Is it a good deer lease or not?

[Hydestik]

Very good info TKK thanks for pointing out ...

[doghouse]

this is a confusing response to this thread......If you read TKKs post, he is essentially saying that it should be an equal team effort to have a good lease between the landowner, lease manager and leasee. If you find/have a setup like he is saying you should look for, there shouldn't be a crybaby.

Congrats to you on owning land. I also own land and it is a nice luxury, but it has nothing to do with his thread.

TKKs post is why I posted this response. Way to much drama for this old dude. Let family hunt it.

[Mertzon Man]

This is why I do not lease my land! Rather family hunt than a bunch of cry babies.

Lol, don't blame you!

[DuckDogTrainer]

well thought out list TKK.

I would like to add it is also good inquire about the property boundaries and acerage, as you should verify that the advertised lease size is accurate.

Just found out that my 600 acres is more like 400 acres. For $10,000 a year!

[mason bowhunter]

Ok this is just my opinion on each item.

1. If I'm looking at a potential lease that has a lease manager that interviews each potential new member to make sure they are a good fit with the rest of members,I don't think asking him if he's paying the same amount as other members is going to make you brownie points. If anything it'll will move you to the end of line. Just my opinion.

2. On our lease our ranch manager emails everyone copy of contract signed by him and owner with all rules and any new info from landowner if they have any. EVERYONE is expected to obey these rules including him.

3. We share all photos of Game harvested with landowner and all members including possible new members.

4. Landowner involved? Not sure I understand this question. The ranch I was on for 17 years and the ranch I'm on now both owners were elderly so they would come visit with us occasionally while checking on cattle and drink coffee. They are very impressed on how we manage herd and feed year round protein. I feel that is not their responsibility as they are a cattle business family and spend most of their time improving their business.

5. I don't feel the ranch owner is obligated to use my lease money to improve the ranch or herd. They have given me the privilege to hunt their property so I feel it is only fair for me to offer any work that needs to be done on ranch. That has built a very great relationship with our owners. They use our money for taxes and again their cattle business. Plus it's not any of my business what they spend our money on. We are just guests with a great privilege to hunt their property.

6. Like I said in item 2 each year each lease member is emailed a copy of signed contract between landowner and manager including all rules and any special notes or requests from ranch owner. Why do you say if year to year watch out? We have a annual agreement with both ranches and have not had any issues.

7. This is definitely a good question to ask. We have 2,300 acres divided into 9 pastures with 9 members. Our guest policy in rules states only 2 guests per member.

8. Good point on getting to know manager and owner b4 writing check. Our owners trust the manager on his decisions on who comes on board. He does a really good interview with potential members and makes sure their character will be a good fit with the rest of group and what owners are looking for.

9. Another good point. I've read stories where other people were hunting property and owner wasn't telling paying members. Yikes!

[Bloodtracker]

I have found that youth sports and deer leases seem to be the two recreations that bring out the worst in people! Haha!

[Big pig]

I have found that youth sports and deer leases seem to be the two recreations that bring out the worst in people! Haha!

I agree with the first.
But it is deer, not deer leases on the second.

Thanks OP for the great tips. Makes me appreciate my small group and my awesome rancher.


BP

[Smart]

If you get on a lease then considering doing these things BEFORE you sign up:

1. Ask the lease boss if he is paying the same as all other members? If not then in most cases there will be problems.

2. Ask him what the rules are and could you see them in writing? Also ask him if the he is required to follow the same rules as the other lease members?

3. Ask for RECENT pictures of bucks that have been taken.

4. Ask him if the land owner is involved - if he is not then there may be a red flag. If he is involved does he really care about the long term health of his deer or does he just want the money?

5. Does the landowner spend any of the lease money to improve their ranch and herd?

6. Does the lease boss/lessee have a signed written contract between them? If they do ask to see a copy. Look in the contract to see how many years the lease is for? If it is a year to year lease then watch out.

7. How many hunters per acre? Is there a limit on how many guest can come at a time? (I have seen many leases ruined by unlimited guest who literally take over the place)

8. Before you write a check meet face to face with the lease boss or land owner. In most cases you can get an idea of their character and if your money is going to be spent well.

