Truth is, I spend a lot of money on hunting. Like others, it’s my one and only hobby. I built a 16x16 one room cabin at the lease on the cheap and my wife and I go often. It’s a cheap get away and we like getting away from the grind of day to day life. It was cheaper to build the cabin vs hotels or buying a camper. You’d be surprised how cheap you can build stuff using Craig’s list and picking up lumber or building materials that people throw away. To help offset the lease and ongoing cost I try to cut other nice to have things.

I drive an old truck without payments
Take my lunch to work (this savings pays my feed bill)
Take food to the lease vs eating out

I’m pretty much a minimalist in all aspects of my life so I don’t feel bad about what I spend on hunting. I actually lease two sections on our lease so my son in laws and daughters can hunt. Is leasing two section cheap? No it’s not, but providing hunting opportunities for my family and introducing hunting to my grandkids to hunting is worth every penny. You only get one go at life, so I’d rather make memories and leave a legacy rather than have a lot of nice things.

bigjoe8565, those are some great ways to save money, even if someone is not a hunter. I am similar in terms of my budget. I am a debt free, conservative financial person. This allow me to afford a hunting lease, and not worry about it. This is kind of off the subject, but here is a book I suggest to anyone who wants success with money "The Total Money Makeover," by Dave Ramsey.

Don't track it nor care to. Hunting and golf are my two passions and will continue to be so.

Ive hunted old mex and the brush country for over 40 plus years loved every minute probably could have made a down payment on a lear jet for what ive spent on guns,, jeeps, stands, feeders,ribeyes,truck, latest scope, binos, never bought a game came though, I want the thrill when he finally steps out. That's what keeps me going back as long as I can pay the entry fee Im in

In the beginning.....
1. Lease fee = feed (spend about the same/yr)
2. gas
3. gear & knick knacks
4. processing.
5. 1+2+3+4 = wife spending budget...give or take $1,000....

Now....
1. Lease fee = feed (spend about the same/yr)
2. gas
3. gear & knick knacks
4. processing.
5. 1+2+3+4 = wife spending budget...give or take $3,000....that's usually a give...

When we were first married, I had to build up a kitchen passes to hunt regularly without too much grief....when my son was born, I was granted more access due to the father/son bonding aspect....when the daughter was born...she collected her due....Me & the boy would go to the lease...She and my girl would head to the mall.....$$$$$$$ ouch....

my kids are grown now but we're still on the same pattern.....wouldn't trade it for the world!

My lease fees between two places and paying for my property are cheaper than the feed id imagine

I second this plus perhaps add a bit of offshore fishing