A look at how more landowners are leasing their rural land to hunters.
Hunting leases (https://www.basecampleasing.com) are gaining popularity with Midwest landowners. Today, more midwestern landowners are leasing their properties to hunters, and everyone is winning because of it. So, why is this trend increasing? And when and where did it come from?
The South Started the Hunting Lease Concept
Most don’t realize it, but the South kicked off the hunting lease concept. Midwestern landowners are starting to follow suit, though, and are doing what landowners in the South have been doing for many decades.
In fact, southern landowners started leasing land in the early 1900s. At that time, landowners realized hunters would pay them to access ground. The concept spread to corporate settings, and so, timber (and other) companies started leasing hunting rights as well.
In time, hunt clubs were established. Hunters joined existing clubs or started their own. Over the past 100 years, the concept has grown. It’s spread to other regions, including the Northwest, Midwest, and West.
The Midwest has been slowest to adopt the practice. This is largely due to different dynamics. The South is dominated by large tracts of many contiguous acres. Most of these are owned by large landowners, businesses, or corporations.
In the Midwest, properties tend to be smaller. Plus, midwestern properties were acquired and maintained by families, rather than corporations. Because of this, fewer were willing to allow others to access for hunting. Furthermore, fewer Midwesterners hunt. So, not as many were aware hunters are willing to pay for property access.
All said, things have changed within the past few decades. Midwestern properties are being purchased by businesses and corporations. Other properties are being purchased by successful farming operations. In short, larger tracts of contiguous acres are being assembled. Subsequently, as these groups seek to maximize profits, many of these lands are coming available as hunting leases.
Midwest Hunting Land Leases Are Valuable
A quick look at the whitetail record books, and it’s obvious — the Midwest offers the best odds of harvesting trophy bucks. This region has the age structure, genetics, soil composition, minerals, hunting culture, and other factors necessary to grow top-end bucks.
This region also offers some of the best deer densities. This makes it a target-rich environment for meat hunters. Of course, all hunters like seeing a lot of deer, too.
Usually, demand creates supply. But supply can create demand as well. Midwest landowners are realizing the unseen value they have in their land. As more landowners realize it, and supply increases, more hunters are leasing. As this trend continues, more hunters and midwestern landowners are entering into lease agreements.
Historically, most leasing of midwestern hunting land was transacted by guides and outfitters who hosted paying clients (hunters). That said, via outfitting, hunters are only able to hunt three to five days. Now, hunters are realizing they can lease an entire farm for the same amount (or even less) and be able to hunt the entire season. This too has increased demand for hunting leases everywhere, but especially the Midwest.
Assess Your Land as a Hunting Lease
Not every property should be a hunting lease. Deer and other wildlife need places to bed, feed, water, and find sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of human life. Does the property offer what deer and other wild game needs to live there? If so, what’s the population look like?
Plus, it’s important to gauge how much of your land is huntable ground. For example, 1,000 acres with 10 acres of timber or other cover isn’t worth much. But 1,000 acres with 900 acres of cover and 100 acres of open ground is worth a lot. Be honest with yourself about whether a property is a good lease or a rip-off.
Of course, part of leasing your land through Base Camp Leasing is the benefit of a trusted leasing agent who can address and answer the above statements and questions. They’ll help you navigate the process and establish a framework for the hunting lease value. They’ll also handle the entire process, effectively streamlining it for you.
Midwest Landowners Should Cash in on Hunting Leases
Proactive landowners are taking advantage of the hunting lease movement. They’re using it to help offset rising costs for landowners. Increasing property taxes. Rising interest rates. Fuel costs. Other maintenance expenditures. The list goes on. Landowners can use the cash.
So, do you own at least 10-20 acres? Maybe you have hundreds or thousands? No matter where you land on that spectrum, your acres just might serve as hunting leases. After all, hunting leases are gaining popularity in the Midwest. You might as well be a landowner who benefits from it.
Contact Base Camp Leasing today (https://www.basecampleasing.com).
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