9. Is anyone else allowed on the ranch and allowed to hunt other than lease members?

Just my take on doing this for many years - nobody wants to squander their hard earned money on a bad lease

You forgot the number one thing to remember.

Don't be the problem lease member....Your way is not always the right way. Learn to listen more than run your mouth. The established group has got along before you. Don't ruin it.

[sharkhunter]

9 is a big one with me.

[CRM_95]

I was on a lease with 15 people once and the lease manager had a free spot.

with all the drama and BS, he was horribly under paid.

Haha I feel his pain!! I'm the lease manager on our place, and I pay dues like everybody else. And I constantly but stuff like plumbing parts when water lines break, trash bags, lightbulbs, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. for the camp. When the lease funds run low I pay the light bill and water bill..it gets expensive!! We have a great bunch of folks so I don't deal with much drama though.

[hardtner]

4,5,and 6 are pretty silly

[tkuehn5410]

If you get on a lease then considering doing these things BEFORE you sign up:

1. Ask the lease boss if he is paying the same as all other members? If not then in most cases there will be problems.

2. Ask him what the rules are and could you see them in writing? Also ask him if the he is required to follow the same rules as the other lease members?

3. Ask for RECENT pictures of bucks that have been taken.

4. Ask him if the land owner is involved - if he is not then there may be a red flag. If he is involved does he really care about the long term health of his deer or does he just want the money?

5. Does the landowner spend any of the lease money to improve their ranch and herd?

6. Does the lease boss/lessee have a signed written contract between them? If they do ask to see a copy. Look in the contract to see how many years the lease is for? If it is a year to year lease then watch out.

7. How many hunters per acre? Is there a limit on how many guest can come at a time? (I have seen many leases ruined by unlimited guest who literally take over the place)

8. Before you write a check meet face to face with the lease boss or land owner. In most cases you can get an idea of their character and if your money is going to be spent well.

9. Is anyone else allowed on the ranch and allowed to hunt other than lease members?

Just my take on doing this for many years - nobody wants to squander their hard earned money on a bad lease

If you're interested in a high quality game managed lease with trophy animals and exotics, these are great questions to ask when looking for a lease. There are lots of great corporate leases available where you have great opportunities. If you're looking for a private deer lease, then things get a little more difficult. Good luck finding anyone wanting to answer these questions before you're a member. 1 2 3 4 and 5 will likely get you no response from any spot opening. Also, the way you word the post, is that lease managers are manipulative people. Most people, like me, just like hunting, and hate politics, and with your rhetoric I'd never respond to your inquiry and move on to the next applicant from me as a lease manager, with your current post...

[Smart]

Haha I feel his pain!! I'm the lease manager on our place, and I pay dues like everybody else. And I constantly but stuff like plumbing parts when water lines break, trash bags, lightbulbs, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. for the camp. When the lease funds run low I pay the light bill and water bill..it gets expensive!! We have a great bunch of folks so I don't deal with much drama though.

I wish more folks who get butthurt when a lease boss pays a little less than them, would see this and understand it not some glorious vaunted position. After doing it for 8 years, I would have absolutely zero problems with any future lease boss I'm ever under that is good at what he does, receiving a discount for managing people and their personalities.

That being said I pay the same amount as the the rest of our members... and most of our guys are good about helping do their part around camp.

[Smart]

Is it a good deer lease or not?

4,5,and 6 are pretty silly

So is 1..... for a good one..

[hardtner]

If you're interested in a high quality game managed lease with trophy animals and exotics, these are great questions to ask when looking for a lease. There are lots of great corporate leases available where you have great opportunities. If you're looking for a private deer lease, then things get a little more difficult. Good luck finding anyone wanting to answer these questions before you're a member. 1 2 3 4 and 5 will likely get you no response from any spot opening. Also, the way you word the post, is that lease managers are manipulative people. Most people, like me, just like hunting, and hate politics, and with your rhetoric I'd never respond to your inquiry and move on to the next applicant from me as a lease manager, with your current post...

And that landowners are the devil for not participating in the lease or that they are money grabbers. When I lease out land, I want to get get the lease check and not hear from your again until next year. Others may be different, but the lease hunters issues are something I don't have time to worry about as a landowner. I have my life to live and my own hunting stuff to worry about without being involved in yours. Many landowners don't just own the one property and the lease fees are a small part of the ownership responsibilities.