Introducing Predator University

Joel it is no fun. eastern washington is getting tougher and tougher to find land to hunt too. getting to the point were you pay to hunt here to. they did outlaw high fence hunting here. they were worried about the elk getting mad cow. it is frustrating. i understand. Rick
 
Wow Joel, I am a little suprised to see that sort of venom come from a fellow hunter. I would think that most hunters, predator hunters in particular would appreciate the attempt from a qualified individual to share experience and knowledge with others. The fact that there is money involved is not a new idea.

As for this Texan I wish him the best!
 
This is for those who are against Tony's idea...

It is truly saddenning that you can't just wish the man well with his endearvor. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I don't care whether it's due to misunderstanding; hurt feelings; jealousy; or fear that you might not have as many critters to hunt. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
I've never been to Texas. But last I knew, it was a dang big state, with lots of critters. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
As far as going out & having to find places to hunt...I go thru that every year. Every year, I have to touch base with landowners & make sure I can still hunt their ground. It's called common curtesy [sp]. I've never figured up the total acres exactly, but I know it's around 100,000 in 3 counties. Of course, I do have another 700,000 acres of WIHA in 14 counties to hunt.

So, either wish the man "Good Luck", or get off his backside. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Like I said, c54, I don't expect you to fully understand my concerns, especially since you're likely from somewhere with public ground. But I did expect you to pay attention and understand my points. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif It's not the number of critters...They are behind every bush in Texas LOL. And it's not about the man and his "endeavors". It's not even about who has access to where. It's the fact that my kids (or me) may have to pay big money to hunt coyotes, which by the way, obsorbs 95% of my hunting time. I can't afford deer hunting anymore. Yea, I know, I know, cry me a river, right? Call me jealous if you want (although that's not even close). Call me selfish. This is bad for anyone trying to hunt predators in this state and others when landowners see the dollar signs. Inevitable??? Fine. But like I said, again I don't have to like it.
 
I've been trying to figure out the controversy over this whole thing. What I'm attempting to do is a guiding business that is also flavored for the learning aspect. I've joined an existing outfitter, bringing the educational piece, and expanding the operation.

I've seen a ton of speculation, but have stood firm on the "it's none of your business" aspect. But out of my highest respect for Joel and Rusty, I'm here to state that, as of today, not a single dime has been exchanged or even the discussion of it with our ranchers. All know exactly what we are doing, appreciate what we are doing, and are quite happy with a free service. Picking up land has not been any easy task, just like any other calling land. But, hard work is paying off.

I sincerely hope this helps clear up alot of confusion.

Thanks...Tony
 
That is good to hear. I will maintain that this is a bad idea. Maybe not for you and your love for hunting. But for anybody gaining access.

Couldn't help but notice "as of today". I'll try not to read anything in to that.

Later,
Joel
 
Tony did not make the hunting access in Texas what it is he is working with what is there,if so many Texans are so troubled buy the access situation talk to the people that have the control land owners or the state Tony I think is doing what he want's as far as a business,if you wan't what Tony has do what he did get off your butt.
 
I know this area of West Tx, like the back of my hand. Born and raised in that area. I know some not all the Trans-Pecos ranches, as most have been sold within the last 10 years, and are being used for the oil and gas. Just curious Tony, what ranches do you have set up??? I know you went out to the one I guide on. How did the other connections go???
 
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That is good to hear. I will maintain that this is a bad idea. Maybe not for you and your love for hunting. But for anybody gaining access.




I'm curious how this is any more a "bad idea" than what scores of other people are doing?

Securing land to hunt, and then taking paying customers. I have secured access to land here in my part of the state (nowhere near a million acres or even a 100,000) and I have not paid anything for it. I have taken other people (a couple who I met through PM) but I have never charged them a dime.

I don't see leasing hunting rights as being any worse than charging to take someone hunting. They both create a demand for the land.
 
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Most of you don't get it, its not about being jealous, far from it actually.. None of us want a guide service for hunting coyotes or even a school for teaching. We also enjoy hunting coyotes and the last thing we need is more people following this fad, most won't succeed but the damage willbe done. The more clients you have per year the more land you will need to meet the supply and demand, sooner or later toes willbe stepped on and greed will take over. In an area i hunt i have to already deal with some of the problems that arise from it. There are three ranches that require money to hunt, when it used to be come on over and help out. Then add coyote calling contests on top of that and mange and other illnesses. Just takes all the fun out of hunting and does make it harder for a new guy to step in and try his hand at calling...
 
Yellowhammer,
Please be careful with your words. I would appreciate it if you ask me if I guide before you state here on public forum that I do. I do NOT guide. Never made a dime off of predator hunting in any shape or form (besides selling some fur). Never will. I would appreciate it kindly if you will remove reference to me as a guide, because I have tried real hard not to be associated as such. I have good friends that do it, and I have an opinion about that that may not be so popular with them as well. This particular situation somehow got the best of me and I felt the need to post. If you would like to discuss such things, first remove that piece of your post and I may decide to give my opinion.
 
