{"id":193,"date":"2023-01-03T07:47:21","date_gmt":"2023-01-03T07:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=193"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","slug":"finding-a-hunting-lease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding a Hunting Lease"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Finding a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"330\">hunting<\/a> lease for yourself or with friends means managing a place where you can harvest wild game consistently.<\/strong><\/p><p>For the majority of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/big-game-hunters\/\">big game hunters<\/a> living east of the Mississippi River, quality public land can be hard to find. Even if you do locate a parcel of property with a healthy deer herd, you\u2019ll be competing with many other hunters. A well-managed <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"747\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> lease is a much better option, where you can pursue a less-pressured herd and have a section of woods to yourself.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Due to the popularity of deer <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\">hunting<\/a>, land prices have drastically increased in recent years. <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/versatility-of-the-tract-bino-chest-pak\/\" title=\"Versatility of the TRACT Bino Chest Pak\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1624\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tracts of unused forested lands that were once easily hunted<\/a> by just asking for permission are now fenced-off, high-dollar hunting clubs. Competition is also fierce. Slots will often fill up a year in advance.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Thanks to technology, finding a hunting lease is relatively easy with dozens of websites dedicated to helping you do so. With the influx of new <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-phases-of-a-deer-hunter\/\" title=\"The Phases of a Deer Hunter\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunters crowding the deer<\/a> woods, here are a few tips to help you understand how find your own section of land to lease.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/#Finding_a_Hunting_Lease_Using_the_Internet\" >Finding a Hunting Lease Using the Internet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/#Deer_Management\" >Deer Management<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/#Ethics\" >Ethics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/#Pros_and_Cons\" >Pros and Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_a_Hunting_Lease_Using_the_Internet\"><\/span>Finding a Hunting Lease Using the Internet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Finding a hunting lease using a search engine is a good first step. Learning the general details, seeing photos and having the ability to email or call the landowner rather than driving to each piece of property will save you time and money. Here are a few of the top websites:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitetailproperties.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whitetail Properties<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mossyoakproperties.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mossy Oak Properties<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/huntinglocator.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunting Locator<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nationalhuntingleases.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunting Lease Network<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basecampleasing.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Base Camp Leasing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Local newspapers will also advertise land leases. Sometimes it\u2019s the landowner, though hunting clubs also place ads to seek out new members, especially if the club\u2019s owners are older. Don\u2019t underestimate asking around too. Talk to friends who lease property or are club members. Go to a local sporting goods store and speak with the staff. Ask if they know any landowners looking to lease their property. \u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Deer_Management\"><\/span>Deer Management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">While you\u2019re weeding out possible leases, a question you\u2019ll need to ask the landowner is if past lessees have managed the deer herd at least somewhat close to <a href=\"https:\/\/deerassociation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Deer Association<\/a> standards. If so, the deer on the property will be healthy and easier to maintain. The same goes with a hunting club.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_3967\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3967\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3967 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Finding a hunting lease for yourself or with friends means managing a place where you can harvest wild game consistently.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/CO_WT_2022_Grant-Slinkard-01903-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3967\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finding a hunting lease for yourself or with friends means managing a place where you can harvest wild game consistently.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Hunting property that\u2019s been unmanaged can still produce quality bucks. But without a management plan, buck-to-doe ratios and overall population could be unbalanced. You can contact the NDA about assessing your lease and getting it up to their standards.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ethics\"><\/span>Ethics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">If you\u2019re finding a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/binoculars-for-turkey-hunting\/\" title=\"Binoculars for Turkey Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"746\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> lease to share with a few friends, and especially if you\u2019ll be joining a club with strangers, you\u2019ll want to engage in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/bobby-hart-s-long-range-school\/\">ethical hunting<\/a> practices. While ethics aren\u2019t usually bound by laws, this moral code helps to keep hunting fair and manages wildlife in the same manner. Being around other hunters with this mentality fosters a bond among sportsmen working toward a common goal.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Always communicate with others about where you\u2019ll be hunting and try not to impose on anyone else. If a fellow hunter makes a harvest, offer to help track or assist with <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/my-first-rifle\/\">cleaning<\/a> the animal. If you make a harvest, share some of the meat or offer to cook. Keep the mutual areas of the camp and property clean, just like you would your own. Remember, you\u2019re using someone else\u2019s land, so respect that by picking up after yourself and keeping up with the area the best you can.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_and_Cons\"><\/span>Pros and Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Finding a hunting lease to have to yourself is a treat. Hang stands and develop food plots exactly how you want them. Management practices are completely up to you (you\u2019ll always have to consider neighbors, some of which <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/shooting-22lr-rifle-in-a-whole-new-way\/\" title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"587\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shoot<\/a> everything). Conversely, that also means upkeep will be solely on your shoulders. Cutting grass, setting up stands and planting food plots can be a lot to take on by yourself during the summer months.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">If you\u2019re part of a hunting club or share a lease, you\u2019ll have the benefit of camaraderie, swapping stories around a campfire and the wisdom of elder hunters at your disposal. After all, a large part of hunting is sharing the traditions with others. If you\u2019re new to the area, you can talk to veterans about the lay of the land and some prime spots to hunt. The downsides are competition for spaces to hunt. Got a trophy buck on your camera? Chances are the guy who is hunting near you does too.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Regardless if you hunt a lease or club, by yourself or with a group of friends, having a place of your own can provide you with ample opportunities to harvest wild game consistently. It&#8217;s also a place where you can hang trail cameras, scout at your leisure, <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/shed-hunting-with-a-binocular\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shed hunt<\/a>, and enjoy with family.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Unless the acreage of public land sky rockets in the east, finding a hunting lease is the way to go for quality hunting. Just remember to treat the land as you would your own each time you head outdoors. The gesture will go a long way with other club members and landowners, who by the way, we will talk about the best way to approach in an upcoming blog.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding a Hunting Lease | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12097,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2258,2259],"tags":[2797,2818,2820,2821,2825,2826,2827,2832,2833,2834,2835,2841,2842,2843,2853,2857,2858,2859],"class_list":["post-193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting","category-hunting-rifle-scope","tag-hunting","tag-hunting-distance-finder","tag-hunting-fanny-pack","tag-hunting-feeders","tag-hunting-glasses","tag-hunting-ground-blinds","tag-hunting-hand-muff","tag-hunting-key-chains","tag-hunting-leupold-rangefinder","tag-hunting-lures","tag-hunting-mat","tag-hunting-range-finder","tag-hunting-range-finder-app","tag-hunting-rangefinder","tag-hunting-rifle-sling","tag-hunting-scope","tag-hunting-scopes","tag-hunting-shells"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11376,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193\/revisions\/11376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}