Sometimes you have to be hit with the obvious to see things more clearly.  Recently, I realized that not all viewers of texashuntfish.com are from Texas.  There is a reason they call it the world-wide web.  Consequently, I wrote this piece for not only Texans interested in leasing property for wildlife enterprise, but also for hunters and soon to be landowners coming from other states. 

Tourism is promoted in Texas with the following slogan:  “Texas it’s like a whole other country!”  Among other things, this slogan plays on the fact that Texas was once a sovereign nation separate from the United States.  It also conveys that Texans have a unique way of looking at things…a sort of independent view.  For instance, while tourism dollars are an important source of income for destination cities like Las Vegas, Miami, and New Orleans, who play on a “wild” life theme, landowners in rural Texas and townships are dependent on dollars spent by resident and non-resident hunters, who seek a different type of wildlife.  Most hope to harvest white-tailed deer, but migratory game birds and other species are also draws.

Tourists are funny looking – no two ways about it.  Whether it is a person wearing a crazy looking Hawaiian shirt, or some else who resembles the poster child for Cabela’s, both are willing to spend “outside” dollars for life experiences, making them welcomed customers.  The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation reported that about 1,115,000 Texas hunters spent approximately $2,299,837 in 2006 and economists suggest that benefited the Texas economy by $4.1 billion dollars (see your state impacts in this same report).  Wildlife recreation is a big business and Texas landowners are capitalizing in a large way. 

Recall that Texas is about 97% privately owned.  Consequently, landowners often lease their property for the right of trespass to those seeking consumptive uses like hunting and fishing, as well as non-consumptive uses like bird watching, hiking, photography, and more. In this way, landowners diversify their income in a fashion other than, or in concert with traditional livestock and farming operations. 

For those looking to become involved in the wildlife industry, keep in mind that life experiences in the field are most sought after, not trophy animals.  In Texas, there are several leasing options employed by landowners, including:

• Year around leases – lessees pay a negotiated fee for a set acreage of property and hunting or access for recreation occurs throughout the year within designated seasons,
• Seasonal leases – same as above, except hunting is permitted only during negotiated periods.  For example, hunters may hunt deer and quail, but spring turkey season might not be part of the deal,
• Day leases – here lessees pay for hunting access for the day only.  Typically, there are few amenities associated with this type of lease.  Although more common in 1970-1980s, this agreement seems to be declining in use, at least for white-tailed deer, and
• Outfitter or Club leases – Individuals or club members purchase the right of trespass and then control access or resale the hunting privileges to their customers.  Advantages of using outfitters include: advertisement, hunt sales, guiding, etc…are incumbent on the outfitter to perform.  Landowners do not necessarily have to deal with the clientele.  Keep in mind that this is a “people” business and if landowners are not ready to provide one-on-one attention to customers, then the outfitter option may be a good one.
• Package Hunt lease – These are short duration hunts typically 2-7 days.  Guides, hunting grounds, lodging, meals and other ammonites are negotiated between the operator and customers.
  

The days of making a binding deal on a handshake and a smile are long since past.  Today, it would be good to have a written lease agreement to make sure that all parties understand and remember the details of the deal.  The Texas Real Estate Center (http://recenter.tamu.edu ) offers free downloadable publications which serve as guides through the leasing process.  Likewise, this publication regarding landowner liability issues can also be found here.  Seek similar information from your state authorities and understand the requirements of your state’s department of natural resources. 

Once a leasing option and liability concerns are worked out, it would be good to develop your business ideas further, by defining your goals, developing a financial plan, taking stock of the wildlife resources you plan to offer, and then selecting the items offered to customers.  Additionally, steps to produce a business brochure and other marketing ideas can be found at Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service (formerly known as Texas Cooperative Extension) web-site for Nature Tourism (http://agfacts.tamu.edu/~mphillips). 

Keep in mind that Texas is a whole other country and our culture surrounding hunting and other wildlife enterprise may be different from your area.  It is important that plans for new business are well thought out.  With that said, wildlife-related activates are growing like never before in Texas and now wildlife management for game species are spilling over and new attention is being paid to opportunities associated with wildlife viewing of non-game species and their management.  Is there room for nature-related businesses?  Without a doubt, there is certainly room; however, it takes a sound plan to be successful.  That means you need to be well educated on the trail you are about to travel.  The resources described above form the basis of a sound start.

To find out more information about current wildlife research and find land management resources, seek information at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science’s website (http://www.wfsc.tamu.edu) and the AgriLife Bookstore (http://tcebookstore.org). 

Jim Cathey Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service – Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA.