Leasing Land

[tgus59]

I've been able to find farms to hunt for free in Iowa for all my life. In the last 12 months I've lost rights on my two main farms (one owner passed away, the other is letting relatives hunt instead). I'm frustrated and considering paying to lease some ground, but am curious if anyone has any tips or experience with it.

 

[SneakyThunderCat]

I've been able to find farms to hunt for free in Iowa for all my life. In the last 12 months I've lost rights on my two main farms (one owner passed away, the other is letting relatives hunt instead). I'm frustrated and considering paying to lease some ground, but am curious if anyone has any tips or experience with it.

Leases will go anywhere from 4-30 bucks an acre here in Iowa depending on the landowner, the location of the state, or what kind of agreement you have with the landowner. I know a couple guys that have gotten hunting rights on a farm and all they have to do is help the farmer out on occasion. I would definitely walk the property before you make a decision. You can also see if they have any trail cam pics from deer on the property from years past, or try and find out what kind of bucks the area has produced, as well as determining the overall deer population of the area. Finding out who hunts the neighboring properties, and what kind of hunting practices they have in play can benefit you also. Try to gather as much info about the property, and area as you can before you start throwing money at a piece of ground.


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[Btaylor]

^^^ All of this

 

[Wiscohunter]

Have leased land in WI regularly over the years. Leases in prime areas here run $30 per acre or more in famous areas (e. g. Buffalo County).

I recommend getting the agreement in writing so you don't have any misunderstandings, like showing up 2nd gun season to find out the owners friends are driving the land because they thought you were "done" hunting. It should also spell out any of the land owners concerns. For example where to park, are you allowed to plant food plots, etc.

Last, after following SneakyThunderCat's recommendations to make sure you've got a good piece, think about getting a multi year lease. It sucks to put a bunch of work in only to lose the piece after a year.

Good luck

 

[tgus59]

Better luck finding places online, through realtors, or knocking on doors?

 

[Rich M]

Realtor is an easy start. Contact one for each county/area.

Knocking on doors, church, and local events if you are a smooth talker.

Don't be afraid to post a craigslist ad - or whatever local papers there are around.

Some guys go on the local property appraiser website and send out carefully worded letters to ALL landowners with 25+ acres in the areas they want to hunt. Some have had good results with this.

Remember that you are starting mid-game and many folks have already leased & folks are paying to hunt. Not every place is available and every NO does not mean you are a bad person.

Nothing like determination tho. Decide what you are willing to do and then do it. Best wishes!

 

[MallardSX2]

I would avoid the church......just saying.

 

[isu22andy]

Keep nocking on doors - the L word around here hasnt been mentioned much around my county and I hope it stays that way. Spreads like a disease and ruins it for everyone else.

 

[tgus59]

Keep nocking on doors - the L word around here hasnt been mentioned much around my county and I hope it stays that way. Spreads like a disease and ruins it for everyone else.

I with you man, but with the amount of time I've spent sending letters and knocking on doors, I could get a part time job and just pay for a lease. I'm just weighing all options. I appreciate the replies!

 

[Wiscohunter]

Realtors and craigslist do work, but you will pay a premium though those services. The best leases are likely found through knocking on doors and/or getting to know people in the area you intend to hunt. I know a few guys that find great leases at good values, but they spend a tremendous amount of time in their areas.

 

[Newtosavage]

Keep nocking on doors - the L word around here hasnt been mentioned much around my county and I hope it stays that way. Spreads like a disease and ruins it for everyone else.

Ruins it for the freeloaders you mean.

If you aren't at least paying the taxes for the landowner whose property you hunt, then you're a freeloader.

It's time the rest of the private landowners in the country wise up.

 

[isu22andy]

I with you man, but with the amount of time I've spent sending letters and knocking on doors, I could get a part time job and just pay for a lease. I'm just weighing all options. I appreciate the replies!

Yeah its tough , its just sad it has to come to this . Im fortunate enough to have distant family ground to hunt but its nothing special .

 

[isu22andy]

Ruins it for the freeloaders you mean.

If you aren't at least paying the taxes for the landowner whose property you hunt, then you're a freeloader.

It's time the rest of the private landowners in the country wise up.

I suppose you dont come on here and ask for advice or help too without paying ? Or are you a free loader too ? Probably dont stop to help a guy change a tire without charging him do ya ? What about your parents or grandparents were they all free loaders or did they pay leases back then too ? Give me a break.

 

[Newtosavage]

I suppose you dont come on here and ask for advice or help too without paying ? Or are you a free loader too ? Probably dont stop to help a guy change a tire without charging him do ya ? What about your parents or grandparents were they all free loaders or did they pay leases back then too ? Give me a break.

Personal much? I'm just telling it as I see it. If you aren't helping that landowner ( who is paying taxes for you ) then you are a freeloader.

If you can't understand that, then you've never owned land or paid the cost of managing it. Property ain't free folks.

 

[isu22andy]

Personal much? I'm just telling it as I see it. If you aren't helping that landowner ( who is paying taxes for you ) then you are a freeloader.

If you can't understand that, then you've never owned land or paid the cost of managing it. Property ain't free folks.

Call me what you want, I guess if that makes me a freeloader so be it. I aint knocking on some deer hunters paradise with box blinds and food plots . Theres multiple properties I hunt where the landowner is out of state and could care less . Some the only thing they say is kill every deer you see. They hate deer. Its the idiots that think they need to shoot a 180 incher so they cry whenever some else has permission to the landowner. Make a big drama scene. They feel like they need to put up 15 trail cameras, rip up food plots , giant mineral holes and box blinds. Not a guy with 2 stands that slips in and out. Unfortunately theres more people that make deer hunting into a drama fest anymore than it needs to be.

 

[Newtosavage]

Just pay your way and stifle it. That's all I'm saying. Anyone who isn't willing to pay their way is a freeloader.

 

[204guy]

Ruins it for the freeloaders you mean.

If you aren't at least paying the taxes for the landowner whose property you hunt, then you're a freeloader.

It's time the rest of the private landowners in the country wise up.

Be honest. Did the other Texans on here make you change your location because they were embarrased to be associated with you?

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[WhiteOak]

Freeloader... really man
There is a lot of ground in between hunting someones land and paying thier taxes for them.
Work, Chores, varmints, food, ect. As long as thier is an agreement that works for both parties all is good. Coming from a land owner who has offered or permitted hunting rights without a monetary exchange.

 

[Newtosavage]

Be honest. Did the other Texans on here make you change your location because they were embarrased to be associated with you?

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Again, personal instead of sticking to the topic.

There is a lot of ground in between hunting someones land and paying thier taxes for them.

Yea, we call that the "freeloader 40" around here.

I work off my lease. I put in about 80 hours every fall to have the privilege of shooting 4 does/year off the place I hunt. That comes to about $800/doe if the landowner had hired out the same work.

The "freeloader" comment is for those who think they have some kind of right to hunt private land without payment of any kind. And there are plenty of those who do. Usually in the midwest.

 

[NCSU_Lewis]

Again, personal instead of sticking to the topic.


Yea, we call that the "freeloader 40" around here.

I work off my lease. I put in about 80 hours every fall to have the privilege of shooting 4 does/year off the place I hunt. That comes to about $800/doe if the landowner had hired out the same work.

The "freeloader" comment is for those who think they have some kind of right to hunt private land without payment of any kind. And there are plenty of those who do. Usually in the midwest.

Pretty sure the title states "Leasing land" so don't believe he is opposed to it or thinks he has a right to hunt for free... I hunted a small piece for free this fall that came from knocking on a door. If you get lucky and find a landowner willing, who wouldn't hunt it for free?