1. Consider Professional Help: If you want to be completely clear on your agreement or are on the verge of committing to a long-term lease, consider getting a lawyer to look over your lease; hunting leases can be very complicated. It may also be a good idea to consult an insurance agent in order to determine what obligations (if any) the owner of the property would have towards hunters hurt on that property.
2. Meet the Neighbors: Even if the property looks perfect, the price is right, and the owner seems like a great guy, the wrong neighbors can still ruin the deal. Be sure to find out if the land adjacent to the lease is likely to be developed and what the owners intend to do with it in the future. Find out whether any of the neighbors are hostile to hunters or are hunters themselves; a lease surrounded on all sides by the property of avid hunters isn’t going to be home to as many deer as one surrounded by ranches or wilderness.
3. Maintain a Good Relationship: Try to keep in communication with the owner of your lease, and inform them of what dates and times you intend to be on the property. If you see broken fences or other property damage, be sure to tell them, and remember that you don’t own the land itself, only the right to hunt on it. Be respectful, and keep in mind that you may need good references when buying leases in the future.
4. Stay Safe: Safe hunting should always be a priority, so don’t assume that you’re completely alone on the lease. Depending on the area and the season, you may encounter the owner, neighbors, poachers, or even dangerous animals. Wear blaze orange, notify the owner before you arrive, and don’t explore an unfamiliar lease without a map and compass.
5. Know the Law: Hunters who travel to their lease should make sure to learn about any state, county, or local laws that could affect them, while those making the jump from public to private land should avoided the temptation to start ignoring regulations. Familiarizing yourself with local trespassing and poaching laws is also a good idea.
Good luck and happy hunting!
