should always ask to hunt someone else's blind and don't expect to hunt mine until I kill something. I paid for the corn all year and I built the large, comfy blind.

Before I sound like too much of an ass, I am notorious for harvesting early in the season and offering up my blind the rest of the year.

You are a South Texas boy no more. Gone full on yankee.

We have primarily had the same group of hunters for 30 years. We have had a couple of people over the years that we had to create rules for. As those people have left, we now just use common sense. My recommendation is to make sure everyone is as compatible as possible. Also, look at the baggage each member brings with them. If you have a member that has 3-4 boys, be prepared for more drama. You hate to be a ***** about bringing family to the lease, but those have been most of our issues over the years. You might also know of a potential member and the people that could possibly come as guests.

1. We had to limit the number of guests a member could bring up at one time. We limit the number of accompanied guests to two per member. Also, guests are not allowed to come up the first two weekends of the season.

2. We also limit the number of "trophy" bucks a member can take to the legal limit which includes their guests. If a member wants a guest to shoot one of their "trophy" bucks that is up to them.

3. Our lease has been pretty desirable over the years and if a spot opens, we now have a bid system. The reason for this is we had a husband and wife on the lease. They decided they wanted to drop one spot and give it to their son. The son was a deadbeat and nobody wanted him. We came up with a system in which an open spot required a bid from all interested parties. The highest bid would be accepted if all hunters agreed upon the person and additional proceeds went back to the camp fund. It makes sense because a new member is coming into a ready made lease.

4. Stand and feeder locations require approval from all members.

5. Our lease has a common house. We have a camp budget that is agreed upon and additional cash calls might be necessary for house improvements, etc. We also pay for the corn for all feeders out of this fund. We all hunt in each others stands, so we all share the feed bill. If you have people that bring travel trailers, you might want to discuss the electric bill, parking, etc.

These are the rules I am implementing this year. They are lengthy but I have 3 new members and we are changing things up to more of a club set up similar to the poster above with a community pot of funds for corn, feeders, blinds and such expense. Feel free to critique and or use any you like.

Quote:

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WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB RULES

• Use every precaution to protect wildlife, agricultural products and Garrapata Farms property from poaching, theft, fire, trash dumping, or other damage.
• Protect Garrapata Farms roads during and to prohibit their abuse and limit traffic during wet weather as much as possible.
• Comply, and require compliance by each member and all persons/guests to whom recreational privileges shall be extended with all laws, rules and regulations existing or hereafter enacted by any county, state or federal authority including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, and game laws.
• Stay in compliance with the landowners policies at all time.
• Stay in compliance with WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member contract, club rules, and all game, state and federal laws.
• Not encroach on another member's stand or hunting area while occupied and/or act disrespectfully or in a threatening manner, (words, gestures, and/or touching) to members or neighbors, or display a disregard for the hunting effort, respect, safety and welfare of other members and/or guests, club grounds and club neighbors.
• Not cause harm to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, including but not limited to verbal harm, physical harm, or financial harm.
• Loaded weapons should be limited in camp. Never level a weapon at another member, and never hunt or shoot while intoxicated. Members will police each other and accept if other members think you should not hunt.
• Never hunt discharge a firearm across any public road, hunt or shoot within 50 yards of a dwelling, or shoot into an adjacent property. Never shoot at any non-target structures i.e. old equipment, buildings, tanks etc.
• Maintain a "No Hunting" or shooting zone within 50 yards of any occupied building and around all other designated areas.
• Respect and protect ALL property regardless of whether it is another member's property or not, or on WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB grounds or not.
• Make every possible effort to protect club grounds and the landowner's property from fire, theft, and all forms of damage.
• Report all violations, incidents and (possible or actual) trespassers to the authorities and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB immediately.
• Act as good neighbors to all local citizens.

CAMP FIRES. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB adheres to all burn bans. Additionally, any campfire that is built must be entirely contained before it may be left alone. Campfires should never be left unattended uncovered and flames must be out before leaving the camp-fire site or retiring for the night. This is for everyone's safety. Fires should be completely extinguished before leaving camp empty with no plans of return.
TRASH: All campsites, grounds, trailers, camp shelters, tents, etc., must be kept free from trash and other refuse. Trash may not be buried on Garrapata Farms property, but instead must be removed from the site and disposed of properly. If you bring it intake it out! Leave it the way you find it, or better.
YOUTH AND EXTENDED DOE/SPIKE SEASON: Youth are encouraged to make use of the early and late youth-only hunting seasons for the area. Members are encouraged to bring guests during the Special Late Antlerless and Spike Season.
HUNTERS ORANGE: Hunter Orange is enforced during Game Bird season and encouraged during Firearm Deer Season on all WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB Property. Hunter's Orange must include a hat and an outer garment worn above the waistline that total at least 400 square inches, pursuant to landowner's requirements. This should be an amount sufficient in style and amount for another hunter to reasonably identify them as a person and not game. THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE!
PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING HUNTING LOCATIONS
Although ultimate responsibility for stand placement and safety lies exclusively with each member, in an effort to promote safety and assist members, Garrapata Farm's land owners and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' members should be asked to review and/or confirm stand placement and offer their opinions and recommended changes based on what they see at the time of their review. Members understand that this check is not a guarantee of safety and that Garrapata Farms and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB makes no representations or warranties indicating same or otherwise. Should a stand be moved at any time for any reason after a stand's placement was reviewed, the member must contact the land owner/manager to advise of such change.
All hunting locations will be considered open spaces. Members are expected sign in when arriving at camp and to discuss hunting locations each hunt among themselves and notify others of their locations on a blind notification board posted at camp.
REQUIRMENTS AND LIMITATIONS ON HUNTING: Each hunter may kill only one trophy buck every three years unless all other members have killed a trophy buck within that time frame and each hunter must kill one doe before killing a buck. Feral Hogs are to be shot on sight. Rabbit hunting is highly encouraged.
Goal is to shoot spike yearling to 1 1/2 year olds, Mature small rack 5 year olds, producing "trophy bucks" what have at least one or more of the following: greater than 13'' spread, 8 or more points, and are 3 year old or older. When selections of 3 to 5 year old bucks for culling need to be made decisions should be as a group. Criteria for this would be low body weight, lack of brow tines, and basal circumference. We want avoid shooting young large body yearlings to 2 year olds with 2 to 8 points.
REPORT OF HARVEST: The landowner may require the members to provide information about ALL animals killed. This should include species, number, photographs and measurements. A harvest log will be maintained at camp.
LANDOWNER'S RIGHT TO HUNT: The landowner and his family have permission to hunt on the property during the season.

