Hunting lease question 2025

[Daniel n]

Just a couple of questions. How do you guys go about finding a lease to hunt on? I'm looking for next year within a hour or two drive of the Chattanooga area. Or does anyone know of a place that might have an opening coming up?

Thank you.

 

[Coker]

The way I found the lease I am on is by asking as many people as I knew (Church, neighbors, gas station, etc...). My neighbor had a friend that knew the lease manager of the lease I am on now. I called the manager and he told me they didnt have any openings but to check back in March......this is when they renew their memberships. I bet I called him 10 times between the fall and spring. This was after many folks told me "No" to their private farm or to knowing any leases available. It took me a little over a year to find a place but it has worked out so far.

 

[Snake]

Preserverance brother preserverance . Try , try , and try again. I bet I've called a thousand times inquiring about leases over the years. Be polite even if they give you a blunt "no" and thank them for you troubling them . I had a index card giving my information and a few details on a bulletin board at some farmers hangout for over 10 years but finally got a call in Lincoln Co. Turned out to be one of the best leases I've ever got . Had a lease in Giles the man had 3 people that had turned him down but they must of not seen what I seen . It was pretty thick but had open patches of hardwoods. It turned out fabulous and cheap....we even upped what we had been giving him after about 5 years . Both lost due to owners dieing . First off a if you get to talk to a landowner ask what he expects of you first and foremost as it is their property. Then you can put forth your rules . Appreciate and treat their property better than you would your own . I contacted farm bureaus in counties I was interested in to see if any farmer had a card on their board that wanted to lease their property. County farm agents sometimes will have information about farmers who wanted to lease their property. That's how I leased the property in Giles Co. I had a good phone relationship with the county agent and would always send a Christmas card to his office . Be overly polite and be sure that they are not busy when you call and tell them would it be OK to call back if they are busy. Back then my long distance phone bill ran pretty high . There used to be a guy in White Co the leased alot of property from a man that owned 55,000 acres . He leased then subleased it out . I did have all that info but when I retired I threw all of that away when I was cleaning out my locker sorry.