Don’t fall for the myths surrounding hunting leases. Hunting leases are good, and for many reasons.

Some hunters love hunting leases. Others do not. But it’s important to know of the myths, and true benefits, of leasing hunting land. Hunting leases are good, and here’s why. But first, a few myths to know.

The Myths of Hunting Leases

Most hunters (who do not lease) think that hunting leases are only for the “rich man” and that hunting lease companies like BCL are ruining the sport and only out for the money. That’s simply not true.

In reality, BCL is striving to make positive impacts on access, conservation, wildlife management, and much more. Because of BCL, and the concept of hunting leases, hunters are accessing quality hunting ground, more money is available for conservation, and wildlife management of whitetails and other species is improving, and more.

Ok, so it isn’t “bad,” per say. But you say it’s a new concept, breaks tradition, and isn’t the way “we’ve always done it.” Wrong again.

Hunt clubs and Leasing aren’t new to the hunting landscape. Exchanging payment (leasing) for hunting (access to someone else’s land) is not new.

Plus, this is a normal practice, even outside of hunting. The landowner has a valuable product, and it’s their right to benefit from it. After all, they pay (or paid) the mortgage, and still pay the taxes, along with property repairs and upkeep.

Furthermore, would you expect a landowner to rent out their fields to farmers without receipt of payment? Would an oil company drill without paying royalties? Would certain recreations be allowed on their property without compensation. No, you, and they, would not.

Still sour about hunting leases? Well, that’s on you. Thankfully, with a lease arrangement, both landowner and hunter benefit. Without question, hunting leases elevate deer and deer hunters alike. In short, hunting leases are good. Here are just a few of the reasons why.

  1. Opening Access (in General)

Many private properties are completely closed to hunting. Due to one reason or another, the landowners decided to cease offering permission to hunters. In some instances, hunting properties are, or were, completely closed to hunting.

Fortunately, BCL is adept at finding these property types and landowners. When it recruits a landowner who wasn’t already allowing hunting, that results in increased hunting land access. Therefore, hunting land leasing creates additional hunting land access for people who would have never had access to said tracts without BCL services.

  1. Improving Access (to Better Ground)

Of course, other landowners are (and already were) willing to allow hunting. But you would have never known it if not for seeing the property on BCL’s website. So, theoretically, this platform allows you to be “choosier” until you find just the right property that checks all the right boxes for you. Because everyone wants or needs something slightly different in a hunting property.

Additionally, public land deer hunting can be great, but oftentimes, it’s lower quality. Typically, private lands with numerous permission-based hunters are, too. But when you lease a property, you have control of the hunting rights, which typically translates to better hunting ground.

  1. Managing Hunting Pressure

As noted above, with a hunting lease, you control the hunting rights. You choose who can and can’t hunt on it. Therefore, because you have sole recreational rights to the tract, it helps manage hunting pressure. Of course, that’s important for maintaining the quality of a piece of hunting land.

A hunter seeking a hunting lease should prioritize several key factors to ensure a safe, ethical, and enjoyable experience. Firstly, clearly defined property boundaries and permitted hunting areas are crucial to avoid trespassing and conflicts. The lease agreement should explicitly state which game species can be hunted, the allowable hunting methods (e.g., archery, firearm), and any harvest restrictions or quotas. Access to the property, including designated entry points and road usage rules, needs to be well-defined. Liability clauses and insurance requirements are essential for protecting both the hunter and the landowner. Furthermore, understanding the lease duration, payment terms, and any conditions for renewal is vital for long-term planning. Finally, a good relationship with the landowner, based on clear communication and mutual respect for the property, can significantly enhance the hunting experience.

  1. Improving Wildlife Conservation

When a property is leased to a hunter, it keeps recreational land intact. This allows current and future hunting to occur on the parcel. Whereas, if being developed, the area experiences habitat loss. Plus, if broken into multiple tracts, the habitat tends to decline as well. Because of this, hunting leases can lead to better wildlife conservation.

  1. Enhancing Wildlife Management

Leasing also helps the environment. This makes it more possible to keep healthy habitat numbers. (For all wildlife species.) In some instances, depending on the specific lease agreement, and hunting regulations, it might even be possible to manage the habitat. Examples include food plots, supplemental feed, etc.

  1. Elevating Deer Herd Quality

A hunter who leases land controls what deer are harvested on the property. Generally, this leads to a better buck age structure. Overall, in time, it elevates the deer herd quality. So long as neighboring hunters are on the same page, the area’s hunting pressure improves closer to the goals and standards of local hunters.

  1. Increased Options for Hunt Planning

Oftentimes, a hunter who leases, has more control. Typically, leasing expands more possibilities than hunting private land by permission, or for hunting public ground. This provides additional flexibility when deciding how, where, and when to hunt. Because there are fewer variables to consider (namely higher hunting pressure), it’s more possible to hunt when conditions are right, rather than worrying about getting your deer before the competition peaks.

  1. Enhanced Property Knowledge (Over Time)

Another benefit of a hunting lease is first right of refusal. Meaning, if the landowner decides to lease it out again next year, the existing hunter gets first dibs at it. In contrast, with permission-based hunting, the landowner can give permission to someone else (or multiple people), even if you want to continue hunting there. But because you have the lease each year, you can hunt it for consecutive seasons, which allows for enhanced property knowledge over time.

  1. Decreasing Trespassing Issues

When a property is leased — it’s leased. Oftentimes, hunters who lease land actively patrol it to ensure unauthorized individuals don’t slip into the property. Also, once word gets around that it’s leased, neighborhood trespassers are less likely to jump the fence. They tend to be more fearful of discovery when they know lease hunters are active on the landscape.

  1. Increased Revenue

This one is for the landowners, but increased revenue is a big benefit for them. That’s a good thing. Everyone wins, and no one is taken advantage of. All parties involved come out positive, and that’s the sign of a good deal.

Hunting Leases Are Good

Whether you’re in search of your first hunting lease, or your 10th, it’s a great option for many hunters. Hunting leases solve a lot of challenges, and improve situations, for hunters and landowners alike. This win-win form of hunting land access is good.