College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Missouri Lease Hunting/Fishing Arrangements (& Wildlife Watchers) Joe Parcell Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri - Columbia

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Lease Hunting 4 Provides landowners the opportunity to supplement their income while enhancing wildlife habitat on their property 4 Recreational Lease l agreement between a person who controls access to the property and person who wishes to use the property for recreational use

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Hunting Equipment 4 Hunting Coat 4 Hunting Pants 4 Hunting Hat 4 Dog 4 Gun 4 4-wheeler 4 Truck

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Note: 4 Native wildlife cannot be leased or sold by a landowner because it is publicly owned by the state. 4 The public owns it, but... l private land managers control wildlife populations

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources The Leasing Process 4 What sportsman look for in a hunting lease: l Less competition from other hunters l Abundant game densities l An atmosphere in which they feel welcome l Safety l Convenience or close to home l Potential trophy quality game l Convenient, comfortable and dependable lodging

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Liability 4 Landowner should: l inspect property for hazards l inform lessee of hazards l adequate liability coverage l have lessee sign a proper written agreement with a liability waiver l monitor actions of lessee

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Liability 4 When landowner accepts a fee for hunting on their property, they take on legal responsibility for the safety of the hunters. l The paying hunter becomes the “invitee” l Missouri law states that landowners have a “duty of ordinary and reasonable care” to their invitees

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources The Liability Cost 4 $1,000,000 Umbrella Liability policy 4 It has been suggested that $500,000 is sufficient, but... l the cost of $500 K and $1 mil may not be that much different 4 Check with your insurance sales person

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Cost - Benefit Analysis 4 Cost are generally minimal in a simple lease l Legal fee to review the lease l Additional insurance premiums l Landowners time to: write contract interview lessee analyze harvest information monitor lessee

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Habitat Enhancement 4 “The Better the Experience, the More Hunters are willing to Pay” 4 Habitat management through: l brush control planting perennial grasses l choice of crops tillage l timber management burning l weed control

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Fee Hunting Income Potential

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Cost - Benefit 4 Minimum cost - $200 4 Charge $3/acre 4 Conclusion: l minimum 70 acres to breakeven

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Cost - Benefit 4 Example l $3.00/acre hunt lease, $100 insurance, $50 legal fee, & $50 in landowner time l suppose you leave filter strip around 300 acre corn field 4 acres out of production l Corn price$2.30$2.50$2.70$2.80 l Net return from corn-$44 $36 $116 $196 l Lease net value$700 $700 $700 $700 l difference$744 $664 $584 $504

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Marketing 4 What game are you going to market? 4 Who is your target market? 4 How will you advertise?

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources What game are you going to market?

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Deer Harvest in Central Missouri (10 districts reporting)

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Source: MDC Not surveyed > 2.0

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Source: MDC > Not surveyed

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Source: MDC < 1.0 Not surveyed

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Source: MDC Missouri Dove Density

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Source: MDC Missouri Turkey Density

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Who is your target market?

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Game Bird Hunting 4 19,341 pheasant hunters in Missouri in ,995 quail hunters in Missouri in 1998

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Turkey Licenses sold in Missouri Source: MDC

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

206,000 in age group

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 793,000 in age group

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 1,900,000 in age group

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Advertising 4 Newspaper add l Suggested beginning at 45 days prior to season 4 Internet

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources The Lease

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Types of leases 4 Year-round l Most year-round leases convey exclusive rights to specified recreational activities 4 Limited duration l Most seasonal leases convey exclusive rights to the specified recreational activities during the term of the agreement. 4 Day Hunting

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Types of leases 4 Guided Hunts 4 General recreational lease l Activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, or wildlife observation

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Every Written Lease Needs: l Description of the recreational rights, services and facilities being leased l Names of the lessor and lessees involved l Description of the property being leased l Species to be hunted l Terms of payment l Duration of the lease l Definition of who has recreational rights l Signatures

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Other Considerations

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Miscellaneous 4 Owner retains hunting rights for family/friends 4 Hunters record game harvest 4 If lessee builds a shelter l who provides the utilities? l who owns it?

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Care of Property 4 Access to hunting areas/Parking/When vehicles are allowed over fields 4 Improvements allowed to the lessee 4 Rules on opening and closing gates

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Care of Property 4 Restrictions on fires and cook stoves 4 Trash removal 4 Use of buildings, toilet facilities and water 4 Tree cutting

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Additional Benefits 4 Allows landowner to have someone monitor land for trespass problems 4 Lessee may be willing to exchange recreational rights for helping out on the property l Example Given hunting rights for a year in return for helping paint a building

College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Conclusions 4 Economic value 4 Liability 4 Market