I am in total agreement with BOM. Within the small confines of the OB on TexAgs, hunting behind a fence is mocked by a few, but I don't agree. I guide as a hobby and have been doing so the past 15 years. All on high fence ranches. The ranches stay booked a couple of years in advance and there is always a waiting list. All of these guys are busy executives that do not have the time to lease, scout for deer, fill feeders and check game cameras. They can carve out 3 or 4 days and get away from the grind of the business world. They happily pay to come out and relax, which is effectively what all of us do. We are not hunting deer to feed our families. We may eat the meat, but it is a heck of a lot cheaper to buy it at the grocery store.
Where I guide, there is not any net income realized. The prices paid generally cover the operating expenses of the ranch on a good year, and subsidize part of the costs on an off year. Some years I will have guys who want a 200+ inch deer and willing to pay $20+ thousand for it, but we just can't find one. They end up paying $500/day for lodging and meals. That is a money loser for the ranch and it happens all the time. I just got back from guiding and two hunters did not see a management deer(+/- 150 inches mature 8-10 point) during their three day stay. They went home happy to have been outdoors for three days away from the office and want to come back again.