DEER STANDS AND FEEDERS: WEST TEXAS HUNTING CLUB with member's dues will be responsible for the purchase and upkeep of all stands, corn and protein feeders and batteries and timers. Priority lists will be made yearly and items purchase or replaced based on funds available.
LAND DEVELOPMENT: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB encourages its members to prepare hunting areas as they see fit, including but not limited to cultivating and/or planting food plots, creating shooting lanes and areas for stands, feeders and cameras, etc
FOOD PLOTS: Food plot establishment is strongly encouraged, should be limited to natural openings or other areas devoid of agricultural planting areas, and should be established in a manner that minimizes soil disturbance (over seeding or drilling seed or fertilizing natural vegetation) on areas likely to erode. Habitat manipulation (i.e. supplemental food plots, mineral stations, bush-hogging, etc.) is allowed but at a member's expense. Please do not damage water diversion devices on roads when constructing food plots. Cultivated food plots are food plots where the surface of the ground has been broken with a tiller or blade and the area is cleared of weeds, is seeded, fenced and maintained in the interest of attracting wild game. Brush hogging and over seeding are not considered cultivated food plots.
PERSONAL INVESTMENTS: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB does not reimburse members for monies spent and/or investments they make, past, present or future, to enhance or improve camp grounds and/or a member's hunting or recreational experience. Members understand and agree that if they invest money or time for the purpose of changing or improving WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' camp grounds for conveniences or improved recreational experiences, including but not limited to the installation of utilities, that they do it of their own free will but only upon prior written approval from the landowner/manager of Garrapata Farms, and that they further do it at their own risk of loss. By receiving permission from Garrapata Farms to proceed with any particular member driven project, Garrapata Farms is not accepting responsibility for expenses associated with or liabilities created by that change, improvement or project. Investing in or implementing an improvement does not guarantee a member special status and if that member leaves WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, the change and/or improvement is donated to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB if of a permanent nature, such as a utility poles, wells, meters, gates, etc.. Improvements initiated by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB are the only improvements that will be funded by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, unless otherwise requested at the time of announcement.
NON-FAMILY GUEST POLICY/LIMITED SPONSORED MEMBERSHIPS: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB recognizes that members wish to share their club experience with friends by inviting them to enjoy our hunt. As such, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB has created a non-family guest membership that allows a member to sponsor a person as a guest to experience WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB for themselves without paying a full membership. Sponsored memberships cost $60 for 3 days of hunting. Sponsored members/guests must obey and follow the same bylaws, rules and guidelines set forth by the CLUB
Procedures for acquiring a sponsored membership: Guest must fill out the membership application but identify as GUEST, sign/submit the rules, and pay in advance. Guests must be accompanied by the sponsoring member while on property and may only hunt off of approved stand(s). Guests may only harvest spiked bucks, and does, fowl or feral wildlife. Guests may not visit or hunt during opening deer weekend (Saturday - Sunday), Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday Sunday) or Christmas of any given year. Guests who come to visit but not hunt do NOT have to pay the sponsored member fee.
Additionally, they must STILL fill out the membership application (and check non-hunting guest), sign the bylaws agreement and carry their new pass at all times. Guests taken on property by members without a guest pass are considered trespassers. NO GUEST PASSES, HUNTING OR OTHERWISE, WILL BE ISSUED FOR OPENING WEEKEND OF DEER SEASON, THANKSGIVING WEEKEND OR CHISTMAS.
ANNUAL WORK WEEKENDS. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB will hold mandatory work weekends during the year for primary members. Actual dates and sign-ups will be announced. The purpose of these work weekends are for members to come together and help make improvements to camp grounds as well as to get to know one another. Activities will be determined and coordinated by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, with suggestions welcome throughout the year. Although WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB would love members to attend all work weekends, it understands that this may not be possible. As such, members are only required to attend one work weekend. Should a member not be available to come to any work weekend, they may forfeit their attendance by paying a $100 Opt-Out fee which WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB will use to help fund/offset the expenses associated with work weekends and/or running the club. Mandatory weekends do not apply to spouses or youths holding secondary memberships, although they are encouraged to participate. For the member's convenience, if a member does not attend at least one work weekend, and does not submit the required payment for opting out within 1 week of the last work weekend, the member relinquishes his/her membership in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB for the remainder of the year.
MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION. It is WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB wish and intention for each member enjoy their membership and become long-term members. Membership in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB is at will, voluntary, and may be terminated by either WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB or the member at any time for any reason. If a member resigns or is terminated for violating the Bylaws, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB retains the right to resell the membership. Once a resignation is communicated, and accepted, it will not be reversed. Members who place themselves in bad standing by not paying monies owed to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, not meeting their membership obligations, and/or violating this Bylaw Agreement or club rules, may be terminated at any time by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, at its sole discretion. Should a member in bad standing be terminated, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB has the right, at its sole discretion, to resell the membership slot of the member in bad standing to a new member joining the club in good standing. Regardless of reason for termination or resignation, with or without cause, membership fees, camp fees, camper fees, and/or any other fees paid for the current membership year or any year are non-refundable. However, any outstanding moneys owed WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB at the time of termination or for other expenses associated with or relating to a member's termination survive the termination and will remain due and owing to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB until paid.
MEMBERSHIP VIOLATIONS. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB takes its bylaws, club rules, the membership agreement, the landowner rules, policies, game laws, state laws and federal law violations very seriously. Alleged or actual violations of any of these will be reviewed and addressed by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB President in its sole discretion and can include suspension and/or termination of membership. Additionally, any member convicted of an intentional violation of the Bylaws or Rules, state or federal game laws, or of a violation of laws regarding use of the land, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' property, or other member's property, shall be expelled from WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB permanently at WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB sole discretion. Dishonesty and misrepresentation to the Club is also considered a violation of the bylaws. The following actions by any WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member can be cause for canceling their membership with WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB and are therefore expressly stressed as forbidden. The following violations can result in immediate termination of membership:

