I need some advice....hunting/fishing operation

Huntingnerd33

January 09, 2007 07:48

I am in my second semester at college and I am trying to decide if I am going to change my major or not. I am interested in possibly owning and managing a hunting operation. For example, owning a ranch where I would bring in hunters and guide them for pay.

I am still in the researching stage and wouldn't be able to make a change until next fall, but I want to fully research this before going into it. I would like to run a multi-species operation that would include: mule deer, coyote, pheasant/grouse, and possibly duck and/or geese. I would kind of like to have a small lake/pond that would support mainly walleye, largemouth bass, crappie, perch, and channel catfish. I'm thinking in the 200-500 acre size for the pond.

Where would be a good place to start for researching a career in that field? Any information at all would be appreciated. Thank you.

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  crims40

  January 09, 2007 07:56

  My major in college was Wildlife Management at New Mexico State. Minored in Animal Husbandry.....Never got out of the basics, though. Only got to attend two years. Had to return home because my dad had become ill........My intent was to become a (gasp) Game warden. [:0][:0] Or work with wildlife in some capacity, or go into Forestry.......You might research Wildlife Management.
  crims40

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  buschmaster

  January 09, 2007 08:00

  I don't know! but maybe I can get the ball rolling.
  
  try talking to an 'outfitter', someone that takes tourists and hooks them up with ppl doing what you're talking about. (maybe some of outfitters own their own land too?) he can tell you if they actually make any $$ off it, what he charges tourists, what landowners charge him, if business is good, etc.
  
  canvas around for some farmers. have they thought of doing that at one time? can you take a farm and do that with it? do they think there's a need for such a thing in the area? would there be a problem with game animals running all over the place? do they see that stuff on their land already? does a farmer think it's even possible to grow those animals in that area?
  
  finally, and obviously, find one and ask one. can you do just that, or wold you also have to farm to make ends meet? but they might not want to help you out if you would end up being their competition. or they might not care.
  
  maybe someone with the game & parks dept can give you some info. licensing? fees? taxes? do they know anybody doing that already?
  
  maybe a banker too. what wold it take to get the $$$$$$$$$ to buy that stuff inthe first place. can you get a loan to start such a business, not having any experience at all doing it?
  
  I don't know.

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