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What to Look for When Buying Hunting Property?

When you’re planning to buy hunting property, the most important thing you can do is consider what will make it work for you and your family. There are many different factors to consider when buying land: topography, vegetation, and wildlife, existing improvements, access and proximity to recreation areas like state parks or lakes, and even the style of home that may someday sit on your land.

The key is to start with what matters most. Consider why you want this property—is it a legacy for your kids? Will it be a place where all generations of the family can go? Or maybe the space is so beautiful that you feel like camping out there every chance you get? Whatever it turns out to be, write down some short-term goals for how this land fits into your life—and remember that these goals will change over time.

Is it Secluded?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “home is where the heart is,” but it’s about to take a slightly different turn for hunters. You want your home to be where you can pursue your passion for hunting and fishing without restrictions. You don’t want to go too far from home to chase after big game animals or spend a lot of time working on your land because no one else has been around to do it for a while.

It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t also consider practical factors when buying property, like:

  • Whether or not the land is publicly accessible for other people nearby and
  • If it’s easy enough to find in an emergency when needed.

Be sure that whatever property you buy will give you just what you’re looking for without unnecessary distractions.

How Reliable Is the Information?

You will be tempted to follow the Land for Sale ads when buying hunting property. But do some research. You can find several reliable sources of information that can help you narrow down your choices.

First, ask yourself to see if any friends or family have recently purchased land. If they’ve had a positive experience, they’ll likely be glad to share details about the purchase process and their recent experiences with the purchased land.

Second, check local publications or websites like Craigslist or Kijiji for property listings. Many people use these outlets to sell their hunting land because they are free and tend to attract a large pool of buyers. If you’re interested in seeing what’s out there and don’t mind waiting for responses by email or phone, this is an excellent way to narrow down your list of potential properties.

Thirdly, check government websites for up-to-date pricing data on hunting property sales in your area. It can be helpful when deciding how much money you want to spend on a hunting spot and how much you should offer when you visit a piece of land that catches your eye.

How Accessible is the Property?

When choosing a hunting property, it’s vital to consider how accessible the land is. The primary considerations are road access, trail access (if you plan to walk), river or stream access (if you plan to float), and campground availability for your trailer.

What kind of vehicle will you be driving? Some roads are passable by all cars and trucks, but some have deep mud or large rocks that require 4x4s. If your vehicle is not permitted on the road, how close can you get to a trailer?

Once on the property, what is your ability to navigate through obstacles like streams and swamps? Will your rig be able to cross creeks or rivers? Does the land provide an abundance of places to safely park trailers and other vehicles while you’re out hunting?

Does It Have a Good Balance of Open and Wooded Areas?

When buying hunting property, it’s crucial to consider both open and wooded areas. Open areas can provide better visibility for turkey hunters who want to check out the field before sitting down in a blind. Open fields are also ideal for feeding, which wild turkeys do during daylight hours.

On the flip side, wooded areas offer cover that can help deer feel more comfortable coming into fields during their mating season, typically during early spring. They’ll feel safer from predators and have access to sources of fresh food. As a result of this balance of open and wooded areas, hunters can have successful hunts for different species at different times during the year.

Can You Use the Land for Other Purposes?

Buying hunting land is a popular investment, but before you dive in, it’s vital to consider the many uses you could put that property to. A great way to do this is by looking at the multiple ways people use their property. For example, some people might have hunting fields, some could have food crops, and others might choose to live on their land instead of using it as an income generator.

If you’re going to use your land in non-hunting ways like these, make sure that you can still get the job done with what you’ve bought. You don’t want all your hard work for your land investment to waste because you didn’t plan.

Does It Have Water Access for Fishing or Recreational Purposes?

The first step in seeking out a hunting property is to find some land that meets your needs. If you’re looking for a place to hunt deer, you’ll want access to water, which is almost always the source of where the best deer hunting is found. It doesn’t have to be a large body of water. Think of a swampy section of woods along a creek or riverbank will do just fine, but it does need to exist.

If you’re also looking for fishing opportunities, other factors could make your potential property more valuable. Is there deep water nearby? It could mean prime bass territory and ideal catfish and eel fishing spots. Is there shallow water? It might mean good perch and crawfish holds and easy wading in search of smallmouth. A lake isn’t necessarily essential either way; if you don’t care about catching fish in the area but still want access to water, it’s worth considering lakeside plots with public access.

Is there Potential for Income from Timber Sales or Leasing Rights?

As a hunter, you may already think of what type of land you want to call home. However, if you’re like many hunters who are good at hunting but not so good at plotting out their lives, it’s essential to consider what your property will be used for in the future.

  • First off, how big is your family? Do you want to be able to hunt with all of them, or are they merely along as weekend campers?
  • Second, do you plan on using your property for other things such as timber sales or leasing rights?
  • And finally, how far is your new property from public access and amenities like gas stations and grocery stores?

All of these factors should go into planning out your new hunting spot. When put together just right, the results can be pretty rewarding.

Find a Location that has Good Habitat

What comes to mind when you think of the perfect place to hunt? Does it have a large pond full of fish? Or a section of woods within comfortable walking distance from your house? You’ll likely want to make sure that there are plenty of food sources, including water sources like ponds or rivers.

Open areas will allow you to see your target and will allow your target an opportunity to see you. Wooded areas with a brush give you privacy and cover when stalking game. Being close to home is essential, but finding a good community or culture to be a part of is even more critical, especially if it’s a culture where hunting is celebrated, not shunned.

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