| Survey | Lease type | Reported $/acre | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri — MU Extension G9420 | Any wildlife / deer | $19.70–$23.33 avg; IQR $15–$30 | 2023–24 | The freshest public survey; waterfowl ~$2,500/hunter |
| Georgia — UGA statewide (134 leases) | Deer (turkey on most) | avg $10.10; range $1–$21 | 2013 | Bare-land leases, avg 934 ac; pine cover higher than cutover |
| Kansas — K-State Ag Econ | Deer | avg $2.50; range $0.25–$12 | 2001–02 | Access-only; two decades old — treat as relative, not current |
| Louisiana — LSU AgCenter | All hunting | avg $5.32; premium waterfowl $60–70 | 2001 | Waterfowl figure includes blinds + managed units |
| Pennsylvania — Penn State | Forestland hunting | $1–$10+; typical $4–5 | pub. 2005 | Amenities "increase rates substantially" |
| Mississippi — MSU Ext. P2310 | Small game → quality deer | $0.50 → $25+ | rev. 2023 | Explicitly rule-of-thumb, not a survey |
Older surveys are shown because they're the published record — hunting lease markets have moved substantially since 2001-era data. Where a fresh number matters, the Missouri 2023–24 survey is the best public anchor, adjusted for your region's demand.
What actually moves the price
Across the surveys, the same drivers repeat: habitat quality (managed pine or crop-adjacent cover beats bare cutover — UGA measured the gap), distance to a metro area (drive-time is demand), exclusivity (a family's private lease beats club-style shared access), amenities (camp, power, food plots — our food plot calculator earns its keep here), and species mix (waterfowl ground with water control is its own market entirely).
Before anyone signs anything
- Written lease, always — species and seasons covered, dates, acres mapped, named hunters and guest rules, vehicle/ATV rules, stand and camera rules, food plots and improvements, gates and access, fire rules, damage responsibility, subleasing ban, payment schedule, termination terms.
- Liability insurance requirement — hunt-lease liability policies are inexpensive and typically name the landowner as additional insured.
- State law check — recreational-use statutes, waiver enforceability, and in some states landowner licensing/registration for fee hunting vary. Have an attorney licensed in the property's state review the lease. This page is not legal advice.