Hunting land/Ranch purchase thoughts.

[bradmacmt]

This is fairly typical from guys "back East" - trying to buy land in the West to hunt on. It just doesn't work that way here. Even if you could buy 240 acres with water and accessibility for $1,000,000 (which you can't). Back East you need to control the land and hold animals on it. Here you need many thousands of acres to do that. Even then, you won't "hold" animals without irrigated crops.

You can buy 240 acres of sage flats, off the grid, with seasonal accessibility in many places in the West, but absolutely nothing like you're describing. What you need in the West is a place to hang your hat - the states public lands are your oyster. That's how you should be thinking.

But there's absolutely zero chance buying 240+ acres with elk on it within your "wants parameters"... you need a budget starting at many, many millions.

 

[Hnthrdr]

You want an inflation kick in the nuts story haha my good buddies dad bought a sweet property in southern wyo in the early 90’s 1200 acres for 120k has deer and turkey and migratory elk haha it’s probably 2.5 million today

 

[Tmac]

I know a landowner that has managed to keep elk on about 320 acres in NE OR. He has 70 acres of alfalfa, multiple springs, borders Nat. Forest and has done a nice job thinning out about 2/3 of the timber. Left several dense bedding areas and opened up the rest a bit so it can grow some feed. Rare to find all that on such a small place east of the Cascade Mts.

Much more doable in W. OR as far as water and feed. Water is all over and open green fields attract the Roosevelt’s. So much is covered in dense brush/forest they will often hold near good graze. The deer, Blacktails, are more edge creatures, needing browse. Thin out some trees/brush, plant some apple trees, and you’ll likely hold deer there. No need for landowner tags in most cases, as general seasons are common on the west side. But at least 160 acres under current rules would qualify for landowner tags, should it move to a draw.

 

[bradmacmt]

I know a landowner that has managed to keep elk on about 320 acres in NE OR. He has 70 acres of alfalfa, multiple springs, borders Nat. Forest and has done a nice job thinning out about 2/3 of the timber. Left several dense bedding areas and opened up the rest a bit so it can grow some feed. Rare to find all that on such a small place east of the Cascade Mts.

And I guarantee, were that place for sale, it would be far North of 1 million dollars.

 

[cnelk]

I also dont think WY gives LO tags unless you have a minimum of 600 acres. Someone please correct me if wrong there.

You need 160 acres to qualify for LO tags in Wyoming. But thats not all, they also use a study to determine how many animals actually use the property to see if you qualify

 

[Silveroddo]

This is fairly typical from guys "back East" - trying to buy land in the West to hunt on. It just doesn't work that way here. Even if you could buy 240 acres with water and accessibility for $1,000,000 (which you can't). Back East you need to control the land and hold animals on it. Here you need many thousands of acres to do that. Even then, you won't "hold" animals without irrigated crops.

You can buy 240 acres of sage flats, off the grid, with seasonal accessibility in many places in the West, but absolutely nothing like you're describing. What you need in the West is a place to hang your hat - the states public lands are your oyster. That's how you should be thinking.

But there's absolutely zero chance buying 240+ acres with elk on it within your "wants parameters"... you need a budget starting at many, many millions.

I've spent the last 10 years bobbing around Idaho, Montana, and parts of Wyoming and that's pretty much my mentality, at this point I don't even want to own a place to hang my hat because the areas I enjoy can be several hundred miles apart. I'm narrowing down a possible area to set up home base, but boon docking and a fifth wheel are still pretty viable options.

 

[Tmac]

And I guarantee, were that place for sale, it would be far North of 1 million dollars.

Most likely. Water with water rights adds substantial value in dry country.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

There are 0 land owner tag options for AZ land holders? Ie you have to draw tags like everyone else. Draw odds are abysmal for NR in AZ you will likely not hunt your land 2x in a row, if it’s a decent elk unit you will hunt it 1x in your life probably.

Gotchya. Sorry, I thought your comment had more to do with just ownership laws, adverse possession laws, public land, right of way stuff etc etc.

Yes, still have to follow draw regs.

 

[280twoeighty]

Thanks guys. Some good thoughts. There is no right or wrong answer. Every situation is different and unique.

Rich M, thanks for the encouragement. Congrats on finding your place and getting your first buck on it. That is a great accomplishment.

 

[BishBeCool]

Just an opinion…
That money might be better spent in a white tail state on the right 40+ acres,Wisconsin, Iowa etc… west is a public land deal brother. You could buy the right 5 acres and have elk pass through on occasion or you could buy 250 and see elk on occasion. The idea is romantic (I think we all agree we think about it) but the west has everything you want for the cost of tags. Your budget can get you a lot of amazing hunts in the Yukon, AK and BC. Best of luck

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Your best bet is to find land that borders public land. That might require downsizing to 5-10 acres (which is still expensive as hell out here). I know plenty of guys that only own a handful of acres that can still shoot elk/deer from their porch because they abut against some nice public property that has limited access. Lots of landlocked quarter sections where only adjacent parcels can enter too.

 

[wildwilderness]

Other states will guarantee or give preference in draws to landowners to get deer/elk etc tags based on how much land you own.

It is particularly important for Non-Resident landowners who would otherwise not get a tag often. More of a problem in the West, and now Midwest where tags are limited and getting worse

 

[dgfavor]

Thinking minimum of 240 acres on up.

Obviously lop tags for deer and or elk are what matters.

FYI, in ID, 240 acres won't get you into the LAP draw - starts at 640...it might get you into the secondary draw which I think had no tags even available this year...at least there were none in my unit after first drawing. Also in ID, just being in the LAP pool doesn't guarantee a tag - it's a draw just like the regular controlled draw and I get just as irritated when I whiff in it as I do the general.

I say go for it if it's your dream...probably best purchase I've ever made fwiw:

Elk from my place this year:

Deer from my place this year:

A place that generates some income from ag/timber/grazing/etc. can be beneficial as well, i.e. business/rec property. I cash lease out ag acres:

 

[Hnthrdr]

Gotchya. Sorry, I thought your comment had more to do with just ownership laws, adverse possession laws, public land, right of way stuff etc etc.

Yes, still have to follow draw regs.

Nope, family has 700 ish acres out side of Prescott, they have owned it since 1870… haven’t hunted it yet as I’m accruing points as a NR, heck can’t even shoot the numerous javalina that are constantly around without drawing a tag for them…