How does one obtain land to hunt/stalk? how much? At one time going with a stalker was on my bucket list, but age and health has probably nixed that. I don't get around very well. What is the cost fot a doe, cull, medal deer stalk? I think a half day stalk is US $175, what does that include?
A little bit about Texas land ownership. First there are very few small acreage places available to hunt. This is mainly because the landowner and/or his family hunt it. Most huntable land is owned by timber companies in the eastern part of the state and rancher/farmers in the west. These are usually Hundreds, if not thousands of acers. Some of these are low fenced with free ranging game. Many are under high game proof fencing. Native game is considered property of the landowner, but seasons and limits are set by the state. Texas has a five deer no more than two buck limit, but there are many exceptions. All game belongs to the shooter
Generally there are three ways to hunt these lands. One, is to own your own land or to be lucky enough to have a family member or friend that does.
Another is to lease. These leases can run from $15 up per acre depending on size and amenities. 1000 acres @ $15,000 will get you a decent, low fenced deer lease, with the right to shoot ten bucks and as probably twice as many does or spikes. Typically a lease of this size prefers one to shoot only 8pt or better bucks. A lease of this size will be leased by 8-10 hunters. Larger acreage might be a little cheaper. It mainly is based on availability and quality of game. Amenities might be none, to running water and electricity for trailers, to an old farm house. Obviously the better amenities the more money. The same lease under high fence with better trophy management will be more, sometimes much more. Smaller leases tend to be more money and less restrictive on game taken as they are often adjacent to larger tracts and hope to benefit from deer grossing the fence, so to speak. They tend to be hit or miss as to quantity and quality of game. Prices are all over the place. I've been on several, but they just didn't produce. A friend, has a small 50acre tract that he kills 3-4 deer and the same number of pigs off of for cheap.
The third way is by day lease or guided hunting or a combination of both. A day lease is basically where one pays by day (duh) to hunt depending on price one is restricted by quality and/or quantity of game. $250-$350 per day will usually get one a doe. Or, $250 per day plus $150 per doe. Bucks are more, sometimes much more, depending on quality. A representative whitetail $850-$1250, what might be considered a bronze medal (this is just a guess) $3000. A BC (Boone&Crockett) $6000-$10000.
The above is for native game, in Texas. Other states can be totally different.
Non-native game, 'exotics', are pretty much considered cattle, unless they escape. They then belong to whoever's land they are on. The most common non deer species are Feral goats and pigs, mixed breed sheep, mouflon, and blackbuck. The most common exotic deer are axis, fallow, sika, red deer and elk. The non-deer species are generally cheaper than the deer. Most of these are taken under high fence ranches Because landowners realize the better the trophy, the more the money, most of these are let mature. Again, I'm not exactly sure of the gold, silver, bronze medal system, but I don't believe anything below bronze is taken. Occasionally obvious culls are taken. Most of the trophy hunts are taken on guided hunts. they usually include the cost of the guide and may include food and lodging. Sometimes the lodging can be most extravagant. A decent trophy hunt with one staying in a hotel, can be had for a trophy fee of $2500-$3500. This might or might not include guide fees. These usually rum $250+- per day. To get a real trophy Stag or bull, add a thousand or two to these prices. there are some free ranging exotics. they belong to the landowner the prives and quality of the trophy may be less, because the deer may be gone tomorrow.
How does a common man hunt. It's not all that hard, if one doesn't hunt horns. if one must have horns, hunt less and save. I am a good example. I know that they are not deer but hogs are plentiful and considered pests on many ranches. A hog hunt alone costs $150-$200 per day and can be hunted at night. I have lights and tend to stay in my blind several hours after dark. We hunt over feeders and this has allowed me ot take two hogs on more than one occasion. as for does/hinds, they can be had for $350, maybe a little more, for the smaller deer. Hinds are around $600, elk cows $1100 or so. Most places allow free hogs after your deer is taken.
I hope that this hasn't bored you too much. capt david
A little bit about Texas land ownership. First there are very few small acreage places available to hunt. This is mainly because the landowner and/or his family hunt it. Most huntable land is owned by timber companies in the eastern part of the state and rancher/farmers in the west. These are usually Hundreds, if not thousands of acers. Some of these are low fenced with free ranging game. Many are under high game proof fencing. Native game is considered property of the landowner, but seasons and limits are set by the state. Texas has a five deer no more than two buck limit, but there are many exceptions. All game belongs to the shooter
Generally there are three ways to hunt these lands. One, is to own your own land or to be lucky enough to have a family member or friend that does.
Another is to lease. These leases can run from $15 up per acre depending on size and amenities. 1000 acres @ $15,000 will get you a decent, low fenced deer lease, with the right to shoot ten bucks and as probably twice as many does or spikes. Typically a lease of this size prefers one to shoot only 8pt or better bucks. A lease of this size will be leased by 8-10 hunters. Larger acreage might be a little cheaper. It mainly is based on availability and quality of game. Amenities might be none, to running water and electricity for trailers, to an old farm house. Obviously the better amenities the more money. The same lease under high fence with better trophy management will be more, sometimes much more. Smaller leases tend to be more money and less restrictive on game taken as they are often adjacent to larger tracts and hope to benefit from deer grossing the fence, so to speak. They tend to be hit or miss as to quantity and quality of game. Prices are all over the place. I've been on several, but they just didn't produce. A friend, has a small 50acre tract that he kills 3-4 deer and the same number of pigs off of for cheap.
The third way is by day lease or guided hunting or a combination of both. A day lease is basically where one pays by day (duh) to hunt depending on price one is restricted by quality and/or quantity of game. $250-$350 per day will usually get one a doe. Or, $250 per day plus $150 per doe. Bucks are more, sometimes much more, depending on quality. A representative whitetail $850-$1250, what might be considered a bronze medal (this is just a guess) $3000. A BC (Boone&Crockett) $6000-$10000.
The above is for native game, in Texas. Other states can be totally different.
Non-native game, 'exotics', are pretty much considered cattle, unless they escape. They then belong to whoever's land they are on. The most common non deer species are Feral goats and pigs, mixed breed sheep, mouflon, and blackbuck. The most common exotic deer are axis, fallow, sika, red deer and elk. The non-deer species are generally cheaper than the deer. Most of these are taken under high fence ranches Because landowners realize the better the trophy, the more the money, most of these are let mature. Again, I'm not exactly sure of the gold, silver, bronze medal system, but I don't believe anything below bronze is taken. Occasionally obvious culls are taken. Most of the trophy hunts are taken on guided hunts. they usually include the cost of the guide and may include food and lodging. Sometimes the lodging can be most extravagant. A decent trophy hunt with one staying in a hotel, can be had for a trophy fee of $2500-$3500. This might or might not include guide fees. These usually rum $250+- per day. To get a real trophy Stag or bull, add a thousand or two to these prices. there are some free ranging exotics. they belong to the landowner the prives and quality of the trophy may be less, because the deer may be gone tomorrow.
How does a common man hunt. It's not all that hard, if one doesn't hunt horns. if one must have horns, hunt less and save. I am a good example. I know that they are not deer but hogs are plentiful and considered pests on many ranches. A hog hunt alone costs $150-$200 per day and can be hunted at night. I have lights and tend to stay in my blind several hours after dark. We hunt over feeders and this has allowed me ot take two hogs on more than one occasion. as for does/hinds, they can be had for $350, maybe a little more, for the smaller deer. Hinds are around $600, elk cows $1100 or so. Most places allow free hogs after your deer is taken.
I hope that this hasn't bored you too much. capt david
