My sister and I are working through probate for my dad's land, and my wife and I purchased some adjoining land from my uncle. Lots of family and friends (both close and not-so-close) want to hunt on one or both. So do I, but right now I'm so busy, it's hard to find much time. This is a very rural area, and not exactly economically booming (so these are folks who eat what they hunt, and are not looking for trophies). Anyway, I have questions and am looking for advice. I know I'll get some here.
My dad let a cousin and a few close friends hunt on his land. I've had a couple of the same people, and someone I knew long ago, ask to hunt on the land we just purchased. I want to clean this situation up some, with some clean and protective paper trails.
I'm looking into drawing up, or having drawn up, a combo hunting agreement/liability waiver for folks to sign. I'm also thinking I want to require that they carry liability insurance and supply proof of that. I don't think I'm going to charge these particular folks to hunt, but that could change. I'm also going to require (I do this already) notification before going onto the property, so we know who is there and when. I don't want multiple folks on there at the same time, or if there are, it is imperative that THEY are also aware. All that said...
My biggest concern is that I don't want to open us up to being sued for someone looking for a payday. Also, character and reputation will lead to not wanting to allow certain folks to hunt who might otherwise be OK. In the past, my dad could be - and was - extremely casual about this stuff ("Yeah, you can hunt there."). I think he was very fortunate and blessed not to have anything untoward happen. I don't like to have to pull out a bunch of paper for folks to sign, and make then pony up for (probably pricey) insurance...but these are the times we are living in.
Thanks in advance...
My dad let a cousin and a few close friends hunt on his land. I've had a couple of the same people, and someone I knew long ago, ask to hunt on the land we just purchased. I want to clean this situation up some, with some clean and protective paper trails.
I'm looking into drawing up, or having drawn up, a combo hunting agreement/liability waiver for folks to sign. I'm also thinking I want to require that they carry liability insurance and supply proof of that. I don't think I'm going to charge these particular folks to hunt, but that could change. I'm also going to require (I do this already) notification before going onto the property, so we know who is there and when. I don't want multiple folks on there at the same time, or if there are, it is imperative that THEY are also aware. All that said...
- Does anyone know where I can find sample, simple, hunting/waiver agreements? What is your experience with them, either as lessor or lessee?
- If we charge a small amount to a few select, non-family members, but folks I have known a great many years, what is the going rate for that kind of thing? We are not talking large tracts...maybe 60 acres here and there, just for the timbered portion, since the open pasture is leased for beef cattle to one of those close friends. And he HAS good liability coverage.
- Does anyone have any good or bad experiences, or any been there/done that advice?
My biggest concern is that I don't want to open us up to being sued for someone looking for a payday. Also, character and reputation will lead to not wanting to allow certain folks to hunt who might otherwise be OK. In the past, my dad could be - and was - extremely casual about this stuff ("Yeah, you can hunt there."). I think he was very fortunate and blessed not to have anything untoward happen. I don't like to have to pull out a bunch of paper for folks to sign, and make then pony up for (probably pricey) insurance...but these are the times we are living in.
Thanks in advance...