We promote recreational leasing in our New England forests to help offset the cost of conserving large tracts of forestland. Since the early 1980s Hull Forestlands has leased properties to groups and individuals seeking unique recreational opportunities. Our managed forestland, which includes access roads and miles of trails, is an attractive resource for hunters, fishermen, hikers, horseback riders, and other outdoor enthusiasts seeking an exclusive recreational lease for passive non-motorized recreation. Our forests typically consist of mixed tree species and they are managed under state regulatory guidelines to produce sustainable light harvests every 10-20 years. Each forest is always aesthetically pleasing with an abundance of large trees as well as seedlings and saplings.
We typically lease to individuals or organized clubs / groups. Leasee interests range from hunting, fishing, shooting, dog training, and horseback riding to hiking and the pursuit of peace and quiet. Written leases are generally for a period of one to five years, with an option to renew. Most properties consist of forestland that is posted and gated to protect privacy. Most have a good all-weather gravel road that provides easy access from public roads. Some have small cabins that provide an attractive place to meet, eat, warm up by the woodstove, and even camp overnight.
The lease cost of a property is based on a number of factors: our costs, the property’s location, and its suitability for leasing. Factors considered in our suitability analysis include: forest stand sizes, the presence of mast production to draw wildlife, land quality, acres of permanent openings, water sources, accessibility, game diversity, and forest thinning values.
Recreational Leases
| Parcel and Location | # of Acres | Cabin | Description/Features | Status |
| Massachusetts | ||||
| Bald Mt. Forest, Bernardston, MA | 1170 | no | Adjacent to VT state line, this property has 20-25 acres of open grassland on top of the mountain, several beaver pond flowages, gated access, and a good internal all-weather road access system. There is also a 30×40 building available for storage. Turkey, deer, bear, and moose habitat. | Leased |
| Crawford Lot, Bald Mt. Forest, Bernardston, MA | 172.5 | yes | Wooded parcel with gated access road off the dirt Bald Mountain Rd. leading to a new cabin with porch and woodstove (see photo in rec leasing gallery) a quarter mile from the gate. Rugged upland terrain with deer, bear, turkey, and moose. | Leased |
| Valley Stream Forest / Noble & Cooley Tract, Granville, MA | 479 | yes, furnished | Secluded and gated property with two miles of private internal access roads and a 12’x16′ furnished warming cabin with a wood stove and porch, suitable for an individual or a sportsmen’s club. The property straddles Valley Stream and provides excellent bear, turkey, and deer hunting opportunities. Property has two established one-acre food plots. Moose are also seen on this property. South side of this acreage borders Connecticut MDC lands, creating a large green corridor. | Available |
| Valley Stream Forest / Arnold Roach Tract Granville, MA | 213 | possible | 213 acres of mixed species hunting woods accessible off of Wendy’s Lane in Granville, Massachusetts. Prime turkey, deer, bear, and moose habitat. | Leased |
| Peebles Brook Forest/Cummings Lot, Blandford, MA | 209 | yes | Great for bear and turkey hunting. Includes frontage on Peebles Brook. Private gated access road leads to rustic cabin with woodstove and porch. | Leased |
| Merritt’s Hill, Williamsburg, MA | 425 | yes | Turkey, deer, and bear abound in this property, which has a gated access road. | Leased |
| Chester Hill Forest Chester, MA | 148 | possible | Offers both hunting and lake fishing opportunities. Property has access to Littleville Lake. | Leased |
| Peppers Mill Pond Forest, Ware, MA | 117 | possible | Offers hunting, fishing, and biking opportunities. Property fronts on Route 9 and has access to Peppers Mill Pond for fishing and canoeing as well as access to the adjoining Quabbin Park recreational area. | Leased |
| The Miller Lot Blandford, MA | 100 | possible | Surrounded by Russell Watershed acreage, accessible via the old Huckleberry Trolley Line; wooded, bear and moose sightings. | Leased |
| Goss Hill Rapids Forest Huntington, MA | 223 | yes- very nice 16×20′ cabin & extra storage shed | Includes one and a quarter miles of frontage on the Westfield River; wooded; old stone walls throughout, bear/moose sightings. | Leased |
| Mica Mill Forest Chester, MA | 90 | possible | Terrain is mountainous, this location is very secluded yet vehicle accessible on an old town road. | Leased |
| Connecticut | —————- | ————————————— | Most CT properties are currently under lease. Contact us to find out when a property is up for renewal. | Available |
| Armitage/Barstow Lot, Union, CT | 200 | possible | 200 wooded acres in Union, CT near MA line with gated access to internal roads. Three separate field areas. Excellent deer habitat. | Leased |
| Myers Pond Forest Union, CT | 453 | Possible | Private 450-acre woodland parcel with four ponds, the largest of which is 30 acres. Paved public road frontage facilitates easy vehicular access from I-84. Property is situated within the middle of the 7,500-acre Yale University Forest. This certified Tree Farm has over one mile of all-weather gravel access roads, 15 acres of open fields, miles of walking trails, and stunning westerly hilltop views from the colonial homestead site with beautiful stone landscaping. Huge old White Pines dot the landsape and roadways. Electrical power is in place to the homestead site. This private property has great potential as a venue for weddings, meetings, retreats, camping, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting. It is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity within 30 minutes of Hartford and 90 minutes of Boston. | Available $5,000/month |
| Maine, T7 R11 | —————- | ————————————– | All ten leases are located in the unorganized township of T7 R11 and are currently taken. More to be available in March 2027. | Leased |
For more information on our recreational leasing program, please email us.
“This is the 20th year our club has leased land from Hull’s, and having a long-term lease on the property has enabled us to develop a relationship with the land. We’ve been coming here for years and we consider it our place.”
—Ed Ertel, President, Boney Acres Hunting Club, Connecticut