After many years of struggling to keep a good lease (always because land is sold or has changed hands..) and loosing my last one this year (owner sold the land…) I am thinking about purchasing small piece of land for hunting;

Looking for something in 100 miles radius (preferably west) from Fort Worth;
In my price range, the land size I have looked at ranged from 65 ac to 32ac; the one I am currently thinking about is 32 ac;
I know it is small.... and 32 ac. is a smallest I would consider, but wanted to hear what others have to say.

Also if anyone have experience with being approved and then keeping Wildlife Tax Valuation please share.
Any inputs are appreciated!

I say go for it. You may not qualify for ag valuation, however. You can have good success with a small place, just remember, food, water, cover. High deer density area is a must with a small place. Don't jump on something until you're satisfied it meets your criteria. When we bought our place the deer pop. was low but the views were great and proximity to DFW made it a no-brainer. The hunting gets better every year and there's a possibility of shooting a monster. Good luck.

4m I have a 12 acre place that I've killed deer off of for 12 years. Three major concerns. One you need to have cover to hold deer...either on your acreage or the surrounding acreage. Same w/a bit of water. Lastly the neighbors are the biggest concern. If their large you probably won't have a problem. If they're small like you'll be it'll be every man for himself. Just be careful and ask yourself a lot of questions. powdr

I have killed deer on 7 acres and 32 to 64 is plenty for a place of your own

If you want a small lot to hunt make sure you have cover ,
Elevation change - this is good for water runoff to have a pond
Have existing pond
Can drill well for water

I just bought some land w 2 large existing ponds
Property have deep creeks/ ravines that I can dam up for more water
Deer hogs doves were already available

You can do a lot w small 32 acre lot if you have cover / trees

Wildlife mgt is a lot of work, just lease for cattle grazing

I bought 38 acres not too far from Erathkid last June and couldn't be happier. Actually if I had more time and money I'd be a lot happier, but it has been great. I shot my biggest buck I ever killed the second weekend of rifle season out there. So much more rewarding when it comes from your own place. BTW, when I married my wife 8 1/2 years ago I started setting money aside and I looked hard for 7 years until I found the place I wanted. Good luck to you.

Do it if you find the right place for you and your hunting/recreation needs!

I ran into the same problem, was on a great lease in Kimble county for 11 years. Lots of deer, good landowner, a few trophy bucks, Hill Country setting, cabin with hot water, etc etc.

Then the acreage which was 234 acres became completely high fenced and we moved on in 2011...

After several leases that had issues I decided to start looking for land, not only for deer hunting but recreation, family functions, etc etc

I finally purchased about 55 acres this June in Navarro County and have been so happy with having my own piece of dirt! I was very proud of the five dove I shot opening day on my dirt! Owning land isn't for everybody and it isn't cheap but I've found something I am passionate about and have already made the place look a lot better since closing...

I would keep an open mind about counties and places...I was determined to buy something in Fannin county but ended up down south in Navarro. Also do your own due dilgence on the neighbors, game, electricuty, water, etc etc...

Good luck and keep us posted!

On the small parcels, do you put out feeders? plan crops? Plant species for "cover"?

I plan on doing both along with hand Corning the trails...

check out Texas VLB for forfeiture land listings

Stay within an hour and a half. You will go out there a lot.

Ditto on Deer density...have a bud that has only 9 acres along a ridge and creek line in/er outside of Kerrvile.....and he he his family pull deer of it all season long...course its surrounded by everyone's else places....and the deer pas through...large numbers in that area as well.

Another thing to consider is once you have a small tract, especially with a place to stay, you can buy other tracts in the area when you have the money and they come up for sale. We've expanded our original 40 with trailer to 70 contiguous plus 25 about a mile away. The 25 is actually on a different river bottom too.

I didn't know a 9-10 acre plot would work. That opens up a lot of possibilities. I assume these small plots are in areas where discharging a firearm is no problem. If there are close by neighbors then maybe stick with a bow?

Thank you very much to everyone for their comments, recommendations and encouragement!!!

I am in the process of finding all info I can, so hopefully I will be able to make the right decision.

