BIG Buffalo County Buck

That is a true trophy

Here is the deer on our trail cam. I’m no expert but what caught my attention is a similar 5X7 or more racks on each. Genetics? Same blood lines?

Again, great deer. Congratulations! And hopefully I’ll be able to show a similar picture after gun season.

Here is the deer on our trail cam. I’m no expert but what caught my attention is a similar 5X7 or more racks on each. Genetics? Same blood lines?

Again, great deer. Congratulations! And hopefully I’ll be able to show a similar picture after gun season.

what I ment was that most of the land in buffalo county is no longer localy owned anymore, I wasn’t bashing anybody, all I was saying was that because of all the talk about buffalo county has sky rocketed the per acre price of land so that the average joe could never be able to afford land in buffalo county, maybe if he wanted to be in debt to the bank until the day he died then yes go for it. I got lucky and the land I hunt has been in the family for years and years and it seems that every year the land around ours changes hands so much that no one knows who land is whos anymore. We find atleast 4 stands on our land every year that don’t even belong to us. All im saying is this whole buffalo county thing has gotten way out of control I wasn’t trying to point fingers at anybody. Im sure that everybody here who owns land in buffalo knows where im coming from. Buffalo county is a wonderful place to hunt with tons of monsters, but its not the only place in wisconsin the harvest these Big Bucks. By the way, that buck is a real beauty

what I ment was that most of the land in buffalo county is no longer localy owned anymore, I wasn’t bashing anybody, all I was saying was that because of all the talk about buffalo county has sky rocketed the per acre price of land so that the average joe could never be able to afford land in buffalo county, maybe if he wanted to be in debt to the bank until the day he died then yes go for it. I got lucky and the land I hunt has been in the family for years and years and it seems that every year the land around ours changes hands so much that no one knows who land is whos anymore. We find atleast 4 stands on our land every year that don’t even belong to us. All im saying is this whole buffalo county thing has gotten way out of control I wasn’t trying to point fingers at anybody. Im sure that everybody here who owns land in buffalo knows where im coming from. Buffalo county is a wonderful place to hunt with tons of monsters, but its not the only place in wisconsin the harvest these Big Bucks. By the way, that buck is a real beauty

Congrats to the hunter above on a truly wonderful Buffalo County buck!

You are correct HookNFinger. Buffalo County is the #1 county as it relates to the most recorded entries into P&Y and B&C with a combined number of entries totaling 309 from 1991 – 2000. Pike County, IL is second with 188 entries. So, if one wanted to have a good chance of harvesting a P&Y or B&C buck – Buffalo County is obviously a very good choice.

http://www.buffalocountyoutfitters.com/qdm/qdm.html

Great post Eric and nice deer on camera! I agree with you 100%! I (like yourself) have hunted the Buffalo County and surrounding area for over 17 years now. Only difference is that I have always lived in MN. I too, have seen the price of land and leases dramatically increase over the years. It’s hard to believe that the price just keeps on going up. And of course a big reason why, is Buffalo County produces so many record sized bucks.

Like so many others on this site, I too truly enjoy and have a passion to chase these magnificent trophy whitetails. Why is it a bad thing if I lease land or am willing to buy land at $5000 per acre to do just that? Why does the price of land have to go down? Because it attracts non-residents like me? Or why should the price of land go down simply because I can’t afford it? Why is it a bad thing that a Buffalo County farmer has the ability to sell his/her land for much higher than what he/she paid for it? Why is it a bad thing that land changes hands to a non-resident?

Over the years in Buffalo County, I’ve seen many changes in regard to farmers selling their land. Most were sold because the farmers went under and/or other family members were not interested in taking over the family farm. That is a sad thing. Or the farmers retired and moved into Durand or Mondovi. I’ve never heard of a farmer selling his land because the price was too high or because there were non-residents next to them.

I understand that change is hard for many locals. It’s not like it used to be when you could “hunt all over the place without permission”.

I currently do not own land in Buffalo County – but have considered it many times. I looked at many parcels but have not yet pulled the trigger. No doubt, it takes a lot of money and commitment and I agree with you fish1catcher – it’s hard for the average Joe. Hindsight, I wish I would of bought some land years ago because it would have been a good return on my investment. However, I’m not going to buy land to sell it. I’m going to buy land to hunt it and I’ll worry about selling it when I’m done hunting it.

Currently, I lease land in Buffalo County. I lease from two different farmers – one for bow and one for firearm. I approached both farmers and offered them money in exchange to hunt whitetails on their property. They accepted because taxes have increased on their land and/or the price of milk is down. Neither one leases out their entire farm to me – only 40-80 acres because they like to hunt too. So I get what I love to do – hunt trophy whitetails and the farmer gets a little relief. Why is that a bad thing?

