EXAMPLE ONLY HAVE THIS REVIEWED BY YOUR ATTORNEY!!
We, the undersigned, do hereby assume all risks associated with hunting and do herby release____________________ and all properties of any and all negligence.

Signed_______________________________

Date_________________________________


Maintain Safety
Note all dangerous situations on the property and give each guest a map of the property. Be sure to point out all boundaries and dangerous situations.

Supply Regulations
Supply each guest with a set of both federal and state hunting and/or fishing regulations. Have the guest sign an exculpatory clause. This is a statement that the guest holds the landowner innocent of anything that should happen on the premises.

Require Liability Insurance
Liability insurance can be obtained at a reasonable cost. This coverage will protect the landowner. Also, require the lesse to pay for this insurance and this should be stated in the lease.



WRITTEN CONTRACTS
Sample Lease
(For Annual and Season Leases)
State of Virginia

County of ______________________________

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this document. ____________________________________________________________________

(hereinafter called LESSOR) does hereby grant to____________________________________________________________________

(hereinafter called LESSEE) the right to access and hunt only which may be found upon and harvested from the following property(s) treated as comprising a total of_______________ acres, more or less.

Describe Property
Refer to an Attached Map
1. The term of this lease shall run from (date)__________________ to (date)________________________.

2. The LESSEE hereby agrees to:

a. Pay to the LESSOR the sum of ($)________________ per acre, totaling ($) __________________ on or before (date)________________________.

b. Allow LESSOR to hold in deposit the sum of ($)___________________, refundable at the termination of the lease, if the lease has been adhered toand no damages have been placed upon the LESSOR as a result of the actions of the LESSEE.

c. Hunt only on the property described and not trespass on any property that may be adjacent to said property. Trespassing of any kind is punishable by immediate expulsion of the entire LESSEE'S party and/or fine established by the LESSOR.

d. Abide by all state and federal hunting regulations. Any arrests for violation of any law shall be immediately reported to the LESSOR.

e. Be personally responsible for the actions and activities of all persons hunting under this lease and to act as a representative in matters regarding all activities carried out under this lease.

f. Maintain proper safety procedures regarding firearms, particularly see in that all firearms are unloaded while in vehicles and in the vicinity of all buildings.

g. Maintain proper vigilance aimed at preventing fires or damage by other means to the leased area.

h. See that vehicles are driven only on established roads and to see that all gates are left as originally found.

i. Maintain a no hunting or shooting zone within 200 yards of any occupied building and around all other designated areas.

j. Keep records of all numbers and species of game harvested and supply these records to the LESSOR.

k. Remove all structures placed or constructed by LESSEE from the lease areaat termination of this lease unless prearranged with LESSOR.

l. Limit number of hunters so as not to exceed __________ with number on lease property at any one time not to exceed _______________.

m. Provide the LESSOR with a current certificate of insurance covering the LESSOR, LESSEE and all guests of the LESSEE against damages and liabilities. Coverage shall be in at least the amount of $500,000.00.

n. Abide by all written rules and regulations supplied at the onset of this agreement.

o. Absolutely no littering, defacing or alteration of any kind on premises will be tolerated. LESSEE agrees to remove all garbage and trash from premises upon departure. LESSEE specifically agrees not to leave or place any garbage, entrails or other trash upon the premises or in the pasture.

3. The LESSOR hereby agrees that only the LESSEE and his/her Guests shall have hunting rights on the leased area during the term of this lease except those reserved as follows:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Agricultural and/or Forestry practices are necessary on the premises and take precedence over the rights given in this agreement. Hunting shall not interfere with any such practices.

5. It is mutually agreed that failure to abide by the terms and stipulations above by any person present on the leased area under this lease will constitute cause for the forfeiture of all hunting rights, deposits and fees.

6. LESSEE shall not assign or otherwise convey any rights granted by this agreement to other persons without the expressed written consent of the LESSOR.

7. The addressees of the parties hereto for the communication of notices are, unless altered by written notice, as follows:

For the LESSOR: _____________________________________________

(Address)____________________________________________________

(City) (State) (Zip)_____________________________________________

(Phone Number)

For the LESSEE: _____________________________________________

(Address)____________________________________________________

(City) (State) (Zip)_____________________________________________

(Phone Number)

8. This agreement will be automatically renewed on an annual basis unless writte notice is delivered on or before (date)__________________________.

9. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this lease shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, all other provisions and this agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision has never been contained herein.

10. This agreement shall be construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Virginia.

11. Lessee recognizes the inherent dangers associated with hunting, both natural and man made: Lessee recognizes that accidents involving firearms, ammunition, fallen trees, hidden ground openings, poisonous plants and various other dangers may forcibly occur on the property aforementioned. Lessee acknowledges his/her recognition of these dangers and the possible existence of dangerous physical conditions upon the premises such as but not limited to those described on the enclosed map. With the aforementioned recognition in mind: Lessee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless landowner and all of his/her family, employees and agents from all claims, suits, losses, personal injuries, deaths, property liability and all other liability resulting directly or indirectly from or on account of hunting activities engaged in by Lessee or Lessee's guests on the premises heretofore mentioned, said obligation to indemnify extending to the reimbursement of landowner for all expenses and suits including but not limited to, judgements, attorney's fees and court costs.

Executed in duplicate on this ______ day of ________________ 19____.

Lessor ______________________________

Lessee ______________________________



Sample Short-Term Lease


State of Virginia

County of _____________________

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this document, ____________________________________________________________

(hereinafter called LESSOR) does hereby grant to _____________________________________________________________________

(hereinafter called LESSEE) the right to hunt upon and harvest from the following property(s).

Describe Property
Refer to an Attached Map
1. The term of this agreement shall run from (date) _______________ to (date) _______________.

