Why is it?

A potential new club member tends to lead with " I don't really deer hunt that much, I just want to kill a couple doe's for meat"?

Wouldn't asking what sort of club you run be better? Or what are your management objectives?

“I don’t Turkey hunt”

No way I’m joining a club to kill a couple does for meat. I can buy a lot of pork and beef already wrapped for what a club cost.

Those are mostly tire kickers. I love driving two hours to waste a whole day driving someone around my entire club for them to tell me at the end “well I just don’t need to spend that kinda money on a club.” You knew the price before you showed up. Some people just like to waste other folks time. It’s just what they do.

Yep, he just wanted to do some joy riding and dream on.

There is the other perspective..i showed up to see a club..rode around with the president for an hour..an left with the poket full of money i brought with me… i was told there was one turkey hunter on 6k acres…an id be the only other one….well there about 15 dudes on the only 1200acre block that didnt have pine trees 20 inches apart an so thick you couldnt see 3 foot inem…not to mention…everbody there had their own little spot…privat fields an feeders….after it was he was like…what do you think…i said…i think im goin back to the management area where i come from, an left. I drive 3hrs an took off work for that…i was pretty aggervated to say the least…i did get on some turkeys on new ground that i still hunt because of that trip. Im not much on a club…id be a great member…just not many great clubs

Over the last few years I have talked/spent hours with a LOT of presidents and lessors while looking for that one place that is worth me giving up some of my out of state opportunities for. Willing to pay good money for a place but it has to be worth it in my eyes.

It's definitely not tire kicking for me, but rather a mutual interview to see if we are a good fit for each other. I have ran clubs before and wish that every perspective member would just lay it all out there on the table and be 110% upfront with what their expectations and objectives were. I will be honest. Personally I am extremely picky and looking for that needle in a haystack opportunity. If there is a rule(s) or situation that I know that eventually I will not like down the road, I pass and say no thanks rather than settling to just have a place to go.

Sample questions I usually asks;
What is your management program
How secure is your lease
How many members
Your relationship with your neighbors? What management do they practice?
Lodging situation
Why are there openings
Goals
Rules/regulations
Trailcam and/or harvest pics from recent years

Every lease I've ever heard or inquire about has had this same story. It's pretty funny how consistent these "stories" are.

I know a couple of places that would fit your bill. These places you get asked to join and given the opportunity. Mostly full of doctors and lawyers. I think it’s more about networking than anything. They are large private properties in prime areas. I don’t know what you would be willing to pay but they go for 10k plus a year and I know they currently don’t have any openings at one in particular.

Yep. I had one club president tell me there was only 4 or 5 turkey hunters on 5K acres. Come opening morning, I think the whole club of 30 members was turkey hunting. I was one and done at that place.

If the president ever tells you he is a preacher walk away. 2xs for me and I left those clubs quickly. Both lied about land and members

Hey now! Don't indict all of us because of 2 bad ones.

I gave up one of the clubs I organized because most of the members wouldn't follow the rules. The only way to have joined my current club was to marry one of my daughters, but that chance is gone. Next window will be when my granddaughters are old enough, but that's gonna be a while.

At my old club ,we had a waiting list and new members were on probation the first year and could not vote. If accepted, they became a full member the second year.

That's usally a bald face lie this day in age

I dont like dog hunting-nuff said!