Supply of Hunting Leases from Non-Industrial Private Forest Lands in Alabama

Abstract

We used a two-step approach to jointly analyze participation of non-industrial private forest landowners in hunting leases and the determinants of hunting lease fees. Data for this study were obtained from a survey of landowners in Alabama (n = 227). The results show that land ownership type, tract size, and landowners’ place of residence, employment status, and concern for personal safety are determinants of participation in hunting leases. Factors influencing hunting lease fees include site-specific characteristics such as share of agricultural land relative to forest land, tract size, year-round water availability, type of access, and enhanced features such as streamside management zone, habitat improvement desirable to wildlife, and provision of services. The study has implications for landowners’ land use decisions and economic returns. This research is partially funded by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Alabama Forestry Commission. We are thankful to Amy Griliot and two anonymous reviewers and the editor of this journal for comments that have led to a significant improvement to this article. All remaining errors belong to the authors.