• Fires that are willfully or negligently started or allowed to escape on WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB property by a WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member.
• Intentional violations of any laws, rules or regulations established by county, state or federal agencies.
• Failure of WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB members to have all temporary structures removed from the lease upon request of Garrapata Farms.
• Failure of WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB members to enforce restrictions regarding use of Garrapata Farms roads and land.
• Failure to prevent the use of dogs in the taking of deer on the lease.
• Failure to be a good neighbor. Incidents involving the public or adjoining landowners, depending on severity (solely determined by Garrapata Farms).
• Not leaving a property border and/or neighboring property when you are advised they are trespassing, even if you do not agree with the disputed border. This is an issue to be addressed calmly by Garrapata Farm management, not by you.
• Bringing non-members onto property and/or hunting without first obtaining a Guest Pass
• Moving or taking property found in the woods that does not belong to you, even if you feel it is abandoned. If abandoned, it is the property of Garrapata Farms, not yours.
• Joy riding on 4-wheelers or trucks.
• Stealing or vandalizing
• Carelessly carrying loaded guns or rifles in camp
• Shooting down, across or up a Public Road
• Hunting while intoxicated
• Bringing or using illegal substances while on property
• Not paying monies owed to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB or lying about reading bylaws
• Being purposefully disrespectful to any fellow member of the club in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' sole discretion.
• Failing to read the Bylaws in their entirety and attesting that you have.
• Not signing in/out upon Arrival/Departure (this is for everyone's safety)
• Not reporting your deer, turkey or hog harvest
• Not locking gates behind you when you enter/exit

CLUB GROUND/HUNTING ISSUES AND/OR CONCERNS. Members should direct non-minor club issues and/or concerns to George Garrapata. In the case of emergency and/or urgent matters, always seek the medical or lawful attention you need prior to contacting WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB.
Four-Wheeling or ATV'ing is permitted. During primary hunting season (November January), WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB asks that members respect other member's hunting efforts, and as such, only use ATVs and four-wheelers to get to and from hunting sites and not for recreational use. During non-prime hunting season and/or off season, four-wheeling and ATV'ing is permitted, but members are still asked to respect other member's hunting areas, stands, feeders and food plots (both cultivated and non-cultivated) and stay on the numerous existing paths and roads unless in clear-cut areas or the member is sure there are no stands, cultivated food plots, or crops where they are traveling. Abusive ATV'ing, Motorcycling, and Mud-Bogging are not allowed and abuses should be reported to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB Abusive riding also includes doing donuts, ramp jumping, spinning tires and trick riding. The use of motorized vehicles on Garrapata Farms are allowed but must be used in a manner that does not damage Garrapata Farms roads, fields, crops and property.

