Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Lease a lot or own a little?

I’ve been leasing hunting land for over 30 years now, and always had the mindset that I could have more/better hunting experiences by leasing a somewhat larger property than owning a much smaller property. However my thoughts on this are really starting to shift towards foregoing the leasing game for a few years in hopes that I might be able to purchase my own hunting land in 3-5 years.

Just for reference I’ve been leasing around 260 acres for just me and my son and I’m considering letting that go with realistic expectations that maybe in time I could afford to buy 60-80 acres. I heard someone say the other day that “you shouldn’t sacrifice what you really want just to have what you want right now”. When I heard this I felt like it was a subtle message that solidified my shifting mindset. To add a little more perspective, I’m not looking to “trophy hunt” I just enjoy having a place where I can play around a little on the tractor, see some deer and maybe ever now and then have an opportunity at a decent buck.

Curious what others thoughts are and if anyone has made/faced a similar decision?

There's nothing like owning your own dirt!! It comes with ALOT of never ending work to properly maintain but well worth it! Been one of the most rewarding decision's Ive ever made.

You can’t leave your son a lease. You can leave him land you own.

I say go for it! I lost my lease 3 years ago and decided to try and find a small tract to purchase. The way lease prices keep going up I figured I would be priced out of the leasing game in 5-10 years anyway. Best decision I have ever made. I enjoy the work and setting the property up more than I do the actual hunting. Being able to manipulate the land however you want is priceless. Like hamma said the work is never ending, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Personally I’d rather own 10 acres than lease a thousand. Call me crazy if you want, that’s fine. But I like controlling what I have and not asking permission.

OWN!

The answer to that question depends on a lot of factors not talked about here.

I was in leased land with good for years and then had my own lease broken off for another 10 years. If you can find the right 40 or 5 to buy with today’s baiting license you can definitely increase your fun and enjoyment you will have a good time improving your acreage you own but be prepared to spend some money on feed and be prepared to watch deer on your cameras all year thinking your gonna kill them when you’re neighbors kill them anything else they see wether daylight or middle of the night over a dusk til dawn light and 20 dollars of corn. Find the right 40 or 5 and forget the big hunting leases. That’s the new game in this great state with the laws we have now

Owning land is way better. But also nice having other places to hunt so both lol

Thanks for comments. I agree with you PWYSE, a lot of factors to consider. That’s kinda why I wanted to make this post to have a little more food for thought.

My current thoughts on a couple of considerations that have been mentioned: The amount of work, I’m good with that. What has frustrated me most about leasing over the years, and especially the past couple is that I’ve put in a ton of work just to see some of it effectively wasted do to the property owners, and I’ve honestly been willing to do more work/improvements to the properties but I knew full well that I wasn’t in control of the property. As for deer quality, as mentioned in the OP, I’m not a “trophy” hunter, just enjoy going and knowing I at least have the opportunity for a decent buck every now and then. If I was interested in only killing “big” bucks I would be looking for a large club to join.

Thanks all for the input!

Sounds like you need to buy. No reason to do work on a place they can just pull the lease at anytime etc

I'm older now, and always think the money I've spent on clubs and leases, I could own a decent piece of property.

You’re thinking clearly. I always complained when I was planting food plots on land we leased. Now I don’t like fertilizer prices but I don’t complain because I know it’s on my own land and will be for my long term benefit. If you like to work you should go for whatever you can get.

Buy some. Maybe get some buddies pay a fee to hunt it. Till you get it paid off. Anything done in the meantime is for your benefit, till bill is paid off. Then you have a set up place. Just tell your friends ahead of time.

Definitely Buy - the satisfaction you receive is unmatched and you will enjoy!! Do Not get caught up in the who, what, when, where, and how !! Harvest what you want and be satisfied ! I have 75 acres and the Club around me has 2,800 acres - I managed to harvest 2 really nice bucks they had named off my 75 - - needless to say they were not happy but sometimes You are a "Champ not a Chump" - A "Hero not a Zero" - a "Contender not a Pretender" !

But they have killed some really nice ones I had on camera too

This right here is ur answer. Im not a big wealthy person but i have buddies that are and they have owned land like 2 and 3 hundred acres only to sell it and make more money because they were too busy running their businesses so they go a dollar hide route. I dont agree with them on that but hey its their life and money which they have more than me but owning it regardless to me even if smaller tract would be my way. Now these guys yearly dues are 6 to 7 range so buying ur own spending that seems like a no brainer to me but they are different

Bought my 40,35 years ago and i do what i want and 5 minutes to 4 shoot houses i got. Cant beat it.

I own 90 and in a lease that's around 3500 acres. I deer hunt my place and turkey hunt the lease! Not many hunt the lease during the week!!

With some of the lease prices I see posted, you could make a note payment on a smaller tract. Buying is a no brainer if you don’t mind hard work and you are content with the quality of hunting a small tract provides.

Leasing isn’t appreciating the value of the dollar spent. Buy something, take care of it and leave it to your family.