Here’s the answer… some locals believe leasing land is bad because they can no longer hunt on their neighbor’s land for free and they can’t afford to pay the lease price. Or the price of land is too high for their income level. Maybe it’s the farmer who’s been taken advantage of over the years who never charged any money from the locals in the first place.

Yes – I’ve had a few locals tell me that I’m not welcome. It’s usually from someone who used to hunt on a farmer’s land for free and now can’t because it’s leased or sold by someone who’s posted it. I understand that hurts. I used to be able to do the same thing. I also once leased some land from a farmer who turned around and leased it to an Outfitter for twice as much. I didn’t bash the outfitter or the farmer. I simply understood that the price had changed and it was out of my league. How could I blame the farmer for taking more money than what I was offering? Or the Outfitter who’s trying to make a living out of guiding? Or the client who is willing to pay the outfitter $2000 for a 4 day hunt which was the exact same amount I paid for the entire season? I simply understood that I needed to accept the change as Eric stated above and move on to my next hunting spot.

I was recently having a burger and a beer in Durand, when a local asked me who I was. I explained to him that I was bow hunting in Buffalo County. The conversation led to bashing nonresidents like me who lease up all the land and questions like “why would you pay all that money to hunt a stupid deer?” I simply looked him in the eye and replied “because I can and I’m willing”. He looked a little confused but then realized what I said and stopped bashing. I also said that I didn’t expect him to understand my passion for hunting trophy whitetails.

It’s unfortunate Jarrod that families in your area have been broken up because of what you refer to as “greed of land”. However, it’s greed of money and not the price of land that is breaking up these families. If they truly cared and loved one another, they would find a fair way to divide up all that extra money. I’m sure it would be the same thing if the land was worth half as much. They would most likely divide anyways fighting over the same topic – money.

I know a very wealthy person and he once told me this: “Money makes you more of what you are. If you’re a jerk and you have a lot of money – most likely you are a bigger jerk. And the opposite applies. If you are a giving person and you have a lot of money, you are able to give more to others.”

Over the years, I have met so many good locals in the Durand area and as a result have many close friends. Most of them are farmers and loggers. I ‘m in the computer industry so needless to say we do not have a lot in common in regard to our careers. However, many of us talk daily to each other, sharing stories about our day, our families and of course about chasing big bucks. Over the years I’ve learned how to milk cows, drive tractor, bail hay, shovel manure and everything else a farmer does. I’m now considered a “good cattle man”! Sometimes I do “city slicker mistakes” and get teased. However, they never doubt my willingness to help out, my passion for whitetails or my passion for friendship.

These are my friends and I know if I ever need help – (and yes I have) the local boys were there for me and will be there next time and vice a versa. I once loaned a farmer some money because his beans were not ready for combining, milk was down and he was short a payment on his farm. This was the same farm I was hunting on. I offered him the loan and he reluctantly accepted and paid me back as he promised. My point is that we were once strangers and now we are friends. It takes a lot of effort on both ends and a lot of respect for one another. You should know who your neighbor is regardless of where they live.

Congrats to the hunter above on a truly wonderful Buffalo County buck!

You are correct HookNFinger. Buffalo County is the #1 county as it relates to the most recorded entries into P&Y and B&C with a combined number of entries totaling 309 from 1991 – 2000. Pike County, IL is second with 188 entries. So, if one wanted to have a good chance of harvesting a P&Y or B&C buck – Buffalo County is obviously a very good choice.

http://www.buffalocountyoutfitters.com/qdm/qdm.html

Great post Eric and nice deer on camera! I agree with you 100%! I (like yourself) have hunted the Buffalo County and surrounding area for over 17 years now. Only difference is that I have always lived in MN. I too, have seen the price of land and leases dramatically increase over the years. It’s hard to believe that the price just keeps on going up. And of course a big reason why, is Buffalo County produces so many record sized bucks.

Like so many others on this site, I too truly enjoy and have a passion to chase these magnificent trophy whitetails. Why is it a bad thing if I lease land or am willing to buy land at $5000 per acre to do just that? Why does the price of land have to go down? Because it attracts non-residents like me? Or why should the price of land go down simply because I can’t afford it? Why is it a bad thing that a Buffalo County farmer has the ability to sell his/her land for much higher than what he/she paid for it? Why is it a bad thing that land changes hands to a non-resident?

