Whether you inherited or purchased a large property, it can be a challenge to keep up with the property taxes and maintain it if you’re not earning anything from it. This is where land leasing comes in, landowners can make money from their property without selling it outright. Many landowners are realizing the value of leasing hunting rights on their land for an additional income stream and property security.
How Do Hunting Leases Work?
A hunting lease is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a hunter or group of hunters that allows them to access the property for hunting purposes for a defined period. The lease typically specifies the terms of use, such as what type of game can be hunted, when and how long the lease is valid, and any specific rules or regulations set by the landowner.
What Makes Land Good for Hunting Leases?
The three factors that make land 'good' for hunting are food, water, and cover. Many hunters are interested in leasing land with a good mix of these three elements, so landowners need to consider these factors when determining the potential for their property as a hunting lease.
There are various things that property owners can do to maximize their hunting land and enhance the habitat. Landowners can plant different plants to attract wildlife, install man-made water sources, or plant trees if one of those elements is missing. Other factors that can contribute to the quality of a hunting lease include access to the property and its proximity to urban areas or popular hunting destinations.
Assessing the Habitat Quality of a Hunting Property
The property should support an adequate supply of game, requiring a healthy, diverse habitat. Consider flora diversity, availability of food sources, and cover for animals. Understanding the resources available in the surrounding land and the wildlife management practices of neighboring properties is crucial.
For instance, if you own an 80-acre hunting property and aim for big game animals, but your neighbors have different objectives, it becomes challenging to achieve your goals. Additionally, geographic location significantly influences habitat quality. Different regions in the United States offer varied hunting experiences due to climate, geography, and local wildlife populations.
Southeast: Abundant flora and fauna, ideal for hunting deer and waterfowl.
Southwest: Arid landscapes suitable for hunting species like quail or javelina.
Rocky Mountains: Forested land perfect for elk and mountain lion hunting.
Plains States: Expansive grasslands excellent for hunting upland birds.
Northeast: Mixed forests and fields hosting deer, turkey, and black bear.
Each region's unique offerings can significantly increase a hunting property's value if its habitat aligns with the game animals most sought after in that area. The quality of a hunting property, hence, is not solely determined by the diversity of its habitat, but also by the specific game species that a potential buyer is interested in. It's important to remember that each region has its unique offerings, and a property's value can significantly increase if its habitat aligns with the preferences of the game animals most sought after in that area.
What are the Benefits of Leasing Land for Hunting?
Leasing your land for hunting as a landowner offers numerous benefits, including additional income, caretaker support, and enhanced surveillance. One of the most compelling advantages of hunting leases is the potential to generate revenue through your property, which can help cover property taxes or fund property improvements.
Furthermore, leasing land for hunting can also provide the advantage of having lessees who are willing to perform various tasks around the property in exchange for a reduced payment. These tasks may involve maintaining the landscape, clearing trails, removing fallen trees, and overall property upkeep. Consequently, a hunting lease can alleviate some of the landowner's responsibilities in caring for their land.
How are Landowners Paid for Hunting Leases?
Hunters have several potential payment options when it comes to leasing hunting land. They can choose to pay on a per-acre basis, per-season fee, or per-hunt situation. Typically, the cost of a hunting lease ranges between $10 and $50 per acre.
The price is influenced by various factors, such as the quality of game available, exclusivity of the property, proximity to town (usually closer means higher cost), amenities provided (such as tree stands, buildings, water, and power access), the size of the leased land (more acreage generally means lower cost per acre), and the overall management and improvements of the property.
Landowners can make money from their property through other methods while simultaneously leasing it for hunting. For example, you may be able to participate in conservation easements or sell carbon credits from your property in addition to leasing it for hunting purposes! Learn about your land's estimated value for carbon credits in our free property report:
How Can I Increase the Value of My Property for Hunting?
Property owners can improve access to their property, manage wildlife, and implement land improvements to increase the value of their land for hunting.
Improve Access: By creating or maintaining access roads and trails, you can make it easier for hunters to reach different areas of your property. This accessibility can increase the overall appeal of your land for hunting leases.
Manage Wildlife: Implementing wildlife management practices on your property, such as food plots and timber harvesting, can attract a variety of game animals and improve their overall health.
Land Improvements: Planting new food sources on your property to attract local wildlife or adding new water sources can increase the appeal of your property for a hunting lease.
Assessing the Size & Layout of a Hunting Property
A larger property with varied terrain types (like wooded areas and open fields) can support a wider range of game species. The property's shape is also significant; a more square property is often preferable.
Size: Larger properties support a more diverse array of species due to varied habitats, including open fields, wetlands, and wooded areas.
Layout: A square or circular property provides more privacy and less disturbance for animals, retaining game on the property. Long, narrow properties may have more edge habitats but offer less interior area and are more exposed to outside disturbances.
Topography: Diverse topography, such as hills, valleys, and flat areas, can be more attractive to game as it provides various habitats. Features like ridges and valleys can create natural corridors for movement that game animals often utilize. In contrast, flat properties may be attractive to different species that prefer less cover and more open terrain.
In essence, the best size and layout of a hunting property depend on the species you are interested in hunting. A diverse layout with a mix of habitats is generally desirable, but specific features may be more or less attractive depending on the game species prevalent in the region. Similarly, the number of hunting cabins should be balanced to avoid disrupting the natural habitat. For smaller properties, a single, well-outfitted cabin may suffice. For larger properties, multiple cabins can be dispersed throughout the property, allowing ease of access to different hunting grounds while preserving wildlife populations.
How Can I Lease Land for Hunting?
Landowners can lease their land for hunting by creating listings on online marketplaces, such as LandGate. The more eyes you can get on your property, the better! Landowners can also consider working with a local land broker to help with setting a fair asking price and with additional marketing of the property for lease. Learn about your property in LandGate's free property report and create an (optional) listing today:
