Yep Cecil, I am well aware of the expenses of running a business; been doing it for 25 years and it's tough. I have also learned an awful lot about the cost of rural water holes. The point is, I can hire a good bass guide for a whole day on Lake Fork or any other local lake for only a little more than that. Most fishermen can't afford to even do that.
The article, as posted, doesn't tell about the size of the "lakes". Harrel Arms usually works the area around Proctor or Dublin' about one hour SSW of Fort Worth. However, I know various ranchers who do an annual exclusive lease on their 25 acre or so lakes for $1,000 or so with guest priveleges thrown in. I also have several friends who pay $10 to $15 per acre for exclusive hunting rights with fishing thrown in. Just about all hunting in Texas is by leasing of private land. Take 5 guys leasing 1,000 acres for annual usage rights (within reason and common sense). That generally includes deer, turkey, fishing, quail and dove, hog and duck hunting. It sometimes makes me wonder why I own land. Guys on a good lease with a couple of good water holes would shake their heads about $169 for 4 hours.
Another consideration is that Texas hasn't recovered from the recession like a lot of places have. Off shoring has taken a lot of money out of the economy, especially in Dallas/Fort Worth.
On the pro side, it is a lot cheaper than owning a bass boat. Also, not everybody hunts or wants to go to the trouble to have a yearly lease. For them, it might work.
BTW, I don't lease my land for hunting or anything else. $169 after expenses just isn't worth it. I expect they will figure that out after awhile.
