A while back I posted that there were opening on the hunt club that I joined. Well I just found out that the guy didn't pay the landowners and completely ripped all of us off. DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO DEREK STRATTON OR THE AMERICAN FISH AND GAME CLUB!!!! There is a fishing division that is owned by a different person that might still be legit but NOT the hunting side that's run by Derek Stratton. BE WARNED!!!!!

I apologize to anyone that I referred to Derek Stratton and the club as I didn't know I was going to be ripped off at the time. This sucks!

Thanks for the warning!! I heard about this guy. Did you pay with a credit card?

Where did you hear about him from? Yes I did...

Where were you supposed to hunt out of?

Call your credit card co immediately explain the situation see if you can dispute the charge.

dr730, I was going to suggest you do what Rustler said.

Olney area

Yeah I'm on the phone with them now.

Man good luck! Sure hate to hear that. Checked into it and this guy is not related to any of the Stratton's I know.

No luck. The bank can't do anything because the purchase was processed correctly and was authorized. I've never been ripped off before. I don't like it.

Bird Dog,

Sorry to hear about your issues with The American Fish and Game Club or AFGC. 10 months ago I purchaed the "Fishing Side" of the AFGC and renamed the company Private Water Fishing. We are a professional, well capitalized, hard working organization dedicated to our membership. We have heard some of the same concerns posted on this thread. Please understand that Private Water Fishing is not related to AFGC.

Salex, I'm not sure who Birdog is but I have heard good things about the fishing club. In fact, when I first joined the hunting club it was during the transition period and I talked to brian hughes a few times and he was very responsive and helpful. Wish I could say the same thing about Derek.

It shouldn't matter whether the transaction was processed correctly or not. If you paid for a service/product and you didn't get that service/product, you should be able to get the charges reversed. I have a friend that did just that with that club! If you want the money back, try again,you have a good case.

^^^^ If by credit card, you have an agreement for services that are not applicable anymore so there should be a reversal perform. If by check, that is going to get into theft by check and you will have to take it up with the local police.

call the police either way....theft is theft. if you are stuck with the bill then you need to call the police.

Seemed like a pretty good organization when it was the Great Texas Bass Club.

DR730,

Thank you for the kind words. Things are going great with Private Water Fishing. We have added 7 new lakes this year and increased our membership by 30%. The future looks bright.

I am new to this message board, but not to American Fish and Game. I was a member for 10 years - all the way back to TCHC and Dusty. This club was outstanding when it was under his control and remained great when Brian Hughes was involved (a really stand up guy). It has, however, become a sad situation. I would agree to stay as far away as possible.

Myself and 5 fellow hunters paid our dues in July of this year, but started the remediation process this week with our credit cards and/or banks. We were told by all institutions that we would be refunded our money for non-delivery of services and they would deal with getting thier money back. Whomever told you that you could not get your money back was wrong. You need to call again and make sure they know you did not get what you paid for.

Additionally, we have talked to 3 more land owners this week that have not heard from Derek for 6 months and have never been paid. It is a sad situation, but the bright side is that, as i understnad it, the fishing club can start allowing duck hunting in 2011 and will be looking for memebers. My fingers are crossed.

I was one of the new guys that got scammed too! Started the process with American Express today....I actually spend about 4-5 hours with the guy last month scouting the new property out of Combine. I just can't beleive Derek pulled this crap.

Can we get our own group together under an LLP and aproach the land owner to lease directly to us? I am on board with this if anyone else is.

I might be interested in that. PM me

I was referred to these guys. I'm sure glad I read this first.

I'm really looking for a season lease in the Kaufman county area. Ya'll keep me in mind. I'm locked and loaded with my portion of $$$ and work on the property.

My first post by the way. :-)

I just went through the credit card reversal process. This really sucks. I'm also thinking about filing a claim with the Dallas Better Business Bureau.

Were you successful? I am trying to get Chase to approve this dispute claim but I haven't had any success yet.

I have met Steve and he runs a great organization. In no way is he in business with that crook.

I don't understand why you are having trouble, especially with Chase. It should be very simple, just tell them that AFGC charged your card and you didn't get what you paid for. There are lots of others that have done this with no trouble at all. I am wondering now, since so many people have had a problem with this guy, and there have been so many chargebacks, wouldn't there be some red flage going up amoungst the credit card companies?
But good luck and keep trying.
Keep us posted, dr730