Public vs. Private Hunting Ground: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Where are you going on your next hunting trip? We don’t mean what region you’re visiting, or whether you’re hunting in marsh, timber, or points—rather, are you hunting on public or private ground? 

Because while public hunting ground is easily accessible, low cost, and familiar, a private lease comes with far more benefits—including flexibility, exclusivity, and an all-around better experience.

Public vs. private hunting ground: what’s the difference?

Public hunting ground involves lands managed by state or federal government agencies or conservation organizations. These lands are typically subject to regulations and restrictions set by the governing authority:

• Bag limits

• Specified hunting seasons

• Hunting method restrictions

Typically, public hunting areas are open to anyone with the appropriate permits or licenses, typically on a first-come, first-served basis. However, this is offset by a lower cost than private hunting ground.

With private hunting ground, on the other hand, landowners enter into agreements with individual hunters or hunting clubs to lease access to their property. In a private hunting arrangement, the landowner exercises significant control over the property, including setting rules and regulations and managing wildlife populations. 

Although hunting on private ground can offer more flexibility, it can often be costly. But what you pay in terms of cost, you make back in exclusive access to the land. There’s also the option to mitigate the cost of private hunting ground through hunting clubs, where the cost is distributed among all your members. 

How to use public vs. private hunting ground

Using public lands for hunting is simple: check your state and local governments to find out which licenses and permits are required to use the land. Once those fees are paid and the paperwork is valid, you can start hunting tomorrow. 

For private hunting ground, however, there are a number of options for lease agreements to consider. Here’s a brief overview of the most common types. 

Annual recreational lease 

This type of lease applies to all wildlife species—you can hunt whatever is legal. Typically, these renewals take place in late spring or early summer, to ensure that if the hunting party chooses not to renew, the landowner has time to find someone else to lease the land.

There’s a lot of flexibility in the annual recreational lease. Not only can hunters hunt, but they may also be permitted to camp, canoe, or fish. 

However, the landowner has the ultimate say as to what happens on the land, and can set specific terms and conditions in the lease agreements. The difference between this and public land use is that you can always negotiate with the landowner—the rules aren’t set in stone until the contract is signed.

Multi-year agreements

Typically, if a landowner has a good relationship with a hunter or hunting club, the landowner may evolve the agreement into a multi-year arrangement. These can be especially desirable if lessees are actively involved in:

• Wildlife habitat improvement practices

• Road, gate, or fence management

• Guarding against trespassers or poaching

Seasonal leases

On the other end of the spectrum are seasonal leases. These agreements typically give hunters access to the property to hunt for one species only. Although the landowner may benefit from this arrangement, most hunters don’t typically prefer this lease type due to its restrictive nature.

Short-term leases

These leases normally involve daily, weekend, or week-long hunts. These are especially common for hunters of small game and waterfowl. 

The drawbacks of hunting on public ground

Now that we’ve laid out the differences between public vs. private hunting ground, let’s walk through the pros and cons of public hunting ground. 

There are, to be clear, some upsides of hunting public. For starters, it’s easier to get access to land, as public ground is open to anyone with the appropriate permits or licenses. What’s more, the cost is lower, and the proceeds of the costs you do pay often go directly to conservation programs. 

However, hunting public comes with some downsides. For many hunters, this can significantly hamper the overall experience: 

• Crowded conditions. The “first-come, first-served” rule can result in crowded hunting areas, especially during peak seasons. Not only does this reduce your chances of a successful hunt, but it can also lead to safety concerns.

• Limited control. Public land offers limited control over the hunted areas, so you may have to adapt to changing conditions and potentially face more competition from other hunters.

• Regulations and restrictions. Public lands are subject to federal, state, and local regulations and restrictions. These rules can run the gambit, including limits on hunting methods or bag limits. 

Why a private hunting lease is a better option

Rather than run into the risks listed above, you should consider the alternative: leasing private land for hunting. Here some of the key benefits of doing so: 

• Privacy and control. Private hunting grounds offer more privacy and control over the hunting experience. You can set your own rules, manage wildlife populations, and tailor the hunting environment to your preferences.

• Fewer hurdles. Private owners can lease their land to anyone who wants to hunt it, making it more readily accessible. 

• Reduced competition. Since access is typically limited to a select group of individuals, there's often less competition, which can improve your chances of a successful hunt

• Managed wildlife populations. Private landowners may actively manage the wildlife populations, providing a more predictable and potentially higher-quality hunting experience.

To be clear, there are some drawbacks of private hunting. For starters, lease and access fees can be costlier than hunting public land but going in together with a hunting club or group of friends can be a great way to build a community while reducing costs. 

What’s more, there may be additional responsibilities that come with leasing private land, such as conservation and wildlife management practices. However, going above and beyond will almost certainly ingratiate you with the owner, making it easier to negotiate the terms of renewal. 

Final thoughts on private vs. public hunting ground

If you do decide to plan your next trip on private hunting ground, there’s the added challenge of finding a landowner who’s willing to lease out the land. That’s where the CommonGround online marketplace comes in.

Our extensive database features listings from landowners across the country, many of which are looking to lease their rural land for hunting use. Check out listings for your local area right here.