For those passionate about hunting, owning land is often the dream. It means the freedom to hunt on your own terms without following someone else’s rules and regulations.
While buying land is a large investment, it’s actually more achievable than many realize. However, as hunters know, not all land is suitable for hunting, and therefore, adequate research is ever so critical.
As a real estate brokerage that specializes in land transactions, Palmetto Realty knows how to help our clients find the perfect properties for outdoor activities. Here are some things we often tell our clients to look for when buying land for hunting:
1. The Right Price
Hunting acreage is often more expensive than land intended for residential property. In today’s market, quality hunting land can range from anywhere between $1,700 per acre and $10,000 per acre depending on location. In Florida, typical costs range from $4,000 to $8,000 per acre. These are fairly large ranges, and the cost is often influenced by the land quality, location, and wildlife practices. When searching for hunting land, you’ll want to weigh the price per acre against the quality of the land to find the best value.
2. The Right Location
When buying land for hunting, location is everything. You want to ensure the property is remote enough for quality wildlife, but also close enough to easily get there on the weekends. You’ll also want to understand the hunting regulations, zoning, disease prevalence, and predators at both a state and a county level. Finally, if you’re planning to turn the land into a hunting destination for public use, you may also want to consider proximity to hotels, restaurants, and other destinations.
3. The Quality Of Adjacent Properties
One of the best ways to understand the quality of a piece of land is to talk to locals who have hunted on or around the property. They’ll probably be able to tell you a lot about the local wildlife, hunting conditions, and game availability. When buying land suitable for hunting, neighboring properties can play a large impact. Try to speak with the nearby landowners to understand their hunting objectives and experience with the area.
4. Multi-Purpose Land
From a hunting perspective, you’ll want to ensure the land and the neighboring properties have the right type of habitat and that the habitat is being appropriately managed. From an investment perspective, you may also want to consider what else the land can be used for. Farming, ATV use, fishing, or building could all be options that can help increase the value of the land you purchase.
5. The Perfect Size
When it comes to land for outdoor use, more is usually better. The total size of your property will have a significant impact on your ability to hunt. If you’re planning to hunt deer, you’ll need anywhere from 30 to 50 acres or even potentially more. If the land is or will be properly managed, you may be able to get away with the lower end of that range. However, you’ll need to weigh your desired acreage with your budget.
6. The Quality Of Wildlife
The amount, type, and quality of wildlife on the property are huge factors when determining if the land is right for hunting. If you’re hunting deer, you’ll want to understand if deer actually live on the property or simply pass through. If the current landowner permits it, trail cameras are a great way to gain a better understanding of the current wildlife situation.
7. Conservation Easements & Wetlands
Some land is subject to conservation easements, which are existing legal agreements designating how the land can be used. In most cases, conservation easements prohibit hunting. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers aren’t even aware when conservation easements exist. If you’re searching for land in Central Florida, you’ll also need to watch out for Wetland restrictions. In both cases, you’ll want to work closely with your real estate agent to identify both issues when evaluating land.
How A Real Estate Agent Can Help
Attempting to purchase land without the help of an expert real estate agent is fraught with risk. You want someone in your corner who knows what to do. A real estate agent can not only help you avoid costly pitfalls, but they can also help you find the best hunting land in the right location. Most importantly, they can negotiate the best deal on your behalf.
If you’re looking to purchase hunting land in Central Florida, no one knows this area quite like Palmetto Realty. We’re local real estate brokers specializing in land transactions. We know local land and local laws and can help you find the best hunting property in our area.