Hunting Lease Survey and Poll

[General Forestry]

I have become curious over the past couple of weeks on leased property for hunting purposes. Here in Pennsylvania, it is not a popular topic (especially with the PGC). I have noticed that there are a lot of states in the south in which their land owners participate in leased hunting properties. This is just a research survey for myself, and hopefully I will be able to use it in the future. The research is going in towards trying to find the best alternatives to controlling deer populations in Pennsylvania, while maintaining timber quality and controlling the browse-line. Leased hunting properties is the key focus on the research I am doing. Please answer the survey, and then answer the following questions to the best of your knowledge:

1) What state(s) do you currently hunt in on leased property?

2) Would you say the deer populations in the area you hunt in are under control or out of control (information such as number of deer taken on avg. of each game cam pic./# bagged each year/avg. # seen spotlighting/etc.)?

3) What species of trees and vegetation reside in the area you hunt in (ex: northern hardwoods, coniferous forest, mixed hardwoods, brush, wetlands, misc.)

4) Is there hard evidence of a browse-line on the leased property you hunt on?

5) Do the landowners who own the property seem pleased with the results of leasing their property?

6) Is there any significant signs of "lack of regeneration" for the tree species on the property?

7) Do the tree species seem under stress? (Information on tree reproduction would be great: such as # of fruit seen)

8) When was the last time any timber harvesting activities took place on the property? (No need to be precise)

9) Which are you more inclined to hunt on: Private/Leased property, State or Federal lands?

10) Are you overall happy with the results of leasing land in your state(s) for hunting purposes?

Thank you for participating in this survey. The information will be of great use, and your identity will be kept anonymous. Only raw data will be gathered from this survey and poll.

[megsdad05]

1) What state(s) do you currently hunt in on leased property? Virginia

2) Would you say the deer populations in the area you hunt in are under control or out of control (information such as number of deer taken on avg. of each game cam pic./# bagged each year/avg. # seen spotlighting/etc.)? Under Control average 25 pics a day

3) What species of trees and vegetation reside in the area you hunt in (ex: northern hardwoods, coniferous forest, mixed hardwoods, brush, wetlands, misc.) Mixed Hardwoods

4) Is there hard evidence of a browse-line on the leased property you hunt on? No

5) Do the landowners who own the property seem pleased with the results of leasing their property? Yes

6) Is there any significant signs of "lack of regeneration" for the tree species on the property? No

7) Do the tree species seem under stress? (Information on tree reproduction would be great: such as # of fruit seen)
No stress dispite bear breking out an entire limb to eat apples all the fruit trees seem just a little better each year. Last year I dont think they could have held any more.
8) When was the last time any timber harvesting activities took place on the property? (No need to be precise) maybe 25 to 30 years ago in most areas last 5 years in others

9) Which are you more inclined to hunt on: Private/Leased property, State or Federal lands? Prefer Private/leased but I'll hunt anywhere

10) Are you overall happy with the results of leasing land in your state(s) for hunting purposes?
Very Happy