Question on possible lease

[Corinthian]

Hi guys,

I need some input here before I commit to anything.

I have just been walking around a 160 acre section of land on Mount Hamilton, above San Jose, about 4 miles from Lick Observatory. The land is steep, but not so much as to preclude hunting.

I saw mucho pig sign, and at least a dozen pigs in the 2 hours that i was there. I also saw a couple of Blacktails as they made their departure away from me.

The land has a working well, with a line running to a dried up (but repairable) 'stock pond' and a few seasonal creeks. Road access needs a little work, but is there, and there is a nice flat area for possible camping.

Now to the question.

The owner has opened up the possibility for lease hunting for Blacktail and Hogs.

How much should I be looking at forking out, per month, for access to this place?

 

[Rancho Loco]

That's fine pig country, they're thick out there, but that's a pretty small piece of property to do any regular hunting on IMO - it'll get shot out quick if you hit 'em hard.

With quail and ground grizzlies thrown in, I'd say $200 a month plus sausage.

That's just off the top of my head, mind you - I've never leased a property like that. Good luck, make sure you draw up a little contract if you get it.

______________________________

 

[pig guide]

A good starting point is finding out what " He " the farmer was looking for financially to do away with some of his piggies.

If you repair the roads for him, is he going to open it up to his family and friends to bring in quads and trucks?

If you also do the repairs and maint. you should receive credit for the dollar amounts in repair fees, towards the monthly rental fees.

I had 1600 acres and the gun pressure takes it toll on the animals fast. Have you thought about doing just archery on that 160 acres?

Whatever happens, I hope that you get that property. It is always soooo nice to have a place to go for your self and a friend to hunt.

Best of luck.

 

[wmidbrook]

160 acres is postage stamp sized in the world of ranches. It'd get hunt out in a giant hurry if not really managing it and is also very small for a big game hunting lease.

On the other hand if it spans travel corridors, it could be a real producer too.

It costs more than you'd think to keep a stock pond full.

Periodically a state trapper really reduces the hogs in that area so that's another risk.

I'd try to negotiate a $100 - $200/head fee along with hrs spent to do repairs on the stock pond plus the electrical bill for filling the stock pond.