Dove Club Question

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 07:28 PM

Before I start I want to make it clear that I am not trying to sell a dove club membership. I just want to get some feedback and hear how others do it.
My dad and I have planted a dove field every year about the past 5 years. In those 5 years we have almost doubled the size of the field. We have about 20 people total that shoot the field and for the last two years we have served a meal starting at 12pm and we start shooting at one.
anybody that plants a dove field knows that it is not cheap and it has always been paid for out of my dad and mines pocket.
Here is the idea I am trying to sell to my dad.
we get 20 people (ourselves included in that number) and each person pays $50 cash at the beginning of the year. $1000 total. $50 covers one adult and one child under the age of 16 ( child over 16 you buy two spots) That $50 guarantees you 3 shoots ( 2 early season shoots and one late season) with a meal served at the first shoot.
I have figured it out and $1000 will cover seed ( round-up ready sunflowers) spray, fertilizer, and fuel in the tractor and the meal (plus anything else we may decide to plant).
Doing it this way will also make it easier for us to say no to anyone who may invite themselves or if someone wants to bring a guest that we do not particularly want on the field.
Obviously we will do everything we can to make the field as enticing to a dove as possible but at the end of the day we cannot guarantee that you will kill doves.
Does this sound like a pretty fair system? input/suggestions are appreciated

**Swamp Rat** · 06-19-2015, 07:36 PM

Sounds fair to me. $50 for three quality shoots would be a good deal, as far I'm concerned. I ran a club for a while between Bishopville and Sumter. Charged considerably more.

There can be only one head of the club, and it has to be a dictator.

**SOUTHERN WOODS** · 06-19-2015, 07:37 PM

I'd need to bring a gun and examine the field during a hunt to give you any quality feedback.

**Phone Man** · 06-19-2015, 07:38 PM

Id be game for that for sure

**Swamp Rat** · 06-19-2015, 07:40 PM

BTW, we charged more to cover costs. The guy that farmed the land leased it to us, did all the planting. We had a meal at the first shoot - the farmer provided it. The dues all went to cover lease and planting costs.

We had our share of drama. I had I think 25 members, and it folded when we started getting spotty results from the farmer. The quality of the hunts became such that it wasn't worth the squeeze.

But, in its day, we burned their ass.

Avoid morning shoots in the first season like the plague.

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 07:44 PM

For most of the guys it is more of a social deal than anything else which is fine. Dad, myself and two of my buddies are the only ones super serious about killing birds. For instance, my neighbor comes every year and maybe kills three birds. He always brings his little girl ( which is great). but they get hot and tired and he winds up leaving early which leaves a gap in the field. last year 4 other guys left early because they had to go cook bbq for their youth group (again a great thing) but crap like that pisses me off. I want people who are commited to killing birds and are willing to sit out the heat. I think if they pay it may encourage them to stay a bit longer and be more serious about it.

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 07:46 PM

anything regarding farming is a gamble. these guys realize that; so if we don't have a good shoot there wont be any hard feelings.

**Gut_Pile** · 06-19-2015, 07:49 PM

Sounds like a hell of deal. I think $100 would be completely reasonable and could allow you to provide food at all 3.

**Five Oh** · 06-19-2015, 07:52 PM

Either $50 or $100 is a great deal for a dove club.

**295PRO** · 06-19-2015, 07:52 PM

If this happens count me in.

**Woodiewacker82** · 06-19-2015, 08:14 PM

I take a spot for sure

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**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 08:22 PM

It is too late to start the club this year. But spots will first be offered to those who already shoot with us. If any of them decline I have a list of guys who are good shooters already wanting spots. Thanks for the interest though, maybe this will help convince my dad to take this route

**Bownut** · 06-19-2015, 08:25 PM

Where is your moms house?

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bownut

Where is your moms house?

greenwood

**Bownut** · 06-19-2015, 08:31 PM

dadburntit

**Swamp Rat** · 06-19-2015, 08:39 PM

LOL - well, he DID start out sayin' he wasn't lookin'.

Good luck with it. In the distant future, keep me in mind. I'm not that far from Greenwood and would be up for it.

**Duck cutter** · 06-19-2015, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Swamp Rat

LOL - well, he DID start out sayin' he wasn't lookin'.
.

I think I read in trading post rules that you couldn't sell dove club memberships

**Swamp Rat** · 06-19-2015, 08:51 PM

If so, I missed it. It says no commercial entities. I will check with the admin folks. But I take it from your post that the $1000 will cover your costs and nothing goes in your pocket.