Off-the-grid cabin to expansive cattle ranch, hobby farm to fertile row crop land, equine sanctuary to prime hunting habitat, ideal recreational property comes in many forms, and the real estate experts at Hayden Outdoors are here to help you find it. The company’s avid outdoorsmen and women, waterfront experts, gun range specialists and fly fishing fanatics offer up their expertise—in their own words—on what to consider when your dream recreational property begins to take form.
Building or Owning a Gun Range
Clay Owens grew up on a Colorado cattle ranch before managing some of the top big game hunting outfits in the country. Today, he specializes in ranch, livestock and recreation properties. Bruce Lindsey is also an avid sportsman and conservationist, working to preserve the outdoor way of life. He specializes in tillable farm crop land, livestock, rural real estate and hunting properties. Offering decades of hunting experience between them, the two men had this to say when considering building a gun range on property you already own or purchasing land with an established range on it. Their biggest takeaways? Follow the rules and safety first.
Know Your Local Regulations
“It’s crucial to consult with local authorities, legal professionals and shooting range experts who can provide guidance based on your jurisdiction’s laws and regulations,” says Clay. “Generally speaking, most rural areas are not going to have any kind of regulation for that type of activity. The closer you get to an urban or neighborhood setting, the more you’ll need to take noise and compliance into account.”
Keep It Safe
Bruce adds, “Safety is paramount! No matter what, safety must always be your priority when shooting. Wherever you decide to set up your range, be sure you are in a safe location. Be positive of what lies beyond your target. Either set your target array in front of proper backstops or take the time to build one. Mound up dirt or stack railroad ties. And of course, always wear hearing, eye protection and control your muzzle.”
Establishing an Archery Range
Hayden Outdoors’ recreational real estate agents set themselves apart in many ways—loyalty to their clients, knowledge and professionalism, and perhaps most importantly, life experience. Clay is no exception there; his hunting bonafides include guiding hundreds of guests in pursuit of a variety of big game species on some of the most successful hunting outfits in the country. His love of the land translates directly into finding his clients their dream properties, becoming a member of the 10 Million Dollar Club in 2021 and the 60 Million Dollar Club in 2022. If archery is your first hunting love and you want to build a range on your property, Clay has some advice.
Safety Considerations
“When building an archery range on your private property, safety should be your top priority. For basic practice and repetitive shooting, choose a flat, open area with plenty of distance from structures, roads or other hazards.”
Use Proper Backstops and Targets
“Ensure your backstop is high enough and sturdy, using materials like hay bales or a thick netting to prevent arrows from leaving the range. For targets, you can incorporate a variety of types. Bag targets are great for beginners, offering easy arrow removal, while block targets provide durability for repeated use. If you’re looking for more realistic practice, consider adding 3D targets, which simulate animals and offer a challenging, lifelike experience.”
Make It Realistic
“Additionally, as you get more proficient or if you are an experienced archer, you can utilize terrain features to add realistic scenarios to your practice experience such as shooting up or down hill or across small draws. Be sure to clearly mark shooting lanes, and always have an observer or spotter when others are shooting.”
Creating an Equine Epicenter
Casey Stayman loves being outside; in fact, it’s where she’s spent nearly her entire life. She grew up in rural northern Colorado, and still calls the state home. She’s a ranch manager, a real estate agent and a self-described incurable animal lover. Casey has also spent a large portion of her career establishing strong relationships with local farmers and ranchers across Colorado and Wyoming. This is all to say that if you’re looking for the ideal horseback riding property, she’s your girl, and she imparts some wisdom here.
Stay on Budget
“Make sure you have a well-defined budget for your property. It needs to include money for property improvement, a budget for your animals, feed and welfare. Outlining these costs will help you fully understand the commitment you’re making.”
Location, Location, Location.
“People will call me about properties that are extremely rural. I tend to classify those properties as better for recreational hunting and hiking. Even though you can have horses there, the ingress and egress become much bigger considerations. If you’re going to be traveling with a horse, is the road suitable for a horse trailer? It’s much cheaper to take your horse to the vet than have the vet come to your horse.”
