Hunting Lease Agreement
Fill in the bracketed [ ] fields. Attach a boundary map as Exhibit A.
1. Parties
This Hunting Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is made on [DATE] between [LANDOWNER NAME], of [ADDRESS] ("Lessor"), and [HUNTER OR CLUB NAME], of [ADDRESS] ("Lessee"). Lessor owns or controls the property described below and grants Lessee the right to hunt it on the terms in this Agreement.
2. Leased premises
Lessor leases to Lessee, for hunting only, approximately [___] acres located in [COUNTY], [STATE], further described as [legal description / parcel ID], and shown on the map attached as Exhibit A (the "Premises"). Off-limits or quiet zones, if any, are marked on Exhibit A and are excluded from the Premises.
3. Term
This Agreement begins on [START DATE] and ends on [END DATE], unless ended earlier under this Agreement. [Optional: This Agreement renews for successive one-year terms unless either party gives written notice at least [30] days before the end of the term. Lessee has a first right of refusal to re-lease the Premises before it is offered to others.]
4. Rent and payment
Lessee will pay Lessor total rent of $[AMOUNT] for the term, due in full on signing [or: in installments of $[___] on [dates]] by [check / online payment / other]. Rent is not refundable except as required by law. Any figure is agreed between the parties — not a market quote.
5. Permitted use, species, and methods
The Premises may be used only for lawful hunting of [DEER / TURKEY / HOGS / WATERFOWL / other] during the applicable legal seasons, using [firearms / archery / both] as permitted by state law. No other use is allowed without Lessor's written consent. Lessee will hunt in a safe, ethical, fair-chase manner.
6. Number of hunters and guests
No more than [___] hunters may hunt the Premises at one time. Lessee may bring guests [only with Lessor's prior approval / up to [___] guests per outing]. Lessee is responsible for the conduct of every hunter and guest on the Premises.
7. Exclusive or shared
This lease is [EXCLUSIVE — only Lessee and Lessee's approved hunters may hunt the Premises] [or NON-EXCLUSIVE — Lessor may lease or permit others to hunt the same ground]. Lessor [does / does not] reserve the right to hunt the Premises.
8. Improvements (stands, blinds, food plots, cameras)
Lessee may place tree stands, blinds, trail cameras, and food plots only with Lessor's prior approval and only within the Premises. Lessee will tell Lessor where stands and cameras are placed. Any restrictions on tilling, herbicide, or fertilizer are: [___]. Improvements that cannot be removed without damage become Lessor's property at the end of the term.
9. Rules and prohibited conduct
Lessee will: stay inside the Premises boundaries; close all gates; drive only on designated roads and not on muddy ground; keep clear of livestock and standing crops; observe all harvest limits; pack out all trash; and keep hunting pressure low. No permanent structures, no cutting live trees, no fires except where allowed, and no alcohol or drugs while handling firearms.
10. Compliance with law
Lessee is solely responsible for holding all required hunting licenses, tags, and permits and for following all federal, state, and local hunting laws, seasons, and bag limits. Where required by state law, Lessor is responsible for holding any landowner hunting-lease license (for example, Texas requires the landowner to hold a hunting-lease license).
11. Insurance
Before hunting, Lessee will obtain and keep hunting-lease liability insurance of at least $[300,000 / 1,000,000] per occurrence, name Lessor as an additional insured, and give Lessor proof of coverage. Lessee will keep the coverage in force for the entire term.
12. Assumption of risk, release, and indemnification
Lessee understands that hunting and being on rural land involve inherent risks and assumes those risks. To the fullest extent allowed by law, Lessee releases Lessor from, and will indemnify and defend Lessor against, claims for injury, death, or property damage arising from Lessee's or its hunters'/guests' use of the Premises, except to the extent caused by Lessor's willful misconduct. (Some states limit pre-injury releases — have this reviewed locally.)
13. Landowner's reserved rights
Lessor keeps the right to use the Premises for [farming / grazing / timber / recreation / access] alongside this lease, and to enter the Premises at any time. Lessor's use will not unreasonably interfere with Lessee's hunting, and Lessee's hunting will not interfere with Lessor's use.
14. Default and termination
If Lessee breaks a material term (including unsafe conduct or breaking the law) and does not fix it within [7] days of written notice, Lessor may end this Agreement immediately and keep unearned rent as liquidated damages. Either party may end this Agreement for the other's material, uncured breach.
15. Assignment
Lessee may not assign this Agreement or sublease the Premises, or add hunters beyond those approved, without Lessor's prior written consent.
16. Governing law and entire agreement
This Agreement is governed by the laws of [STATE]. It is the entire agreement between the parties and replaces any prior understandings. It may be changed only in a writing signed by both parties. If any part is unenforceable, the rest stays in effect.
17. Signatures
Lessor: ______________________ Date: __________ Lessee: ______________________ Date: __________
Template provided by HuntingLeaseUSA as general information, not legal advice. Every lease is different and state law varies; consult a licensed attorney in your state before using or signing any agreement. Prices and terms are set between the parties.