Looking for hunting land

[LRNut]

Good idea. When living in Washington state the timber companies allowed hunters and campers to use the property. Although I'm sure you would have to pay a lease or trespass fee today. I did see a public land locator in N,C, that can be googled.

Some states give tax breaks to timber companies that allow public access; MN used to and probably still does. When I first moved there Boise Cascade would give you a lease that let you build a shack on the land for a whopping $25/year. There is a ton of land in northern MN from which to hunt. I used to go every year but last fall my hunting buddy of 33 years ending his life - same day I shot an elk in NM. His son wanted to me continue to hunt, but I just can't go back there. My SIL and daughter live in the cities and are looking for a property; if they find one, I will buy, but their focus right now is her pregnancy.

Forty years ago paper companies owned their own land, but financial wizards convinced them they had too much capital tied up growing timber; better to sell and buy the timber on the open market. Furthermore, companies that focused on timber production could be organized as REITs, which offer some tax advantages. A number of them now sell land after the timber is cut; that is what happened to the land my buddy used to lease; he got 80 acres for $80k. Since he had about 20K in his shack (more like a cabin), it was a no-brainer for him - there is a ton of state land around his property.

So my advice is try and identify who owns timber in your area. There are a number of paper mills in NC, most of whom are my customers.

 

[Pinoniper]

More hunters, less habitat.
It's like a vise.

 

[Papa762]

Hello all. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post or not so if it isn't or not allowed please move or delete
I'm looking for some land to lease or rent or what ever in North carolina or neighboring state to hunt I just found out today our family hunting land that I've hunted my whole life was just bought and will most likely be put in houses my great aunt and uncle past away last December due to covid least that's what the doctors said and everything they owned had to be sold.me and my dad and uncle were not able to out bid the buyer so now me and my boys don't have any were to hunt my dad and uncle have land so it would just be me and my boys and maybe my brother that would be hunting.if anyone on here knows of any land available to hunt please let me know I really appreciate it God bless like I said if this is not allowed I understand no worries

We had two memberships available earlier this year. There are slots available in eastern NC, and lots of guides. You do have to work the area and pass muster. Some aren't cheap, but that is just frame of reference. The memberships that just filled were unusual.

 

[Chas1]

Sorry for your loss, good luck in your search.

 

[Glenn Tullius]

Some states give tax breaks to timber companies that allow public access; MN used to and probably still does. When I first moved there Boise Cascade would give you a lease that let you build a shack on the land for a whopping $25/year. There is a ton of land in northern MN from which to hunt. I used to go every year but last fall my hunting buddy of 33 years ending his life - same day I shot an elk in NM. His son wanted to me continue to hunt, but I just can't go back there. My SIL and daughter live in the cities and are looking for a property; if they find one, I will buy, but their focus right now is her pregnancy.

Forty years ago paper companies owned their own land, but financial wizards convinced them they had too much capital tied up growing timber; better to sell and buy the timber on the open market. Furthermore, companies that focused on timber production could be organized as REITs, which offer some tax advantages. A number of them now sell land after the timber is cut; that is what happened to the land my buddy used to lease; he got 80 acres for $80k. Since he had about 20K in his shack (more like a cabin), it was a no-brainer for him - there is a ton of state land around his property.

So my advice is try and identify who owns timber in your area. There are a number of paper mills in NC, most of whom are my customers.

I bear hunt in Northern MN, and yes, you can still hunt, trap, and fish all the timber companies land, by law. There is also a lot of land that is State Forest, Federal Forest, and County Forest land that is open as well.

 

[brentru]

Never hunted in VA before will have to check it out for sure.

VA has some restrictions on where you can hunt with centerfire rifles, so make sure you pay attention to that. Much more of the state to hunt if you are going to hunt with a ML, shotgun or bow.

 

[Onehorse]

Hello all. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post or not so if it isn't or not allowed please move or delete
I'm looking for some land to lease or rent or what ever in North carolina or neighboring state to hunt I just found out today our family hunting land that I've hunted my whole life was just bought and will most likely be put in houses my great aunt and uncle past away last December due to covid least that's what the doctors said and everything they owned had to be sold.me and my dad and uncle were not able to out bid the buyer so now me and my boys don't have any were to hunt my dad and uncle have land so it would just be me and my boys and maybe my brother that would be hunting.if anyone on here knows of any land available to hunt please let me know I really appreciate it God bless like I said if this is not allowed I understand no worries

Sorry I can't help you, but I know the feeling of having land and ranches where you've hunted for decades being sold. It sucks! But the lesson there is to not let yourself become dependent on one place. Exploring new areas, even if just a little bit each year, adds adventure to your season, and in the worst case scenario, it gives you a fall-back place to hunt. I hope this all works out for you and your family - sounds like you've had a hard time in several ways. All the best.

 

[Papa762]

VA has nearly 1.7 mil acres, yes million of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forest and non-re tags are not crazy like here out west. Get some camping gear or a camper as hecouldgoalltheway said and Have at it!

Been there. That's a great area.

 

[Papa762]

We have 2,000 acres, private for 10-12 people in NC. We file applications for the next year or two, sometimes five or six, but are now full.

 

[zzchipster]

Huntinglocator.com

I put some land up here 3 years ago and had a lessee in a week. Check it out.

 

[CoSniper66]

Greedy Outfitters are all about leasing up as much public and private land as possible and charging ridiculous prices to hunt. I refuse to pay some dude 2 grand to hunt a Pronghorn for 40 pounds of meat. The day only the wealthy can hunt is when we all go old school.

 

[Mark37082]

I feel your pain. I was fortunate for many years hunting private land owned by close friends. I was too narrow sighted in the early years to buy land. Now I'm forced to hunt public lands or pay outrageous prices for guided hunts on private land. Public land (WMA) is plentiful, but you have to get drawn. Best advice I can give you is to get in shape and venture far from the roads. Otherwise, you will see far more people than game.

 

[LRNut]

Greedy Outfitters are all about leasing up as much public and private land as possible and charging ridiculous prices to hunt. I refuse to pay some dude 2 grand to hunt a Pronghorn for 40 pounds of meat. The day only the wealthy can hunt is when we all go old school.

Buying direct from the rancher/farmer is cheaper than hunting if all you want is meat. I have never seen a rich outfitter or guide. Personally, I would pay 2k in a heartbeat to hunt pronghorns, especially if guided. My last one was 3k or so plus landowner voucher.

My advice for any young person who loves to hunt is to figure out how to make a lot of money before worrying about getting 1/4 inch smaller groups. I know that is easier said than done.

 

[VTbluegrass]

in the eastern part of NC you are down to two choices. Pay to play or gameland lottery which I have been lucky with. Man I am originally from the VA mountains and NC has a similar situation millions of acres of land free to you. Now we have far more deer in the flat land but I miss the feeling of going up on the mountain bring a deer home.
It's just gonna take scouting and it might be a few years to relearn it but like us all you might find you like the challenge. Favorite part of hunting the mountain public land was I rarely hunted the same spot more than 2 times in a season.