LONDON, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Dozens of Arkansans are out hundreds and even thousands of dollars after paying to lease private hunting land in Pope County.
These hunters thought they had signed a contract to get sole hunting rights, but they quickly found out other people did the same thing.
One woman expressed her frustrations after paying $1,000 to lease the land she thought would be just for her family.
According to the Pope County Sheriff's Office, many other hunters have been in the same situation.
"I didn't even want to talk to anybody," Lisa Sutterfield said. "I was so upset. You know, I just felt degraded."
Sutterfield thought she'd be the only one with hunting rights on private land in London, but she quickly learned she wasn't.
"There's a lot of other people that have that same contract," Sutterfield said.
She learned that Sunday when scoping out the land after paying two people $1,000.
"We went up through the woods," Sutterfield said. "We saw a white sign on a fence that said, 'If you just previously leased this property, please call this number,' I thought, 'Well, that's kind of odd.' I took out my phone and called him, and he told me what happened. I'm like, 'You got to be kidding."
Steve Rigdon said he paid $800 last year to lease the same hunting land. Now, he's warning others every chance he can.
Rigdon said he puts signs up, but they keep getting taken down.
"It's worked about five times," Rigdon said. "I've got people to call me before they actually gave him the money, and they all backed out."
Sutterfield said she plans to sue the people leasing the land.
"I'll just put it this way: I will get my $1,000 back," Sutterfield said.
We reached out to the people offering the hunting contract to ask for a comment, and all they had to say was they were angry we called. At this point, it's not clear if they even own the land.
"It's wrong," Sutterfield said. "It's absolutely wrong."
We also contacted the Attorney General's office and were told they received a complaint about this business last year.
Anyone impacted can contact the AG's office by calling 800-482-8982 or visiting the website.
According to the Pope County Sheriff's Office, nothing can be done for this breach of contract from a law enforcement standpoint because it's a civil matter.
The sheriff's office recommended those impacted contact a private attorney or small claims court.