Do you dream of owning a property that can provide you with hunting adventures you’ll be able to retell for decades? Do you love being out in nature in a place of your own? The Texas Hill Country near Boerne, Texas, is a hunter’s dream come true. Whether you are looking for undeveloped land with hunting ranch potential or an established recreational property with years of effective wildlife management, Gaines Slade, a local recreational property expert, can help guide you to the perfect piece of land for any outdoorsman and woman. Here’s his list of first steps toward becoming a Texas hunting rancher.
What are you looking for?
When you envision your perfect hunting ranch, what comes to mind? Some may desire pristine land without any human footprint on it so they can create their ranch from a blank canvas. Others prefer somewhere with established hunting lodge amenities, roadways, and site development. Considering your preferences will help tremendously to focus your search and find a property that truly suits you.
Consider the following questions:
- How far are you willing and able to travel to your ranch? If it takes a full day of travel to get to your ranch, and you’ve only got weekends for hunting, the distance is going to curtail your enjoyment. Ideally, a couple of hours of drive time is enough to “get away from it all” and still find your ranch easily accessible.
- How large of a property do you want to own? Hunting ranch listings range from just a few acres to hundreds and even thousands of acres for commercial properties. What is the scope you desire for your ranch?
- What features does your property need? Think about what will enable you and your family or friends to enjoy the land, practically and aesthetically, and what the animals you hope to hunt will need in terms of food, water, and shelter. Nothing would be more disappointing than to purchase a hunting ranch and find out later that your property is only a byway for animals en route to better forests on someone else’s property.
- What type of game do you hunt? The features you need in the land will vary depending on the type of hunter you are. Running water in the form of a stream will attract deer and a host of wildlife, but if you hunt waterfowl, you’ll want lakes and ponds. Know the quarry you’ll be pursuing and seek land that will entice them to stay.
- What off-season outdoor recreation do you enjoy? At best, hunting season lasts for a quarter of the year, depending on the game and part of Texas in which you are hunting. That leaves nine months or more for you to enjoy your property. How might you make use of it? Camping? Hiking? Fishing? ATV riding? Whatever your preferred activity, remember that you’ll have more of the year to enjoy these activities than hunting itself, so look for land that will enable you to enjoy them.
Consolidate your vision
Take all of the factors you’ve considered, the needs and the wishes, and solidify what it is you are looking for. Be sure to share all of this with your real estate agent, so he can help guide you to the perfect hunting ranch listing.
Choose the right property
Knowing what you want in your hunting ranch is important, but consider also the long-term investment value as well. The right land can be utilized in many ways that may generate income for you: timber farming, cattle grazing, residential parceling, farming, leased hunting, and more.
Investigate the area surrounding the property you are considering as well. Texans are gregarious people, and almost any landowners would be willing to engage in a conversation with you about the challenges and benefits of the land they own, their own hunting experiences, the quality of wildlife, and philosophies of hunting and land use.
Finally, make sure the property you seek is accessible. If there are no public roads connected to your property, ask for legal documentation of easements and access. Without putting easements in writing, access through other people’s land could potentially become a dicey issue.
Resources for the new — and experienced — ranch owner
Texans love the outdoors, and hunting is a big part of the Lone Star State experience. In order to maximize the health and enjoyment of the land and its flora and fauna, take advantage of some of the resources available to you.
- Landwatch: Just as residential properties have search engines, Landwatch provides detailed listings of estates, ranches, and undeveloped land available for purchase. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, peruse this site to learn what is available, prices, and features.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: This organization focuses on land management and has a team of biologists who will help you assess the health and quality of your land and work with you to develop a land management strategy. They also offer information about breeding, relocation, and dealing with predators. From their online system, you can procure specialized permits and resources to help your property thrive.
- Hunter Course: All Texas hunters must have a hunting license, and for those born after September 2, 1971, procuring a license requires taking a hunter education course.
Connect with the land expert
The desire for land ownership and stewardship is deeply ingrained in us. It’s a core dream and value upon which our nation was founded and has helped to shape the American Dream ever since. To help you navigate the opportunities and requirements of great land and wildlife management, you need an ally in the real estate industry who knows ranch property and can help you secure a great deal (and avoid the disastrous ones). Gaines Slade is ready to assist you with knowledgeable, personalized service. Give him a call today.
