Since when did hunting become a business. I remember when i was a kid all it took was a hand shake and some conversation and you had land to hunt on. Seems like you almost have to sell your soul to get some good hunting in. I have been trying public land in San Angelo but I have almost been ran over multiple times or my deer were spooked by others playing in the woods. Is there any lower priced hunting leases near abilene? Thank you in advance for all suggestions.

It became a business when hunting became commercialized due to all of the hunting shows that air on TV. This started back in the early 80's with shows such as Buckmasters being broadcast on TV. Not saying that it is a bad thing but it brought attention to the sport and made it popular.

It became a business many moons ago. This topic has been and will continue to be kicked around, but the bottom line it's RARE to have a good place to hunt for Zero $$$.. Peeps who have places like that keep their mouth shut(and I don't blame them). You might consider getting out and speaking to some land owners to see what's out there. I know several guys on here have found great places that way. No harm comes from talking to folks.

Let's see, beef prices keep rising except for ranchers. Feed bills, land value, cost of equipment, hay, and everything else associated with farming & ranching goes up. They have to supplement their income somehow. Hunter numbers go up, creating more demand on a fixed amount of land. Yup, all recipes for increased prices.

Then add in the need for contracts because everyone is out to screw someone else and here we are.

It has been a business ever since ranchers realized that hunters were willing to pay to hunt. Our first lease was in 1963.

sounds like someone has just got back into hunting.

My friend is leasing from the same landowners his grand parents leased from in the 50's in Mason county. I am guessing the landowner could buy land for a couple hundred bucks an acre back then or less. Now it is $3K to $4K an acre... hmmm....

I have seen some nice deer taken out of Twin Buttes. Thousands of acres. Get out there mid week if you can. Hunting should be really good right now. It's def comanche country. Wear kevlar. lol

The population of Texas has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. There used to be way more land available than people wanting/needing to hunt it. Supply > Demand, prices low.

Now demand exceeds supply, so prices have been and will continue to steadily rise until people stop paying the going rates. When you combine that with the fact that many landowners all over the state are cashing huge checks from oil & gas that enable them to live without the petty hunting revenues they used to need, you get what's going on.

"It's not about money." has never been the case. It's always about money.

Put another way:

Why would you expect a landowner to lease their land to you for $x dollars when they have a line of people desperately trying to pay $3x for the same land?

its been a business ever since a person had ta start buying hunting liecence...

Everyone makes a good point. Twin Buttes is some very nice land to hunt and all it costs is a Liscense. I am military and texas gives a super combo to us free. The only problem with hunting there is the amount of people out playing with their ATVs after work or school. I was hunting one wednesday afternoon and found a heavily used deer highway in the middle of rut. It was getting prime hunting light (45 mins till dark) and i had 5 sided by sides run up on me within 15 feet. The leader of the pack pointed and laughed at me. It just astounds me how rude people can actually be. But I guess thats the price you pay for free hunting. I did bag a small cull buck first weekend of bow season. I was standing on the ground and he looked at me the whole time I was drawing my bow back and i smoked him at 40 yards. West texas deer are alot different from east texas deer.

D. V- hunt hard for a secluded spot out there away from everybody. It may take some walking, but it's possible. Don't over look areas 1&2 south pool.

Welcome and thank you for your service Vanslyke.

Hunting is not just about big business for landowners as much as it is about survival.

we thank u for your service.. do most of my hunting on WMA's have got a stand & feeder just out behind my house, have hunted leases, whin could afford them.. went to a credit adviser, was told was wrong for leasing, walked out of their office, it was more than just hunting lease, was also way to spend time with family, & it helped out land owners.. a person can use all that moving around to their advantage on public land... Best Wishes...

you dont say.......

also, county appraisal district websites/maps and google earth are very good tools. like someone said above, and it may border on "stalking" (according to my wife) but a phone call or letter to a landowner could turn into some cheap land.

I have a friend who inherited several thousand acres. He told me that his real estate taxes run about $35 per day. That land has to generate tremendous cash flow just "to prevent the indians from taking it back" as he says. Add in being victim to commodities markets (that are the most crooked of all markets) or just two years of drought and just hanging on to what you have is a major challenge.

personaly know how your friend feels, back went out, on the job, tried ta use workmans comp ta get treatment, lost my job because stuck to my guns.. cann't afford ta lease no more..