The hunting season you’ve been waiting for is here. You have the gear. You have the enthusiasm. You imagine walking through the woods, sitting in the stand or setting up camp. 

There’s only one problem. 

You need to find a place to hunt. 

Searching for hunting leases can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Unless you have family land or a friend with several acres, you may not know how to find a hunting lease. Where do you begin? 

Many hunting leases originate from word of mouth (I know a guy who knows a guy), but there are other ways you can find land to lease. Resources like HUUNT help people find hunting rentals and guided trips online. 

Keep reading to learn how to find a hunting lease this season. 

Jump to: 

• What’s a land lease?
• 8 ways to find hunting leases
• Join our hunting community

What Is a Land Lease?

You can “rent” land from its owner with a land lease. 

Hunting leases are a type of recreational lease. They let you use someone’s property for a specific purpose—in this case, hunting—and a set period of time. Those out West may refer to these arrangements as trespass fees.

Hunting leases may dictate the hunting method allowed on the property and the type of game you’re allowed to harvest. 

Hunting Lease Agreement Fees

In exchange for land access, you pay the landowner an agreed-upon fee. The location, number of acres and number of hunters who will use the property affect lease fees. You may want to split the cost with a buddy. 

In Missouri, for example, 93% of the land is privately owned. You can find hunting leases on 20-acre properties or thousand-acre properties. What makes for a good hunting property isn’t always its size. 

Not every acre on a large property is suitable for hunting. Some properties may have natural features or food plots that make them more attractive to wildlife. Smaller properties may share a border with larger ones and serve the same animal population.  

8 Ways to Find Land to Lease for Hunting

Finding a hunting lease requires a little leg work, especially if you have specifics in mind. You may want amenities, like stands or lodging, to be available. You may wish to bring a dog or your kids. 

Before you hunt, talk to the landowner and find out what they are comfortable with—it’s their property, after all! If browsing online, read the property’s description thoroughly before booking.

As you search for a lease, brush up on the state’s laws and regulations. You need to know what falls on you and what falls on the landowner should an incident occur.

1. Family And Friends 

You won’t know until you ask. 

An easy way to get your search rolling is to ask around. Talk to your family, friends and co-workers, and see if they know anyone who would be open to leasing their private  land. You may find what you’re looking for by capitalizing on your network. 

If your friends and family know someone, ask them to introduce you. If that’s not possible, get permission to use their name when you talk to the landowner. 

2. Go Door to Door

Do you have a specific area in mind? Is there land you’ve always wanted to explore? Door knocking can help you meet people in the area. These individuals may let you hunt on their land or know of someone who would.

Bring your best manners when you knock on doors. Remember to be polite and arrive at a suitable time. You want to avoid dinner time and Sunday mornings. 

Don’t beat around the bush when you’re on someone’s doorstep. Tell them exactly why you’re there to eliminate any suspicion or confusion.

3. Property Realtors 

Realtors may not be hunting experts, but they are experts on the properties in their area. Selling property is their specialty. Realtors have connections to landowners, and they may know who is interested in earning extra income off their land. 

Want to know who owns a patch of private land? You can visit the county assessor’s office to get details on land ownership and the landowner’s contact information. 

4. Forester Corporations   

Forester corporations and state associations can help you find hunting opportunities. You may be able to hunt in sections of the forest the corporation owns. Many offer hunting programs to maintain community connections and manage wildlife. 

Take the state of Georgia, for example. Forest corporations own 2.5 million acres in Georgia. Most offer recreational forest access as part of their business model. 

5. Newspaper Ads

Do you still scan the classifieds? Whether you read the paper in print or online, it doesn’t hurt to check the classified advertisements for available land. Landowners may place ads in the newspaper or local magazines. 

If you have a local extension service, you can ask if they have hunting registers. You may find lists of available land there.  

6. Hunting Clubs  

Joining a hunting club gives you access to land. Long-established hunting clubs have private land lease agreements, knowledge of public land or their own properties. There may be a spot open for you in a local or regional hunting club. You will be required to pay a fee as part of your membership.

7. Facebook Groups

Never doubt the power of social media. You can connect with other hunters and potentially score a lease through Facebook Groups. There are groups dedicated to every pastime and hobby, including hunting. 

You can find Facebook Groups that share hunting leases in your state or region. Join the group, post what you are looking for and wait for other hunters to respond! 

8. HUUNT 

Save the hard work for your day job. You don’t have to knock on doors or flip through registries to find a place to hunt. Online resources can speed up your search.

With HUUNT, getting a lease is easier than ever. All you need is your computer and a bit of time. You can browse listings from the comfort of your home or on your mobile device. Search for available hunting opportunities by game or state. Then book what you want through HUUNT! 

HUUNT makes it simple to find your next adventure. 

Join Our Hunting Community

Become a member today. Take advantage of all HUUNT has to offer. 

Members can book hunts. Plus, they can post land for lease and guided hunts of their own. Our basic membership is free.

Don’t let land access bar you from your favorite hobby.

There’s a place for you to hunt this season. Seek it out with HUUNT.