Finding a lease.

[MrHank]

How hard would it be to find a lease for next year within 60 miles of Cincy? Me and a buddy are going to go knocking on doors come Feb. in hopes of finding a lease for next year, I am sure this area gets plenty of hunting pressure since it is so close to Cincy and Dayton. I have checked out the public hunting lands in this area and there are a few that are pretty good size but I am sure they get hunted pretty hard. Another option we might try is if we can't find a place to hunt on our own is to maybe trade out some hunting in Ky for some in Ohio. Thanks for any advice.

[lacure]

I am not a fan of leasing at all...I think it truly hurts the sport, but I have to admit that after what my hunting group experienced this opening day, I am seriously considering it for this piece of land, but that is because I want to get rid of all the dang poachers without permission (I will post that info later).

My opinion on your question is that if the price is right, you will have no problem finding someone willing to lease. Everything has a price...it is just a question of how much you are willing to pay.

[3006]

Leasing does have some good things for the individual. I can say that I have had a great time this year on mine. It is just down the road from the house, so I am able to keep a good eye on it. We haven't shot any of the big boys yet, but they are around. Mostly taking the does out this year, as we have an 8pt or better rule for the adults, anything goes for the kids though.

[stumphole]

Hope this doesn't turn into an other lease debate, but IMO it's about adapt and change or adapt TO change. What ever you have to do to enjoy your hunt. Only you can determine what you need or are willing to do to enhance your hunting experience. Change is inevitable!!!! Things never remain the same.

[ohiobowhunter75]

I personally hate the idea of leasing.My county has been leased to death in the past couple of years.The highly public AEP rec lands that the ODNR have been so proud to brag on for decades is disapearing.Most of it is now under lease by northern hunters.The locals can't compete with the cost,neither can the farmers anymore.This is not a wealthy area since the government sold out most of the good paying jobs with NAFTA.The city $$$$ are talking.My family have been talking also,we realize if we don't lease some property now in a few years we won't be hunting anymore.I don't like it,but it is quickly becomming a fact.
I wish you the best of luck in your hunt for a lease.Get it now while you still can.

[MrHank]

I am with ya on the not liking to lease land to hunt on but like you said its becoming the only way to have a decent place to hunt. Here in KY its the same way I have 500 acres on 6 different farms right now that I can hunt without having to lease because its all owned by family and freinds. I was just wondering how hard it could be to find a place to hunt in that area, I just figured in an area like that close to Cincy and Dayton it would get lots of hunting pressure so the best way to have a place to hunt would be to lease. We just want to expand our hunting time since we have already both taken bucks with a bow back in Sept. My freezer is full with does and if we hunted in Ohio we could hunt for another buck. Was'nt trying to get a debate started on leasing, was just wondering how hard it would be to come by a place to hunt in that area.

[bowhunter1023]

I bet you will have you hands full. My best friend is from that area and he and his dad struggle every year to find a place to hunt. Don't over look the small tracts. He dad found a 15 acre pocket in between 2 monster leases and over the past 5 years he has killed 3 bucks that go 140" plus. Last year his buck went 170" and outscored anything off those big leases by 25". They tried to lease the land and fortunately for him the lady that owned said it wasn't for lease, it was his still he decided he didn't want to hunt there again...for free!

[10Gauge]

take it from an experienced land leasee who lives 60 miles from Cincy......before you knock on the first door draw up the lease agreement and make sure to cover ALL your bases with respect to land use. Some timber companies are not calling these leases any longer they are calling the "Hunting Licenses" or "Hunting Right Agreements". Be very careful with your private land owner or farmer who without a solid signed and notorized "contract" will allow others to hunt without your knowledge (sometimes you find out opening day of gun season).

Your also more likely to find prospective lands if you and your buddy (or buddies) organize a small hunt club, create a club charter and provide the land owners with info about your club. We have actually had farmers tell us "no, they are not interested in leasing" and then call us a week later after reading our "brochure" and ask us what we can do to help improve their wildlife habitat! The more professional and organized you make it look the better your response will be with some land owners.