• Safety First - ALWAYS!
• No Careless Handling of Weapons in Camp
• Hunters Orange is required during Game Bird Season and encouraged when searching for kills.
• All camp fires are to be free of flame and covered before going to bed and completely extinguished or leaving the camp
• Communicate where you are going to hunt with members
• Do not set up a stand without consulting other members and the landowner.
• Check in when you arrive and sign out when you leave
• Report your harvest on Camp Log and send pictures if possible too
• Respect others and show respect at all times - This is a family club
• Set up campers and trailers at main camping areas.
• Report trespassers and poachers
• Possess a Texas hunting license
• Be friendly, courteous and help others
• Remove all litter, trash, debris and other material from the club when leaving
• Do not burn trash unless it is odor friendly and controlled at all times
• Obey all Texas and Federal game laws
• Close all gates if you open them
• Track and retrieve all wounded game whenever possible

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jpistolero02 said:

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We have primarily had the same group of hunters for 30 years. We have had a couple of people over the years that we had to create rules for. As those people have left, we now just use common sense. My recommendation is to make sure everyone is as compatible as possible. Also, look at the baggage each member brings with them. If you have a member that has 3-4 boys, be prepared for more drama. You hate to be a ***** about bringing family to the lease, but those have been most of our issues over the years. You might also know of a potential member and the people that could possibly come as guests.

1. We had to limit the number of guests a member could bring up at one time. We limit the number of accompanied guests to two per member. Also, guests are not allowed to come up the first two weekends of the season.

2. We also limit the number of "trophy" bucks a member can take to the legal limit which includes their guests. If a member wants a guest to shoot one of their "trophy" bucks that is up to them.

3. Our lease has been pretty desirable over the years and if a spot opens, we now have a bid system. The reason for this is we had a husband and wife on the lease. They decided they wanted to drop one spot and give it to their son. The son was a deadbeat and nobody wanted him. We came up with a system in which an open spot required a bid from all interested parties. The highest bid would be accepted if all hunters agreed upon the person and additional proceeds went back to the camp fund. It makes sense because a new member is coming into a ready made lease.

4. Stand and feeder locations require approval from all members.

5. Our lease has a common house. We have a camp budget that is agreed upon and additional cash calls might be necessary for house improvements, etc. We also pay for the corn for all feeders out of this fund. We all hunt in each others stands, so we all share the feed bill. If you have people that bring travel trailers, you might want to discuss the electric bill, parking, etc.

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I wish we had rules 1-3. The landowner's representative who runs our lease had a rule that only males were allowed on the lease - no wives or daughters. I couldn't bring my wife to fill feeders before the season. My young daughters couldn't sit in the blind with me over Christmas break.

I got that one changed.

But we still have strict "no guest hunter" rules. I'd like to take my FIL once a year to shoot a doe or spike in the late season - he could have a deer from my allotment. After mid-December, there's never anyone out there - only me.

Quote:

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Never level a weapon at another member

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No offense, but if you need this as a written rule, you need to get new members.

You guys should look into buying some of your own property. Not having to hunt under or worry about the need for a set of rules like that is nice. I think you would be surprised at what you could afford compared to what you are paying for a lease.

Have 600 acres in Pearsall that I grew up on. Job moved me to DFW so this is more feasible for every weekend. I can't drag a 7 yo and 3 yo 6 hours each way every weekend. Cheaper and easier to lease.

When city folks come to the country they sometimes bring the HOA with them

If you ever need help with anything on the lease...I'm only 10 mins or so from Wichita Falls.

I grew up in WF. Back in the day we had a "quail lease" - that included dove hunting, a little fishing and over night camping. We didn't shoot deer. Easy access, good numbers of birds, good price - all worked out on a legal pad, cash money, and a hand shake. No problems whatsoever. And then some relatives of the land owner got involved. Several pages of rules and regulations, limit to bird harvest, no fishing and no overnight stay. Plus they tripled the price. That was my first encounter with hunting leases - it made a bad impression.
Good luck.

Hamburger Dan said:

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And then some relatives of the land owner got involved.

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Seen it many times. Usually 3rd or 4th generation landowners that think that any money coming into the ranch is theirs and it just magically happens. OR, someone that married in. Seen several Son-In-Laws that think they are going to inherit the kingdom so they want to establish themselves with what they "know".

I'm likely to lose the spot on my lease once the landowner passes away and her son and daughter take over. They'll either boot us all and sell the place or jack up the price so high that we're pushed off. It's inevitable.

My in-laws lost a lease about 20 minutes from my house several years ago once the landowner's son moved back home from a stint in Colorado. He wanted the land for himself and promptly booted everyone off.

I think most of us will encounter one of these scenarios at some point. Isn't this what usually moves most of us off our leases?

Man, I've been really fortunate to hunt on friend's leases and friend's family land for years. The only rules we'd ever needed were
1. one trophy per year
2. you bought beer last time so these are on me.
3. Don't forget the Oreos.

And then one sister got married to 5hithead....

Are you, by chance, an attorney?

The number one unwritten rule is no lawyers at deer camp

Chazz03 said:

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The number one unwritten rule is no lawyers at deer camp

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With those covenants, I'd be afraid without one.

Im in Wichita Falls. If you need help using up tags, id be happy to oblige

I don't see a problem with the rules. I have a similar set of rules for when I lease my place out. It's better to address all the issues up front rather than get into a pissing match afterwards. Sure, it seems stiff, but keeps everyone in line with what they originally agreed to.

Good lord.

This thread comes up every year, and every year I thank the Lord that I have always had family land to hunt on. And by no means do I mean that as a jab to anyone who hunts a lease.

