Different Categories of Hunting Leases

No Fee Access

The most basic and traditional method of hunting on private property does not require payment of a fee for the land leasing. These are mostly verbal (sometimes written) agreements that resemble a symbiotic relationship. Landowners, if they farmers, are spared having their crops invaded by the local wildlife while hunters have access to bigger game that otherwise wouldn't have been available. The relationship between the leasor and the lessee in this scenario is usually very familiar and casual.

Exchange of Services

Similar to the "No Fee Access" lease in that the "exchange of services" lease does not require a fee to be paid. The difference between the two operates on the principle of a mutual exchange and has the subtext of "if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." For example, in exchange for leasing Ohio land and access to hunting grounds the hunter may offer to keep a look out for trespassers (human or animal i.e. wolves, cougars, mountain lions, coyotes). It is not unheard of for the hunters to engage in more labor-intensive services such as clearing away trash and detritus, mending a broken fence, or maintaining food plots of alfalfa or clover for the wildlife. Sometimes hunters will generously offer the landowner a selection of meat from the hunt. Venison makes a great gift and is excellent when ground into sausages or dried into jerky.

Fee Hunting

The vast majority of landowners leasing Ohio land do in fact charge money for hunting leases on their land. Quite simply, while the hunters do help with keeping the animal population within check, it is simply too good of a money making business venture to pass up for most landowners. Farmers in particular can have a bad crop yield due to lack of rain or other natural disasters. In this case, a side business (leasing land) could very easily become the main business venture for the out of work farmer.

The demand for hunting leases is huge and even charging the most nominal of fees can create a very sizable profit for land that would otherwise sit untouched (due to unfavorable terrain conditions) or farm crops that would be ravaged by local wildlife.