Isn't a deer lease just rent?

Yes. A lease buys you the right to hunt somebody else's land for one season. When the season ends the money is gone, the landowner can raise the price or not renew, and you own nothing. A note payment on your own tract also goes out every month, but part of every payment pays down what you owe, and the land is yours.

Can I actually hunt my own tract?

Yes. Our tracts are surveyed, have deeded access and light restrictions, and hunting is a normal use. Many buyers put in a blind and a feeder the first season. Check the specific tract's restrictions for anything unusual, and follow Texas Parks and Wildlife rules like anywhere else.

How much do I need down?

Our owner financing starts at 5% down on most tracts. Putting more down earns a lower rate: the calculator's rate follows the down payment through our actual table. Each tract page lists its current terms, and final terms are set at contract.

What about property taxes?

Rural Texas land with an agricultural or wildlife valuation is usually taxed on its productivity value, which can mean a few hundred dollars a year on a small tract rather than thousands. It varies by county and by whether the tract qualifies, so the calculator lets you set your own number.

What if I want to sell later?

You own the land, so you can sell it. Owner-financed tracts are often resold on the same kind of note. The calculator ignores selling costs on both sides so the comparison stays simple; talk to us before you count on a specific resale number.

Is the appreciation number a promise?

No. Land value growth is not guaranteed, and the default is only a long-run average for rural Texas. Set it to zero to see the comparison with no growth at all: on many setups owning still comes out ahead over ten years because the note payments build equity.

For the hunter who pays a lease every year

Deer Lease vs. Owning Land in Texas

You write a lease check every season and walk away with nothing at the end of it. A tract of your own costs money too: a down payment, a monthly note, property tax. This calculator lays both side by side, year by year, so you can see which one actually leaves you further ahead. Slide the numbers to match your lease and a tract you like.

Looking for the land itself? Browse hunting land, tracts at 5% down or the full inventory.

tracts to try: 10
price: from $50,995
of lease money compared: 10 yrs

Start with a quick setup

Your numbers

Drag the sliders or type. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.

Years to compare10 years

yrs

How far out do you want to look? Ten years is a good honest window.

The lease

Lease cost per year$3,000

What you write the check for each season, before feed and gear.

Lease goes up each year by3% / yr

Most leases creep up. 3% a year is typical; 0% if yours has been flat.

Yearly spend either way$1,200

Corn, feeders, blinds, fuel — money you spend whether you lease or own.

The tract

Pick an open tract (or set your own price)

These are real tracts listed right now; prices update as they sell.

Tract price$95,000

The asking price of the land.

Down payment10%

Cash on day one. 10% of $95,000 is $9,500. More down earns a lower rate.

Loan length30 years

yrs

How many years you take to pay the note off. Longer means a smaller monthly payment.

Use our table rate (9.9%)

Our rate follows the down payment: more down, lower rate. Untick to try your own number.

Interest rate9.90%

The yearly rate on the note. Locked to our table unless you untick the box above.

Land value grows each year by4% / yr

How much the tract gains in value per year. Texas rural land has run about 4% long term; set 0% to ignore it.

Property tax per year$150

Rural tracts with an ag or wildlife valuation are often a few hundred dollars a year. Varies by county.

Showing

Year 10 of 10

Slide to any year, or press play and watch the two columns race.

Leasing

After 10 years

$46,392

money gone

Lease fees plus your yearly spend. Nothing to show for it when the lease ends.

Money gone

This year's lease: $3,914
You own: $0 of land

Owning

After 10 years

$112,282

cash out the door

Down payment, note payments, property tax and the same yearly spend.

Money gone What you keep

Money gone (interest, tax, spend): $49,289
What you keep (equity): $62,993
Tract worth: $140,623
Still owed: $77,630

Leasing is still cheaper here

Leaser is ahead by $2,897

After 10 years the lease hunter has spent $46,392. The owner has spent $112,282 and holds $62,993 of equity in a tract worth $140,623 — but at these numbers leasing is still $2,897 cheaper. Slide the years out or the lease cost up and watch where it flips.

No break-even within 10 years at these numbersBreak-even is the first year owning's real cost (cash out minus equity) drops below what the lease has eaten.

Down payment

$9,500

10% down

Monthly payment

$744

30-yr note

Rate

9.90%

our table

Owning per year

$9,078

note + tax

or call (830)-307-7533

Year by year

Every row is the running total at the end of that year. Rows fill in as you move the year slider.

