It doesn’t take long to scroll on social media or see pickup trucks at the local diner to catch a glimpse of the many deer harvested here in the Northeast. It evokes actor Tim Allen’s signature exaggerated “arrrgh-arrrgh-arrrgh,” as the stories become as wild as the game.
Grasslands are an extremely important resource for livestock as well as all the wildlife species, which includes the people who hunt, walk, recreate, photograph or just meditate in nature. A well-managed pasture with accompanying cropland, watercourses, riparian areas, hedgerows and woodlands offer a diverse array of landscapes making them crucial components of any farm. This mixed landscape and all its edges are sought out by hunters who help manage wildlife populations like deer, turkeys, rabbits, woodchucks and the like.
Proverb 14:23: says, “If you work hard at what you do, great abundance will come to you”. Creating a favorable farm with abundant natural resources is a positive, environmentally. But how’s about we measure this natural context spiritually during this season of Thanksgiving? Ever put a dollar figure on creating joy? Chew on that premise for a while. While you’re gnawing on a sliver of deer jerky consider another opportunity that adds value in the joy department.
With plenty of “free grazers” around, working with hunters and utilizing hunting leases can be an excellent value-added, revenue source. The popularity of hunting leases is still increasing due to a combination of factors, including decreasing public and private hunting land, heightened demand from hunters seeking exclusive access, and the benefits landowners receive from lease revenue. According to a myriad of hunting lease companies throughout the region, the average price is $15 to $20 per acre with “hot” properties close to population centers, garnering much more.
Even for landowners with smaller parcels of underutilized acreage, centered amongst other mixed landscapes, the math is changing. Going forward, leasing for hunting is no longer a niche—it’s a smart, scalable way to put your land stewardship to work and money in your pocket.
The demand brings up real questions in many rural communities, from the locals. Why do I want to let another person(s) hunt my land? Can I trust someone to be respectful of my property? Will it make my neighbors mad, especially when I start charging for the privilege to hunt? What’s the fee structure and contracting procedures and should I work with a leasing company for management? What are the logistics and liabilities of making this unique decision?
As a throwback, I’ve operated with the “handshake is my bond” as the gold standard in my mind. However, when it comes to hunting leases with folks you may not know well, specific goals, financial considerations and liability risks, a more formal arrangement in writing, spelling out the terms of engagement is a commonsense approach to weigh in the decision-making process.
Beyond the commerce, I’ve always thought of game managers as partners in the farm who appreciate the landscape in a different context. And for that relationship, they tell me about observing wildlife behavior, “from the tree stand and game cam”, and ways to improve the habitat by installing some upland water, planting specific mast and fruit trees while keeping the livestock out of sensitive areas. In turn, I share intel throughout the grazing season, since wildlife are immune to my daily presence of rotating cattle to fresh pasture, which they are usually enjoying.
Because of their mentorship, a common practice on our farm is strategically fallowing a field in the spring as the “birthing and fledgling” paddock. When someone says they will pay you $20/acre to hunt, those growing fawns and turkey poults add to the balance sheet as much as cows. Building diverse systems that encourage wildlife is a win-win that just keeps on adding value to a farm like those grassland birds and bats eating all the insects.
There hasn’t been a time when my hunting partners haven’t shared some pastured protein proceeds, a cold beer, and of course, lots of stories and pictures. The management of these local natural resources are celebrated, not denigrated, and always with an eye on improving our ecosystems.
As we gather around the table to share in the bounty that is Thanksgiving, consider these words as a testament to honoring the animals that nourish our bodies and souls.
The Hunter’s Prayer: Thank you majestic one for the honorable hunt. My family and friends shall honor your sacrifice by feeding from your meat. The memory of your last day will forever be a part of me. May your spirit be embraced by the creator, knowing you have served your purpose, fulfilled your destiny. Thank you, Lord, for sharing your incredible nature and creatures. ~ Elkbros.com
Published in Lancaster Farming: https://www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news/livestock/landowners-and-hunters-a-positive-partnership/article_b6ffbd03-9727-5352-ba35-41514a6bb2f8.html
Drought Sucks
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