Wilderness Unlimited Private Hunting Club
Still controversial three years after my last article about the club.
My original article about this and other private hunting clubs still is drawing comments. Wilderness Unlimited, the largest of the private hunting clubs in California, attracts much criticism - and has its staunch defenders.
The most recent, an Anonymous, just posted this comment:
"i read several comments on your post that are not true. not going to read it again but will try from memory. first of all... initiation fee has never been as high as $1500. there is no in crowd. that is golden ram. only one of the wu founders still hunts and for ducks only. the hunting is good. way better than public but not as good as if you leased your own 5000 acre ranch. i've been a member for 8 years and my son and i always get our deer, pigs, turkeys, and a load of ducks/geese. you cant go wrong for the money spent, unless your not very good at hunting or dont go out much. i heard there was a pressure sales guy in the past. i have helped the club for 6 years now with the interview process. i dont care if they apply or not. i just meet with them and give them the chance."
(June 24,2011, comment to Follow-Up on Private Hunting Clubs - Comments/Opinions, Saturday, January 12, 2008).
First of all, note that this latest comment comes from a sales rep of the club. He is getting paid for his work. My original article gave the club a fair evaluation in which I pointed out the strong arguments for the club as well as some of the justified criticism. This club and its main competitor (Golden Ram Hunting Club) have both their share of complaints and enthusiastic praise.
However, if you google for Wilderness Unlimited you can easily dig up many sites and discussion boards that give you plenty of materials, both positive and negative, to consider. Take this one as an example 'snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1120762'.
This discussion started when someone asked the question: "Has anyone here heard of Wilderness Unlimited? If so what have you heard?" The replies confirm the controversial nature of private hunting clubs and of WU. See for yourself.
'Old boy networks' are by nature unofficial. They just exist based on personal relationships and status. In private hunting clubs the founders of the club usually enjoy special status. Patrolmen are another example of privileged club members. And so are members who contribute actively to club sponsored events or engage in other activities that are beneficial to the club. Familiarity with those in power in any administration has its advantages.
On a lighter note, the most recent anonymous commentator violated WU safety rules by shooting himself in the foot.
Quote: ". . . you cant go wrong for the money spent, unless your not very good at hunting or dont go out much (emphasis added).
