So, because I like to shoot lots of deer (due to an overwhelming like of chicken fried backstrap) I am joining a friend and his buddy on a small lease in the Hill Country with tons of deer.

I've always hunted family land, so I'd like to get some etiquette lessons from you seasoned lease veterans.

What are some dos and don'ts regarding being the new guy on the lease?

thanks

Andy

Always bring more than your share of food, and pitch in more than your share of work.

Consult with each other as to how you are going to shoot deer. Are you going to have a management program, etc...

What I did was just sit back and watch the dynamics of others when I joined a lease. It's amazing how much you learn about someone when you just listen. Just be yourself and be respectful of others and you'll be fine.

Try not to shoot too much during the rut.Try and get your freezer meat early. If yall are allowed to hunt each others stands then be sure an respect it and not leave anything behind, especially if you use pee bottles.

Dont go in there shootin the place up.

It sounds like your a meat hunter so shoot does instead of young bucks.

Its not neccesary to shoot a trophy buck every year.

Pick up after yourself.

Do your share of the work.
Do bring your share of the food.
Do not get drunk and make a fool of yourself.
Do bring your share of the feed. (corn, etc.)
Do not kill what you are not suppossed to kill!!
Get a WRITTEN set of rules for the lease and follow them!!
Keep your camp clean.
DO NOT LITTER on the ranch!!
Do not bring any more guests then allowable.
Get to know the ranch owner and see what he expects of you and your fellow hunteers!!
Etc., Etc.,

If you hunt another guys stand and he has been talking about a nice young 10pt he's been seeing, don't go and shoot it. This happened to me more than a few times on my hill country lease.

Yes. There is no "saving" deer per se. However, that's just not right to do that to someone.

DO NOT put an "I Voted For Obama" bumper sticker on any of the other hunters trucks.

Refrain from putting a "Blow up Susie" doll in any of the other hunters stands on opening morning.

If eating menudo gives you gas and you are bunking with others, then don't eat any. It seems most people do not like the thought of breathing something that just left your butt.

I can personally confirm each of these rule of the lease.

BP...

Don't litter. Treat the ranch as if YOU owned it, not like you're "renting" it.

Don't shoot young bucks.

Don't hunt out of someone else's stand without permission.

Don't pull up to the gate early in the morning and have rap music or the rolling stones blasting from the woofers and tweeters.

Don't bring your boss or your co-workers and tell everyone they just came up for the ride and were only going to sit in the same blind with you because you hate hunting alone.

Don't go to the lease corn stash and crank your feeder up to high and feed several sacks along your senderos.

Don't track in mud and leave dirty dishes and silver ware under the bunks and forget them.

Don't use up all the toilet paper in the privey, and not bring any to replace what you used.

Don't shoot that broken tined buck everyone passed up and then say you shot a cull because of the freak rack.

Don't go to the blind after it just cracks daylight or leave your stand and drive past everyone elses just as it's getting to be last light.

Don't set up a target and practice right outside the cabin or camp without telling anyone that your going to fire your rifle.

Don't show up at camp and tell everyone that you had your ice chest of drinks and food ready to load but drove off and forgot it.

Don't gut that hog or deer upwind just on the edge of camp.

Sounds like yall have a funny group of pranksters on your lease.

As a new guy you are in the unique position to really help resolve misunderstandings that often crop up between lease members. By taking interest and asking for specifics from each you can get all ground rules solidified without friction or rekindling past contentions. Finish by recapping the rules for certain understanding of them and ask if it sounds right to all. This puts the entire camp on the same page -something that is a good idea from time to time. No one will be upset with you and your wanting to start off on the right foot will be appreciated. This can garner good will and make for a more unified camp and happier experience.

As the new guy, the best advise is to fly low under the radar on your first year.

Ask lots of questions, but don't question!

Observe but don't criticise!

Remember what's said, and notice what everyone else does, and don't make any recommendations.

Lot's of things go on in camp and you will soon find out who is on solid ground and who is on thin ice.

A little politics go on at the lease, so the new guy being the fresh meat in camp usually gets the leftovers, so just be aware, because that's just the way it is.

Help the others and they should help you.
Bring your share of camp supplies paper plates, toilet paper ect.
Bring enough food and drink that you can share.

Just ask them how things work, meals, supplies ect... every lease is different.

OH MAN YOU'RE NO FUN!
as far as I'm concerned those are things to do... then deny the first two then on the last say oops that slipped.

It was always nice if someone asked to hunt in your stand, even if you weren't there.

Always bring more than enough food and drinks.

Don't shoot anything anyone else would frown upon.

Always help out...especially when it comes to cleaning the cooking area.

Hope this helps.

thanks gents, wisdom gained.

Yup. Been with this group since 1966. Hunting is the excuse to go to the ranch, but the fun we have is the reason we go.

BP...