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I'm a WU member and I also hunt public land. I like the organization and definitely see more game and am more successful on WU ranches. Because WU is somewhat selective, the members tend to be friendly, responsible and reasonable. I empathize with edwardm about being bumped off a ranch by an owner. The owner signed a contract and is bound by those terms. I would complain immediately and bitterly to the WU office if that ever happened to me. What was WU's response? Actually, my experience has been just the opposite. One property owner got me in trouble with the patrol person when he said I could fish one of his hatchery settling ponds that was off limits to other members. Later on the patrol person talked to the owner and my kids got to fish that pond - it was chuck full of hatchery trout.
I've heard the favoritism complaint before, but have absolutely no evidence of it. I've always gotten the first or second choice ranch I requested and have always gotten excellent advice from patrol people I've met. One time a patrol person literally guided me over the phone right to the spot where a group of pigs were. Later that day I met him and he helped me field dress the pig I took. The people in the office have likewise been very courteous and always refer me to someone knowledgable about the properties whenever I asked for specific advice.
I was taken aback the first time a patrol person asked to see my tags. Now I think that having someone patrol the property is a good deal for everyone. It deters some members from abusing the club by just showing up whenever they want to. Patrol people have a good knowledge of the property (water, road conditions, game habits, etc.), help with stuck vehicles, and keep trespassers off the property.
I recently agreed to patrol one of the ranches nearby, so I can see both sides. I'm a bit nervous about checking members' paperwork. I think it's a bit of an intrusion and hope to give good advice in exchange for the inconvenience. I will only look for members in the morning in camp, or in their vehicles. I won't go looking for them in the field.
Also, I have yet to see a game warden on a WU ranch. WU has a good working relationship with DFG, partly because DFG knows they check for licenses and tags. I would rather get a visit from the patrol person than a game warden.
I was not offered any perks other than a discount on my annual membership.
I've met a couple of the WU owners and was impressed with their attitude and dedication. The club promotes fair chase hunting, provides access to quality properties throughout the state, and is family oriented. IMHO, WU is much better than hunting public land - at least in Southern California. But if you want a guaranteed trophy, save your pennies and pay for a guided hunt out of state. I think a lot of the complaints I hear are from people who generally object to the restrictions imposed by the rules. WU defnitely has a lots of rules and is not for people who don't like to follow them. That is not a dig either - to each his own.
There are more threads on this topic on jesseshunting.com.
I've heard the favoritism complaint before, but have absolutely no evidence of it. I've always gotten the first or second choice ranch I requested and have always gotten excellent advice from patrol people I've met. One time a patrol person literally guided me over the phone right to the spot where a group of pigs were. Later that day I met him and he helped me field dress the pig I took. The people in the office have likewise been very courteous and always refer me to someone knowledgable about the properties whenever I asked for specific advice.
I was taken aback the first time a patrol person asked to see my tags. Now I think that having someone patrol the property is a good deal for everyone. It deters some members from abusing the club by just showing up whenever they want to. Patrol people have a good knowledge of the property (water, road conditions, game habits, etc.), help with stuck vehicles, and keep trespassers off the property.
I recently agreed to patrol one of the ranches nearby, so I can see both sides. I'm a bit nervous about checking members' paperwork. I think it's a bit of an intrusion and hope to give good advice in exchange for the inconvenience. I will only look for members in the morning in camp, or in their vehicles. I won't go looking for them in the field.
Also, I have yet to see a game warden on a WU ranch. WU has a good working relationship with DFG, partly because DFG knows they check for licenses and tags. I would rather get a visit from the patrol person than a game warden.
I was not offered any perks other than a discount on my annual membership.
I've met a couple of the WU owners and was impressed with their attitude and dedication. The club promotes fair chase hunting, provides access to quality properties throughout the state, and is family oriented. IMHO, WU is much better than hunting public land - at least in Southern California. But if you want a guaranteed trophy, save your pennies and pay for a guided hunt out of state. I think a lot of the complaints I hear are from people who generally object to the restrictions imposed by the rules. WU defnitely has a lots of rules and is not for people who don't like to follow them. That is not a dig either - to each his own.
There are more threads on this topic on jesseshunting.com.
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