Cabosandinh, you have mentioned that Wildlife is a lot of work and recommended cattle grazing; considering the size (32 ac) I am not sure if I would be able to have neighbor (s) to put cattles on it… as place can take probably only 5 heads and not sure if it would be worth it for the neighbor… I will try it, but I have my doubts… can you share any info (details) on why you think “Wildlife is a lot of work”?
PM me if you like;

Thank you in advance!

Could run goats! Less work maybe?

4m, take a look at the post i just did on the Cross timbers class. It might be good for you to look at. Also if the land already has an Ag exemption it is easy to convert it to a wildlife exemption. Then you just need to have a mgt plan, submit it and execute it. It is work but you'll enjoy doing it says the guy that spent several hours putting the new radiator in his tractor. I'm not much for yardwork (ask my wife) but I'll go and work all day out at the ranch for days at a time and enjoy every minute of it. Well most minutes of it anyway.
As has been stated with smaller tracts your surroundings and neighbors are key. My first piece of property was not great but it could have been if my immediate neighbor didn't kill everything that moved and invite his buddies to do the same. Current property is awesome lots of animals of all types including javilina (no season on them but fun to watch), great neighbors etc. When you find something look at it on google maps, see how it sets up relative to woods, pasture and water all around it. Is it going to be a destination, a funnel the only water supply for some distance etc. You get the idea. Good luck.

32 is plenty for cattle grazing/ stock tank for water in order to get ag exempt

Assuming your county have native pasture you can use
1 cow per 2 acre ,so that puts it about 16 heads
If you have ponds stock tanks even more desirable

Min is about 3 cows for that size to get ag exempt

Wildlife mgt-
You have to contact your local wildlife biologist
to come out to look at your property
You present a plan to him. He approves then you
have to show that you actively pursue your stated
intentions, showing proof of work done
This is done on a yearly basis , requires a separate
Application to fill and submit to county yearly
TPWD agent will check on your property to confirm
compliance

They list 7 things and you have to do at least 3
Provide water, food, cover such as half cutting
Not really hard work. But constant work

With grazing u just let cattle roam , get paid about
$12.50 per acre. For your lot you get close to $500
A year for doing little

Do check your specific county appraisal district

Just giving you specifics to my county but you get the idea

Welcome to landownership. Most fun you can have
playing with mud soil water plantings and tonka toy
trucks

I bought 71 acres in East Texas last year and couldn't be happier. The land came in 2 parcels and 40 acres of it was already under a wildlife management plan (which the previous landowner did not turn over to me). As the new owner, I had to renew the management plan. I researched as much as possible and put a plan together meeting 3 of the 7 areas of management describing how I would attempt to manage my land. You don't have to involve TPWD (although it may be helpful to get their opinion), as the exemption comes from the county appraisal district. If the property doesn't have a current exemption, you must attempt an ag exemption before you can turn it into a wildlife exemption. My new property is 90 miles from my home and we are there almost every weekend. My wife's parents left her a lake house in the hill country (4 hours away) and we get down there about twice a year. Someone earlier recommended staying within 1.5 hours and I agree. Good luck with your search.

Bump for a great post. I love hearing about THF members places. Keep 'em coming.

Hey kid, why don't u give him some consulting? Ur place has turned out well. . . . even on the food plots and such.

tell us about your place

Nm

32 acres and 16 head? Must be miniature moo cows. Have 100 acres here and run 25 head as we speak and that's too many. 5 are headed to sell barn in a couple weeks.

Near Bluff Dale, very scenic with oak-juniper woodlands and fairly large hills covered in Spanish oak. Deer density is about 1 deer per 30 acres. Definitely NOT overpopulated, but good quality bucks are not uncommon. We started out with 100 acres 50% minerals, then had a chance to buy another 100 acres with 100% minerals that joins our first hundred. Friends own another two hundred next to us and there's another property next to the house (160) acres that serves as a refuge. A few years ago we got a call from a 'landman' asking us to sign a lease agreement, 20% of production with EOG and $500 an acre signing bonus. It paid for our second hundred and gave us $100 an acre to boot. We couldn't afford this place nowadays. Land is typically $2500-$3200 an acre where we are. We bought in '99 when prices were cheap, around $400 an acre. I would still recommend, if possible, buying as much as you can afford. They ain't making anymore of it. We love having our own place and when you take your first buck it is an emotional experience