• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Allied Members
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Membership Center
    • Membership Center Instructions
  • Join
  • Renew
  • Show Search
Hide Search

The benefits of leasing private land to hunters

Source: Sean Hubbard, Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Leasing land for recreational hunting can provide Oklahoma landowners will a little extra cash in their pocket, labor resources for their land, perhaps a few new friends and a reduction in trespassing.
“Leasing for recreational hunting has become a major source or revenue for landowners,” said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist. “In fact, in many areas, revenue generated for hunting leases has surpassed lease rates for more traditional agriculture production.”
While leasing land for hunting seems very simple, there are some precautions that need to be considered by landowners to have a successful lease.
It is important for a landowner to carefully screen and select good lessees to reduce liability. To do so, it is advised that landowners should take time to visit with potential lessees.
Selecting the right lessee will help reduce liability of the landowner, as the lessee should also possess liability insurance. The lease also should have conditions for termination, a legal description of the property, rights granted or withheld, terms of payment, effective dates, liability waivers and acknowledgements of risk, Elmore said.
An example of a draft lease agreement is available at osufacts.okstate.edu by searching NREM-5032.
Property owners should consider leasing their private land for reasons besides monetary.
“Often, services provided by the lessee are of greater value to landowners, particularly older or absentee landowners who may not be able to take care of the land as they would like to,” Elmore said. “Many lessees would be willing to offer labor in exchange for access to private land.”
A final consideration for landowners is the compatibility of a lease with current land management. Management for wildlife can be very compatible with cattle and crop production, with the primary consideration of having abundant native plant communities.
“Introduced pastures are much less productive for wildlife, and will almost always yield much lower lease rates,” Elmore said. “Cultivated cropland can provide good wildlife habitat, and hence, good lease rates, assuming most of the landscape is rangeland or forest.”
Elmore offered one more tip to get the most bang for your buck.
“Farmers can help diversify their farm income by maintaining wide fence rows and field corners in native range or forest,” he said. “Having larger blocks of native habitat between fields also will increase the value of this land for lease hunting.”

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
November 18, 2016

Categories: General

Recent Posts

Texas crop progress and condition for July 6

July 5, 2022

While isolated areas of the Upper Coast received considerable rainfall, most of the state received …

Continue Reading about Texas crop progress and condition for July 6

Crime Watch: Equipment stolen near Wolfe City

July 5, 2022

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Robert Pemberton, District 11 in …

Continue Reading about Crime Watch: Equipment stolen near Wolfe City

Editorial: Recent cases highlight the importance of courts

July 5, 2022

by Brian McLaughlin As we celebrate America’s independence, it is a fitting time to recognize one …

Continue Reading about Editorial: Recent cases highlight the importance of courts

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Allied Members
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2022 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE

We Live For This Land