Over the years in Buffalo County, I’ve seen many changes in regard to farmers selling their land. Most were sold because the farmers went under and/or other family members were not interested in taking over the family farm. That is a sad thing. Or the farmers retired and moved into Durand or Mondovi. I’ve never heard of a farmer selling his land because the price was too high or because there were non-residents next to them.

I understand that change is hard for many locals. It’s not like it used to be when you could “hunt all over the place without permission”.

I currently do not own land in Buffalo County – but have considered it many times. I looked at many parcels but have not yet pulled the trigger. No doubt, it takes a lot of money and commitment and I agree with you fish1catcher – it’s hard for the average Joe. Hindsight, I wish I would of bought some land years ago because it would have been a good return on my investment. However, I’m not going to buy land to sell it. I’m going to buy land to hunt it and I’ll worry about selling it when I’m done hunting it.

Currently, I lease land in Buffalo County. I lease from two different farmers – one for bow and one for firearm. I approached both farmers and offered them money in exchange to hunt whitetails on their property. They accepted because taxes have increased on their land and/or the price of milk is down. Neither one leases out their entire farm to me – only 40-80 acres because they like to hunt too. So I get what I love to do – hunt trophy whitetails and the farmer gets a little relief. Why is that a bad thing?

Here’s the answer… some locals believe leasing land is bad because they can no longer hunt on their neighbor’s land for free and they can’t afford to pay the lease price. Or the price of land is too high for their income level. Maybe it’s the farmer who’s been taken advantage of over the years who never charged any money from the locals in the first place.

Yes – I’ve had a few locals tell me that I’m not welcome. It’s usually from someone who used to hunt on a farmer’s land for free and now can’t because it’s leased or sold by someone who’s posted it. I understand that hurts. I used to be able to do the same thing. I also once leased some land from a farmer who turned around and leased it to an Outfitter for twice as much. I didn’t bash the outfitter or the farmer. I simply understood that the price had changed and it was out of my league. How could I blame the farmer for taking more money than what I was offering? Or the Outfitter who’s trying to make a living out of guiding? Or the client who is willing to pay the outfitter $2000 for a 4 day hunt which was the exact same amount I paid for the entire season? I simply understood that I needed to accept the change as Eric stated above and move on to my next hunting spot.

I was recently having a burger and a beer in Durand, when a local asked me who I was. I explained to him that I was bow hunting in Buffalo County. The conversation led to bashing nonresidents like me who lease up all the land and questions like “why would you pay all that money to hunt a stupid deer?” I simply looked him in the eye and replied “because I can and I’m willing”. He looked a little confused but then realized what I said and stopped bashing. I also said that I didn’t expect him to understand my passion for hunting trophy whitetails.

It’s unfortunate Jarrod that families in your area have been broken up because of what you refer to as “greed of land”. However, it’s greed of money and not the price of land that is breaking up these families. If they truly cared and loved one another, they would find a fair way to divide up all that extra money. I’m sure it would be the same thing if the land was worth half as much. They would most likely divide anyways fighting over the same topic – money.

I know a very wealthy person and he once told me this: “Money makes you more of what you are. If you’re a jerk and you have a lot of money – most likely you are a bigger jerk. And the opposite applies. If you are a giving person and you have a lot of money, you are able to give more to others.”

Over the years, I have met so many good locals in the Durand area and as a result have many close friends. Most of them are farmers and loggers. I ‘m in the computer industry so needless to say we do not have a lot in common in regard to our careers. However, many of us talk daily to each other, sharing stories about our day, our families and of course about chasing big bucks. Over the years I’ve learned how to milk cows, drive tractor, bail hay, shovel manure and everything else a farmer does. I’m now considered a “good cattle man”! Sometimes I do “city slicker mistakes” and get teased. However, they never doubt my willingness to help out, my passion for whitetails or my passion for friendship.

These are my friends and I know if I ever need help – (and yes I have) the local boys were there for me and will be there next time and vice a versa. I once loaned a farmer some money because his beans were not ready for combining, milk was down and he was short a payment on his farm. This was the same farm I was hunting on. I offered him the loan and he reluctantly accepted and paid me back as he promised. My point is that we were once strangers and now we are friends. It takes a lot of effort on both ends and a lot of respect for one another. You should know who your neighbor is regardless of where they live.

