one of us
| I also have a hunt booked with Kyler for mid-April, my first. Anyway, Norseman, the following post came off a different forum but I thought it was quite a good summary of Wilderness Unlimited's operation, which I mentioned in an above post. quote:
Hopefully this post won't blow up in my face but I'll give you my honest opinion on the subject of Wilderness Unlimited. I've been a member now for 5 years and for me, it's been a good investment. For others, it is not a good investment. First, I'd like to take issue with some comments made on other JHP WU threads.
First, some people on this forum have commented that the hog hunting on WU properties is no better than on public property. I've taken 9 hogs during the past 5 years on WU ranches in Central CA and have hog hunted about 25 times during those 5 years, each hunt lasting an average of 2 1/2 days. That's a 36% success rate per hunt. Many WU members hunt roads and don't do well and complain, but I park and hump it over the horizon, often taking my hogs 2 or 3 miles from my truck. Look back through the hog hunting threads and you'll find literally hundreds of references to JHP members hunting on public land but very, very few success stories. In my experience, WU properties are much better than public land but not as good as Tejon P-O-R hunts, where success seems to be about 50%. On guided hunts, success at Tejon and elsewhere is virtually 100%. WU does not compare with those statistics at all.
Second, a comment was made that WU is a pyramid scheme. If so, I should benefit financially for referring new members, but I have never received a thing for doing that, not even a thank you. I'm unaware of any kickbacks or incentives for bringing in new members.
Third, one person stated that WU sounds like some sort of cult. Well, he's right because every third Tuesday after the full moon all 2000 members of WU meet at an abandoned airplane hanger outside of Barstow and dance naked around a bonfire at midnight, chanting Druid fertility prayers while lightning crackles overhead. It's a good place to meet chicks.
From my experience, the deer hunting in northern CA on WU ranches is pretty good, as is the hunting on WU properties outside of Tehachapi. On the A zone properties in Central CA, I haven't had much luck. How much of that can be blamed on the drought or my lack of skill, I have no idea.
I've hunted Tamarack in the Imperial Valley many times and have averaged 5 ducks on Sat morning and 2 on Sunday morning, that is, up until the last 2 years. The waterfowl hunting for me has been lousy the past 2 years but it's been lousy for other hunters in the Imperial Valley due to weather, among other factors. I don't think it has anything to do with WU waterfowl management practices.
I've taken many doves and quite a few quail on WU properties, but I've really had to work for the quail.
What appeals to me most at my advanced age is that I often have the ranches to myself. I just love to hike around or ride my mountain bike and not see a soul and not worry about theft or vandalism to my vehicle or camp. The hunting becomes almost secondary. That's what I really spend my money on---solitude, serenity, and security, none of which I could find on public property.
Now, on to the flip side. Many members of this forum make reference to high pressure sales tactics. I didn't experience that because I talked to quite a few members in advance and simply signed up, paid my dues, and didn't have anybody pester me. But the consensus on this forum seems to be that the sales staff at WU does indeed apply the pressure and I'm sure, based upon what I've read here, that there is credence in that.
Is it hard to get reservations for opening day on the more popular ranches? It sure is. I don't even apply. I just reserve a hunt for the Thurs-Sat following opening day and seem to do pretty well. Can you bring guests? Not for big game. Only the immediate members of your own family can go unless you upgrade your membership. You also can't have campfires and you can't hunt big game with dogs. You can't litter or get drunk or use any form of motorcycle/ATV, nor may you drive off road in your truck or car. You must adhere to all CA regs and even adhere to some of the stricter WU regs, and if you don't, the brass will toss you out.
Who wouldn't benefit from a membership to WU? In my opinion, anyone who only gets away a couple or three times a year to hunt. You'd do better on guided hunts or at Tejon. If you like to hunt with your buddies, don't join unless they, too, join. If you're in Southern CA, as mentioned by another JHP member, there are fewer properties in the south half of CA now because so many leases expired. Some of the best ranches are gone. WU has recently acquired 2 new ranches in Central CA and just renewed a previously expired lease at Los Gatos ranch outside of Coalinga. This is a very good ranch for hogs and quail. WU is actively trying to get new Central CA leases, but who knows how successful they'll be. But still, Southern CA big game hunters don't have a lot of properties to choose from. If money is an issue, it will cost you about $1300 per year for dues and an initiation fee [I have no idea what that is now] your first year. That ain't cheap for the working family man who only gets away a few times a year.
Who would, in my opinion, find WU a worthwhile investment? If you hunt a lot, don't mind walking a mile or more from your vehicle, like solitude, are a firm believer in fair chase hunting, have a few members in your family who like to hunt, camp, and/or fish, and would be satisfied with a hunting success rate somewhere between the <1% on public land and the 50% on P-O-R hunts, hunt more than just deer or just hogs, like to camp out in very rustic settings, and don't mind not getting a spot on opening weekend, you'll probably be very happy. If you live in Northern CA, you've really got it made, with many properties to choose from. Also, archery hunters have it made because WU has separate archery seasons and some ranches are archery only. When I archery hunt, I always see deer or pigs, almost always get a shot, and rarely see another hunter.
One last comment: A gentleman in a post above mentioned Will Valley on Palomar Mountain in San Diego County and the fact that his hunt was cancelled with no real advance notice. He's absolutely right. I know all the details of why WU lost the lease with no advance notice and it has to do with an "interaction" between a resident on private land adjoining the WU ranch and one of our members. It also involves the Sheriff, gunshots, and the complete disintegration of the fragile relationship between the legal owner of the ranch at Will Valley and hunters in general, all as a consequence of the "interaction" mentioned above.
WU works for some and not for others, but detractors shouldn't bash it unless they have the facts and supporters shouldn't praise it unless they have the facts. Do your research and decide what works for you.
If the readers of this post wish, I'll post my full name, address, and home phone # so you can find out for yourself if I have any relationship with WU other than as a member or you can call/write me and chew me out or whatever. I'm trying to be honest and will not hide behind my forum name or e-mail address.
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