One of the things that sets hunting in Texas apart from most other states is that 98% of the huntable land is privately owned.  Therefore, if you hunt in Texas  you probably lease trespass rights from a private landowner.  Free public hunting land is scarce and often overcrowded with the hunting opportunities that are available there.  In contrast, most other states have ample publicly-owned land that affords hunters free access.

I’ve learned a few things about Texas hunting leases, hunters and landowners since the launching this website in 1998.  One of the most common questions I hear is, “when is the best time to be looking for a new lease?”  The answer to that is anytime you don’t have one, because you never know when the one you want will become available.  Hunters often begin looking for their new lease right after deer season ends.  Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of  leases being advertised at that time of year because hunters haven’t told the landowners they’re currently with that they intend to move.  Although new lease….

ads become available year-round, it seems that more are available just before and right after Spring Turkey season and the numbers then continue to grow all the way through October/November.  Both landowners and hunters are generally more open to negotiating things like price and amenities later in the year as well.  Competition tends to be less for those that come available later in the year too, as most hunters have decided on something by then.  So, contrary to popular belief, May – October provides hunters with the best opportunities of the year for finding a new lease.

 It’s very important to be prepared.  Following are a few tips for being ready when the Texas Hunting Lease you’re looking for finally opens up:

• Make sure everyone in your hunting party agrees on what is required.  It doesn’t do anyone any good to look at a lease that is void of wild turkeys if there is a dedicated turkey hunter in your group.
• Gather at least 50% of the total lease price from all hunters in your group so that when a good lease is found you are able to offer the landowner a reasonable amount in order to secure it.
• Be realistic in your expectations and discuss it with all of the members in your party.  Your search for a trophy lease in the Brush Country of South Texas is sabotaged before it ever begins if one of your hunters is only willing or able to pay $800/year for his spot.  Good hunting leases in that region are typically much more pricey.
• Visit DeerTexas.com daily and watch the “Hunting Leases” page to see the most recent ads posted.  When you find one you’re interested in, call the landowner rather than emailing.  A phone call is usually much more efficient.
• Finally, appoint someone in your group who is flexible to be able to make an executive decision for all.  This person should have knowledge of game sign and have the time to go scout a property without much prior notice.  There are many hunters looking for leases and the number available at any given time is limited.  If you wait until the weekend someone else may beat you to it.

Once you’ve secured your new Texas Hunting Lease, make sure everyone follows all the rules including all Texas game laws.  There’s no quicker way to lose your lease than to break the landowner’s rules or to break the law.  Be sure to ask the landowner what his rules are before you lease the place.  There’s no sense in getting on a lease that the landowner doesn’t allow ATV’s if using one is important to you.  If you must go off road, always drive the edges of the pasture rather than through the middle of it, and always leave all gates just as you found them unless previousely instructed otherwise.

If you’re reasonable in your expectations and follow this simple advice you should have no problem finding a great hunting lease.  I’m confident that you’ll be satisfied with the service provided here.  So confident in fact that I offer a 100% money-back guarantee (see explanation on the bottom of the Home page).

 I wish you the best this and every season, and as always… good hunting!

Scott Thrash
DeerTexas.com, Inc.