If you are reading this, chances are, you’re a hunter. Because you’re a hunter, you are also a dreamer. A dreamer of heavy antlered bucks with long beams and too many sticker points to count. A dreamer who imagines one day you'll be in a dark timber hole twenty yards from a screaming monster bull, hair standing straight up on the back of your neck as you wait for the shot to materialize.
Dreams keep us going from one season to the next. They get us through tough times in life. They make us work harder in order to reach a specific goal. For hunters, these dreams usually involve bigger antlers. We can't wait to take that once in a lifetime trip, to a piece of land that harbors giant bulls. Who doesn't dream of having a whitetail sanctuary of their own? We all do.
Pay to play
No matter what you do to achieve your goals, more than likely you’re gonna have to shell out some cash. Buying property, leasing quality ground or going on a guided hunt all comes with a price tag.
If you are the type of person who likes to get your hands dirty and likes doing things for yourself, then buying land or leasing is something worth checking into.
Buying land is obviously a long term investment. It costs the most and requires a different mindset than leasing or going on an outfitted hunt. Your goals will be different. Having land of your own gives you unlimited control. Building a critter sanctuary takes years on most parcels, but the rewards will be worth the sacrifice in the long run. Granted, most of us can not afford to buy land just for our hunting needs. If you are in a situation to do so, it is your best option for killing big racked bucks year in and year out. If your finances are like mine, buying large amounts of land are just a fantasy that we conjure up when we have too much time to think. Leasing then becomes our best option.
Leasing, which to Texas folks is nothing new, really blew up over the rest of the country in the last 10-15 years. Before that, a knock on the door or trading labor for hunting privileges was very common. Not today; and don't expect it to change. Landowners realize the value of their land. Who can blame them? Crop and cattle prices rise and fall more than the eastern shore tide so if they can get a chunk of money from hunters to help cover some property tax costs, they're typically all ears. They are just trying to make a living like you and I.
The price tag to lease ground is all over the place. Western states like Montana and Wyoming are going for $3 to $6 per acre given the quality of ground. Ground in Illinois and Ohio is anywhere from $10 to $30 per acre. Keep in mind that the western states represent thousands of acres verse mid-western states at hundreds.
Western ground will usually yield elk, deer and antelope while eastern and mid-western property has the opportunity to produce deer and turkeys.
What are you looking for and what's your price range?
Let's take a look at both. The following example will compare a piece of property we are trying to lease in Montana and a piece of ground that is listed on Base Camp Leasing.
The chunk of ground in Montana is of mediocre to good caliber. We have put a bid in of $42,500 or $5.00 per acre. This certain chunk of ground has a reservoir, 2 miles of river, irrigated alfalfa fields and draws full of timber. It will produce a couple bears, 15-20 elk and a handful of whitetails, not to mention brook trout in the 15-20” range. It's a beautiful ranch.
Our other example piece is in Harrison County Kentucky. 945 acres for $12,300. This property will produce turkeys and deer. The deer hunting could be exceptional if you and a handful of buddies lease it for several years. Turkey hunting will be good also. This lease breaks down to roughly $13 per acre. Not too bad.
If 10 hunters were to lease this Montana ground the price would be $4,200 per person. In comparison, the Kentucky ground would be around $2,100 if you and five others go in on it. For this example, I chose less hunters on the Kentucky ground due to less acres.
Now we have the upfront cost covered. What about the other cost associated with each lease? In each instance you will have travel, licenses, food and lodging. Travel cost will obviously depend on where you live. Add an additional $200-$500 depending on your location compared to the hunting area. Your Kentucky deer license will cost $260. A Montana deer/elk tag will cost right around $1,000. I like to figure $75 per day on food and lodging if you are splitting the cost with one other person. When leasing ground, additional costs can add up in a hurry. To hunt the property effectively, you will need scouting trips, trail cameras, extra stands and blinds. I can't put a realistic price on this given the different specifics for each person but it's something you have to take into consideration when leasing property.
Leasing the Montana property can be accomplished for roughly $6,200. The Kentucky lease can be locked in for around $3,000. Compare that to a monthly mortgage payment of $1,100 and it's pretty cheap. Compare that to a mortgage payment on your house that keeps your family warm and dry and it's expensive. Although spending the money on these hunting adventures may sound like a lot up front, it seems like more times than not, we always find a way to make it work. Just remember that leasing ground requires a lot of time and effort if you want to be successful. Time takes money and money takes time. Choose wisely. Watch this video on Leasing Gone Wrong.
The guided option takes more money but less time. Picking an outfitter is a gamble in itself. Guided or outfitted hunts are available in every state. In fact, several areas require you to hunt with a licensed guide.
What's the benefit of being guided?
For starters, someone else puts in most of the sweat equity for you. Hunting grounds are scouted and treestands hung in the places most likely to produce.
Secondly, you are paying for someone's knowledge. While most of us think about hunting 24/7, guides and outfitters live it. It's their job to know when animals will be where. It's how they make their living. They lease the prime ground and have established relationships with landowners. When better ground becomes available, outfitters usually get first shot at leasing it, which in return is better for you, the hunter.
Finally, a guided hunt takes less time. You can fly in one day, hunt for six days, pack your bags and fly home. It's that easy. No worrying about breaking down camp, pulling stands, pulling cameras and getting all that equipment transported home.
The disadvantage of going on a guided hunt is timing. It does save you time however what happens when your hunt is scheduled for a time when the weather doesn't cooperate? Nothing. You hunt your six days and go home. It might rain all six days. Snow may not allow you to get to your hunting area. The mountain may be shocked in due to a slow moving low pressure system for five of your six days. The rut may be non-existent due to warm weather. It doesn't matter what the reason is, your hunt is set for specific dates and that's that. Outfitters and guides can't change the weather. Be mindful of that when booking your hunt and while on your hunt. Crap happens, make the best of it.
My take
Leasing versus guided hunts boils down to preference. Leave your preference out of the situation and just use some good ole’ common sense when deciding what to do. This article will fill you in on exactly how much to budget for an elk hunt if you prefer to go the guided elk hunt route.
It's better to lease if:
- You have more than two weeks to hunt during the season
- If you live relatively close to your hunting area
- If you are familiar with the game you are hunting and have had success in the past
- You like doing all the work yourself
- Have buddies who are liked minded and dependable
- Plan on doing this type of hunting for more than a year or two
It's better to go on a guided hunt if:
- You can only hunt for a week
- You are not familiar with the game you're hunting or the type of hunting you'll be required to do to be successful
- You want to learn from people who hunt day in and day out
- Want to have a better chance at killin’ something
- You're new to the sport
- You are not capable of handling the work involved
- Live far away
These are my opinions based on 20 years of guiding and leasing land. Everyone has a different level of knowledge and that plays a big part in your decision making. But then again, you will never really know what that level is until you test yourself. It's a huge misconception to think you can lease ground in good country and show up and kill a big deer in a week's time. It's also a huge misconception to think that you will automatically kill a wall hanger just because you go with an outfitter. It's just not that easy folks. If you are looking to go on a guided hunt you can search thousands of hunting outfitters at www.guidefitter.com/find-a-hunting-outfitter. However, it's important to know the right questions to ask your outfitter before booking.
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