Don't show up to camp without a sack of potatoes and a case of beer.

Beer for drinking under the stars
Potatoes for the breakfast hash post morning hunt.

Chazz03 said:

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These are the rules I am implementing this year. They are lengthy but I have 3 new members and we are changing things up to more of a club set up similar to the poster above with a community pot of funds for corn, feeders, blinds and such expense. Feel free to critique and or use any you like.

Quote:

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WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB RULES

• Use every precaution to protect wildlife, agricultural products and Garrapata Farms property from poaching, theft, fire, trash dumping, or other damage.
• Protect Garrapata Farms roads during and to prohibit their abuse and limit traffic during wet weather as much as possible.
• Comply, and require compliance by each member and all persons/guests to whom recreational privileges shall be extended with all laws, rules and regulations existing or hereafter enacted by any county, state or federal authority including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, and game laws.
• Stay in compliance with the landowners policies at all time.
• Stay in compliance with WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member contract, club rules, and all game, state and federal laws.
• Not encroach on another member's stand or hunting area while occupied and/or act disrespectfully or in a threatening manner, (words, gestures, and/or touching) to members or neighbors, or display a disregard for the hunting effort, respect, safety and welfare of other members and/or guests, club grounds and club neighbors.
• Not cause harm to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, including but not limited to verbal harm, physical harm, or financial harm.
• Loaded weapons should be limited in camp. Never level a weapon at another member, and never hunt or shoot while intoxicated. Members will police each other and accept if other members think you should not hunt.
• Never hunt discharge a firearm across any public road, hunt or shoot within 50 yards of a dwelling, or shoot into an adjacent property. Never shoot at any non-target structures i.e. old equipment, buildings, tanks etc.
• Maintain a "No Hunting" or shooting zone within 50 yards of any occupied building and around all other designated areas.
• Respect and protect ALL property regardless of whether it is another member's property or not, or on WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB grounds or not.
• Make every possible effort to protect club grounds and the landowner's property from fire, theft, and all forms of damage.
• Report all violations, incidents and (possible or actual) trespassers to the authorities and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB immediately.
• Act as good neighbors to all local citizens.

CAMP FIRES. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB adheres to all burn bans. Additionally, any campfire that is built must be entirely contained before it may be left alone. Campfires should never be left unattended uncovered and flames must be out before leaving the camp-fire site or retiring for the night. This is for everyone's safety. Fires should be completely extinguished before leaving camp empty with no plans of return.
TRASH: All campsites, grounds, trailers, camp shelters, tents, etc., must be kept free from trash and other refuse. Trash may not be buried on Garrapata Farms property, but instead must be removed from the site and disposed of properly. If you bring it intake it out! Leave it the way you find it, or better.
YOUTH AND EXTENDED DOE/SPIKE SEASON: Youth are encouraged to make use of the early and late youth-only hunting seasons for the area. Members are encouraged to bring guests during the Special Late Antlerless and Spike Season.
HUNTERS ORANGE: Hunter Orange is enforced during Game Bird season and encouraged during Firearm Deer Season on all WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB Property. Hunter's Orange must include a hat and an outer garment worn above the waistline that total at least 400 square inches, pursuant to landowner's requirements. This should be an amount sufficient in style and amount for another hunter to reasonably identify them as a person and not game. THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE!
PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING HUNTING LOCATIONS
Although ultimate responsibility for stand placement and safety lies exclusively with each member, in an effort to promote safety and assist members, Garrapata Farm's land owners and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' members should be asked to review and/or confirm stand placement and offer their opinions and recommended changes based on what they see at the time of their review. Members understand that this check is not a guarantee of safety and that Garrapata Farms and WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB makes no representations or warranties indicating same or otherwise. Should a stand be moved at any time for any reason after a stand's placement was reviewed, the member must contact the land owner/manager to advise of such change.
All hunting locations will be considered open spaces. Members are expected sign in when arriving at camp and to discuss hunting locations each hunt among themselves and notify others of their locations on a blind notification board posted at camp.
REQUIRMENTS AND LIMITATIONS ON HUNTING: Each hunter may kill only one trophy buck every three years unless all other members have killed a trophy buck within that time frame and each hunter must kill one doe before killing a buck. Feral Hogs are to be shot on sight. Rabbit hunting is highly encouraged.
Goal is to shoot spike yearling to 1 1/2 year olds, Mature small rack 5 year olds, producing "trophy bucks" what have at least one or more of the following: greater than 13'' spread, 8 or more points, and are 3 year old or older. When selections of 3 to 5 year old bucks for culling need to be made decisions should be as a group. Criteria for this would be low body weight, lack of brow tines, and basal circumference. We want avoid shooting young large body yearlings to 2 year olds with 2 to 8 points.
REPORT OF HARVEST: The landowner may require the members to provide information about ALL animals killed. This should include species, number, photographs and measurements. A harvest log will be maintained at camp.
LANDOWNER'S RIGHT TO HUNT: The landowner and his family have permission to hunt on the property during the season.

