Hi all, I know there’s a ton of people searching for leases, but I figured I should throw my intentions out there. First post, hoping to add more.

I’m seeking a yearly hunting lease, or a spot on a lease. A spot may be best as I don’t have anyone else that can commit to a yearly lease. But a small piece of land for myself would be good too. Looking for something within about a 100-150 mile radius of Vernon. Seymour, Paducah, Wichita Falls, Megargel, Throckmorton, Childress, Haskell and areas around are all areas that look good. I’be seen some decent areas up in Hall county too.

I am primarily interested in deer and hogs, and turkeys would be nice. Ducks would be a bonus. I would need a camping area, but don’t require electricity or water. I would like to be able to bring close friends (1-2 maximum) for hog hunting occasionally, but they would not be hunting deer unless they were needed for management purposes.

I’m a veteran and respectful of your land and willing to work with the landowner on management goals. I’m new to the land lease game, as I’m used to hunting public land, but my budget for the right lease would be around $2500-3000.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service.

Thank you for the welcome! I've been looking around at just about every site out there and cruising craigslist regularly. It doesn't seem like there's much being listed or updated! I know that word of mouth or knocking on doors is effective, but I'm in Colorado so that's pretty challenging. I'll keep at it though.

It is still a little early for lease openings to start popping up. The leases that are MLD are still hunting and most leases have payment due dates of late spring/early summer. If you haven't heard of Texasbowhunter.com you can check their classifieds- I think they have something posted now but may not be in any of the areas you are looking for.

Thanks for the heads up on the timeline. I tried looking at the classifieds on TBH and they won't even let me view them until I've been a member for 30 days and 30 posts. I'm not going to post a bunch of spam just to accumulate posts. I understand what they're trying to do, but I'm not into that game.

My experience is different, but I've not been hunting on MLD leases. I'm on two leases right now and I've had to send in money on both of them for next year. When the check is due is the time when lease openings occur. The lease manager on one of my leases has already gone to his waiting list to fill spots. Every lease has its own schedule but for my current leases and ones I've been on in the past, NOW is the time to be beating the bushes.

Interesting- you mentioned wait list... Any suggestions on how to get onto a wait list? I hadn't considered that option. Thanks!

In my experience, the waiting list is somewhat informal and kept by the lease manager. I don't think as an "outsider" you'd have a chance to get on someone's waiting list. It's pretty much going to be buddies of folks already on the lease who may have been out as a guest and some of the existing lease members already know. The last option for filling a spot or two on an existing lease is by bringing in someone new that no one knows. But don't give up hope. I didn't know anyone when I got on my two current leases or the one I was on before that. There have been posts in the past that gave a lot of tips and suggestions. You might try to look those old posts up. Best of luck to you.

It sounds dumb, but starting in the spring, check Craigslist several times a day. Leases do get posted on there from time to time. Most will be clickbait or garbage. If it's legit, it will get snatched up that same day, so be prepared. This is my first year on a lease that I found on CL and it's been pretty solid and reasonably priced (relative to the new normal). There were a couple others that looked even better, but by the time I called they had been leased. Good luck!!

I appreciate that. I almost think that getting a spot on a lease would be the best fit for me, but don't have buddies that want to commit. So, I'll have to make a few new friends.

I've been looking on CL a few times a day, plus what seems to be the main leasing sites. I'll be keeping that up until I find something!

I appreciate the tips!

Do you hunt in Colorado? Elk or Mulies?

cosarb87 im living in Wichita Falls and am a vet myself would love to find a place and some people to get in on a long term lease as well if you want to DM Id be happy to possible go in on a place and definitely not shy to do work on a property.

Yes, I hunt in CO. Elk, Muleys, and Turkey. They're pretty stingy with tags, so I'd like to extend my time in the woods. The CO seasons are just wrapping up when Texas is getting started. Plus, be able to hunt pigs in the late winter/spring. That's my intention anyways...

That actually isn't bad advice at all. Nor is posting a Lease Wanted post on Craigslist. I did that 15 years ago and I've been on the same small (100 acres) year round family lease since then. Year round access, 3+ acre stocked tank, all the game I could want, I set the price and the LO has not raised it in 15 years. The LO even wants to sell the place to me when he retires if I want. So CL can work.

Earl

Yup, I have a wanted ad on Craigslist. I got a bunch of spam initially but changed it so my phone number isn’t all digits. No bites off of that post in 30 days and it’s about to expire. I suppose I’ll renew it just in case. Good to know that it works sometimes!

It's also just a little early. After spring turkey I would say things will start to heat up.

Bumping it back up. I’d like to get some hog hunting in over the next few months, which is why I’m looking right now. I can wait until later, but would prefer to get started and avoid having to use a day lease for hogs. Thanks for all the advices though!

Still looking. Bump.