A little background. Family ranch that my dad owns. Other members include me & my family (wife and 4 kids) and my sister and her family (BIL and 2 kids) Dad gets first choice on stands which is a no brainer. We have struggled deciding who gets to hunt where after that. Currently we just text where we are going but then end up getting hurt feelings when multiple people want to go to the same place and everyone has a different reason as to why they should be able to hunt there. There are many factors we have encountered and I don't know how to deal with those which is why I'm asking for suggestions. The current suggestion is a google doc where we alternate hunts where families get blind choices 1,3,5,7,9 and 2,4,6,8 etc. Some of the issues we have encountered:
I'm sure there are other factors I'm not mentioning and in reality if this is the least we have to worry about we are in good shape. But, I'm interested in opinions on what y'all do with community stands whether it is family or other lease mates and what factors y'all consider when setting up your procedures.
- What is fair? Should fair be equal as in same number of opportunities just for being in the family? In an ideal world this would be the case but the fact of the matter is 1 family does twice if not more work on the place. I tend to think blind choices should reward those that put in the blood and sweat. This is honestly my biggest rub. I may be selfish but why should somebody that hasn't done any work get to choose a stand before anyone that has been busting their *** for everyone (feeder filling, stand set up, camp work, etc.)
- What happens if somebody sees a shooter but can't get a shot? Should they be able to hunt that blind again? If not, will that lead to people not being truthful about what they see for fear of somebody choosing that stand for the next hunt? Does what you have previously shot factor in?
- Should adults get priority or kids? The work I discussed earlier factors in here as well as money. I'm a big believer in kids progressing their way up with the deer they shoot and none of our kids are at trophy shooting status in my opinion. And to be clear, I keep saying kids but the "kids" range from 13 to 21 so maybe grandkids to put it generational vs age may be more accurate.
- I strive for community stands but others think if they bought the stand they have first right to it. I disagree as we have all spent money and done work.
- How many times have people been? It has been said before that so and so should get to choose first because they have only been to the ranch once this year while others have been every weekend. The people that have been every weekend have done the work and ultimately it is a choice how often you go etc. So I disagree with this but it has been an issue.
I'm sure there are other factors I'm not mentioning and in reality if this is the least we have to worry about we are in good shape. But, I'm interested in opinions on what y'all do with community stands whether it is family or other lease mates and what factors y'all consider when setting up your procedures.
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