Think Year-Round
“Weather is also important to keep in mind. What kind of conditions does the area experience? Are you prepared to deal with the snow and moving hay with heavy equipment? Thinking about these things before you buy can help alleviate headaches in the long run.”
Find the Perfect Fly Fishing Property
John Wood’s love of fishing spans nearly the entire country. A Florida native, he’s always been drawn to coastal waters, but his time in Colorado led him to some of the region’s Gold Medal fly fishing rivers. He’s been a boat captain, guiding in-shore and off-shore ocean fishing adventures for decades. Sea to stream, John knows fly fishing, and how to find the perfect property to nurture a love of casting all day long.
Owning and Maintaining Riverfront Property
“If you’re lucky enough to own riverfront property, you’re sitting on a prime opportunity for fly fishing right from your own backyard. The first step is understanding the types of fish species native to your area and the seasonal patterns that impact their behavior. Always check the local regulations for fishing seasons and permits, as these can vary by location.”
Maintaining the Habitat
“A well-maintained riverbank is key, as it provides habitat for both fish and the insects they feed on. Adding a mix of vegetation like willows or reeds can improve the ecosystem, benefiting both your fishing experience and the local environment. And remember, patience is key—let the river speak to you and enjoy the connection with nature.”
Bird Hunting and Dog Training on Your Land
JC Bosch knows his bird dogs. As a contributor for Project Upland, he can walk you through the best breeds for tracking waterfowl and the theories of better gun dog training. A dedicated outdoorsman, JC helps guide clients in finding ideal bird hunting properties as well as providing essential insight into training the right animal to help with the job once you own the land.
“These dogs are more than just tools; they are family to most of us. Give your dogs the time and training they need to be successful out in the field and remember that you are their only advocate. Dogs are not people. I truly believe that if you show them the time, attention and structure they need to be the best they can be, you will not anthropomorphize them and they can live extremely long and happy lives with you. They deserve time and structure and you will see them thrive with those two things and plenty of experience.”
Big Game Hunting on Your Property
The endless fields, streams, meadows and hills of Kansas offer prime hunting country. Just ask Preston Geist. The recreational real estate agent, long-time hunting guide, photographer and videographer has a keen eye for detail. It’s a trait that lends itself well to honing in on dream big game hunting properties for his clients. For those looking to find ideal hunting land, Preston outlines key steps in the process.
Consider Size, Use and Accessibility
“The first step is selecting a property that fits your needs. Ideally, it should be close to your home or camp, allowing for frequent visits to maintain and manage it properly. The size and habitat of the property are also important—anywhere from 40 to 160 acres is a great starting point for managing a healthy whitetail herd. Ensuring the property has access to water, food sources and good cover is important to your success.”
Establish Habitat and Food Plots
“Once you have the right property, the next step is establishing treestands, food plots, and, if legal in your state, a feeding program. Choose locations for blinds and treestands that have an easy entry and exit so you don’t disturb the deer. Wind direction is also important here in Kansas; the wind predominantly comes from the northwest in the winter, so we set up most of our blinds and treestands for that wind. In Kansas, we’re fortunate to be able to run our feeding program year round.
During the growing season in spring and summer, we use a mix of 30% corn and 70% dried distillers grain (DDG). In the winter, we reverse it to 70% corn and 30% DDG. To make the deer feel safe on our property, we consistently drive the same vehicle in and out. Our old white Dodge has become familiar to them, whether we’re setting up treestands or filling feeders, so when hunting season arrives, we don’t push them around as much.”
Maintain Healthy Population Numbers
“We’re fortunate to have about 1,000 contiguous acres, which makes it easier to keep deer on our property. Nothing is more frustrating than investing time, money and effort, only to have a neighbor harvest the 12-point buck you were after. To maintain a healthy and stable herd, we focus heavily on herd management. Most importantly, we let young bucks walk; young deer can’t develop if they are harvested too early. We also try to harvest around 20 doe per year, and even then it feels like we don’t put a dent in the population. They say a 1:1 buck-to-doe ratio is the best, but we find it hard to achieve due to the number of deer on our property. We’re typically closer to 4:1 even with all that effort.”
