Texas Hunting Lease Income: How Much Can Your Land Earn?

Many Texas landowners offset their property costs—or even generate profit—through hunting leases. Here's what you need to know about generating income from your land through hunting access.

Current Hunting Lease Rates in Texas

Day Leases

• Dove: $50 - $150 per gun per day
• Deer (rifle season): $150 - $400 per day
• Turkey: $150 - $300 per day
• Hog: $100 - $250 per day (or per kill)

Seasonal Leases

• Deer season only: $5 - $15 per acre
• Full season (all game): $8 - $20 per acre
• Year-round access: $12 - $25 per acre

Annual Leases (Our Area)

In Coleman County and surrounding areas, typical rates:

• Basic deer lease: $8 - $12 per acre
• Quality managed property: $12 - $18 per acre
• Premium property with lodging: $15 - $25+ per acre

Income Example: 150-Acre Property

Scenario 1: Seasonal Deer Lease

• 150 acres × $10/acre = $1,500/season
• Minimal management required
• Hunters handle their own camps

Scenario 2: Full-Season with Day Hunts

• Seasonal lease: 150 acres × $12/acre = $1,800
• Plus dove days: 4 hunters × 4 days × $75 = $1,200
• Plus turkey: 2 hunters × 3 days × $150 = $900
• Total: $3,900/year

Scenario 3: Premium with Short-Term Rental

• Full-year lease: 150 acres × $18/acre = $2,700
• VRBO cabin nights: 30 nights × $150 = $4,500
• Total: $7,200/year

Types of Hunting Leases

Season Lease

Most common arrangement:

• Hunters have exclusive access for defined season
• Usually September through February
• Fixed annual fee
• Hunters responsible for own equipment/camps

Day Lease

Higher management but more income potential:

• Charge per hunter per day
• Can maximize revenue by booking different groups
• Requires more active management
• Works best with on-site facilities

Year-Round Lease

Premium option for serious hunters:

• Access for all seasons plus off-season
• Often includes camping/cabin rights
• Hunters may invest in improvements
• Creates stable, long-term relationships

Corporate/Outfitter Lease

Highest rates but specific requirements:

• Professional outfitters or businesses lease property
• Often require lodging facilities
• May want exclusive use
• 3-5 year commitments common

What Affects Lease Rates?

Property Quality

• Deer density and quality: Most important factor
• Turkey and bird populations: Adds value
• Water features: Attractive to wildlife and hunters
• Terrain variety: More interesting hunts

Improvements

• Blinds and feeders: Expected on good leases
• Roads and access: Must be navigable
• Camping facilities: Can double lease value
• Lodging: Significantly increases rates

Location

• Proximity to cities: DFW hunters pay premiums for closer properties
• Game management area reputation: South Texas, Hill Country command higher rates
• Local hunting pressure: Less pressure = better hunting = higher rates

Management History

• Managed properties: Command 30-50% premium
• Documentation: Trail cam photos, harvest records
• Food plots: Show active management
• Protein feeding: Attracts quality hunters

Lease Liability Considerations

Texas Landowner Liability

Texas is landowner-friendly, but protection requires proper handling: To Maintain Limited Liability:

• Don't charge more than 2x property taxes (affects liability protection)
• Post appropriate signage
• Maintain property in reasonably safe condition
• Don't willfully hide dangerous conditions

Lease Agreements

Always use written lease agreements covering:

• Dates and access rights
• Number of hunters permitted
• Game species allowed
• Guest policies
• Insurance requirements
• Hold harmless clauses
• Termination conditions

Insurance Options

• Farm/ranch policy endorsement: Often most economical
• Separate hunting lease policy: For higher-risk operations
• Require hunter liability insurance: Transfer some risk to hunters

Maximizing Your Lease Income

1. Invest in Habitat

• Clear shooting lanes
• Plant food plots
• Manage water sources
• Control predators

2. Document Your Wildlife

• Trail cameras everywhere
• Harvest records
• Photos of quality animals
• Share with potential lessees

3. Provide Infrastructure

• Maintained roads
• Quality blinds at good locations
• Working feeders (hunters often provide feed)
• Clean camping areas

4. Screen Your Hunters

Quality hunters:

• Respect the land
• Follow bag limits
• Report issues
• Become long-term lessees

Bad hunters:

• Damage property
• Over-harvest
• Create liability risks
• Aren't worth any lease payment

My Experience with Hunting Income Properties

Both listings I currently represent—McKamie Ranch and Jordan 5 Ranch—offer excellent hunting income potential. They have:

• Established hunting setups with blinds and feeders
• Quality wildlife populations
• Infrastructure for hunters
• Homes that could support VRBO income

Properties like these attract buyers specifically because of income potential alongside personal enjoyment.

Ready to Discuss Income Potential?

Whether you're buying property with hunting income in mind or want to understand what your current land might generate, I can help. Call (325) 465-1342 for an honest assessment.