DEER STANDS AND FEEDERS: WEST TEXAS HUNTING CLUB with member's dues will be responsible for the purchase and upkeep of all stands, corn and protein feeders and batteries and timers. Priority lists will be made yearly and items purchase or replaced based on funds available.
LAND DEVELOPMENT: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB encourages its members to prepare hunting areas as they see fit, including but not limited to cultivating and/or planting food plots, creating shooting lanes and areas for stands, feeders and cameras, etc
FOOD PLOTS: Food plot establishment is strongly encouraged, should be limited to natural openings or other areas devoid of agricultural planting areas, and should be established in a manner that minimizes soil disturbance (over seeding or drilling seed or fertilizing natural vegetation) on areas likely to erode. Habitat manipulation (i.e. supplemental food plots, mineral stations, bush-hogging, etc.) is allowed but at a member's expense. Please do not damage water diversion devices on roads when constructing food plots. Cultivated food plots are food plots where the surface of the ground has been broken with a tiller or blade and the area is cleared of weeds, is seeded, fenced and maintained in the interest of attracting wild game. Brush hogging and over seeding are not considered cultivated food plots.
PERSONAL INVESTMENTS: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB does not reimburse members for monies spent and/or investments they make, past, present or future, to enhance or improve camp grounds and/or a member's hunting or recreational experience. Members understand and agree that if they invest money or time for the purpose of changing or improving WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' camp grounds for conveniences or improved recreational experiences, including but not limited to the installation of utilities, that they do it of their own free will but only upon prior written approval from the landowner/manager of Garrapata Farms, and that they further do it at their own risk of loss. By receiving permission from Garrapata Farms to proceed with any particular member driven project, Garrapata Farms is not accepting responsibility for expenses associated with or liabilities created by that change, improvement or project. Investing in or implementing an improvement does not guarantee a member special status and if that member leaves WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, the change and/or improvement is donated to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB if of a permanent nature, such as a utility poles, wells, meters, gates, etc.. Improvements initiated by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB are the only improvements that will be funded by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, unless otherwise requested at the time of announcement.
NON-FAMILY GUEST POLICY/LIMITED SPONSORED MEMBERSHIPS: WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB recognizes that members wish to share their club experience with friends by inviting them to enjoy our hunt. As such, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB has created a non-family guest membership that allows a member to sponsor a person as a guest to experience WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB for themselves without paying a full membership. Sponsored memberships cost $60 for 3 days of hunting. Sponsored members/guests must obey and follow the same bylaws, rules and guidelines set forth by the CLUB
Procedures for acquiring a sponsored membership: Guest must fill out the membership application but identify as GUEST, sign/submit the rules, and pay in advance. Guests must be accompanied by the sponsoring member while on property and may only hunt off of approved stand(s). Guests may only harvest spiked bucks, and does, fowl or feral wildlife. Guests may not visit or hunt during opening deer weekend (Saturday - Sunday), Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday Sunday) or Christmas of any given year. Guests who come to visit but not hunt do NOT have to pay the sponsored member fee.
Additionally, they must STILL fill out the membership application (and check non-hunting guest), sign the bylaws agreement and carry their new pass at all times. Guests taken on property by members without a guest pass are considered trespassers. NO GUEST PASSES, HUNTING OR OTHERWISE, WILL BE ISSUED FOR OPENING WEEKEND OF DEER SEASON, THANKSGIVING WEEKEND OR CHISTMAS.
ANNUAL WORK WEEKENDS. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB will hold mandatory work weekends during the year for primary members. Actual dates and sign-ups will be announced. The purpose of these work weekends are for members to come together and help make improvements to camp grounds as well as to get to know one another. Activities will be determined and coordinated by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, with suggestions welcome throughout the year. Although WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB would love members to attend all work weekends, it understands that this may not be possible. As such, members are only required to attend one work weekend. Should a member not be available to come to any work weekend, they may forfeit their attendance by paying a $100 Opt-Out fee which WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB will use to help fund/offset the expenses associated with work weekends and/or running the club. Mandatory weekends do not apply to spouses or youths holding secondary memberships, although they are encouraged to participate. For the member's convenience, if a member does not attend at least one work weekend, and does not submit the required payment for opting out within 1 week of the last work weekend, the member relinquishes his/her membership in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB for the remainder of the year.
MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION. It is WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB wish and intention for each member enjoy their membership and become long-term members. Membership in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB is at will, voluntary, and may be terminated by either WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB or the member at any time for any reason. If a member resigns or is terminated for violating the Bylaws, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB retains the right to resell the membership. Once a resignation is communicated, and accepted, it will not be reversed. Members who place themselves in bad standing by not paying monies owed to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, not meeting their membership obligations, and/or violating this Bylaw Agreement or club rules, may be terminated at any time by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB, at its sole discretion. Should a member in bad standing be terminated, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB has the right, at its sole discretion, to resell the membership slot of the member in bad standing to a new member joining the club in good standing. Regardless of reason for termination or resignation, with or without cause, membership fees, camp fees, camper fees, and/or any other fees paid for the current membership year or any year are non-refundable. However, any outstanding moneys owed WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB at the time of termination or for other expenses associated with or relating to a member's termination survive the termination and will remain due and owing to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB until paid.
MEMBERSHIP VIOLATIONS. WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB takes its bylaws, club rules, the membership agreement, the landowner rules, policies, game laws, state laws and federal law violations very seriously. Alleged or actual violations of any of these will be reviewed and addressed by WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB President in its sole discretion and can include suspension and/or termination of membership. Additionally, any member convicted of an intentional violation of the Bylaws or Rules, state or federal game laws, or of a violation of laws regarding use of the land, WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' property, or other member's property, shall be expelled from WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB permanently at WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB sole discretion. Dishonesty and misrepresentation to the Club is also considered a violation of the bylaws. The following actions by any WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member can be cause for canceling their membership with WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB and are therefore expressly stressed as forbidden. The following violations can result in immediate termination of membership:

