Giles Island

[DeltaDog]

The flood that happened last year that pushed years of mature deer off the island into public domain may have had an impact on the Giles island age structure. It make take a year or two for them to get back to their peak again.

I'm a member of a small club in Mississippi, on the river. The 2011 flood pushed a LOT of deer out of our woods, and killed a few... fall of 2011, the woods were almost barren... 2012 was better, and 2013 was when it seemed like all the deer were back.

Speaking of high priced hunting lands, my brother-in-law is in a club along the river that is right at 7,000 acres, partial high fenced - (there's a fence on the north and the south lines with occasional 10 ft breaks(?), Mississippi River on the west, and main-line levee on the east... Deer can and do cross the levee... for that matter, they can and DO swim the river. I've seen deer in the middle of it...) Anyway, the last membership I heard of selling was for $325K... plus $5K yearly dues. He and some friends offered me a membership in another club on the north side of the above, for $90k... I was going to (and did) use the money to buy a house, so I passed on it... a year later, they were selling memberships for $130k...

The first club is shooting, I believe, 27" main beams this year... Great bucks, but STEEP!!!

 

[Baker]

I'm a member of a small club in Mississippi, on the river. The 2011 flood pushed a LOT of deer out of our woods, and killed a few... fall of 2011, the woods were almost barren... 2012 was better, and 2013 was when it seemed like all the deer were back.

Speaking of high priced hunting lands, my brother-in-law is in a club along the river that is right at 7,000 acres, partial high fenced - (there's a fence on the north and the south lines with occasional 10 ft breaks(?), Mississippi River on the west, and main-line levee on the east... Deer can and do cross the levee... for that matter, they can and DO swim the river. I've seen deer in the middle of it...) Anyway, the last membership I heard of selling was for $325K... plus $5K yearly dues. He and some friends offered me a membership in another club on the north side of the above, for $90k... I was going to (and did) use the money to buy a house, so I passed on it... a year later, they were selling memberships for $130k...

The first club is shooting, I believe, 27" main beams this year... Great bucks, but STEEP!!!

Where? I grew up hunting and fishing property between levee and river in Tensas parish north La. No bargains on that side of the river either

 

[E_308]

I'm a member of a small club in Mississippi, on the river. The 2011 flood pushed a LOT of deer out of our woods, and killed a few... fall of 2011, the woods were almost barren... 2012 was better, and 2013 was when it seemed like all the deer were back.

Speaking of high priced hunting lands, my brother-in-law is in a club along the river that is right at 7,000 acres, partial high fenced - (there's a fence on the north and the south lines with occasional 10 ft breaks(?), Mississippi River on the west, and main-line levee on the east... Deer can and do cross the levee... for that matter, they can and DO swim the river. I've seen deer in the middle of it...) Anyway, the last membership I heard of selling was for $325K... plus $5K yearly dues. He and some friends offered me a membership in another club on the north side of the above, for $90k... I was going to (and did) use the money to buy a house, so I passed on it... a year later, they were selling memberships for $130k...

The first club is shooting, I believe, 27" main beams this year... Great bucks, but STEEP!!!

For that kind of money I better be shooting certified angus beef!

 

[DeltaDog]

For that kind of money I better be shooting certified angus beef!

I know, right? Crazy to me! B-I-L got into first club when his dad died; his dad's membership was willed to him... There's another club upriver from there @ 15 miles that I've heard is even more expensive... But, they have members from all over the country, and have a concrete landing strip that can handle a private jet... I know a few of the members, but have never set foot on the place... I have catfished in the river right in front of the main lodge a few times.

 

[DeltaDog]

Where? I grew up hunting and fishing property between levee and river in Tensas parish north La. No bargains on that side of the river either

My family's place is at Avon, MS. Brother in law's places are north of Greenville, in Bolivar County.

Tensas is down around that NWR isn't it? I think it may be Tensas NWR?

 

[Bullwinkle]

I know, right? Crazy to me! B-I-L got into first club when his dad died; his dad's membership was willed to him... There's another club upriver from there @ 15 miles that I've heard is even more expensive... But, they have members from all over the country, and have a concrete landing strip that can handle a private jet... I know a few of the members, but have never set foot on the place... I have catfished in the river right in front of the main lodge a few times.

I have some friends with equity ownership in deer and duck clubs. Boy these are interesting. Heard stories of members forming little groups and running the camp. Rich guys teaming and getting enough votes to decide what happens in the camp. I remember one day one of them got a $15K assessment because of an upgrade voted through. Pushing guys out then voting to absorb the shares was a killer bill. I'll stick to having a small piece of land with my wife and I on the title.

 

[DeltaDog]

I'll stick to having a small piece of land with my wife and I on the title.

I agree, and when you can, occasionally, why not take a trip to Giles Island, and be treated to something different? It may be steep, but, its no different than a cruise, or a week at the beach, or snow- skiing...

 

[W33kender]

Is there any upside in owning a share of a hunting club? For the life of me, it looks like the potential for headaches and heartburn exceeds any positives.

Leasing seems to build no capital whatsoever as an investment but being able to cut and run if things turn political and shady is an advantage.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Is there any upside in owning a share of a hunting club? For the life of me, it looks like the potential for headaches and heartburn exceeds any positives.

Leasing seems to build no capital whatsoever as an investment but being able to cut and run if things turn political and shady is an advantage.

Some of these clubs appreciated greatly over the years offering a nice investment. There is something to be said about hunting 10,000 acres vs 500 as well

 

[Bullwinkle]

I agree, and when you can, occasionally, why not take a trip to Giles Island, and be treated to something different? It may be steep, but, its no different than a cruise, or a week at the beach, or snow- skiing...

A few years ago I committed to doing at least one guided hunt a year with my wife, kids or friends. It's been a ball. You always have something to look forward to. I try to book the hunt 2-3 years in advance because the dreaming is actually just as fun as the hunt. In Sept I am going bow hunting for moose with 5 buddies. This hunt was booked in '14. 3 years we've been planning this. It's a lot of fun. In '18 I have a WY elk bow hunt booked with some buddies. Working on '19 actually last night. Either Canadian bears, CO elk or steelhead in Alaska - different buddies, different hunts they want. Well come together somehow and book one this summer.