One of the most common questions in the hunting forums is “How do I find deer hunting land??”
The second question is “How much is a deer hunting lease cost per acre??” This is the question and my curiosity which led me to put together the deer hunting lease price guide
Deer Hunting Lease Price Guide
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Finding land can be tricky so hopefully it is affordable. Deer hunting can be pretty expensive especially if you are trying to manage your own land. To plant foodplots you need access to a tractor and spend a bunch of money on seed and fertilizer. Permenant stands are not cheap and cutting roads and shooting lanes can be back breaking work. Let me share a crazy landowner I had the pleasure of meeting this summer.
I responded to a deer hunting lease ad on Craigslist and within 1 hour I was on the phone with the landowner. Let\’s just call him \”Jim\”. Jim was telling me how beautiful his 500 acre farm was. He didn\’t need to sell me because I was looking at aerials and Google Maps and the layout was great.
Jim was telling all about the success of previous hunters. He was really laying it on thick. When he finally got to price I was getting nervous.
$6000 to lease his farm.
$12/acre is the middle of the road for decent land in central NC. I was hoping for $9 but the price was still within market levels. I started to ask more questions and soon found out that Jim expected it to be bowhunting only. No problem. The lease was only for deer which meant no spring turkey season. Fine, still no deal breaker. Jim has a brother that really likes to hunt so his brother will still be hunting…with a Rifle! Now we are nearing a deal breaker. The straw that broke my back was Jim allowing no Sunday access on the land. I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to put Sundays back on the table but Jim would not hear it. I thanked him for his time and we parted ways.
The point is that leasing land is not cheap but the lease agreement needs to be mutually benefiticial. The landowner gets his taxes paid and has a little spending money and the deer hunter has a place to hang his deer stands. The problem is when landowners become greedy and hunters become desperate.
The intention of this post is to help hunters find affordable hunting land. We are not looking for cheap or free hunting land because that is in a completely different category.
Let’s quickly cover the features that can help justify landowners getting the average $/acre that is mentioned in our price guide above.
Factors that Affect Hunting Lease Prices
Is The Lease Farm and Timberland
The land will hopefully have a nice mix of fields, crops and timberland. Deer love edges and need the natural cover that timber provides. Ag fields like corn and soybeans are an added bonus and can help maintain average price/acre. If the parcel is mostly timber then hopefully there are some old natural clearings and sights for food plots.
Does the Land Have Trophy Potential
Does the land and the surrounding leases have a history of a quality deer management? Deer hunting is getting further and further away from quantity and more about quality. If you have two buck tags and spend $25/acre on land then I bet you are going to be selective about target choice. Areas with trophy growing potential will bring higher and higher prices.
Is the Landowner Nearby
I love having a landowner on or nearby my leases. This gives me an added since of security. The landowner should be aware of all the club members vehicles and be able to spot trespassers. You may even be able to contract the landowner to help with the supplemental feeding of the deer.
How Far is the Farm From a Large City
Being in close proximity to a large city will push prices slightly higher. It is simple supply and demand. High populations around big cities like Atlanta will make it tougher to find available land within a short drive. Being willing to drive a little further will increase your chances of finding the affordable hunting land.
Is the Farm Easily Accessible
A nice network of roads is really desirable in a large piece of hunting land. The road system will enable you to get a tractor into the interior to prepare food plots and mow shooting lanes. The use of ATVs and electric hunting vehicles will also make it easier to get to and from the deer stand and also to haul deer out of the woods. Gates on these roads are a must. Whether provided by the hunt club or by the land owner you better have a good gate and lock in place.
Is There a Place To Camp
Your dream piece of hunting property might be three hours from your house so it better accomodate some primitive living arrangements. Electric and water hookups for a pop up camper will add value to the potential hunting lease. A small cabin or manufactured home would be like a deer hunter’s castle.
How Big is Your Farm
For our deer hunting lease price guide I tried to stick to the average size parcel of 200 acres. This is enough to hold 6 hunters and is a great size farm. In most cases the price per acre goes up as the size of the land comes down. A father and and son bowhunting team might end up paying %40 more for 50 acres. Don’t overlook these small plots because deer will cross property lines.
Do You Have Food, Water and Cover
Deer need only three things to live and survive. Ag fields, oak trees, apple trees, hay fields, grape vines, and browse are the deer groceries we are hoping to find. Deer need water everyday. A branch, creek, old pond, river will all be visited daily. If an area of the farm was recently logged then the new cutover provides excellent cover habitat. River bottom thickets, planted pine plantations, cutovers, and swamps are all examples of the bedding cover deer need to call an area home.
