New to TN - Looking for a hunting lease or???

[ACfixer]

Trying to get set up for next year folks... Being new to the state I have zero connections out here, does anyone have a good source for securing a hunting lease? Prefer eastern TN, definitely east of Nash.

[ReeferMac]

Welcome to TN and TGO!

Can't help you with the hunting lease, but you may want to checkout Big South Fork area north of you.

[QuackerSmacker]

ACfixer, if you find something and need a partner, let me know, I might be interested, and I will do likewise.  Can you specify what you're looking for?

We're relatively new here too (2 yrs) and don't know any rural landowners.   I'd be interested in deer, ducks, and hogs.  Also squirrels and rabbits.   All this at a reasonable price.   

[ACfixer]

Thanks guys... Reefer, I was actually considering BSF as an area to move to a while back. It's a little ways from me now but not out of line for a hunting trip etc. It's just a bit far to be managing and keeping an eye on stands and cameras and all. It's roughly a 3.5 hour drive, I'd prefer something within an hour if I am going to be keeping an eye on it.

Quacker, what I am basically looking for is something in the $1,000-$2,000 range per year that grants exclusive hunting rights to a number of hunters agreed upon. On the other side of that, trading work or simply paying for landowner access during hunting season vs. leasing the property. The range of possibilities are endless from paying to hunt for a weekend on property with stands in place etc. to simply having permission to stumble around on a few hundred acres and look for critters.

[QuackerSmacker]

1 hour ago, ACfixer said:

Thanks guys... Reefer, I was actually considering BSF as an area to move to a while back. It's a little ways from me now but not out of line for a hunting trip etc. It's just a bit far to be managing and keeping an eye on stands and cameras and all. It's roughly a 3.5 hour drive, I'd prefer something within an hour if I am going to be keeping an eye on it.

Quacker, what I am basically looking for is something in the $1,000-$2,000 range per year that grants exclusive hunting rights to a number of hunters agreed upon. On the other side of that, trading work or simply paying for landowner access during hunting season vs. leasing the property. The range of possibilities are endless from paying to hunt for a weekend on property with stands in place etc. to simply having permission to stumble around on a few hundred acres and look for critters.

AC, all above the above possibilities sound great to me! Let's see what we can do.

[Henry347]

If you don't mind the drive you could check with Mark Love at Brimstone Recreation in Scott County, TN. He has the rights to all the land and has hunting leases. He allowes one hunter for every 100 acres and its yearly leases. If you're interested send me a message and I can give you his personal number. The biggest lease he has is right at 1200 or so acres. But he has different plots to choose from. 

I will say that a few years back Scott and Campbell Counties got hit hard with the blue tongue but the population is getting built back up now. I hunt public land in Scott County and do well each year. Got plenty of Hogs and some of the best Turkey Hunting around.

[QuackerSmacker]

Wow, Henry 347, thanks for that.  I will definitely check it out!   

[hornett22]

Lots of good hunting east of Nashville. Drive around a rural or farm area you like and knock on doors. If you present yourself half way decent, you'll be surprised how receptive folks are.

Also, try and get ahold of a TWRA officer in your area. They know of farmers who are complaining of crop/property damage. 

[ACfixer]

I was able to get a 3-man lease on 110 acres in Virginia with stands and cameras in place. My BIL and I, and the caretaker of the land are the only three allowed to hunt there. It's 40 miles from me and Virginny out of state tags will run me about $250. Sign everywhere, plenty of deer on the cameras as well as bear, 'yote, and bobcat. Heated hunting shack on site. Our share was $450 each and that covers property tax, food plot seed, and tractor rental for a few days to plant this spring. I'll be expected (along with my BIL) to spend a few weekends up there fortifying stands and blinds, clearing trails, and planting. I'm excited... really looking forward to fall.

[KahrMan]

Sounds like found a great set up. Congrats.