2. The LESSEE hereby agrees to:

a. Pay unto LESSOR in advance a fee of $___________________.

b. Abide by all state and federal hunting regulations. Any arrests for violations of any laws shall be immediately reported to the LESSOR.

c. See that vehicles are driven only on established roads and to see that all gates are left as originally found.

d. Maintain a no hunting or shooting zone within 200 yards of any occupies building and around all other designated areas.

e. Keep records of all game numbers and species harvested and supply these records to the LESSOR.

f. Remove all structures placed or constructed by LESSEE from the property at termination of this lease unless prearranged with LESSOR.

g. Abide by all written rules and regulations supplied at this onset of this agreement.

3. Limit number of hunters so as not to exceed ____________ with number on lease property at any one time not to exceed ________________.

4. This lease shall be construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi.

I, the undersigned LESSEE, do hereby assume all risks associated with hunting and do hereby release_________________________ and all their properties and their agents of any and all negligence.



Executed in duplicate on this__________day of_______________19____.

LESSOR__________________________________LESSEE________________________________



SAMPLE PERMIT
Date:______________________________________________________

To whom it may concern:

The bearer of this permit, __________________________________, has permission to hunt on the following property:

______________________________________________________________________

located at (Name of Farm) ________________________________________________

during the period ________________________________________________________

He/she agrees to obey the current State and Federal hunting regulations and to repair or pay for any property damages which occurs.

He/she has been shown property boundaries and agrees not to hunt on adjacent properties without written permission.

Landowner: __________________________________________________________

Permittee: ___________________________________________________________

Lease 2

Sample Season Hunting Lease
[This form may also serve as a lease for a longer period of time.]
STATE OF VIRGINIA
COUNTY OF: ______________________________

This Hunting Lease Agreement is made by an between __________________________ [Landowner] hereinafter called LESSOR and ___________________________ [Hunters or Hunting Club] hereinafter called LESSEES.



GAME TO BE HUNTED AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAW
1. LESSOR does hereby lease to LESSEES, for the purpose of hunting white-tailed deer during the season established and in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations of the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, the following described premises located in ___________________________ County, Virginia:


[Place legal description of property here.]



TERM OF LEASE
2. The term of this lease is for the 19 _____ white-tailed deer season, which season is scheduled to begin on or about the ____________ day of November and ending on or about January 31, 19 _____.



PAYMENT
3. The consideration to be paid by LESSEES to LESSOR at ______________________ County , Virginia, is $ ______________ in cash, one-half of the total to be paid on or before ______________________________, 19 _____ and the balance to be paid on or before __________________________________, 19 _____
Failure to pay the second installment shall thereupon terminate and cancel the lease and the amount already paid shall be forfeited as liquidated damages for the breach of the agreement. If LESSEES default in the performance of any of the covenant or conditions hereof, then such breach shall cause an immediate termination of this lease and a forfeiture to LESSOR of all rentals prepaid. In the event that a lawsuit arises out of or in connection with this lease agreement and the rights of the parties thereof, the prevailing party may recover not only actual damages and costs but also reasonable attorney's fees expended in the matter.



FORFEITURE
4. In the event any hunter in the hunting club paying consideration for this lease fails to execute the same, then those hunter s executing the agreement shall be deemed as agents for such other hunters and responsible for all obligations hereunder imposed upon each individual member of the party. Violation of any agreement or obligation herein by any member of the hunting club shall cause the lease, at the request of the LESSOR, thereupon to cease and terminate as to the entire group, and all rights granted hereunder will be forfeited.



LESSOR'S USE OF THE PREMISES
5. LESSEES understand and agree that the premises is not leased for agricultural and grazing purposes. LESSOR reserves the right in himself/herself, his/her Agents, Contractors, Employees, Licensees, Assigns, Invitees, or Designees to enter upon any or all of the land at any time for any purpose of cruising, marking, cutting, or removing trees and timber or conducting any other acts relating thereto, and no such use by LESSOR shall constitute a violation of this lease. LESSEES and LESSOR further agree to cooperate so that the respective activities of one will not unduly interfere with the other.

LESSEES' LIABILITY
6. LESSEES shall take proper care of the lease property, the dwellings, and all other improvements located thereon, and shall be liable to LESSOR for any damage caused to domestic livestock, fences, roads, or other property of LESSOR due to the activities of LESSEES or their guests exercising privileges under this lease.

LESSEES' INSPECTION PROPERTY
7. LESSEES further state that they have inspected the described property and have found the premises to be in an acceptable condition and hereby waive any right to complain or to recover from LESSOR in the future relating to the condition of the lease property or any improvements located thereon.

INDEMNIFICATION
8. LESSEES agree to protect and defend indemnity and hold LESSOR blameless from any and all liability, loss, damage, personal injury (including death), claims, demands, causes of action of every kind and character, without limit and without regard to the cause or causes thereof or the negligence of any party or parties arising in connection herewith in favor of: 1) any LESSEES hereto; 2) any employees of LESSEES; 3) any business invitees of LESSEES; 4) any guests of LESSEES; and 5) any person who comes to the lease premises with the expressed or implied permission of LESSEES.

[NOTE: This liability release must be on the same page as the signatures, and it is the landowner's responsibility to ensure that each lessee has read and understood its meaning.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto caused this Agreement to be properly executed this _____________________ day of _________________, 19 _____.

LESSOR: LESSEES: 

1. ___________________________________ _____________________________
2. ___________________________________ _____________________________
3. ___________________________________ _____________________________
4. ___________________________________ _____________________________
5. ___________________________________ _____________________________
6. ___________________________________ _____________________________

[NOTE: If the hunting group is not incorporated, each member should sign the lease agreement.]