John’s Note: A good hunting club or camp can be a piece of heaven – but sometimes things don’t work out the way they should. Here’s how you and your friends can make sure you’ll all be happy with your hunting club set-up. Now’s the time to think about the most-productive hunting clubs and decide how to set-up one to have the fewest hassles.

The worst thing that can happen to any hunting club is democracy.

When everybody tries to make all the rules governing the hunting club, no one is happy. I’ve belonged to about 20 hunting clubs in my life. The clubs that have endured and the ones I have the fondest memories of are the clubs that had benevolent dictators as their heads. This man may be called the president of the club, the huntmaster or the man in charge. He settles all disputes, and most of the time makes the rules. He’s respected by the men in the club, and his word is law without appeal. Everyone knew what the rules are, and what can happen if the rules are violated. Benevolent dictators generally are tempered with the wisdom of age and the common sense and charity of Solomon.

One of the best hunting clubs I ever belonged to had a president whose name was Mr. Lee. When you joined Mr. Lee’s club, you received a letter that read something like this: “We’re glad to have you as a member of our hunting club. However, knowing that we are all guests of Mr. Lee’s on the property is very important. He owns the lease, makes the rules and decides disputes. As long as you respect Mr. Lee’s land and his wishes as a guest would, you will be welcome in the club.” Mr. Lee was a fair and honest man who kept harmony in his hunting club throughout the years of its existence.

Some of the worst hunting clubs I have belonged to have been organized and operated by well-intending sportsmen who say, “We want everyone to have a voice into the rule-making process. This club is for all of its members. So, the members should make the decisions.” Although this philosophy sounds good on paper, I have yet to see it work in practicality. Most of the time, everyone makes opposite decisions, and no one is happy with anything. I’ll take a benevolent dictator to be head any time in a hunting club for me to belong to it.

You can learn more about hunting deer in John E. Phillips’ Kindle eBooks “How to Hunt Deer Like a Pro,” “How to Hunt Deer Up Close: With Bows, Rifles, Muzzleloaders and Crossbows,” and “PhD Whitetails: How to Hunt and Take the Smartest Deer on Any Property.” Click here to get these books.

What made the best hunting club you ever belonged to the best? E-mail your answers to [email protected].

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About the Author

John Phillips, winner of the 2012 Homer Circle Fishing Award for outstanding fishing writer by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors. Click here for more information and a list of all the books available from John E. Phillips.

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