When to start looking for a new lease???

[bug]

Well after hunting on the same place for 5 years the land owner said that he had another guy wanting to pay 500.00 more for my lease next year, so I doubt I will stay. It has always been a hand shake deal and I never had to pay upfront, typically I pay the first of November and would never see the landowner after that...

Currently I am on 110 Acres in Wise county. Me and another guy split 1000.00every year, which I know is super cheap! (a little over 9.00 an acre) it is close to home, but the deer quality sucks!!!!! I havent seen a deer over 3 yrs old yet... again, its Wise county...

I want at least 300 acres somewhere south, southwest...

Stephenville, Brownwood, Coleman, Graham are the areas I am going to start looking..


Which brings me to my questions.
1. When do you start looking?
2. What is best way to find a new lease?
3. When do you typically pay? Half up front, balance by August?


I was thinking of starting after turkey season, and just taking a drive around the counties I want to hunt in. But dont want to get a later start....


Thanks all
Bug

[Tommyh]

kind of like looking for work. you find more when youre still in the position youre at. can't answer the rest.

[Change Up]

Really you should be looking right now until you find one. They are like finding a needle in a hay stack. Been looking since last December and still have not found what i want. It's a little hard looking after being on the same lease for over 15 years then getting the boot for more money it kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

[bug]

ttt

[buckbar21]

I'd start looking now for next year.

[BigD]

start looking in the morning..as far as pay i would want to get the landowner some money ASAP to make sure he didnt change his mind...half down half at on labor day is good

[CoolArrow]

hey gents.......should one get a signed contract or is that offensive to the landowner to ask for it in writing. I almost got a lease this yr in zapata county but when i asked the land owner to put the agreement in writing he got ******-off and said that he changed his mind. So man who knows.........? i guess your ****ed if you do and ****ed if you don't.

[Hart8]

If the landowner wants more money,he should jus' go up.then let ya'll decide.That b.s about someone else offerin' a few hundred bucks more for the place,is probably jus' that.b.s.! It would be my last year on that place.I'd pay the extra to hunt this year,if that's what he's gotta have,and steadily be takin' my stuff home with me on every trip!

[Kingslayer]

I have found...Its not what you know...Its who you know... I would be looking right now.

[Live2Hunt]

I have found...Its not what you know...Its who you know... I would be looking right now.

I am a real estate broker and avid hunter and this is the best statement yet.

Get out there in the county you want to hunt and talk with the folks in the local feed store or ag supply store. Leave your contact info and be persistent. It works great.

There are some amazing leases out there for cheap, but you must do the leg work for them. Get creative...

Best of luck...