Hunting land

cgbills

New member
So I am thinking of buying some hunting land. I am looking in Kentucky and Tennessee because land seems to be cheap there and I am in Indiana so it is fairly close. I want to get as much acreage for my buck as possible, I would like mostly wooded. Also it doesn’t need it to be super accessible, maybe just an access road leading to it. I will have around $30k. What do you guys think a good amount of acreage for hunting in a secluded area would be? I would really like around 40 acres, but don’t see getting that for $30K (1,000+ an acre seems to be the going rate). What do you all think? I wish I could find some land in these states for less than 800 an acre. Also I would probably build a small hunting shack.
 
Some people harvest good game with less than 5 acres, if the land is situated such that it is a major game highway between feeding and bedding areas (deer I'm talking), esp. if it's a bottleneck. A small amount can also suffice if you bait them with a feeder or food plot, salt lick, etc.. It's gonna depend heavily on what all species you want to hunt (for ducks you'll want ponds, etc.), whether you're going to bait, what the natural terrain is like, and what the neighboring lands are like (pristine wilderness? does anyone hunt the neighboring lands? etc.). You also want to be able to control access to your land to allow deer in but yahoos (humans) off. Meaning barbed wire fence which deer can jump, posted with no trespassing signs. I'd buy around 20 acres in a pristine area, preferably adjacent to a non-huntable area (wildlife refuge or national park), OR adjacent to huntable public lands, from which the deer will clear out on opening day; and preferably with a good amount of water (1 or 2 ponds; and/or a stream); then spend the rest of the money on:

-good fencing & signs to keep others out,
-your hunting shack with a heater, strong doors & locks, etc.
-building a road on the property to access where you want to build your shack (though if you build it just on the edge as you're coming onto the land, you won't need to build a road, which is actually preferable so as to leave the main of the land intact and unaffected by your activity. However, if you build a food plot or have feeders, you'll need to at least clear a 4-wheeler trail to cultivate & maintain your food plot or feeders). In some of those lands in the hills of KY & TN, there are very few crops (too hilly and/or rocky), so there are no "natural" feeding areas for the game; hence it makes more sense to make a food plot than it would in crop-abundant Indiana, for example.

I think the key, as always with real estate, is location, location, location. I'd much rather spend $1,500 an acre for 20 acres in a good spot adjacent to a wildlife refuge for example, than spend $800 an acre for 38 acres in a place where lots of people hunt and/or live on the adjacent lands and thus decrease your "quiet enjoyment" at a minimum, and at worst, roam onto your land uninvited, poach your game year round (even if only on THEIR land, etc.). Location, location, location! Water is very important too. You can't anchor game very well if there is zero water on the land. Obviously, you want a pretty good amount of cover for game as well - preferably at least 50% wooded; ideally more.
 
there's a creek running along the northwest corner, but the road seems to run on the adjacent property across the creek......is there access?
 
cgbills, I wouldn't pay cash. Always see if the owner will carry paper, with no penalty for early payoff.

Take your $30K. Get a CD. Borrow against the CD; that's commonly two percent interest over what they're paying on the CD. Put the borrowed money into a savings account. If you can't make the monthly payment from your regular income, take some money from the savings account.

That way you pay little interest on the whole deal, and you always have available cash against emergencies.

Art
 
Land is a bit expensive down there hey guys.I was fortunate enough to pick up 80 acres (90%) mature poplar around 5 acres wild hay.For $100.00 an acre
Although this was a supurb deal which I could not pass up alot of the properties up here go for $400-$1000 an acre.I found it on the buy & sell paper.There is also 10 square miles of crown land within 7 miles of my property.When I went to look at the property in January it was littered with deer tracks,rubs,beds,some elk sign,also good for upland game bird and bear.
And with an alphalfa field across the road it seemed like the perfect setup.
I say try to buy something private if possible it might be your best bet.Good luck.
 
compared to land down there it is relatively cheap in Manitoba.

160 Acres Recreational land 2 hours N of Winnipeg Int. Airport
Price: $21,900.00
Ad ID: 12974566
Date Listed: 24-Apr-07
A secluded location near Ashern ( Interlake Region ) consisting of bush, clearings and app 40 acres wetland.
Large game variety..............204 375 6741 or email leerenault@hotmail.com

MLS®: 2705854 $12,000

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R17 (South Eastern)
Manitoba
R17/SPRAGUE/SPRAGUE/Just under 40 acres this parcel sits along hwy 308 just out of Sprague on the way to Moose Lake with its own driveway and power along front. Has crown land behind for many miles near lakes and provincial forestry.
Golf course nearby, Corner Site, Ravine view
Lot Size: 39.650 acres

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MLS®: 2703474 $18,900
R17 (South Eastern)
Manitoba
R17/SPRAGUE/SPRAGUE/This 80 acres sits nestled in wildlife surroundings near lakes just mins from U.S. border near Sprague. Near crownlands close to many wilderness trails, from hiking to getting away from it all on your atv this good be the investment with fun you have been looking for.

not bad prices hey!:)
 
What is a 'crownland'? And what are the land taxes on property like that up there in Manitoba?

Hello FirstFreedom,

There are two kinds of crown land that I know of.First is government crown which is accessable for every one to use for recreational purposes.Second is
government leased crown land which usually has livestock or crops on it.They rent it off the government you must obtain permission from the person leaseing the land to hunt or do whatever on it.
The property I bought which is 80 acres cost me around $70.00 a year for taxes.It has no buildings on it and is quite remote.Nearest powerline is a mile away.Once you start adding buildings on the land the taxes will go up.
Hope this helps.
 
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