is Wilderness Unlimited hunting club as good an idea as it sounds?

[BigFatGuy]

From my understanding of it, they provide members with a way to access private land for hunting.

It's not "high fence" hunting, you need tags, and the guy I spoke to was VERY clear that the animals were wild.

In other words, it sounds like it might be fairly ideal for someone like myself just barely getting started as a hunter, with no real contacts or idea of the "lay of the land".

Is there some dark secret I don't realize?

[NaClAddict]

I have a coworker who just forefitted his membership. He found the land in SoCal was shrinking. He found the land available was heavily pressured. He figured he could do several paid trespass and guided hunts a year with a much higher yield rate for the same price. Lots of the “huntable” land was rough going and basically inaccessible. Look into rules regarding booking land, only 1 reservation at a time. I was told it might be better if you were retired due to availability times. However my coworker quit last year and is retiring this year. We also work irregular hours/days and he had 3 weekdays and all weekend off and still quit. It seems as though potential and new clients have the best outlook but no results. Apparently there are some members on message boards who claim to do well but no one I know is killing it.

[Divernhunter]

You are probably better off with a guided pig hunt and an out of state hunt for deer.

[JagerDog]

No personal experience but came of age as a member of it’s precursor (American Sportsman Club). I think what you’ll find is the better properties will be heavily impacted and it’s a lottery to get on.

[evanboyle]

Was a member for a few years, not really worth it. Draws are call in first come; fees are what you'd pay for a private duck blind or a few guided hunts per year.

[Bull Elk]

It's just not worth it, nor is Golden Ram. It's not hunting to me if I don't have a secure place to hunt, when I want to hunt. I don't like crowds all fighting for the one buck that might be on the property. You are paying for the right to hunt on private land. They do not guarantee that there are "wild" animals there. Like other previously said, pay for a guided hunt. You'll have better opportunity to see and tag animals than you would on Wilderness Unlimited or Golden Ram. Wait until you go through the sales pitch. Way too much pressure.

[lewdogg21]

Based upon your previous post about doing a guided pig hunt, it appears you may be considering doing this in lieu of that pig hunt. If I were in that situation I would go on the guided pig hunt. From what I recall reading here and in various other FB groups, other forums, etc. the majority of their properties (or maybe the majority of the "good ones") are in Norcal. The people that like WU or GR the most typically can hunt whenever.

The sales pitch is legendary however I did recently read of an incident where the strong arm tactics were not used.

[bchains]

You can save yourself years of hiking around, driving, gas, all that by going with a guide to shoot a pig, turkey, waterfowl. Plus you will learn so much from them. Echo the comment above about going out of state for deer and bigger critters. Enjoy!

[Spyder]

Go on a couple of guided hunts first, to see if you enjoy the activity. Your success odds will be better, and you'll have someone to help teach you the ropes, if your guide is good. It will cost less, you'll learn more, and then you can decide next year if you want to become a member or not.

I am not a member, and have little interest in joining either WU or GR, though I understand why some would.

[BigFatGuy]

Our plan is to do at least two guided hunts before we think about going off on our own. We're setting the date for the first one right now, in fact.

Wilderness Unlimited was on my mind because we just came from the Fred Hall show.

[deckhandmike]

How much are they asking?

[BigFatGuy]

How much are they asking?

Doesn't say on the flyer, and the guy didn't mention.

I figured it would be expensive, but so is guided hunting... :-)

[zio707]

Based upon your previous post about doing a guided pig hunt, it appears you may be considering doing this in lieu of that pig hunt. If I were in that situation I would go on the guided pig hunt. From what I recall reading here and in various other FB groups, other forums, etc. the majority of their properties (or maybe the majority of the "good ones") are in Norcal. The people that like WU or GR the most typically can hunt whenever.

The sales pitch is legendary however I did recently read of an incident where the strong arm tactics were not used.

I personally received the strong arm tactic, the WU guy came to my house with photos, maps, contract, etc, was told I'd never receive another offer ever if I didn't signup before he left and the guy got really pissed when I said no. Personally I don't think you want to give your money to an organization that pulls shenanigans like this.

BTW I did receive another offer a few years later but respectfully and without hesitation declined... lol.

[NickTheGreek]

I personally received the strong arm tactic, the WU guy came to my house with photos, maps, contract, etc, was told I'd never receive another offer ever if I didn't signup before he left and the guy got really pissed when I said no. Personally I don't think you want to give your money to an organization that pulls shenanigans like this.

BTW I did receive another offer a few years later but respectfully and without hesitation declined... lol.

I had a similar experience. I told the guy (Mike I think) that I wasn't sure on a date to meet, so I will call him back. He said he will schedule the appointment anyways, and I can cancel later. I tried to say no and he just shut me off. Whatever. I called him back and left a voicemail the next day canceling, and left him a text too.

A week later, this dude shows up at my door. I wasn't home. He called me and I told him I canceled, he insisted I never did. Then got pissed off and said "This opportunity will never present itself again. You cancel, you're never getting in." I told him in more or less words to **** himself, and I hung up.

[deckhandmike]

I had a similar experience. I told the guy (Mike I think) that I wasn't sure on a date to meet, so I will call him back. He said he will schedule the appointment anyways, and I can cancel later. I tried to say no and he just shut me off. Whatever. I called him back and left a voicemail the next day canceling, and left him a text too.

A week later, this dude shows up at my door. I wasn't home. He called me and I told him I canceled, he insisted I never did. Then got pissed off and said "This opportunity will never present itself again. You cancel, you're never getting in." I told him in more or less words to **** himself, and I hung up.