Should your ranch diversify with a hunting enterprise ?
Before allowing hunters onto your land , consider the risks and potential pitfalls . Then plan accordingly .
by Amanda Radke
Each year , hunters from around the world flock to my home
state of South Dakota to hunt pheasants . Considered to be the “ Pheasant Capital of the World ,” the birds found here are the foundation for many area businesses . In my state , pheasant hunting generates $ 223 million in annual retail economic impact .
And although COVID-19 may have put a damper on some travelers , there were still many hunters who traveled to South Dakota to spend some time outside , away from the hustle and bustle of the urban cities they ’ ve left behind .
Similarly , in our neck of the woods , deer , ducks , geese , doves and even coyotes are popular game for people to hunt . Throughout the year , we receive many knocks on our front door from college kids wanting permission to hunt .
The question is — do you grant permission ? What is your liability for accidents ? What about starting a hunting business ? Is that a good way to diversify your operation ? What is considered neighborly and where do you draw the line on your private property ? What are the risks ? And does the potential increased revenue outweigh the challenges you may incur ?
34 • JANUARY 2021
Long gone are the days where you can just wave a stranger onto your land and tell them to have a great time . In today ’ s litigious society , we must be careful to protect our assets , our private property and our financial security .
Randy Saner , University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension ( UNL ) educator and J . David Aiken , UNL Extension water and agricultural law specialist , recently answered all my questions in an article that addresses the things you should consider when adding hunting leases to your agricultural enterprise .
Aiken and Saner write , “ Landowners seeking additional income options for their operation might consider leasing out their land for wildlife activities . The potential income can be considerable . Leases could be for hunting , fishing or birding .
“ Written hunting leases are the key to how your enterprise will be ran and how profitable it may be . A hunting lease is an agreement between the landowner ( lessor ) and hunters ( lessees ) that grants the hunter access rights for hunting game animals ( and other specified activities ) on your property for a specified time period . Hunters usually pay an agreed-upon dollar amount per acre or per hunter .