Well I went out with my son and talked with the farmer who leases me my goose hunting fields. Bear with me if this is long....

I took my son out this year since he is almost at the age where he can tag along on hunts and figured I would let him see the farm and go and check out the cows.

As we drive up the farmer (Rich) is loading the truck with food for the cows. As we get out of the truck I tell my son that he needs to walk over, introduce himself and shake Rich's hand.  He did just that.  After he shook his hand, Rich was pretty impressed with his manners so he told us to drive him out to the west field to the harvester.  We get there and he tells us to load up so we can go for a ride.  By this time my son was ready to fall on the ground with excitement.  

We harvest corn for about 15-20 minutes, all the while my son is awestruck and just staring at the tall salks of corn being devoured by this mammoth rig HE was riding in.  

As we get out, I tell him he should go over and shake Rich's hand and thank him for the ride.  He did just that.  Poor old Rich was amazed that this little boy was so well behaved, as I was beaming with pride.  

We then gave him a ride to the other field to get his tractor.  As we are driving he asks, "well you gonna do some hunting this year?"  I replied that it was really up to him.  With a big grin on his face he said, 'yeah, that would be just fine.'  I asked him how much he was thinking this year.  Again, he turns to my son and I with a big grin and says, 'don't wory about it, just keep raising that boy right, it's on me.'

I couldn't believe it!!!!!  I have done hours of computer work for him, helped him do work around the farm and even just dropped by to shoot the breeze before, not to get something for free, but because I respect him and appreciate him and the hard work he does.  I never felt he was ever overcharging or even expected to get a renewal on my lease in any of the years I have hunted out there.  We were completely amazed.  My son asked, 'so we can hunt out here?'  I turned and said, 'Rich said it was ok so yes, we will get to hunt out here.'  YAY, my son yelled.

Once again, I am completely amazed at his generosity and feel honored that he would extend this to my son and I.  With or without the $$$. I am more tha happy to pay to hunt his fields and well over what he has charged me in the past.  That is why I go do work for him, because he is always so generous.

I am going to go into town tomorrow and get him a gift certificate for a great meal and for some new tools and bring the out on Saturday when I told him I would help him do some work on an old truck.

Thanks for reading, I am just so proud of my son and so thankful for fine individuals like Rich.

I am truely a very lucky man to have such fine people in my life and so proud of my son.

A little over a week away from the early season and we are excited as heck.

Anyone else getting their leases set up?  Anyone had any luck so far up north?

Quoted: Generally speaking, farmers don't lease hunting rights in Ohio. I usually send a gift of some type to the land owner. Depending on what type of person and what their interests are. I've given harvested game, gift baskets, home made beer or wine, gift certificates, Cuban cigars, sporting event tickets. I've cleared junk and hauled it to the dump. I even bought one guy a new shotgun. But his land was very productive and he treated me like family. I'm simply suggesting a token or your gratitude other than money since he has given you permission to hunt for free when he could lease the rights.

Thanks for your opinion!  I usually bring him a couple of 6 packs a month and am also inviting him over for dinner.  In addition, all his computer hardware is free.  

I have brought him out food when I know he is working in the field at night. This way he can have some grub without having to stop what he is doing.  

I agree with you, money is nice but in the end, it is thoughts and gestures that count.