• Fires that are willfully or negligently started or allowed to escape on WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB property by a WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB member.
• Intentional violations of any laws, rules or regulations established by county, state or federal agencies.
• Failure of WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB members to have all temporary structures removed from the lease upon request of Garrapata Farms.
• Failure of WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB members to enforce restrictions regarding use of Garrapata Farms roads and land.
• Failure to prevent the use of dogs in the taking of deer on the lease.
• Failure to be a good neighbor. Incidents involving the public or adjoining landowners, depending on severity (solely determined by Garrapata Farms).
• Not leaving a property border and/or neighboring property when you are advised they are trespassing, even if you do not agree with the disputed border. This is an issue to be addressed calmly by Garrapata Farm management, not by you.
• Bringing non-members onto property and/or hunting without first obtaining a Guest Pass
• Moving or taking property found in the woods that does not belong to you, even if you feel it is abandoned. If abandoned, it is the property of Garrapata Farms, not yours.
• Joy riding on 4-wheelers or trucks.
• Stealing or vandalizing
• Carelessly carrying loaded guns or rifles in camp
• Shooting down, across or up a Public Road
• Hunting while intoxicated
• Bringing or using illegal substances while on property
• Not paying monies owed to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB or lying about reading bylaws
• Being purposefully disrespectful to any fellow member of the club in WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB' sole discretion.
• Failing to read the Bylaws in their entirety and attesting that you have.
• Not signing in/out upon Arrival/Departure (this is for everyone's safety)
• Not reporting your deer, turkey or hog harvest
• Not locking gates behind you when you enter/exit

CLUB GROUND/HUNTING ISSUES AND/OR CONCERNS. Members should direct non-minor club issues and/or concerns to George Garrapata. In the case of emergency and/or urgent matters, always seek the medical or lawful attention you need prior to contacting WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB.
Four-Wheeling or ATV'ing is permitted. During primary hunting season (November January), WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB asks that members respect other member's hunting efforts, and as such, only use ATVs and four-wheelers to get to and from hunting sites and not for recreational use. During non-prime hunting season and/or off season, four-wheeling and ATV'ing is permitted, but members are still asked to respect other member's hunting areas, stands, feeders and food plots (both cultivated and non-cultivated) and stay on the numerous existing paths and roads unless in clear-cut areas or the member is sure there are no stands, cultivated food plots, or crops where they are traveling. Abusive ATV'ing, Motorcycling, and Mud-Bogging are not allowed and abuses should be reported to WEST TEXAS HILTON HUNTING CLUB Abusive riding also includes doing donuts, ramp jumping, spinning tires and trick riding. The use of motorized vehicles on Garrapata Farms are allowed but must be used in a manner that does not damage Garrapata Farms roads, fields, crops and property.

• Safety First - ALWAYS!
• No Careless Handling of Weapons in Camp
• Hunters Orange is required during Game Bird Season and encouraged when searching for kills.
• All camp fires are to be free of flame and covered before going to bed and completely extinguished or leaving the camp
• Communicate where you are going to hunt with members
• Do not set up a stand without consulting other members and the landowner.
• Check in when you arrive and sign out when you leave
• Report your harvest on Camp Log and send pictures if possible too
• Respect others and show respect at all times - This is a family club
• Set up campers and trailers at main camping areas.
• Report trespassers and poachers
• Possess a Texas hunting license
• Be friendly, courteous and help others
• Remove all litter, trash, debris and other material from the club when leaving
• Do not burn trash unless it is odor friendly and controlled at all times
• Obey all Texas and Federal game laws
• Close all gates if you open them
• Track and retrieve all wounded game whenever possible

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This is pretty extensive, and probably necessary. I've been on leases before with folks who didn't know each other all that well. There always ends up being that one person who wants to push the limits and screw things up for everybody else. I won't do a lease anymore without a solid, written lease agreement between both the landowners and the parties.

A hunting lease agreement that long isn't what's wrong with America, but it's damn sure a symptom. So many people can't wait to "lawyer up" that it causes everyone to be scared of their own shadow.

Damn. And all that for a place to go have fun. Probably just me, but if I had to go to that much trouble to protect myself against my "hunting buddies", I think I'd just stay home.

Full disclosure: I don't have a lease, but I do have two trips a year. A fishing trip on the Pedernales and a dove hunt near Mountain Home with basically the same group of guys. Thank goodness we're all friends and don't need a three page document to guide us.

doubleag91 said:

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A hunting lease agreement that long isn't what's wrong with America, but it's damn sure a symptom. So many people can't wait to "lawyer up" that it causes everyone to be scared of their own shadow.

