Topic: Hunting land

[Johnnyherd]

I'm thinking about buying some land to hunt on....I wanted to spend about 50K or so.....but, you really can't get much for that....

You buy even if you buy say 50 acres which costs often 60K-100K that's only a piece of property that's 3400 yards by 3400 yards, not really that big considering I have 2 sons, 2 brothers and 3-4 others relatives plus a couple buddies that want to hunt....

Then I thought about a lease or joining a hunting club....Anyone have any luck with any of those or have any ideas?...

[Always THE HERD]

My son-in-law leases property in Greenbrier county WV with some of his friends. I don't know of any problems that he has had.

In my opinion......spending say 50 grand on property just for hunting is a bad investment........especially if you live in WV with mountainous terrain, bad economy, etc.

[HERDFAN1999]

I would definitely lease.  With some work, you can probably find a farmer in Mason County and hunt one of the top counties in the state. Start with the district DNR office.  They may have some leads.

[Johnnyherd]

Great ideas, guys.....

I have a lead on a more reasonable deal for 22K....It's 17 acres more or less in Mason co. with a trailer and small house on it, both are dilapidated and unlivable .......they good thing is that it is adjacent to 1000 of acres of wilderness.....

I get a bonus in January and if it's still available....I'm going to seriously consider things....

It's been for sale for 4 years, and it's not going to qualify for any type of mortgage because of the living structures are in horrid conditions....

We'll see though - I've only seen pictures on the internet - and I was thinking about that Chevy Chase movie and when he bought a farm, lol....
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So how much does your boy and his friends pay for a lease with hunting rights?   and how does that work, per se....

If anyone else knows or has an idea let me know as well

thanks guys

[HerdEcon]

For $50,000 you could go on a lot of nice hunting trips in other states.  I went to Colorado elk hunting and Nebraska whitetail hunting this year.  If you are looking to spending that kind of money you might look into leasing a place in another state.  Nebraska was great with a lot of opportunities to kill what would be a trophy here in WV.  You can lease for a couple years in Nebraska for whitetail then Colorado for elk or mule deer, then Wyoming for big horn sheep, etc.

If you are looking to buy in WV...  Look for land you can timber periodically.  This will help justify your purchase and provide at least some return on your investment.  If finding enough land for the price is an issue look for land that boarders public hunting areas or the national forest.  We own a 5 acre tract in Pocahontas County that boarders the national forest.  No one else hunts the area around our camp.  We feel like we have hundreds of acres of hunting land that no one but us hunts.

[Johnnyherd]

If you are looking to buy in WV...  Look for land you can timber periodically.  This will help justify your purchase and provide at least some return on your investment. 

Since I have been looking it seems like most ads mention the timber, but it's either just been harvested or the previous owner wants to retain the timber / mineral rights, kind of discouraging

 

If finding enough land for the price is an issue look for land that boarders public hunting areas or the national forest.  We own a 5 acre tract in Pocahontas County that boarders the national forest.  No one else hunts the area around our camp.  We feel like we have hundreds of acres of hunting land that no one but us hunts.

That would be ideal....You're lucky

[HerdEcon]

I may know of two 100 acre more or less tracts that are for sale.  One boarders a public hunting area and the other is adjacent to it.  One boarders the Elk River.  Neither are on the open market but I think one or both could be bought and the owners want to sell.  Both have been timbered in recent years.  Both have access to utilities (electric, telephone, water, and gas) and frontage on a paved and lined state road. 

I don't know at what price the owners would be willing to sell.  My guess is one could be had for around $750 per acre.  But that's just a guess.  I know that is more than you are wanting to pay but keep in mind it is a 100+- acre tract.  For a large tract of land in this area $1000 per acre would be a good price.  I think at least one of these tracts can be had for less because it has been recently timbered.  On at least one of the tracts there is some open areas (field) as well as standing timber.  The timbering has opened some roads on both properties suitable for vehicle travel or ATV/UTV travel.  I believe both properties have at least one small stream/creek.  One of the tracts is currently being leased by a hunting group however it is a year to year lease. 

[FlyHawk98]

Owner can not maintain timber rights. Timber rights are part of the surface and are owned by whoever owns the surface. They could always sell the timber before selling you the land, but timber rights do not work like mineral rights.

BTW, just look into Wayne and Lincoln counties. I always see good deals for hunting land. Same goes for eastern Kentucky. Or even Mingo county, but that wouldn't be good if you plan to gun hunt. If you plan to bow hunt then Mingo co would be perfect.

I'd suggest being patient and trying to find some land that was last timbered about 20 years ago with a select cutting. This should allow you to select cut again and recoup some of your costs. Plus there will be old logging roads that you can utilize for food plots, 4-wheeler trails, etc.

I currently own 90 acres myself and that's what I did. I had it cruised and could sell the timber right now and get back half of my money. I plan to wait another 10 years or so and have it cruised again.

I then have an additional 350 acres spread out that I share ownership with my family. This is 40-50 acres here. 100 acres there etc. Needless to say, I have multiple places to hunt.

[goherd24]

Just me, but id rather buy land to hunt on, than to spend it hunting a game reserve somewhere. You can pass that land on and get use out of it for lifetimes. Only pass on a story from a paid hunt somewhere else.

Lucky for me, my family has about 100 acres to hunt on, and borders some other familes that have a ton too and are good with us spilling over into theirs.