MBSA - I'm in the same boat. I have a stand on some property about an hour away from home. I saved it for the rut cause I knew the bruiser I had my eye on would be more vulnerable. The second day in stand I see one shooter and later pass on a good buck. 4:30 rolls around and here comes a doe with the big boy on her tail. They get on the trail that funnels past my stand, but before they can get in range here comes and ATV. Drives through the field and scatters all the deer. He parks 60 yards in front of my stand and runs to one he has about 75 yards away (mind you there's only 40 minutes of light left). The doe and buck see him, turn tail and I have never seen him since. Now tonight I have 4 does in front of me and a buck following - the buck is small but I'm considering sticking one of the does. Sure enough here comes a pick-up out of the timber - he stops 50 yards from my stand to look at the deer who are now heading for the hills. All told, I have hunted the stand 10 times (avoiding weekends) and had 5 hunts screwed up by 2 ATVs and 2 pick-ups - all driving to their stands in the timber. This is private land and I know of only one other who has permission. If the farmer hadn't cut a road into the timber so he could cut the creek bottom grass for cattle, these people wouldn't hunt because they would have to walk.
In my book, people who say that leasing is all about antlers are dead wrong. It's about some privacy, the experience of being in nature, the ability to do you homework, put in the effort, and have a shot at success. To be honest, I tried to find the farmer tonight to offer him money for next season. Sorry for the rant, the lack of sleep, success, and respect for other hunters has got me going.
