That sucks, maybe you will keep some others out of the same predicament.
A couple questions, and not being critical but maybe a little because I see about 4 red flags in the first paragraph
If it sounds too good to be true, then...
Was this lease advertised on the internet? or?
(most good clubs never have to advertise over the internet to find members, they have waiting lists)
Did you ever step foot on the property before you wrote the guy a check?
Did you talk to anyone who had hunted this place before?
(most good clubs never have to advertise over the internet to find members, they have waiting lists)
Did you sign a lease?
(surely there is something in there that says the acreage of the properties. If that acreage is not the right acreage and you can prove that in small claims court perhaps you could get some mony back. For instance if he said 800 acres and property was really 400 acres, you should be able to get 50% of your money back if this is indicated in the lease)
on the 'hired a biologist' part, LDWF has private lands biologists that consult for no charge, I would bet this is who was 'hired', and if the property is DMAP, the biologist is required to come out occasionally