Waterfront Lifestyle
If you’re considering buying waterfront property, there’s probably no better person to talk to than the person who grew up in the land of 11,000 lakes. Kevin Doyle hails from Michigan, where he still lives and specializes in recreational real estate, including rural, hunting, fishing, timberland, golf course and waterfront opportunities. He spent his youth “embracing every water sport imagined, plus hunting, fishing and snowmobiling” with his three brothers. He knows a thing or two about the value of life on the water.
“Owning a lakefront property offers a unique lifestyle. It can provide unmatched views and unique benefits, including a life filled with serene beauty and tranquility. The allure of waking up to a lakeside sunrise or enjoying a peaceful sunset over the water makes for lasting lifetime memories for your family and friends. It’s this unwavering appeal that makes investing in a lakefront property a sound financial investment.”
The Joys and Benefits of Snowmobiling on Your Land
Jack Johnson is no stranger to recreation. Born and raised in Hays, Kansas, he grew up immersed in the outdoors and his love for fresh air and wide open spaces has never faltered. A recent graduate of Kansas State University, Jack combines his professional strategic selling and marketing expertise with a lifetime of sportsmanship—he has helped manage a 7,000+ game bird farm and row crop operation. When fields and pastures turn to snowy wonderlands mid-winter, Jack hops on the snowmobile, both for recreation and as a way to effectively manage properties.
“Snowmobiling can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors if you live in an area that gets good snowfall. It can also be a necessity for some landowners in the heart of winter as a reliable way to traverse in certain snow conditions. Having the proper gear, understanding the terrain, and knowing the snow conditions are all essential before getting on a snowmobile. Snowmobiling on your own land also offers you the ability and freedom to venture into parts of your property that may be hard to reach during other seasons.”
Hobby Farming—Working Your Ground
There are those who have worked their family’s land for decades or even generations—and you’ll find plenty of them at Hayden Outdoors. But there are also property owners who simply want to make the most of their personal farm, pursuing small-scale agriculture as a way to offset property costs, provide leases to local farmers, or cultivate homegrown crops, eggs and meat for personal use. Typically, a hobby farm operates at a smaller scale than large row cropping operations, less than 50 acres. Common uses for this type and size of property include growing fruits and vegetables (think orchards and organic farming), raising livestock like chickens, sheep, goats or a handful of cows, or even keeping bees to produce your own honey.
It requires a certain amount of self-sufficiency and commitment, but as any hobby farmer will tell you, it’s a worthy journey and righteous reward all in one.
Go Off–The-Grid
These days, getting away from it all comes with extraordinary appeal. For some, a quick weekend escape is enough, but for people like Zack Wiese, it’s a life-long endeavor. When it comes to recreational real estate, he specializes in hunting, fishing, waterfront, water rights, timberland and rural properties. When it comes to lifestyle, he specializes in hunting, fishing and exploring the Rockies. Combine the two, and you have an expert in establishing your own off-the-grid escape or full-time residence, but before you do, Zack provides important things to consider.
Building in a Rural Area
“A big factor when buying vacant land versus buying something that already has a structure of some sort is certainly going to be cost. When you buy a home in town, you have immediate access to a handyman. Builders live right down the road, so they can come to a job site in 10 minutes, whereas building in the mountains requires the travel time to get there.”
The Satisfaction of Living Off the Grid
“At first it can be a little bit of an unknown as to what you’re getting into if you don’t know what off-grid entails. But once you get to know it, it’s very fulfilling in the sense that you have a cabin now that runs on solar power and it’s a little bit of maintenance to watch it and to keep an eye on it but learning about that process is part of the fun too.”
Conclusion
It might start with the dream of wide open spaces, idyllic waterfront property, or the ability to hop on your horse or snowmobile and go for a ride. When it comes to turning the dream property into a reality, the folks at Hayden Outdoors are more than experts; they’re lifers. They’re passionate about helping clients find the perfect recreational property, dedicated to the core, because they know first-hand the value in making dreams come true.
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