Looking for a lease & general questions

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post..

Between building a house and having a couple of toddlers, getting on a lease didn't happen this fall. So, I wanted to start early and ask around on when and where I should start looking for next year. I live NW of Houston in Grimes County and am looking for something within 4-5 hours and I've got $2k - $2.5k budget. I'm looking for the typical whitetail, hog and varmint lease.

I didn't grow up hunting a whole lot, but started to seasonally a little over 10 years ago. I've taken a doe every fall and a few bucks. I've always been a guest on the leases or hunted family property, so I've never signed up for a lease myself. I'm at point now where I have the time and can afford it annually. I've got 2 kids(and 1 on the way) who I want to grow to appreciate outdoors and hunting as much as I do now, so ideally I'd like this lease to be as perpetual as it can get.

So my questions are: 1) Will 4-5 hours from me get me anything decent at my budget? 2)Being this will be my first time putting my name on the lease, is there anything I should look out for, red flags, areas, names. etc? 3) When signing up on lease, is it out of line to ask if I could drive/walk some of the lease? Meet the owner(s)?

I'm sure I'm missing alot - and I hope this question isn't redudant. Sorry if it is..
I'm responsible, respectful, married, 30 yr old father of 2(almost 3).
-Also, I'm a Sr. GIS Specialist by trade w/ all my own equipment..so I map everything(pm me if you're interested on hearing more). I'd be up for mapping ranches or leases for some kickbacks/trades.

Thanks in advance, love the forum!

Welcome,this is a good place.
I don't think it will be hard at all the find a place within 4-5 hours of Houston with your budget. I may not like that city, but there is some good hunting down that way. As far as anything to look out for, I would try to stay away from any middle men or outfitters. In my experience it is much easier to deal directly with the landowner. Having to go through somebody is always a pain. If you get the feeling that the guy in charge of the lease is a real ram rod kind of guy beware. We've never been that way on our place. There is no single person that sets rules or deals with out landowner. We all talk to her to see what she wants and how were doing. It is absolutely not out of line to want to check out the place before you sign up for it. In fact if you are interested in a place and they won't allow you to check it out I would peace out quick. Just my opinions, they're usually wrong to most!

You can get a lot for 2500 in the piney woods on a timber lease.

One of my partners has a place right now and it's got some very nice bucks on it. Kinda hit or miss as far as quality, but that's where I'd start with that budget.

I suggest checking with people you know who are on a decent lease, and seeing if there are any openings. Even a good lease can have some unexpected turnover, which creates opportunities for others. If you find a lease this way, make sure to see it in person, and be prepared to pay if you like it. Usually the person in charge of collecting the money has some business skills, and if you say something like "I don't know, I will get back to you" it will be taken as a "no." Like the saying goes, "Money talks, bullshxxt walks."

All,

Definitely appreciate all the feedback. I'll keep these suggestions in mind as I'm looking this year.
I'll be posting what I find to see if there are any opinions on areas or names.
Thanks again all.

-ph