Hunting camp Fees...what does your camp charge?

[LeakyBoots]

Camps are complicated, it is like having room mates, if you have good ones you are in good shape, bad ones ruin a hunt.

Yup. My group spent an entire weekend arguing about who paid for this, who paid for that, I deserve this, I deserve that and so on and so on. I put my head in my hands and basically had to leave. I just don;t see it being that complicated, but some people just can't see it that way....

Anyone need a guy in their camp - Im looking for next year??

[LeakyBoots]

Everyone contributes food, brings their own booze and pulls their weight throughout the week. Everyone has also put in their share of sweat equity in terms of off season work and donated materials.

Wouldn't that be nice!

[mbmellis]

I own the camp - so my rules. Simple rules. Be safe, friendly and courteous to all, or "don't be a dick". Need to be clear on safety - things like no booze in the bush and no loaded guns in camp and all guns away before the bar opens. I collect $100 a head per year for gas and propane which I keep stocked, and require a spring and fall work weekend. Bring your own food and drink. We split the butchering costs. Good group of guys so they all contribute more. Most every bottle brought up ends up in camp bar inventory. Jerry cans of gas brought for ATVs are always emptied before leaving, whether into generator or a camp can. People install and donate tree stands, which they have first claim on opening days. No one owns a specific bunk - first come first claim so everyone comes early. Work on building the right group of guys and everything can be worked out. Tell new people up front that there may not be space next year because others might come back, so you have a polite reason to tell them they can not come back.

[tracker]

Yup. My group spent an entire weekend arguing about who paid for this, who paid for that, I deserve this, I deserve that and so on and so on. I put my head in my hands and basically had to leave. I just don;t see it being that complicated, but some people just can't see it that way....

Anyone need a guy in their camp - Im looking for next year??

I hear you and know your pain. We have the same in our camp. We have the doers and slugs and when the doing stops mother nature takes back the camp. If you start a camp you better have everything in writing and I mean everything. I would never do it again.

[mbmellis]

Setting expectations up front is important, and written rules are good. But if you need to have a written contract with someone to do their share then just don't have them back. If it is an equal membership club, then more need for written rules and an "annual meeting" where they are approved. Elect a president for a year - who is exempt fees - since it is a ton of work. If it is a big enough group do it right - Incorporate. Have corporate bylaws, sell shares to members and have a provision to force them to sell back if they are kicked out. Have a 3 person executive, President, Camp Boss, and Secretary/Treasurer who have authority to do everything.

[Camp Red Maple]

I own my camp and so to be fair to myself I should recoup some money. So for example if the camp kit and caboodle is worth 200,000 and in the bank at even at 2% interest I would earn 4,000 dollars plus property taxes were now at 5,000. That is the simple math but there is definitely more expenses...generator breaks down, sharpening chain saws, gas, propane, lawn mowers, tires for the tractor and so on and on it goes. If 2 guys stayed in a motel it would be $100 or $50 each and then they need a place to hunt.

I charge $30 dollars for a day of hunting during the gun hunts and you bring your own breakfast /lunch foods which can and does get pot lucked or leftovers. You and a partner are responsible for one dinner (and it better be good not last years venison) including clean up.
If you want to bow hunt or come up for the weekend it is usually granted based on your off season contribution which includes 2 work weekends. If that does not seem like a pretty good deal all I have to say is don't let the gate hit you on the arse on your way out. Red

[terrym]

I do the groceries and buy breakfasts and lunches and we split that bill. Every hunter is responsible to supply, cook and clean up for one dinner for the camp. That way everybody is up at bat one night from appetizers to main course, dessert and the wine. People supply their own alcohol and snacks. Camp chores like cabin maintenence and trail maintenance is shared by all of us. We haven't killed does for a few years and are still holding out due to dropping populations but when we do start again the rules are if you don't apply for a doe tag then you can't party hunt somebidy else's. Too lazy or disorganized to apply then you are buck hunting only. All meat is shared. Gasoline for the generator and propane for the stove & BBQ is also split evenly. We take turns towing in the knucklehead with the Arctic Cat ATV too.........

[Gilroy]

Well lads you can charge all you want to use your camps BUT the moment money changes hand up goes the LIABILITY.

Probably not much good me explaining what might happen if a paying guest falls out of a tree stand and breaks his spine.

Talk with a good lawyer friend and find out what you and your estate might be in for,then call your insurance company and get a quote on commercial insurance for a hunt camp and after that decide how much you need to charge.Or you could simply hope for the best.

[x_xeon_x]

Well lads you can charge all you want to use your camps BUT the moment money changes hand up goes the LIABILITY.

Probably not much good me explaining what might happen if a paying guest falls out of a tree stand and breaks his spine.

Talk with a good lawyer friend and find out what you and your estate might be in for,then call your insurance company and get a quote on commercial insurance for a hunt camp and after that decide how much you need to charge.Or you could simply hope for the best.

Ain't that the truth. Especially now since a lot of camps aren't all family run anymore and are being filled with random people off the street.

[Camp Red Maple]

Ain't that the truth. Especially now since a lot of camps aren't all family run anymore and are being filled with random people off the street.

Family and friends will sue you just as easy as a stranger.