The smallest acreage you would buy to hunt deer?

[New York Hillbilly]

I know I have read about a few folks on this site hunting some pretty small parcels. With that said: I don't know if this has ever been asked on here, but I was curious what is the least number of acres you would consider buying to deer hunt.

[Lawdwaz]

Depends on who the neighbors might be...............although, you can kill deer on the right 5 acres anywhere.

[Geno C]

i personally want at least 40-50 acres when i buy again. but honestly, you can kill very nice deer with as little as just a few acres. so long as its the RIGHT property....

 

depends on how much land it borders, your neighbors, what kind of land it borders, the type of timber on the property, if its all to mostly wooded, also the elevation, if its flat, straight incline, ect. all these things impact how good or bad a property will be.

 

 

[Jeremy K]

I found a piece of property that was 15 acres with a small "cabin" that needed work , a quarter of a mile down the road was 700 acres of state land . It seemed like what i was looking for except i need to save for a wedding next year.

[BizCT]

Like the others said, all depends on the piece of property and what's around it. 10 acres could be better than 100 in the right area.

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[New York Hillbilly]

The reason I'm asking is because where my home is I own a good sized property, but out by my daughter in the Rochester area, land prices are huge, as are the taxes, and everything seems to be chunked up in either building lots or just a few acres. I would like to at some point have a piece to hunt for those times I'm out there visiting.

[Ford]

So I guess you mean on the land itself, not counting state land it might border?

 

If that is the case I would say 20 acres for me, if it was the right spot. (as others have mentioned)

 

I have a small acreage camp, 28 acres. Borders state land though. But I rarely hunt the state land.

 

I know of a guy not far from me that has 3/4 of an acre, but he is smack dab in the middle of a state forest, with no neighbors. And that area is not hit very hard by hunters, I think he does well.

[growalot]

You Have to Consider the 500ft rule for existing neighbors buildings and any future building that neighboring properties may do...also town village ordinances...some may have no weapon discharge ordinances in place... 

[Elmo]

In regards to the 500 feet rule.  If you stand in the middle of a circle and measure 500 feet out all around you, you get a circle that's a touch over 18 acres in size.

[Ford]

That is definitely a consideration. Luckily I can shoot anywhere I want. And so can my neighbors. (good neighbors),

 

That is something that you can not count on.

[WesternNY]

It has to be the "right Acres" for sure.  I would say 10 if you just want to hunt, as much as possible if you also want to manage.   The neighborhood would be my primary concern, then the wind in relation to how the property is set up.  Predominate wind, vs you stand access, vs bedding areas, travel corridors.

 

Not sure where you looked in Rochester, or what your budget is, but if you travel 30 to 45 min south or east it does get easier and the hunting is fantastic.  Shoot a PM if you want some further info on the area.

[sweet old bill]

I purchased 15 A's in North Pharsalia, built my retirement home on it, and across the road was 7500 A's of state hunting land. met all my needs till my wife wanted to get closer to the grandkids and we sold it. Now living near Oneonta NY and not a lot of land to hunt.

[First-light]

My neighbor has a trailer and 10 acres.  It is bordered (0n 3 sides) by my property and two other big parcels. He shoots a deer every year. It is just the right fit and is a major travel area for the deer. He only gun hunts, 2 people at a time.

[SteveB]

Right of recovery from neighbors land is one of the top considerations when looking at smaller lots.

You can shoot a deer in your driveway - but need to be able to recover.

[BizCT]

In regards to the 500 feet rule. If you stand in the middle of a circle and measure 500 feet out all around you, you get a circle that's a touch over 18 acres in size.

True, but most don't hunt with houses in all directions. I hunt on 3-8 acres all the time with the shotgun. Houses behind me and other peoples property in front of me, with no houses.

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[agross]

I have 32 now but I would opt for 50 for the right size.  But beside the size I think it is more important is the shape and prevailing wind direction in the fall. 

 

My property now is set up perfect.  As soon as you walk out back door wind is in your face.  Can get to stands with no problem.

 

NOW, if same property was across street as soon as you open door and walk into woods your scent would blow the woods out.

[vincy]

This is a interesting thread for me because i have plans/dreams of one day owning my own cabin and land to enjoy and hunt.

 

The information has been great so far. i've been browsing the listings for the last year or so and it seems only a few "good" properties come on the market a year, even though alot will say "good hunting", "hunt your own property" etc...

 

not easy to find in NYS.

[NYbuck50]

It all depends on the land. if its 5 acres between corn fields and thick pines on the other 5 would be all you need. however if its 5 in the middle of wide open nothing i think you'd be disappointed.

[HectorBuckBuster]

To put the 500 by 500 ft is about 2 1/2 acres of land is about how much land needs to be between you and a building, and that is just in one directions. with you being at the very edge at the farthest point. Someday the DEC might have to change the 500 ft rule.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

To put the 500 by 500 ft is about 2 1/2 acres of land is about how much land needs to be between you and a building, and that is just in one directions. with you being at the very edge at the farthest point. Someday the DEC might have to change the 500 ft rule.

Actually a lot that is 500x500 it is about 5 3/4 acres

[IronBucks]

I'd also be curious to see.  I am leasing 30 acres with the option to buy this year.  

[Zag]

Guys 500x500 is 4.1375 acres. Haha I have no clue really!!

[HectorBuckBuster]

Had a brain fart. I had 250 x 250 ft for a acre when it should have been 208 x 208 ft. That is what happens when you have been getting up at 5am for deer season for weeks

 

[RobC]

When we bought ours this year it had to meet requirements for multiple use. We wanted hunting number one with shelter. Then trails for atvs and privacy for camping. What met those requirements for us was 110 acres with a cabin.

[Five Seasons]

So one of the reasons I bought my house was because there was some great trees (oak, apple, hickory) on a 5 acre plot. There are some big bucks on the property. But I'm fortunate to have my dads near by with 100+.

If I were to purchase property just to hunt, it would depend on a lot other than acreage. Food, terrain, sign, pressure etc. generally I think you can do pretty well on 30 but do not expect to manage it. The neighbors may very well shoot the yearlings you're passing on