Risks & rewards from allowing hunters on property

HappyCPE · Jun 5, 2006

I'm in a relatively lightly populated area in a densely populated state. Hunting, especially for deer, is popular where I am. There are so many deer around me that they are damaging the ecosystem; there are no seedling trees, invasives are taking over, and their foot traffic has even caused erosion in places on my property. I'm not a hunter myself but I am considering renting out the land to control the population and raise some money [highest property taxes in the US].

Here are my questions -

Have you done this? If not, why not?

What are the risks? My place is way too small for firearms, bow only. How far can an errant arrow fly?

How much insurance is required? I've heard that NRA members are "automatically" insured. Is that adequate?

How much money do you charge?

Anyone have any horror stories? Not doing it anymore for some reason?

Thanks to everyone for the information.

HappyCPE · Jun 5, 2006

I'm in a relatively lightly populated area in a densely populated state. Hunting, especially for deer, is popular where I am. There are so many deer around me that they are damaging the ecosystem; there are no seedling trees, invasives are taking over, and their foot traffic has even caused erosion in places on my property. I'm not a hunter myself but I am considering renting out the land to control the population and raise some money [highest property taxes in the US].

Here are my questions -

Have you done this? If not, why not?

What are the risks? My place is way too small for firearms, bow only. How far can an errant arrow fly?

How much insurance is required? I've heard that NRA members are "automatically" insured. Is that adequate?

How much money do you charge?

Anyone have any horror stories? Not doing it anymore for some reason?

Thanks to everyone for the information.

Doc_Bob · Jun 5, 2006

Bow hunting only, friends only, no charge.
Bob

Doc_Bob · Jun 5, 2006

Bow hunting only, friends only, no charge.
Bob

Slamfire · Jun 5, 2006

I for one don't know how you'd keep out the slobs who'd shoot your stock, leave their garbage on the ground and the gates open. I guess high prices would discourage them, but it'd also keep away others as well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Slamfire · Jun 5, 2006

I for one don't know how you'd keep out the slobs who'd shoot your stock, leave their garbage on the ground and the gates open. I guess high prices would discourage them, but it'd also keep away others as well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

HappyCPE · Jun 5, 2006

( I for one don't know how you'd keep out the slobs who'd shoot your stock, leave their garbage on the ground and the gates open. I guess high prices would discourage them, but it'd also keep away others as well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

Don't have any stock [well, a few shares of Lucent, but they're not worth anything anymore /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ] but the overall concept would be to have a lease in place, screen the people carefully, maybe a small club or father/son thing. Not to hang a sign on the gate with an "honor system" pay box!

And yes, high prices tend to act like a filter, but I just need one customer with deep pockets.

HappyCPE · Jun 5, 2006

( I for one don't know how you'd keep out the slobs who'd shoot your stock, leave their garbage on the ground and the gates open. I guess high prices would discourage them, but it'd also keep away others as well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

Don't have any stock [well, a few shares of Lucent, but they're not worth anything anymore /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ] but the overall concept would be to have a lease in place, screen the people carefully, maybe a small club or father/son thing. Not to hang a sign on the gate with an "honor system" pay box!

And yes, high prices tend to act like a filter, but I just need one customer with deep pockets.

MikeD74T · Jun 5, 2006

I have land & vacation home 150 miles from where I live. I have given written permission for 3 hunters to use my property like thier own, tree stands, ATVs, whatever they want to do. One asked for permission & offered references, the other two, father & son, were referred by a mutual friend. No money involved. All are very safety consious. My land is not posted against any form of entry. These hunters keep a close watch & inform me about any problems. They have a large network of friends in the area and pretty much know who's doing what. I've had no problems, including trash, in 8 years. A neighbor has his land posted against everything & has lots of trash problems. NH laws are very specific & protective regarding hunting type land uses so no special insurance is necessary. I'd have to create a dangerous situation & subject them to it to be liable. There may be a different standard of care when money is involved.

I don't know how you'd find the right hunters in Jersey, but armed men with a vested interest make good watchdogs. Check with local gun/ archery shops, they may be able to refer someone. Since it sounds like you're not a hunter, be sure to discuss property use rules including things like gut piles that you may not have expected. I know Jersey is big in agriculture, talk to neighboring farmers also. Fish & Game biologists may offer services like estimating how many deer you should remove & how many hunters it will take, ie how many deer one hunter can take. They may even allow specific hunters to take many. This meat is often also given to food banks. Good luck. Mike

MikeD74T · Jun 5, 2006

I have land & vacation home 150 miles from where I live. I have given written permission for 3 hunters to use my property like thier own, tree stands, ATVs, whatever they want to do. One asked for permission & offered references, the other two, father & son, were referred by a mutual friend. No money involved. All are very safety consious. My land is not posted against any form of entry. These hunters keep a close watch & inform me about any problems. They have a large network of friends in the area and pretty much know who's doing what. I've had no problems, including trash, in 8 years. A neighbor has his land posted against everything & has lots of trash problems. NH laws are very specific & protective regarding hunting type land uses so no special insurance is necessary. I'd have to create a dangerous situation & subject them to it to be liable. There may be a different standard of care when money is involved.

I don't know how you'd find the right hunters in Jersey, but armed men with a vested interest make good watchdogs. Check with local gun/ archery shops, they may be able to refer someone. Since it sounds like you're not a hunter, be sure to discuss property use rules including things like gut piles that you may not have expected. I know Jersey is big in agriculture, talk to neighboring farmers also. Fish & Game biologists may offer services like estimating how many deer you should remove & how many hunters it will take, ie how many deer one hunter can take. They may even allow specific hunters to take many. This meat is often also given to food banks. Good luck. Mike