Drafting Hunting Leases: Key Considerations For Landlords

As the fall hunting season approaches, Florida landowners may contemplate leasing their land to an individual or group for hunting purposes. For many owners, drafting such a specialized lease may be daunting, as they have to consider such issues as the number of animals to be harvested, limitations on access, guest and youth considerations, among other things.

Some owners may never have considered leasing their property to hunters, and others may have specific goals in drafting their hunting lease, such as limiting their personal exposure while promoting sustainable wildlife management practices. In either case, owners should consider the following issues:

• Price
  
  How will the rent for the lease be calculated? Many factors contribute to the calculation of a fair amount, such as the quality, number and species of game located on the property, the size of the property, the duration of the hunting lease, and housing availability. Moreover, landowners should