Hunting land bordering public land - pros and cons?

[alfoldivandor]

I have to agree with you if you have a extended family , I don't have a children I don't have a grandparent so for me is not worth it to pay the taxes for a second property , by the way I playing with idea to build up a truck camper Seat - bed - cooler for wandering around in on the crown land ...

I really disagree with this. My experiences and enjoyment derived from my families hunt camp is of incalcuable value and I would have it no other way. The time and money I put into it are an extremely small price to pay.

[410001661]

I have exclusive permission on 300 Acres on land that boarders a quarry that does not allow hunting and I am still finding trespassers out there every now and again. Just goes to show you cannot fix stupid.

I have another two farms that are beside each other that back on to conservation land and it is a gong show. You can make a day of it just throwing people off it. I only hunt these farms in early/late bow season and late turkey for a change of scenery.

Ya, I would never buy land to hunt. I have more than enough to hunt all within 45min of my door - does not make sense to drive 2-3Hrs to hunt on land that I now own.

[huntervinni]

Aren't you the guy who was talking about buying a brand new Bronco next year?
I view buying a piece of land or a cottage as somewhat of an investment, whereas a brand new vehicle is nothing but an expensive depreciable asset. Anyway, to each his own. I understand that everyone has their own dreams.
I do agree that buying a cottage would create a lot of extra work, and it's not my preference to get another mortgage after being mortgage free for the last couple of years. Personally, all I need is a piece of land for hunting etc., where I could build a small off-grid cabin, or even park a trailer, but I have a young family, so I need to consider what they would benefit from as well. Another consideration is that at this point in my life, I can't disappear for a couple of weeks to go hunting up north. I need something close to home so that I can go for a day or two at a time.

If you don't have a mortgage then what persuades you to get up to go to work everyday?.....lol You only live once is my moto and with a young family like you have they will enjoy the cottage and memories will be built......this way everyone wins.

When I'm at the cottage with my family and everyone is in relaxation mode and usually sleep in, I'm up early either hunting or fishing and usually back at the cottage for when they wake up. It's a win win in my opinion and if you are a handy guy you can find some cottages that need a little TLC in an effort to help reduce the cost of a waterfront property.

[Fox]

Any lot with a cabin or camp on it abutting Crown land is nirvana as long as it's far enough north to avoid citiots.

Lots of country idiots too, the percentage of them sure as heck does not go down as you travel north.

[rf2]

Ya, I would never buy land to hunt. I have more than enough to hunt all within 45min of my door - does not make sense to drive 2-3Hrs to hunt on land that I now own.

There are definitely advantages to just hunting on other people's property, namely, you don't have to pay for the property or worry too much about it. However, I find that I am always thinking about what happens if the permission disappears, or the landowner decides to let a bunch of other people hunt there (which is what has recently happened to me). Also, I'm limited in what I can do on the property in terms of improvements. I can't camp out on the property. I spend a lot of time and money driving back and forth. Property values are going up - if you have some cash sitting in a bank, you might as well invest in property.

If you don't have a mortgage then what persuades you to get up to go to work everyday?

Three young kids to raise (and pay for).....and my dream to own a property.

[LiveBates]

I bought my first cottage 8 yrs ago at 34. Like you, I toyed with the idea of buying a camp, or parcel to hunt. The cottage I bought was 5 min to crown land. A cottage on the water gives you access to fish, swim, ski etc, AND be able to hunt in the fall. Sold and bought another one last year, as I wanted to be in deeper water. I can now catch walleye and smallies from the dock, dive off the dock...and hunt in the fall after a 15 min drive. I personally like a cottage you can use 9 months a year, and crown close by to use the 3 months I will use it. Not sure if that helps at all, but that's the way I went.

[410001661]

There are definitely advantages to just hunting on other people's property, namely, you don't have to pay for the property or worry too much about it. However, I find that I am always thinking about what happens if the permission disappears, or the landowner decides to let a bunch of other people hunt there (which is what has recently happened to me). Also, I'm limited in what I can do on the property in terms of improvements. I can't camp out on the property. I spend a lot of time and money driving back and forth. Property values are going up - if you have some cash sitting in a bank, you might as well invest in property.



Three young kids to raise (and pay for).....and my dream to own a property.

I'd invest in a rental property. Down here in Niagara land is extremely expensive. There was a nice lot down the road from where I hunt. it was 80 acres with no building and no services and it was 50% field and 50% hardwood bush lot and it sold for $800,000

[rf2]

I bought my first cottage 8 yrs ago at 34. Like you, I toyed with the idea of buying a camp, or parcel to hunt. The cottage I bought was 5 min to crown land. A cottage on the water gives you access to fish, swim, ski etc, AND be able to hunt in the fall. Sold and bought another one last year, as I wanted to be in deeper water. I can now catch walleye and smallies from the dock, dive off the dock...and hunt in the fall after a 15 min drive. I personally like a cottage you can use 9 months a year, and crown close by to use the 3 months I will use it. Not sure if that helps at all, but that's the way I went.

Yes, your input was helpful, thanks.

I'd invest in a rental property. Down here in Niagara land is extremely expensive. There was a nice lot down the road from where I hunt. it was 80 acres with no building and no services and it was 50% field and 50% hardwood bush lot and it sold for $800,000

I've also considered a rental property, but that would be purely an investment, with no joy coming from it. Actually, maintaining rental properties is a PITA.
Land prices where I am looking are nowhere near what you describe. If the prices were like that, obviously I would not be considering buying.

[gbk]

Do check Your finances,check Your wife's desires,and make up your mind into what you want.

If all is a GO-go for it.DO your homework,so chances will be less to have bad taste after.Many opinions and experiences here for either choices.......Only you can decide.
DO your homework.Once more....

You could be the happiest ,or the sourest.

Only if You try you will know.Good luck.

[Species8472]

Like gbk said do your homework. I spent 1 or 2 hours per week pouring over listings for 2 years to find my deer camp. The cottage took 1 to 2 hours per week for 4 years to find. When you find what you want, act. The cottage was listed on a Dec 20th. I found it Dec 21st. Visited it Dec 22nd. Had it locked up Dec 23rd.

Deals can be found. Cottage was a nasty divorce and one party wanted money out snappy snappy. Those things happen all the time but get snapped up fast.