Multiple leases?

Spoke with a few landowners in January about leasing out their land, and both said they would get back to me. Fast forward to last weekend and I texted them both following up and one said yes, and they other said maybe again. The yes one is a little further drive, and only 40 acres. But not having anything guaranteed I sent her a check and we signed a lease letter etc. As you can probably guess, the other maybe got back to me today and said yes too. I am going to do both leases this year, so I can see which one is better and then next year only do one. The lease is for my brother and I, and our kids with no guest is what both landowners wanted.

So for those who have had multiple leases at once, were you able to manage them both and hunt? I feel like with my kids and nephews being in sports, we don't have a lot of free time to begin with but wanted a place to go since we lost our lease from last year to someone who offered double our price.

Are they in the same county or two different counties? I have four leases but only hunt on two of them- three of them are in one county (of which I hunt one of them) and the fourth is in a different county. This way I can take advantage of taking more than one 13" buck if the opportunity arises.

If they are both in the same county then I would lease both, if budget allows, and see what game cameras and personal experience show this next season and make a decision based on what you observe.

I’d lease/keep them both if you can afford it and they both have deer. We hunt on 4 different properties in 2 states and it’s nice having options plus as you know one could give you the boot at any time and your back to square one… Being pretty small properties I’d especially want options but that’s just me.

I have 2 leases. One is 10 minutes from my door and the other 130 miles. Love having options.

I’ve had two leases in the past. Having options is nice.

Multiple quail leases is, or was a bonus. Now they are pretty much non existent.

if one is only 40 acres the lease price cannot be too bad - I would keep them both for one season and then decide from there

40 acres is tiny. Definitely would recommend doing both.

hunting on 40 acres with more than one hunter is dangerous and would not be a good situation IMO - I live on 25 acres and would not dream of shooting a rifle on this property -

All it takes is time and money.

I've got two leases. One larger (1000 acres), one smaller (120 acres). They are in different counties. One is 45 miles from the house, and the other is 26 miles away. I enjoy having options. It hasn't been a problem.

I’ll ask. Why would you not dream of shooting a rifle on 25 acres?

With a raised shooting platform, any reasonable hunting shot should be at a safe downward angle, ultimately into the ground.

because there are homes all around me -

For years I've had 2 leases. One is 425 acrews (2 Hrs) and other 2500 acres (3.5 hrs). both have different purposes. larger one is primary deer lease. Time and work to initially get stands, feedes, pens, camp etc set up. Now it's just maintaining feeders. I like having the options and as stated no guarantee this days with landowners so holding on to the smaller lease just in case larger acreage lease disappears. Have had that happen before and the smaller lease gave me some peace of mind still needed until found the larger lease. You don't have to outfit both properties with full blown enclosed stands, heated, with deluxe feeders and pens all at once or even ever. Just get out an enjoy with what little time you can and over time it will pay off with any additions you make

I have several leases ... one (~600 acres) ~280 miles to the west and one (~900 acres) ~160 to the north east plus my own small place (~33 acres) about 30 minutes from my home. All totally different in their own rights and I love getting out as often as possible. My biggest problem is maintaining everything that far away.

I usually make trips out west every 2-3 months to fill feeders & check cameras since it's about 6 hours drive one way. This place is primarily deer hunting and game management improvement of the herd. I have hogs on camera but never seen them while out there. I usually go out and spend the first week of regular rifle season doing game counts to determine what, if anything, needs to be shot, then go out again late December or early January during the extended season for actual hunting.

My main place to the north east is MLD3 and we have our camp set up starting Labor Day weekend, working food plots, filling feeders, working stands as needed. Then first weekend in Oct. start hunting. I am out there most weekends (Thursday/Friday thru Sunday) out to late January as my social events coordinator (wife) allows. My son and I maintain all our feeders/cameras depending on who is out which weekend.

My own small place close to home, I am out there 1-3 times per month year around. It is under wildlife management improvement exemption with feeders / minerals around the clock. I keep this place for the kids & spouses and grandkids and haven't taken a deer in probably 8-10 years. We are overrun with hogs and I take as many as I can when I am out there.

so yes, if you can afford multiple places, that would definitely be my choice to give you more diversity and options on hunting.

I have two leases; one is 650-ish acres and less than an hour driveway to gate, the other is 3,100 acres and I can be in the stand in 90 minutes or less. With two young boys at home, I do not get to the leases as often as necessary.

If I didn't have trustworthy and helpful leasemates, there is NO way I would be able to enjoy them.

I've always had at least 2 leases, you won't regret it.

They are only about 20 minutes apart, but same county which is fine bc we don't shoot a lot of deer each year.

One of the landowners lives a few miles from the land, with the other one living in California. So I'm curious how the landowners are, as both so far are super slow at responding, which I get it as not everyone wants to lease their land out to random people they've never met.

40 acres ain’t a deer lease

Keep them both you can hunt one while your brother hunts the other one.

Im in san anonio looking to find a lease around an hour away, Im a bow hunter, if anyone has a second lease they want to split id defintly be intrested, im only looking to take 2-3 deer not going for antlers going for some meat thanks!

I'd lease as much as the money allows.

Is it easy to find private owners open to leasing?? Im new to hunting and wanted to bowhunt....Thanks

And...no.

Daniel, welcome to our forum. It is not easy but can be done. It usually takes considerable money.

40 is just right,let neighbors feed them protein and corn

Unless you're flush with cash, I'd recommend hunting public. If you're a bowhunter, there are more and better-quality public hunting opportunities (compared to hunting public land with a firearm, that is).

I tried the lease game on a budget for quite a while. You get what you pay for. I've had more success and fun on public. Not that there aren't great leases available, but not in my budget.