Figuring out the best way to safely monetize recreational leasing as a landowner can be confusing. There are numerous ways you can earn income from letting people access your land for recreational activities, and knowing which one fits your needs best is key to running a successful, safe, and lucrative operation. 

There are some key questions to ask yourself before you start:

• What are my goals for recreational leasing?
• How hands on or off do I want to be?
• What kind of liability coverage am I getting?
• How does recreational leasing affect how I can use my land?
• What type of activities am I comfortable with allowing on my land?
• What is the earning potential of each activity?

These are all very important questions to ask yourself and/or the company that you are looking to work with. NCX works with recreational leasing partners like Infinite Outdoors to provide landowners with an easy, conservation-focused, and lucrative way to manage their recreational access. With their years of experience and thousands of customers, Infinite Outdoors has partnered with NCX to bring you the top 4 things to think about before signing an agreement to provide recreational access to your land. You can find the Infinite Outdoors listing on the NCX platform or reach out to them directly here.

#1 Choose the right leasing schedule for your goals.

Most people are familiar with the traditional annual leasing structure where the landowner leases their property and recreational rights to another party for the year or season. This allows that party to visit your property whenever they want and typically does not allow you to utilize your property for hunting or fishing without prior arrangement. It also opens the door to subleasing or outfitting on that property where the leasing party ends up making income off their lease. In short, while it may seem easier, this can reduce your control and income potential. Day leases, on the other hand, provide you with much more control and the ability to earn more income throughout the year. With day-leasing, landowners can set their properties’ availability, hunt and fish when they choose, and manage game populations more effectively. More control gives landowners a greater ability to create sustainable resources for years to come. Day leasing can also be much more lucrative because you earn direct revenue from each hunter rather than a lump sum at the beginning of the year or season. As demand increases, so can earning potential. Plus, it does not limit you to just one species or activity. With day leases, landowners can allow access for deer during the fall, waterfowl during the winter, turkey during the spring, fishing all summer, or a variety of other recreational activities, creating a year-round revenue source. 

#2 Define how involved you want to be.

It’s important to find a leasing partner that knows you, understands your goals, and steps in to take unnecessary stress off your plate. Some may think that day leasing requires much more management from the landowner’s side compared to annual leasing. In some instances that can be true, however, with platforms like Infinite Outdoors, you can avoid headaches and choose your level of involvement. They provide an experienced management team who caters directly to landowner needs. You can have the flexibility to manage your own calendar or choose to have their team take the reins, giving you more time to focus on what matters. Another thing to look out for is logistics support. Platforms like Infinite Outdoors offer modern technology, a supportive management team, and a booking app to handle the logistics so you no longer have to spend time fielding calls, sending maps, or giving directions. 

#3 Know what liability options you have.

Liability is always a focal point in today’s leasing world, especially when activities like hunting are involved. Make sure that the company that you are working with has you covered. They should all have liability protections built into their platform and have sportsmen agree to terms prior to visiting your land. Most companies will suggest having your own umbrella policy but the company should also have a liability AND management policy that aims to protect the landowners should anything happen. If the company has a vetting process for their sportsmen (like Infinite Outdoors does) that is even better. This process allows you to know that everyone who sets foot on your land can be trusted and held accountable for any actions or inactions that take place. The best way to learn more is to do your research and talk with representatives from companies that you are interested in working with. 

#4 Be clear about your earning potential and ramp time.

When starting a recreational lease, it is important to set realistic expectations. There is often a ramp period for your property to gain traction with sportsmen and income may be lower the first year than you expect. This is standard because it can take time for your property to build a reputation. As more people enjoy their time on your land, the more they will come back and tell their friends. Make sure you understand what to expect prior to signing any contract and how much support the leasing company will give you. Talk to leasing companies about average lease rates in your county, tactics to improve lease volume and rates, and success stories from other landowners. Most importantly, look for companies who prioritize landowners. Those that do a good job handle all the marketing to potential clients, prioritize relationships, and have strong retention rates with sportsmen and landowners alike.

Click here to explore Infinite Outdoors and other recreational opportunities on the NCX Marketplace.