Lease it or Lose it?

By Brenda Potts

February 1st, 2010

Leasing land for hunting purposes is a way of life for some, while others despise the idea. Opponents of leasing believe that the pay-to-hunt philosophy will ultimately turn hunting into a rich man’s game.

Those who support leasing of hunting rights point to the landowner’s right to make money from his or her land. While others say the deer belong to the people of the state and landowners should not charge for the privilege to hunt them.

The fact is, leasing of hunting or trespassing rights is becoming more common. Anti-leasing folks push for greater acquisition of public land to solve the problem of finding a place to hunt. However, this solution is difficult to bring to fruition. In many states east of the Mississippi River, the percentage of land in public ownership is considerably small.

Leasing of privately owned land is the solution for those who can afford it. Outfitters make up a large portion of the lessees, along with individuals and hunt clubs. There are several state game and fish agencies who have developed programs that facilitate access to private ground. One such program is called Access Illinois. It serves as somewhat of a match making service between private land owners and land users. In its infancy the program was under the direction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Resident hunters opposed the program when non-resident hunters began participating in larger and larger numbers. Under pressure from resident hunters and some bowhunting organizations, the IDNR turned the program over to Resource Conservation and Development Councils, commonly called RC&Ds. The program has expanded to over 52 counties.

In the neighboring state of Indiana at least one private individual has started offering expanded hunting opportunities to those willing to pay for access to private land. According to Martin Brewster, owner of Highhouse Hunting Leases, "We strive to be the best land leasing service in the Midwest. We connect the land owner and the sportsman to the great outdoors. We offer quality hunting experiences without using a guide service or an outfitter. It’s cheaper for you to hunt with family and friends than paying an outfitter service."

Leasing hunters and landowners are working in partnership to develop a quality deer management program in an effort to improve the quality of the deer population in the area. They hope it means bigger trophy class whitetails for them and less headaches and less crop depredation for the landowner..