Damn. And all that for a place to go have fun. Probably just me, but if I had to go to that much trouble to protect myself against my "hunting buddies", I think I'd just stay home.

Full disclosure: I don't have a lease, but I do have two trips a year. A fishing trip on the Pedernales and a dove hunt near Mountain Home with basically the same group of guys. Thank goodness we're all friends and don't need a three page document to guide us.

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I disagree. I don't think it's the desire to "lawyer up," it's that a man's "word" doesn't mean **** anymore. There's always some ******* that thinks the rules don't apply to him, or wants that little something extra for nothing.

Tomato, tomatoe. Different sides of the same coin, IMO.

If I need a long, drawn up contract to do business with somebody, then I'm not interested. You can either trust somebody or you can't. If I can trust somebody, I don't need a contract. I certainly don't want to share a hunting camp with someone I don't trust. But, I'm a simple man.

DrEvazanPhD said:

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doubleag91 said:

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A hunting lease agreement that long isn't what's wrong with America, but it's damn sure a symptom. So many people can't wait to "lawyer up" that it causes everyone to be scared of their own shadow.

Damn. And all that for a place to go have fun. Probably just me, but if I had to go to that much trouble to protect myself against my "hunting buddies", I think I'd just stay home.

Full disclosure: I don't have a lease, but I do have two trips a year. A fishing trip on the Pedernales and a dove hunt near Mountain Home with basically the same group of guys. Thank goodness we're all friends and don't need a three page document to guide us.

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I disagree. I don't think it's the desire to "lawyer up," it's that a man's "word" doesn't mean **** anymore. There's always some ******* that thinks the rules don't apply to him, or wants that little something extra for nothing.

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That guy is always going to exist and a contract won't change that fact. Granted, it does give instructions on how to remedy the situation.

doubleag91 said:

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DrEvazanPhD said:

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doubleag91 said:

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A hunting lease agreement that long isn't what's wrong with America, but it's damn sure a symptom. So many people can't wait to "lawyer up" that it causes everyone to be scared of their own shadow.

Damn. And all that for a place to go have fun. Probably just me, but if I had to go to that much trouble to protect myself against my "hunting buddies", I think I'd just stay home.

Full disclosure: I don't have a lease, but I do have two trips a year. A fishing trip on the Pedernales and a dove hunt near Mountain Home with basically the same group of guys. Thank goodness we're all friends and don't need a three page document to guide us.

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I disagree. I don't think it's the desire to "lawyer up," it's that a man's "word" doesn't mean **** anymore. There's always some ******* that thinks the rules don't apply to him, or wants that little something extra for nothing.

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That guy is always going to exist and a contract won't change that fact. Granted, it does give instructions on how to remedy the situation.

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I have been hunting this place since high school. 2 of the other guys have have been there with me for at least 15 years. We have not had any written rules until now. Couple of things happened the last couple of years that brought up the need to make things understood by all including me. An accountability list of sorts. We have gotten rid of the ones that really screwed up last year. Also I think being on a place as long as we have there is a tendency to get comfortable or lax in conduct. Especially with these life long friends the land owner and myself we are establishing the understanding so if something does occur it hopefully gives us a good way to have recourse without "lawyering up".

Archery only.
No booze.
No feeders.
No stands.

shaynew1 said:

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Archery only.
No booze.
No feeders.
No stands.

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No fun

Chazz03 said:

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doubleag91 said:

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DrEvazanPhD said:

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doubleag91 said:

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A hunting lease agreement that long isn't what's wrong with America, but it's damn sure a symptom. So many people can't wait to "lawyer up" that it causes everyone to be scared of their own shadow.

Damn. And all that for a place to go have fun. Probably just me, but if I had to go to that much trouble to protect myself against my "hunting buddies", I think I'd just stay home.

Full disclosure: I don't have a lease, but I do have two trips a year. A fishing trip on the Pedernales and a dove hunt near Mountain Home with basically the same group of guys. Thank goodness we're all friends and don't need a three page document to guide us.

---

I disagree. I don't think it's the desire to "lawyer up," it's that a man's "word" doesn't mean **** anymore. There's always some ******* that thinks the rules don't apply to him, or wants that little something extra for nothing.

---

That guy is always going to exist and a contract won't change that fact. Granted, it does give instructions on how to remedy the situation.

---

I have been hunting this place since high school. 2 of the other guys have have been there with me for at least 15 years. We have not had any written rules until now. Couple of things happened the last couple of years that brought up the need to make things understood by all including me. An accountability list of sorts. We have gotten rid of the ones that really screwed up last year. Also I think being on a place as long as we have there is a tendency to get comfortable or lax in conduct. Especially with these life long friends the land owner and myself we are establishing the understanding so if something does occur it hopefully gives us a good way to have recourse without "lawyering up".

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shaynew1 said:

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Archery only.
No booze.
No feeders.
No stands.

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No booze....REALLY????
Who goes to a deer/hunting camp and doesn't imbibe???? at least just a LTTLE????

Come Out Roll said:

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shaynew1 said:

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Archery only.
No booze.
No feeders.
No stands.

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No booze....REALLY????
Who goes to a deer/hunting camp and doesn't imbibe???? at least just a LTTLE????

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Maybe it was no booze but whiskey