Anyone with a modest income can own a parcel of land. Few can simply own land and preserve it for their pleasure. Most seek ways to produce income to offset the purchase price, taxes, and upkeep expenses. Some will sell timber, or sell off lots to raise money.

The good news is that landowners can make money off their lands by leasing it out for recreation. Fishing and hunting leases are possibilities, but there are others. Camping, business conferences, get-aways, horses riding, ATV's, and motorcycles are a few options.

Many outdoorsmen are unable to own land, but they're willing to pay a daily fee to hunt or fish. Others prefer annual rights, giving them a year-round place to take their families. Landowners should consider both options, but should settle on one or the other, and not attempt both on the same tract of land. Those purchasing annual rights expect, and should receive, exclusive access rights for the term of their lease agreement.

The person who uses the land for only a day is interested only in what they can get out of that day. They're likely to be less concerned with the long-term health of wildlife population. The long-term client has a vested interest in keeping good relationships, taking care of equipment, fences, barns, and the land. Likewise, they will be more dedicated to a long-term wildlife management plan and reasonable harvest of fish and animals.

"Midwest Wildlife Connections goal is to keep all our members as long term clients."

If you own a few ponds alongside the Interstate, you may be perfectly content to allow fishing for a set price, say $15 a day. But, you'll need to decide on creel limits, have a restocking plan, and make considerations for families with children. You want the price to be competitive, but also need to make a profit and set aside some money for maintenance and upkeep. If the ponds get fished out, your business will fade and die. Restocking is a must.

One-day hunting leases average $75 to $150 per day for hunting, perhaps more on larger tracts with proven wildlife populations. It depends on what the market will bear in your area. If you have several small lakes stocked with trophy largemouth bass, you might get $50 a day or more, but anglers generally want to pay less.

Perhaps you own a couple hundred acres of timberlands well away from a major highway system. It is populated with deer and turkeys, and you and your family have no desire to hunt on these lands. This land can generate income through your private land annual leases. Write sensible rules regarding use of the land, and incorporate them into your contract. (provided by midwestwildlifeconnections.com) Require every hunter to abide by the wildlife regulations of the state where the lease is located. Require members to insure themselves, and require the club's officers to sign the contract. Use an attorney. Make it clear, make it legal, and make it stick.

Finding the right clients is more difficult than just finding someone willing to pay, at least when considering an annual lease. You should feel free to ask for references, letters of recommendation, and even background checks if you want.

(Midwest Wildlife Connections, LLC. performs background checks on all members who with to acquire land to hunt) Consider limiting the number of members and guests, and designate areas off-limits to vehicles, ATV's, target shooting, and hunting.

At present, hunting lands leases average $3.00 to $6.00 per acre across of mid-America. A large lease with controlled access, a history of trophy bucks and gobblers, a nice lodge, and lakes offering good fishing and waterfowl hunting might easily fetch $15 an acre if it's within driving distance of a major city. Study the market in your area and you'll discover what your land is likely to bring.

Specify responsibilities in your contract. The landowner should keep up fences and gates, keep an eye on the property, and act as steward of the wildlife. Those who lease the land should be responsible for any damage they do to the land or its improvements, and for their actions and their impact on the environment. They should buy their own insurance, and assume their own risk for activities while on the land.

Sound complicated? It can be, but finding good clients willing to assume their role as stewards of the land and the wildlife can actually be a joy. In addition, they will willingly pay for the privilege of using the land for recreation and provide some cash flow for the landowner that can help him preserve, protect, and enhance the lands and the wildlife that lives there. Good clients become friends, even family, and they share in caring for the land as they pay to play.