Some leases have adequate cover but may not have trees large enough for tree stands. Be versatile and don\’t be affraid to get creative.
State Hunting Lease Prices
Alabama
Alabama has approximately 23 Million acres of timberland. The pine and hardwood plantations provide a ton of cover for the deer and offer plenty of hunting opportunities for deer hunters. To give you an idea of just how much forest this is, Alabama has the third most forested land in the lower 48. Alabama\’s long hunting season and late rut make it a good destination for hunters in the southeast. Amply supply of land are keeping most Alabama leases around $10/acre.
Arkansas
When you start searching for deer hunting leases in Arkansas you end up finding plenty of duck hunting leases. Arkansas is a great outdoor state but is not really a destination for deer hunters. The going average for Arkansas deer land is about $11/acre
Georgia
If you don\’t think Georgia is a big but state then you need to watch a few episodes of Realtree Outdoors. Bill is growing some nice deer on Jordan Farms. Big cities like Atlanta, Columbia, and Charlotte put a lot of hunters within a three hour drive of Georgia deer land. Georgia has about 10 million acres of farmland and about 20 million acres of forest and Georgia deer hunting lease averages are around $15/acre.
Illinois
Finally a midwest state. Illinois is a top trophy deer hunting destination. Giant corn fields cover the landscape and mature hardwoods fill the ridges and creek bottoms. Hunters from all over the US have leases in the midwest. The trophy potential alone is enough to send $/acre averages well above most hunter\’s home states. $25/acre is the going rate for good deer land in Illinois but you can expect to pay more for those legendary trophy counties.
Iowa
Big bucks and the state of Iowa go hand in hand. The lottery system for drawing non-resident tags also adds to the scarsity factor and increases everyone\’s desire to draw a tag. Bowhunters love hunting the hardwood ridges between corn fields and gun hunters love the late season hunts when the deer are back in the standing beans or corn. You better not let your wife see this article because both of you are going to be shocked to pay $35/acre for a deer lease in Iowa.
Kansas
Too be honest I was a little surprised at the average hunting lease prices I found in Kansas. It could be due to the size and amount of ranches because there is not an over abundance of public hunting land opportunities. The state of Kansas does operate 63 wildlife areas and also 8 federal wildlife refugee areas.
Kentucky
The secret is almost out on Kentucky. Many hunters have been keeping a tight lip but Stan Potts shooting the 200inch velvet deer on North American Whitetail didn\’t help. Here is another one buck state that offers you a great chance at a P&Y or maybe even a
KY B&C buck. Western KY seems to be a hot spot and you can get a
KY deer hunting lease for about $14/acre.Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama
The gulf area states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have fairly reasonable lease rates. There are also seems to be a pretty good inventory of deer hunting land available. Timber companies are a great place to start and many have websites with searchable lists. Paying $9 to $10 per acre seems to be a good average
Nebraska and South Dakota
Nebraska and South Dakota deer hunting can be great. Both states can turn out some very good bucks. The remoteness and abundance of land had hunting land prices that were shocking. In both Nebraska and South Dakota you can pick up deer hunting land for $5/acre. This is a steal. During the my research I ran across many ranches for lease at $3/acre.
Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Everybody knows the midwest is a deer hunting Mecca. Earlier we covered Illinois and Iowa separately just because they are so popular. But now I am going to group the remaining midwest states. Indiana hunting land is around $19/acre and much of the state is within a ones drive of many southeast states. Ohio has a reputation as a big buck state and farms are available for about $29/acre. Missouri is just south of Iowa and the prices are a little more reasonable at $25. Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin round out the area with average deer camps going for just north of $20 an acre.
What are you paying for your deer hunting lease?
I am interested to hear how prices are changing in different areas. If you could take a few seconds to give us some feedback I would really appreciate the help. You can use the form below or even leave it in the comment form.
In the comments section below please list the state, the size of your lease and the price/acre
we pay $7/acre for a little over 200 acres
$50/acre for a 60 acre farm in Illinois
South Carolina hunting lease
$15/acre
100 acres
I lease 1,500+ acres for my hunting club in Bamberg County, SC. My annual lease to keep my club is $3,500. The entirety of my club is also bordered by the Little Salkehatchie River. You could literally sit in the deer stand and catch red breast & catfish. Haha My membership dues per member is $600/season. The money leftover after the lease is paid is used to buy corn/food plots and to maintain our property.
My land leases for 25 dollars per acre in Edgefield, SC, it has food plots, roads, ,stands, gates, camping area, and creek bottom, with feeders. Land subject to increase with inflation.
