Most landowners who lease their property for hunting use a handshake deal or a one-page document they found online. Neither protects you. A proper hunting lease agreement is a legally binding contract that defines exactly what the hunter can and cannot do on your property — and what happens if they violate those terms.
Access Dates and Times
Your lease should specify exactly when the hunter has access. Season only? Year-round for scouting? Specific days of the week? Vague access terms lead to disputes. Put it in writing.
Permitted Activities
What are they allowed to hunt? With what methods — firearm, bow, crossbow? Can they bring guests? Can they build blinds or food plots? Every activity should be explicitly permitted or prohibited. Anything not addressed in the contract is a gray area that benefits the hunter, not you.
Liability and Insurance
This is the section most landowners skip and the one that matters most. Your lease should require the hunter to carry liability insurance and should include a hold harmless clause that protects you if someone is injured on your property. Without this, you could be liable for an accident that has nothing to do with you.
Payment Terms
When is payment due? What happens if they don’t pay? Is there a deposit? These terms need to be spelled out clearly with consequences for non-payment including termination of access.
Termination Clause
You should be able to terminate the lease immediately if the hunter violates the terms. Make sure that right is explicit in the contract.
AxisHub’s free Lease Contract Essentials guide walks you through every section of a proper hunting lease so you know exactly what you’re signing — or what you should be requiring others to sign.