Let me ask you this, would you take a higher paying job for the same thing you do now? The answer is probably yes and that's all a landowner is doing, making more off of his investment if he can. My landowner shares some of his financials with me and man after hearing some of his costs I feel like I might be getting a deal.

Secondly there's somethings you can't put a price on. I've been on the same S Tx lease for 32 years, my daughter killed her first buck within 100 yds from where I killed my first buck. My son has now killed his first buck on the same ranch and I can't start to tell you some of the memories I've made with my father there, the place is very sentimental to me and because of it I'll pay more, it's not about just killing a deer for me, that's a bonus.

Very true guess that is something I am trying to build with my family but like I said the starting point right now is wow for me.

But totally understand sir, again thank you guys for all the input. Something is bound to pan out

$501 per gun and less than 249 acres per hunter.

The prices for a hunting lease are out of control but it's the hunters that are feeding that fire. Unfortunately, it will never turn around.

After looking at the prices of "good hunting land" and what it would cost down, monthly pymts, upkeep, etc....Ill gladly fork over my range of up to $15-1800 a year for a lease.....but, EVERYONE is different....but if I were to lease for $1500 for an 1/6th share of 3000acres.....500acres....that 500acres of "good hunting" land would cost $25-50k down, mnthly pymts run somewhere around $800-1200 p/mnth....my situation cant allow for that type of commitment. But if I could afford to make such an investment and for some reason could not hunt it, I sure wouldn't lease it for $300.

When I worked on ranches in the oilfield, landowners would tell me that they would charge higher prices to try and weed out the riff raff that would just tear their land up and not respect it.

Supply and Demand

There are some land owners that are snakes in the grass. Its not a one sided story at all though.

I have a buddy that spends $250k a year for his lease.

Of course he uses it for business purposes and it's well worth it to him, but asking how much is "too much" is completely subjective.

You're paying too much for a lease if it's causing you financial/emotional stress to the point that you're not enjoying it or are putting your family's well being in jeopardy.

I hunted on Camp Bullis for 16 straight seasons starting back in 1989 and there were a lot of BS rules but nowhere near as bad as now, but I put up with them because I could hunt there for $50 a season back then.
Big deer and lots of them, plus I had pretty much 27,000 acres I could explore most anytime I wanted as long as there was no training going on. Being able to put out a feeder and have a small area for the entire season was like heaven on earth and the best kept secret around for many years. Then ole Osama Bin Laden came along and ruined it on 911. After that it was all downhill and I had to aquire a lease to keep my sanity.
I feel for the guys hunting there now, but if that is your only choice it's better than sitting at home staring at the walls.
Maybe save up for a lease and hunt every other year or so, when you get enough saved to afford a season lease. In the meanwhile enjoy your hunt at Bullis as best you can with all the BS.

There is a farmer out in west Texas that has pretty much dropped any deer he's seen eating on his crops. There used to be some big mule deer out there. But the area has seen a decline. The sorry part to this story is that he has leased out several fields for mule deer. I'm certain the hunters have no idea he's already killed off many of them for depredation. But, he's taking the money.

http://sanangelo.craigslist.org/spo/4092840892.html

This is definitely too high.......just plain crazy!

just depends on if its worth it to the buyer

Don't see anything wrong, but then again I live in south texas.

Seems like the going rate to me. But then again, I don't agree with the going rates either.

Completely disagree. I think that's a good deal.

Would pay it.

Well, land in this area brings around $6-$8 an acre. $25 an acre is beyond my comprehension. I need to get into the sub-leasing business if this lease is actually filled for this amount.
I need to get my part-time "hunting lease land-man" certification.....

Did't see the 4 guns.

Yeah, that's too much and too many people for that sized place in that area.

Then I have a deal for you! PM me for details; I'm dead serious.....any size piece of land you want in the county.

Hawwww....you let the air out of my sails! I was about to call up some landowners, work a deal, and make a little commission.

Haha

I'd be careful with anything on Craig's list, especially this late in the season.
They are preying on the desperate hunters. Probably don't even own the land, and leasing to multiple groups of hunters.

That is a good point....

There's National Forest land around the State and require only a hunting license and no draws. Might check that option.

The only time it is too much is when it can not be leased. It is a buyers market. If no one lease a place for a certain amount that must have been too much.

They are all to expensive for me, I've done some half day leases for hogs at about $80 for the afternoon into the night. But behind that it's all to expensive, so I'll wait until I go home on leave back to TN and SC. My uncle in SC has a 400 or 500 acre lease with 3 other guys, for $1,200 for the year, that's only $300 a person, that I can afford. I've seen some people here charge $400 for a weekend.

It's really no fault of the land owner, like others have stated, more hunters than land. And the guy who owns the land knows people will pay, comes down to supply and demand.

Just like some people paying in upwards of $1,500 for the new gold colored iPhone, because they don't want to wait.

For ~$300 or less you could definitely get a doe hunt thru several outfitters on here. Not "guaranteed" but high probability for sure. Since when is Hunting ever Guaranteed anyway?

ctry boy, I hear you. I have to go back to see family and friends in alabama, georgia and SC to deer hunt anymore.