I have a chance to get a lease on the Illinois/Wisconsin border but it is only 15-20 acres.
I'm going to look at it this week from what I can tell from the pics it is all woods, not too far away appears to be farm land. I've never leased any property before and was wondering what to expect to pay.

It depends on the land tht borders it. And the sign on the land. I know any people with small pieces of land that are very sucessfull. I would not pay over 400.
Good luck

For what its worth. I have shopped around for a hunting lease in Oklahoma and it has been a real eye opener. The average going rate here is $4 to $5 per acre. Depending on the land and the deer population, you can spend upwards to $10 or more per acre. The last two leases I looked at were 600 acres for $2,500 and 640 acres for $3,000, both in the $4 range per acre. They were annual leases. The leases had different topography. The 600 acres was a working cattle ranch that had a lot of ranching activity and not too much cover. The other lease was overgrown, wild, but yet had some meadows, creeks, and ponds. I elected to go with the second lease and I was allowed to only lease 160 acres for $1,000 because that parcel had heavy deer traffic and was secluded from outside activity. That was $6.25 per acre.

It all depends on the land and the location. Location, location, location.

I agree $400 would be top dollar for that small piece of ground.(Assuming it is closer to 20 than 15 acres)

Here in Western Illinois, land goes for as much as $50/acre for deer hunting. That is the extreme high I have heard of, most places around here are $20-25/acre. I have not seen a lease of less than $10/acre for several years.

Good luck!

LLBUX

Everything depends on location. There is going to be a range in any state. In NJ 20-25 is about the minimum 30-40 is the norm and 50-60 is the high end per acre. dont fool around for a few bucks when it may cost you even more BUCKS..If you think its reasonable go for it, you only live once

Good Luck

Where is it I live on the border and might know the owner.

This is probably too small a property for the price. The average price in Wiosconsin and Illinois is around $15. per acre, but I have noticed small acreges asking for alot more becuase the farmer does not want to settle for a couple hundred. I just leased 400 prime acres in Buffalo co. Wisc. it cost me $10,000. but it is well worth it. I also lost a bid in Buffalo co. to an Outfitter who bid $60 an acre on over 400 acres. He said he would not run hunters on it, just TV shows and Video makers. Paying cliants get his overhunted crap land. last year I had a lease in Western Illinois that went for $15 an acre. I look over the ground real well for sign, ask who has been hunting it in the past, how well did they do? Ask about the neibors. Go talk to the neibors. Ask if anyone is practiceing QDM. I have an opening on my Buffalo co. lease if this doesnot work out for you, if you are a like minded trophy hunter. [email protected]