A great 150 acre farm in Illinois runs us $20/acre.
We have known the family for years and other hunters are always trying to up the price to steal it from us.
I was wondering what part of the state you farm was in Illinois. I may have 120 acres up for lease (75 tillable and rest in timber. Timber is spread out, so lots of places for stand.
Please take my last name off the web site.
Jim did you find someone to lease your property. I live near Champaign and have been looking for place to lease with no success. Can you help.
Jim, what part of the state are you located? I would maybe be interested in leasing ground.
Hey Jim, I know this is a year late BUT, I was wondering if you would by chance have anything for either shotgun season 2017? We have 6 guys that hunt together. We are good ol blue collar gentleman (electricians and maintenance workers) who have references if needed. We are very ethical hunters and will abide by whatever rules you have set. The guy I hunt w- had a gentleman’s agreement for over 15 years w- a previous farmer in perry county IL and his end isn’t being upheld anymore so we are looking elsewhere. If you are interested in this possibility please respond back to my email @ bstork04@gmail.com Thank you for your time, Brandon
400 acres in Georgia
$15/acre
You left out Florida, I have a 350 acre farm in the pan handle and I get $15 an acre from 2 guys that return every year. I plant 40 acres of corn for the dove hunters ($4000) and it provides great cover and food for the deer. My 2 cents
Richard, also a land owner in the Panhandle (jackson county). Would love some property management guidance if you have a chance.
$38.50 per acre in Michigan Thumb Area for 39 acres.
Wondering if the 3O.50 Acres that still available I live in Michigan and and I am very interested in it please let me know
Looking for land to lease in Michigan if anybody knows of any thank you
Kansas? What would a fair price for a hunting lease like this be I ask….I may be opening some land for deer hunting. 150 ac on little blue river 80 ac corn, bean rotaion. Timber along the river, house to stay in on farm. land owner on farm I see some ten point eating the crops every year, two seat gator atv for hunter too use. It is 2:30 from Kasas city and 1:30 from Lincon nebraska. One to two years out any thoughts?
I’ve got a guy looking for exactly what you’re offering his money is good he’s a farmer from Louisiana been hunting kansas for 10 yrs references available
I’m looking for a hunting lease in Tx. I would prefer about 100 acres in Henderson or van zandt county. If you know of one please call 903-275-0049. Thank You.
220 acres in Monroe, GA $3000/season. 30% open, 70% wooded, just outside of the city limit and surrounded by 3 large farm tracts. 2 creeks border 2 sides of the farm and with a small pond as well. Power and water for camping and that area is secluded. Owner lives on property where there is a gated entrance. Many mature deer on property.
Libby,
If you still have the land possibly available for 2016 season please contact me via email. I live no more than 45 minutes from Monroe which would be ideal to help out on the land if needed. I am a very ethical an honest person with references if needed.
If the land is available, please contact me… Thanks, Keith
I have 160 acres I’m thinking of leasing. Minn. near Moose lake. When you talk of so many dollars a acre is that usually just for the season or is it expect to be for the year. Good for deer, bow ad rifle also grouse. I do see some turkeys.
I look for the year so I can scout out the property use game cams to follow the deer & game bird patterns.
I would like to get a fair price on renting our property just for the weekends during hunting season. We have 200 acres and have deer, wild turkey, squirrels, duck and raccoon. I’m from Chicago and just moved to Mississippi. I’m not interested in doing a lease because I don’t want to give someone that much access to my property. My house is in front of the hunting area. some please give me some advice.
I lease out land in Edgefield, SC for $27.50 per acre and it stays leased every year!
150 Acres /( $19 per acre ) in Central Indiana for Lease! 150 Acres in Boone County,Indiana ready to hunt with trails and 4 wheeler/ATV access. This property has 2 creeks that run through it and also has 4 lakes on the outside property line. This year we planted 50% soy beans and 50% corn. We have a total of 2,000 acres but 1500 have crop and is open. The 150 acres for lease brings consistent Big Bucks through the property and Does lay in the Hay/tall grass fields. No one hunts this property besides myself and a occasional friend that goes with me. You lease and it is all yours !
Michael Where is your farm and has it been leased yet? I live in Champaign Illinois but am very familiar with Indiana and would like to check it out if it hasn’t been leased.
Hi Paul,
I have 278 acres of hunt land in Cayuga, IN.
Hello-
How much are you charging for the 2017 hunting season?
Please reply to: robar05@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Ron
$35,000 a year for 6,800 acres in sc Kansas. 2 adults and 3 kids.
