Part 2: More ways landowners benefit from hunting leases

Pursuing wounded deer on neighboring property still requires permission

One example is recovering an animal that crosses onto neighboring land.

My lease requires hunters to obtain permission before entering neighboring property to pursue a wild animal.

They cannot simply cross the property line because the deer they were following went onto somebody else’s land.

Rules like this help establish expectations before the season begins.

That protects the landowner, the neighbors, and the hunters themselves.

An extra set of eyes on your property

Absentee landowners can face problems they may never see firsthand.

Trespassing is one example.

Someone may be entering the property without permission.

Someone may even be hunting there without the landowner knowing it.

Hunters who are legally leasing the property tend to notice those things because they spend time there.

They notice unfamiliar vehicles.

They notice people walking through areas where they should not be.

They notice damaged signs, open gates, or unusual activity.

In that sense, they can become another set of eyes and ears on the property.

Their interests and the landowner’s interests often line up.

They want the property protected because they want the hunting protected too.

Hunters sometimes help with property maintenance

In some cases, the relationship goes beyond simply hunting.

I have had hunters help landowners with things such as mowing fields, removing downed trees from trails, and posting property boundary signs.

That is not something every hunter is automatically expected to do.

But good relationships sometimes develop naturally over time.

I have also seen plenty of situations where landowners and hunters eventually become friends.

That can be one of the more positive parts of a long-term hunting lease arrangement.

The right hunters matter

A hunting lease works much better when the hunters are a good fit for the property and the landowner.

I have clients who are waiting for me to call when the right property becomes available.

Because I already know many of those hunters, I may have a good idea who would fit a particular property before the lease is ever advertised widely.

Some landowners want hunters who will keep to themselves.

Others prefer hunters who are willing to communicate regularly.

Some properties may work better for a small group.

Others may be able to support more hunters.

The objective is not simply to find anybody willing to pay.

It is to find hunters who are likely to respect the property and follow the rules.

Clear lease rules protect everyone

A good hunting lease should remove as much uncertainty as possible.

Hunters should know what they are allowed to do.

Landowners should know who has permission to be there.

Property boundaries should be respected.

Rules concerning guests, access, vehicles, hunting methods, neighboring properties, and other issues should be addressed before problems occur.

When the expectations are clear from the beginning, there is less opportunity for disagreement later.

Hunters have something to lose too

It is easy to think of the hunting lease relationship only from the landowner’s point of view.

But the hunters have something at stake as well.

They may have invested money in the lease.

They may have spent time scouting the property.

They may have installed stands or cameras.

They may have developed an understanding of deer movement over several seasons.

If they lose the lease because of poor behavior, they lose all of that.

And finding a comparable replacement property may not be easy.

That gives responsible hunters a strong incentive to follow the rules and maintain a good relationship with the landowner.

Hunting leases can offer more than income

The financial side of a hunting lease is important, but it is not the only consideration.

A well-managed lease can also give a landowner:

• More regular activity on the property
• Additional awareness of trespassing or suspicious activity
• Hunters who understand and respect the property boundaries
• Potential help with minor property maintenance
• A long-term relationship with people who have an interest in taking care of the land

None of that happens automatically.

It depends on finding the right hunters and having a clear lease that explains what is expected of them.

Finding hunters who fit your property

After more than 25 years of working with Ohio hunting leases, I have built relationships with hunters looking for good properties.

That means I may already know someone whose hunting style, group size, and expectations are a good match for your land.

If you are thinking about leasing your hunting rights, the first step is simply to talk about the property and what you want.

You can decide how much access hunters have, what rules they follow, and what kind of relationship you want with them.

The goal is not just to put hunters on your land.

It is to find hunters who will respect it.