Showing 10 of 10

Year	Lease paid	Owner cash out	Still owed	Tract value	Equity	Owner net cost
1	$4,200	$19,778	$85,015	$98,800	$13,785	$5,993
2	$8,490	$30,056	$84,479	$102,752	$18,273	$11,783
3	$12,873	$40,334	$83,888	$106,862	$22,974	$17,360
4	$17,351	$50,613	$83,236	$111,137	$27,901	$22,712
5	$21,927	$60,891	$82,516	$115,582	$33,066	$27,825
6	$26,605	$71,169	$81,721	$120,205	$38,484	$32,685
7	$31,387	$81,447	$80,845	$125,014	$44,169	$37,278
8	$36,277	$91,725	$79,877	$130,014	$50,137	$41,588
9	$41,277	$102,003	$78,809	$135,215	$56,406	$45,598
10	$46,392	$112,282	$77,630	$140,623	$62,993	$49,289

Owner net cost is cash out minus equity — what owning really cost once you count the land you hold. When it drops below lease paid, owning is ahead.

What this does and doesn't count

Estimates only. Every number here is a rough guide, not a quote. Actual financing terms are set at contract.
The rate follows our table unless you type your own: more down earns a lower rate, and the table improves above $200,000.
Property taxes vary by county and by whether the tract carries an ag or wildlife valuation. The default is a placeholder; check the county.
Land value growth is not guaranteed. Set it to 0% to see the comparison with no appreciation at all.
No selling costs on either side. A lease has none; an owner-financed tract is usually resold on the same kind of note. Closing costs and any HOA or road assessments are not included.
Lease cost grows at the rate you set every year; yearly spend (feed, blinds, fuel) is counted the same on both sides so it never tips the answer.

Questions on a specific tract? Call (830)-307-7533 and we'll run real numbers with you.

The Ranch Enterprises family

Selling Texas land for over 25 years

Guadalupe Ranch Co. is part of the Ranch Enterprises family — surveyed tracts, deeded access, and owner financing serviced in-house. We're the seller and the lender, not a broker handing you off to a bank.

25+ yrs: Selling Texas land
320,000+: Acres sold · TX, CO & NM
5,000+: Tracts financed in-house
20+: Texas counties

Frequently asked

Isn't a deer lease just rent?: Yes. A lease buys you the right to hunt somebody else's land for one season. When the season ends the money is gone, the landowner can raise the price or not renew, and you own nothing. A note payment on your own tract also goes out every month, but part of every payment pays down what you owe, and the land is yours.
Can I actually hunt my own tract?: Yes. Our tracts are surveyed, have deeded access and light restrictions, and hunting is a normal use. Many buyers put in a blind and a feeder the first season. Check the specific tract's restrictions for anything unusual, and follow Texas Parks and Wildlife rules like anywhere else.
How much do I need down?: Our owner financing starts at 5% down on most tracts. Putting more down earns a lower rate: the calculator's rate follows the down payment through our actual table. Each tract page lists its current terms, and final terms are set at contract.
What about property taxes?: Rural Texas land with an agricultural or wildlife valuation is usually taxed on its productivity value, which can mean a few hundred dollars a year on a small tract rather than thousands. It varies by county and by whether the tract qualifies, so the calculator lets you set your own number.
What if I want to sell later?: You own the land, so you can sell it. Owner-financed tracts are often resold on the same kind of note. The calculator ignores selling costs on both sides so the comparison stays simple; talk to us before you count on a specific resale number.
Is the appreciation number a promise?: No. Land value growth is not guaranteed, and the default is only a long-run average for rural Texas. Set it to zero to see the comparison with no growth at all: on many setups owning still comes out ahead over ten years because the note payments build equity.

New to owner financing? Read how it works or browse every open tract.

the default tract in the calculatorEstimates only, over 30 years. Taxes and fees extra; terms are set at contract.

5% down · $4,750 down · $853/mo at 10.9%
10% down · $9,500 down · $744/mo at 9.9%
15% down · $14,250 down · $679/mo at 9.5%
20% down · $19,000 down · $612/mo at 9%

Ready to stop renting your hunting

Tell us what you pay for your lease

We'll match it to an open tract and send real terms: down payment, monthly note and the rate you'd get. No bank, no credit pull, financed by us.

Or call (830)-307-7533.

Send me terms

Mention your lease cost and the tract you picked above.