I just leased out my 140 acre tree farm for $2800. It has food plots and road system. Other lands in this area of S.C are leasing for &16 per ac
I have a 105 acre farm in mcdonough county Illinois available for lease. 57 acres corn/bean rotation 48 acres timber. Awesome deer hunting. $3,500 for the archery lease. Email adoup2221970@gmail.com if interested. Dennis
The $ 37.00 cost is per acre.
We just rented a 145 acre farm in sussex co. DE. 40 forest and 100 farm land for 5 months for 4,500 to 2 guys from Pa and i rented a 13 acre all forest to 2 local guys for1,250 fpr 5 mo. have a third plot 31 acres/22 forest with pond i’m looking to get 4,000 for
Leasing land to hunt on is a whole new world to me. From hunting open National forest in Montana to very little public land in Oklahoma. I got my first two leases for 2016-17 season $8 acre & $15 acre.
We Have 200 acres and a nice 2 or 3 bedroom home, carports, lots of storage, for lease. There is great deer hunting here, pastures produce approximately 150 large round bales a hay per year (twice if 2 cuttings, depending on rain) Pastures for cattle, lots of room for 4 wheeler fun. Cross fences will need to be put up for the cattle. This is nice private property about 10 miles N. of Hugo, Okla and 5 miles from Rattan Okla. The annual lease for this entire package deal is only $1,500 per month. Serious inquiries only. This possibly can turn into a long term lease. We will not divide this up. This is a package deal for one individual/family. The lease will be $1,500 per month pre-paid quarterly. Background and credit checks a must. If interested, just give us a call and we will send you pictures of all with more information.
We are interested in leasing out our property in northern Wyoming for hunting and looking for input on what to charge. It is 1425 deeded acres bordered by large BLM parcel. Sits 20 miles from the base of the big horn mountains and approximately 50 miles east of Yellowstone Natl Park. Wildlife on the property to hunt include mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, and pheasants. There is a fully furnished bunkhouse available to stay during hunting trips (whether hunting leased property or going to the mountains for elk/moose/bear hunts). Judging from the feedback listed above and in the article regarding Nebraska/South Dakota rates, looking like could be anywhere in the $5-10/acre. Any thoughts or feedback? Where would be the best place to list the property to get some interested and serious parties and what types of things do I ask for to make sure they are legit and not scamming or shady individuals?
We’ve arreivd at the end of the line and I have what I need!
Do you still want to lease your property for 2017 hunting season?
If so call me please
thanks
Shane
903-285-2889
Lynn,
Have you leased this land?
I have a 60 acre plot surrounded by mother nature. To the south I have redbrush dominant, west is crab apple patch rich (deer and Turkey heaven), east is soybean fields locally owned by the neighbor up the road, and north is bordered by a couple houses. The woods are hardwood dominant with maple, cherry, red oak, beech, and a scattered few elm, poplar, and a few others. There is 2 springs on site along with a network of run through creeks. I built my log cabin near the southern end centered. If interested in leasing for the season contact me 440-228-837two so we can discuss your interests and desire to bag the next big one.
My mother has been leasing her land in Alabama for $800 a season. It’s approximately 100 acres. Are we underpricing ourselves.
I have 80 acres of prime bedding area in Northeast missouri surrounded by a large dairy farm. The land has lots of food plots, tall native grasses and lots of mature white oaks. We do (3 ) 5 day bow bow hunts each ear for $3k per hunt. We have about 90% success on 140+ class bucks. Eachieve spring (2) 4 day turkey hunts for $2k each with 100% success.
Im interested in leasing out our 142 acres in western NY. Does anyone have any interest? Timber as well as a stream and a food plot.
Curious what would YOU pay for a 23 acre property with approximately 2 acres of food plot potential and remainder timberland on the south west corner of a 250-300 acre island on the Wisconsin river.
It is non build able so no homes or buildings on the property. It is an old farm from the 1950’s that has been grown in and now has no access other than by boat. It currently has four hunters that bow hunt the entire 250-300 acres and only 95 acres is gun hunted. It does freeze up if weather is cold by gun season so you may have to break some thin ice to get there. It has some flooding issues in early season if turkey hunting is your thing, but I have hunted it and shot some 20-25 lb birds in April, but never had an issue during deer season. It is across the river from a boat landing but a farther drive time from hotels (20 minutes) and a second landing with an approximate 5 minutes boat ride but approximately 6 miles from the interstate and several hotels. It is surrounded by lumber yards and a city limits so there are hundreds of acres that are non hunt able around this property to grow the deer. I have seen and shot several pope and young deer out there and have several on game camera that could hit that size. The city that surround the property has several restaurants, gas stations, bow shop, and larger hunting related stores for supplies. Great late season fishing and duck hunting around the property in the fall and a dam on the north end of the property for year round fishing. I would not have any lodging, but as stated earlier several hotels and an interstate within 5 miles of the property and a launch. The land is situated between two bedding areas that are on the neighbors property to the east and west. Access is on the south end of the property, so great for north wind hunts.
Thoughts on price is all I am looking at, I am not currently leasing, but considering the possibility since I have closer land, easier access with a truck, and less time to hunt do to my commitments at home.
Thank you for all your advice and look forward to any prices you would suggest.
Have 80 acres w/nice spit level home (1700 sf / being renovated) in So. MO near Mark Twain National Park at Cassville.
Contemplating year round lease to Hunting Club.
Any suggestions?
Also have a 50′ lift freight elevator may set w/tiny home (presently being removed from 3.5 story bldg.
I’m possibly looking for a lease in NE Kansas North of Emporia South of Manhattan. Anyone with connections to someone interested in leasing I’d be game to talk to them. Looking for primarily deer ground but might consider a controlled shooting lease to guide preserve upland birds. Please Email me as I don’t check page much. Thanks in advance
Someone wants to lease my 78 acres in Arkansas by the year for $400. That’s way to low right? I see everyone is posting by the season not the year. Any idea how to price for a year?
I am wondering if the prices quoted for Michigan are for deer season or 365 days….. I have 50 to 60 acres with another 22 to 32 hunted by family with woods,crops (soybeans and corn )I live on the property. It was logged 4 years ago It is leased and price has become an issue.
I am looking for 100-200 acres to lease around West End/Carthage NC.
13000 acres in Kansas for free. Knocked on a lot of doors and found a couple very nice landowners. They have a few grand kids who hunt and thats it!! Does not bother me one bit. It is still possible to knock on doors and get permission. I also have 135 acres in my home state that I have hunted for 25 years and no lease just permission. It is a bow only area as well. Lastly I have hunted behind my house where several landowners own about 350 acres. Been hunting that for 50 years, again no lease. I kill a good buck each year both home and in Kansas.
Am looking for about 3-500 acres of top notch deer land
Lease in Iowa. Grew up on farm inPenna and know what
Means to treat land well or respect landowner and
Land too. Still farm in Penna and Ky.
Considering leasing out 220 acre farm in western Wisconsin. Small, rustic bunk house would be included. Has some standing water and river near very near by. Soybeans and Corn rotate on about 140 and 80 of which are woods. Thinking of only allowing 6 hunters. Does any of this make sense?
Unsure of what or how to go about pricing it, or what restrictions to put in place. Just looking for advice on contract set up and and idea on pricing. I have had a group hunting it for years, but have started considering going this route. Any advice or information resources would be appreciated.
Hey Rick
It sounds like you have a fantastice piece of hunting ground. I am a deer hunter and I know how bad it feels to loose a hunting lease. I would encourage you to do some research and understand what the market is your area. As the article mentions there are numerous variables that should be taken into account. Also remember if you speak with a broker they are applying a markup on the lease price- aka whitetail properties, basecamp leasing
Finally…after you feel like you understand the value of your lease. I would hope you would give the current hunters the opporunity for first refusal. If they have been good clients for many years then it seems fair to give them first notice.
Hope this helps
Jeff
My client has a 625 acre parcel in North East Michigan about 15 minutes off I 75. It is an old boy scout camp and has several cabins and sleeps probably about 80 people easy. A 90 acre lake that is fully encompassed within the acreage. Great property. The former hunters (my client purchased the land this year) are offering 8K which seems low to me; for September through the end of the first week of rifle season. They would only use one cabin.
It seems perfect for a large group that might want more sleeping facilities. There is also s large dining hall with a fully equipped kitchen that is on the lake; someone could get married and then hunt!
If you are interested; kindly shoot me an email.
290Ac bottom E. of Prescott in southwest Arkansas. Upfront yearly $6.50/Ac starting 10/1 (I’ll drop by $1 after 3yrs if proves as a no-trouble, long-term leaser). About 50:50 bedded pine & hardwood. Hogs & deer, along quiet Terre Rouge Creek. Max 7. Gate & walk or drive in.
This may be a silly question, but in hunting leases, do you charge per person and put a cap on how many hunters can be on your land? What about agreement to clean up everything before they leave?