A hunting lease agreement is a legal document that grants permission to hunt from a landlord for a specified period in exchange for payment. The landlord outlines the rules for hunting, fishing, trapping, and camping in the agreement.
The rent is commonly calculated on a price per acre ($/acre) basis.
What Should be Included (8 items)
1. Property Description
The land should be properly described, which includes:
Property address;
Land size (in acres or square miles); and
Boundary lines
2. Hunter’s Party
The hunter and their guests (if any) should be mentioned. A common request is for the identities of all the hunters to be made available to the landowner.
3. Lease Term
The lease term is either for a fixed date (generally the hunting season limits) or terminated with notice given to the landowner.
4. Rent Amount ($)
The rent is commonly calculated on a price-per-acre basis ($/AC). The market rate depends on the area and seasonality.
Harvesting is a term that includes hunting, trapping, fishing and any means of sporting game on the property. This can also include restricted weapon types (e.g., “no firearms, only crossbows allowed”).
6. Camping Rights
Creating structures and fires is commonly permitted if the hunters can camp on the property. Cleanup of all garbage is mandatory.
7. Indemnification
Due to the inherent dangers of hunting, requiring the hunter to obtain insurance and naming the landowner as an additional insured party is recommended.
