Land for sale

Missouri hunting land prices vary widely by location, timber quality, terrain, water and the quality of the deer herd. Premium whitetail tracts in top-producing counties such as Pike, Audrain and Callaway often bring higher prices because of documented harvests and established habitat work.

Mature hardwoods, creek bottoms, ridgelines and existing food plots usually sell at a premium. CRP enrollment can add annual rental income. Road access, nearby public hunting land and county harvest data all affect value. Our land specialists can give you a current market read for any Missouri county at no cost.

Illinois hunting land prices also vary widely by region and land type. Southern Illinois counties near the Shawnee National Forest, including Pope, Hardin and Johnson, are known for trophy whitetails and often carry a premium. West-central counties along the Mississippi River are prized for both deer and waterfowl.

Land with a proven harvest record, varied terrain and professional habitat management can bring much more than unimproved ground. Buyers should also look at property taxes, which vary by county and land class, and at any conservation easement or CRP contract that limits use or adds income.

Look at terrain, water, timber, food sources, wildlife sign and access. The best tracts mix hardwood ridges, creek bottoms, thick bedding cover and open ground for food plots, which supports deer all year.

Also check: what neighboring owners do, since heavy hunting pressure next door changes deer movement; county harvest reports, which Missouri and Illinois publish every year; year-round water; deeded legal access, because landlocked parcels cause long-term problems; soils for food plots, with a soil test; and timber value, since a timber cruise can show standing timber that offsets part of the price.

Wildlife biologists on our team can walk a property with you and give you a habitat assessment.

Rural land is usually financed through Farm Credit lenders, USDA Farm Service Agency programs, local agricultural banks or seller financing. Land loans often need 20 to 30 percent down and carry slightly higher rates than home mortgages, with terms of 15 to 40 years depending on the lender and the program.

Farm Credit is the main rural land lender in the Midwest. FSA programs help beginning farmers and ranchers with lower down payments and terms up to 40 years. Community banks with farm lending can be flexible, especially with an existing relationship. Seller financing is common in rural land, often with a balloon payment after 5 to 15 years.

Lenders may value hunting land differently from productive farmland, and mixed properties can be harder to appraise, so work with a lender who knows rural land. Our agents can introduce you to lenders in your area.