What hunting leases cost per acre
Published figures are regional, small-sample, and change quickly, so treat them as a starting point for local comparison, not a price list.
- Missouri: a 2024 University of Missouri Extension survey found any-wildlife leases averaged about $21 per acre per year, and deer-and-turkey and deer-only leases about $23 per acre, with most between $15 and $40. The sample was small. (MU Extension G9420, 2024)
- Georgia: UGA Extension puts deer leases at roughly $16 per acre on average, ranging from about $10 to $30 or more. (UGA Extension C971, rev. 2024)
- Mississippi: MSU Extension gives ballpark figures from as little as $0.50 per acre for small game to $25 or more per acre for high-quality big game in some areas. (MSU Extension P2310, rev. 2023)
The best way to find your local rate is to ask the county extension office, nearby landowners, timber companies, and other clubs what comparable land leases for.
What drives the price up or down
- Game and hunting quality: trophy deer, turkey, and waterfowl command more than small game.
- Habitat: wetlands, river bottoms, and bottomland hardwoods bring higher prices (MSU P3416).
- Access and amenities: roads, trails, water, electricity, and lodging add value.
- Size and location: larger tracts and land closer to cities usually lease for more.
- Number of hunters: paying to cap the number of hunters raises the price. MSU suggests roughly one deer hunter per 100 acres and one turkey hunter per 200 acres as a starting capacity (P2310).
- Reputation and track record of the property and the club.
Five ways landowners set a lease price
Missouri and Mississippi extension publications describe the same basic methods (G9420, P2310):
- Going rate: match what comparable leases nearby charge.
- Cost plus margin: add up the landowner's costs (taxes, insurance, roads, time) and add a margin, typically 10–30%.
- Habitat value: price according to the quality of the habitat and the game it supports.
- Base price plus add-ons: a base rate per acre, plus extra for lodging, food plots, or other amenities.
- Sealed bid: let interested clubs bid, with the landowner choosing the best overall offer, not always the highest.
Per acre or per hunter?
Most leases are quoted per acre per year, but some landowners price per hunter. The Missouri survey reported per-hunter averages of roughly $1,200 to $1,700 per season (G9420). For a club, the real number is the per-member cost once insurance and upkeep are added. The dues calculator works it out.
Lease term and payment timing
- Term: one-year leases are the most common. UGA Extension recommends one-year or one-season terms rather than multi-year leases (C971).
- Payment: landowners usually collect before the season starts, ideally before the lease begins. Some sample leases split it into two payments, such as half in June and the rest by October 1 (P2310).
- Renewal: agree on renewal well before the end date. One sample lease sets 90 days.
Put the price, term, and payment schedule in writing. Our hunting lease agreement template has a place for each.