TA17rem- some of the ones who have a problem with what Tony is doing are also making money from guiding.

Contests also increase pressure as you say. Are you calling for an end to contests?

If fur prices were to increase, like we all wish it would, it would also increase the pressure.

Even this forum increases the number of people who are getting into predator hunting and in turn increasing the demand for land to call. Should we do away with the forums too?

Joel- I stand corrected. I spoke out of turn about something I actually didn't know anything about. Sorry.

For the record, I don't have a problem with peope who guide, lease their land out, or have to lease land to hunt. I myself have been on sevearl leases to hunt deer. I just got off of one because I felt the price was too high for what I was getting.
 
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I'm not going to make the sport of calling predators popular...that's going to happen with or without you, me or any of us. It's not the 'redneck sport' that we all grew up loving.

Call me capitalistic, but I want sieze the opportunity to show others the exciting, proficient, and ethical way of calling predators.

Roy, I really don't plan on sharing our ranch names or our approach strategy. You should know that.

Tony
 
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Most of you don't get it, its not about being jealous, far from it actually.. None of us want a guide service for hunting coyotes or even a school for teaching. We also enjoy hunting coyotes and the last thing we need is more people following this fad, most won't succeed but the damage willbe done. The more clients you have per year the more land you will need to meet the supply and demand, sooner or later toes willbe stepped on and greed will take over.



I just realized that you guys are right, we should discourage anything that promotes predator calling, you certainly don't want any competition for those highly sought after hunting rights. In fact following that logic Predator Masters is a really bad idea, I'm sure that it brings way too many new people to the sport every year.

During my time here I have tried to avoid controversy and any bickering that I have seen. There is always plenty of it especially during this time of the year, but come on guys use some common sense. If you are that dead set against new guys hunting coming into the sport then join PETA and fight along the sides of similarly confused individuals. For the couple of you who seem to be downright concerned with competition for hunting ground either establish yourself as the best option or pony up and buy your own ground to hunt. As previously pointed out Texas is primarily privately owned, it is ultimately the property owners decision and right what they do with the hunting rights on their property. If you think you are pulling the wool over their eyes that there is no value in predator hunting you are sorely mistaken. Most of the owners who allow predator hunting on their property do so for a specific reason due to a need for predator control, paid hunters don’t typically produce the results they are looking for.

Above all don’t crap on a guys desire to earn a living hunting, especially if you are involved in a family operation selling canned hunts” on high fence property…
 
Yellowhammer; Not calling for a end to contests, just wish they where held farther away from where i hunt...
The forums have alot of good info and yes new callers pop-up every year, but alot also give up and quit...
I've learned to deal with the pressure by haveing more callers in the field its the haveing to pay to hunt part i don't like...Hopefully the gas prices will thin the herd abit this year...
 
Sounds like some of these boys that are haten on Tony need to take his class. One of the topics he is going to cover is how to gain premission to land and I really dont think he is going to advise you to pull out the check book either.
 
crosshog79: "Most of the owners who allow predator hunting on their property do so for a specific reason due to a need for predator control, paid hunters don’t typically produce the results they are looking for."

Thank you for pointing out one of the more popular arguments against a situation such as this.

As anything, from killing summer coyotes, to skinning what you kill, to this or that. It is all a matter of where a person stands. One can argue we are guilty by buying a predator hunting video. Or posting a picture of success on the internet. Others are against contest hunting. Others against taking out paying customers. Others are against video-makers. Others are against a university for teaching predator hunting. I happen to be amongst the less liberal viewpoints.
 
TA17rem,

You say on one hand that you're not jealous and that your attitude is not about greed but then you say that others hunting and using YOUR hunting areas takes all the fun out of it... I'm confused, or maybe you are, do you honestly think you are the only one that should be hunting coyotes in Texas? Do you really believe that others won't do this if Tony doesn't?
I see this as a good thing because Tony IS one of us! If you have a concern, address it to Tony in a PM... I know he will give you an honest answer from his point of view.

I live in Central Illinois, I have approximately 300acres of private land to hunt... do I whine and cry about someone hunting in Texas on their millions of acres? NO! Do I shoot coyotes here... yes! Best year was 13 from that same 300acres. Not sure how old you are but I shot my first coyote back in the 70's. Even so, I've learned lots from Tony and from many others on this board. Educating hunters is a good thing... look at it as political clout!

More power to you Tony! You give way more to this sport than you will ever take from it! I wish you the best! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Nikonut /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
About 60% of the land i hunt is private and open to anyone that asks to hunt it, been shareing with others for years..
Yes there are getting to be to many callers out there and i don't have to like it....
 


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