Grifter you make some very good points. And I to have taken the plunge this year and leased some land in Buffalo but….I think what brought on the “CWD” comment is that I know a guy (and you know him too) who bout his 240 acre farm 10 years ago (in Buffalo) for $600/acre to farm and provide for his family. And the reputation of Buffalo has brought everybody here throwing money at the farmers to hunt his land. Now it’s basically if you can’t pay you can’t play. Leasing land has changed the wooded land, that years ago the farmers didn’t want, to recreational land and is taxed as such. Now alot of farmers lease their land just to pay for their taxes.

The stereotyping of the Chicagoans and stuff may be out of line a little bit because all of the leasees are not foreigners to this area. But on the other hand, 95% of locals never had to lease land before. Here’s a story for ya that gave me a sour taste of a blue and white license plate…. I was in the Corral one night and one of the non-locals pulled in with a deer to be tagged. When he walked in I just asked him…buck? His reply to me, in a disgruntled voice “no doe it’s a pre requesit ya know!” Apparently the guy must not eat what he shoots, because I’d be like dang is this gonna taste good! It only takes a few bad apples to stereotype the whole bunch. Good luck, the rut is almost here and maybe I’ll get to have a celebration drink with you when you bring in your buck this year!

Grifter you make some very good points. And I to have taken the plunge this year and leased some land in Buffalo but….I think what brought on the “CWD” comment is that I know a guy (and you know him too) who bout his 240 acre farm 10 years ago (in Buffalo) for $600/acre to farm and provide for his family. And the reputation of Buffalo has brought everybody here throwing money at the farmers to hunt his land. Now it’s basically if you can’t pay you can’t play. Leasing land has changed the wooded land, that years ago the farmers didn’t want, to recreational land and is taxed as such. Now alot of farmers lease their land just to pay for their taxes.

The stereotyping of the Chicagoans and stuff may be out of line a little bit because all of the leasees are not foreigners to this area. But on the other hand, 95% of locals never had to lease land before. Here’s a story for ya that gave me a sour taste of a blue and white license plate…. I was in the Corral one night and one of the non-locals pulled in with a deer to be tagged. When he walked in I just asked him…buck? His reply to me, in a disgruntled voice “no doe it’s a pre requesit ya know!” Apparently the guy must not eat what he shoots, because I’d be like dang is this gonna taste good! It only takes a few bad apples to stereotype the whole bunch. Good luck, the rut is almost here and maybe I’ll get to have a celebration drink with you when you bring in your buck this year!

Grifter does make some good points and maybe all three of us can tip one back this year down there and hash this all out.
I understand the sentiment of the locals but its no different than when I return home to ND to hunt waterfowl and all the land is posted. But instead of becoming negative, wishing disease and famine to all who dare change the landscape, I’ve had to adapt. And what’s happened is that I’ve gotten to know many more people in that area that I may have known vaguely while living there. I’ve had to get out, knock on doors, shake hands and its turned out to be a real positive experience. I can’t just hunt wherever I please anymore, but times are changing. I just got all worked up over the negativity in some of the earlier posts.

Grifter does make some good points and maybe all three of us can tip one back this year down there and hash this all out.
I understand the sentiment of the locals but its no different than when I return home to ND to hunt waterfowl and all the land is posted. But instead of becoming negative, wishing disease and famine to all who dare change the landscape, I’ve had to adapt. And what’s happened is that I’ve gotten to know many more people in that area that I may have known vaguely while living there. I’ve had to get out, knock on doors, shake hands and its turned out to be a real positive experience. I can’t just hunt wherever I please anymore, but times are changing. I just got all worked up over the negativity in some of the earlier posts.

Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

Quote:

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Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

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no need to be sorry, we are all adults here and can discuss a issue.

Quote:

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Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

---

no need to be sorry, we are all adults here and can discuss a issue.

Quote:

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Quote:

---

Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

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no need to be sorry, we are all adults here and can discuss a issue.

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I have enjoyed this debate, I just feel kind of bad that it went from looking at a great deer to debating about the area it was shot in! there have been many great points brought out and I agree with many of them!

Quote:

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Quote:

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Sorry if it was my post that sent this in a direction other than congradulating you on your deer.

Once again congrats on the MONSTER!!

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no need to be sorry, we are all adults here and can discuss a issue.

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I have enjoyed this debate, I just feel kind of bad that it went from looking at a great deer to debating about the area it was shot in! there have been many great points brought out and I agree with many of them!

I could’nt agree more, I tend to bottle things up and when I seen an oportunity to vent, well I did, I hope that I did’nt offend anybody by anything I said. Change can be tough! And it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks!!!!

I could’nt agree more, I tend to bottle things up and when I seen an oportunity to vent, well I did, I hope that I did’nt offend anybody by anything I said. Change can be tough! And it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks!!!!