I know of a guy at work that has a private 60-acre pond about 30min from my house. That said, I'm considering making an offer to lease it.

His son use to do a small amount of guiding out there, but will only hunt it 3-4 times this year due to his new job. (Doesn't bother me at all).

What's a fair offer to make for a lease for the season? Or, would it be realistic to offer to pay him/the son for a "self-guided gate hunt"? What would something like that cost each day?

I'm assuming that I should emphasize that:
-I don't mind the son hunting, or his existing guided trips (nice guy, a little older than me)
-I'll pick up hulls and follow all hunting law (and any additional land owner stipulations)

Any other thoughts?

I'm new to the "leasing" stuff and appreciate any help. Thanks!

Man there is such a wide range of prices. Is it managed as far as water levels and groceries (duck food)? Are there blinds in place or can you build a couple? Is it exclusive to you and the land owner(s) only? I'd offer him a season price depending on all that.

I'd ask him what he thinks it's worth and go from there.

Also, has he said anything about being willing to lease it or is this just something you are hoping for? I'm sure you are already planning on this, but let him know/offer to help with any general maintenance/upkeep work on the property as well.

60 acres isn`t a pond either..LOL

$1500

You must be a landowner

$1,500 could be a good price if it is a good spot and holds a lot of ducks.

If you do the math and you figure you are paying $30 a hunt, that is a pretty good price. And depending on the number of ducks, who else huntes there (you have to yourself? or with 10 other guys?? etc..) can add or subtract value.

Your right it may be, but my initial thought was all the variables, and $1500 is alot for so many unkowns. Especially if your just throwing numbers out there. I would have to know more details before even thinking over $500 especially if you know the guy. Just my opinion.

There's a couple on a lease website.... most are $1500 a season

Wouldn't go over $500, ask the owner first if he wouldn't mind leasing it to you and if so what price did he have in mind.

I'm on one lease where we have 5 flooded ponds for ducks and 2 flooded rice fields for $750 for the whole year.

Also have another 800 acres of rice I paid $550 for season lease.

By all means I'm not saying I have the best deals or anything, just saying that there are good deals out there

Yes I know this will be only leased to you but I wouldn't much over $500 unless it's got all the groceries with it. 30 minute drive isn't bad either. You'll always have a secure spot to go, even if it's just to get away for the day.

there are good leases out there, you just have to find them or know the right guy.

Best of luck to you my friend

60 acres, almost exclusive, good enough to guide on.....1500 would be fair if ya hunt it enough and share the cost with people. IMO.

Thanks, guys.

He always refers to it as his "pond"... guess it just stuck with me. But, I've hunted it before and realize that it's a good size body of water.

As for the food, I don't think anything is planted but there are plenty of acorn trees on one side so acorns typically cover one of the levees.

And, I don't think the water level is controlled but a body of water that large isn't going to go dry. I think he mentioned that it's 15 feet deep at one part of the lake.

I know the son guides for $125 per person. The son has a new job and will travel most of duck season. He mentioned that he has three or so booked hunts this year, but can't book others because of his unknown schedule.

The son typically handles all of this type of stuff and the father handles the cattle ranching. I was going to run it by the dad and have him discuss it with his son. Perhaps if he's not guiding, an income from a lease would be worth it? And, I would be willing to stay away on the three hunts that were already booked, so that he could fulfill his promise to his clients.

And, I'm new to all of this leasing stuff. I was fortunate enough to have a few small stock ponds on our family place close while in school to hunt and also had friends that headed to the coast regularly.

Having never done this before... I wasn't really even sure where to start.

However, I wouldn't be able to hunt "every day" during duck season because of work. I was thinking more of the weekends and occassional weekday hunts.

If I can work something out with him and need a hunting partner... I'll be sure to hit the board here for some company!

I would not pay over $1000 especially if you are not going to be able to hunt it during the weekends that the son is guiding.

The son has 3 single days of hunting planned from what I was told. Also, on a 60-acre lake... it probably wouldn't be a big deal to hunt 2 groups on opposite sides. Right? I could see it helping to keep the birds moving.

1500 a season for access to ONE 60 acre lake is crazy! Be patient, you can do better! If it gets hunted 4 times or more through the season, the ducks could start pooling in the middle. Good luck then! Try it out a few times at 100/day and go from there.

I agree $1500 for one pond is very high. How much do you plan on going out there? Honestly if you went 10 times the entire season that would probably be a lot. Paying $150/hunt...shoot you should just do guided hunts at least when doing that you can hunt different spots every time.

If you don't mind me throwing in my opinion I will. I would shed clear of any dealings where there is an unknown such as "My son will have access for several guided hunts". Here is why I say that.

#1 you're already out of teal season.

#2 there are only about 9 weekends you can hunt in regular season
and three are doled out to someone else. So if you money
to hunt the other 6 weekends you're going to try and get
you're money's worth. That leaves no time for the pond to
rest.

#3 When there is a duble deal IE: Son gets access, then bad
mojo is on the horizon. The only way to make it work is
have sole rights, spelled out on paper and paid for in full.

I have been on and involved in a lot of leases. My opininion is seeks a spot elsewhere. Also you need to look at the pond. If it is a cattle tank then your not going to get birds like you're wanting. They could be using it for a night or afternoon roost spot. If it is deep you will only have divers feeding there.

And how many other people are on those leases? Securing a full lease, and taking down a spot on a lease are two very different things.

Don't complicate this anymore than you need to. Sounds like you're just looking for somewhere close to the house that you can get some half decent hunts off for the season. Take your co-worker to lunch and simply bring it up in conversation.

If you approach this as a respectful friend that's how you will be treated. If you approach this as an interested party ready to bid what it will take to hunt there... that's how you will be treated. This is not the case for most leasing opportunities, take advantage of already having a relationship with the landowner. Have a number in mind you won't go over and simply see what can be done.

Wrong...

There are 12 weekends in duck season and if you include youth weekend that makes 13.

It all depends on the pond to me. 60 acres is pretty big and how the lake lays out will make a big difference in the amount of ducks and pressure this lake could hold. I have leases that I pay more for that have less water.

I try to make an educated guess at how many hunts I can get out of a place without over pressuring it. Then I figure what a fair amount would be for both me and the landowner. In my neck of the woods although 1500 may sound high to most guys there is always someone that would be willing to pay that if the lake would be a decent spot.

I would definately try to avoid the 3 guided hunts situation, but if that is what it takes to get your foot in the door the first year then that might fly.

I know of several lakes in my area that I would pay twice that kinda money just to have to myself that are less than half that size.

I would pay $1500 in a heart beat for a 60-acre lease lake.

Do a contingent deal with him. Offer him $500 with an option to renegotiate (up or down) at the end of the season (for the next season), after you find out how good it is.

Find me a 60 acre lake out here and I'll pay 1500 anytime.