If you’re a cabin owner, renting out your home to vacationers when you’re not using it is a great way to make passive income and offset some of your utilities. When done the right way, vacation rentals can be quite lucrative.
However, when you begin rental home planning, it’s important to market it to the right people. Since most cabins are surrounded by rural, wooded areas, you might consider tapping into a niche market — like hunters.
You don’t have to be a hunter yourself to know how to market your cabin to those who love the sport. With a little time, research and redecorating, you can make your cabin a hit with hunters and boost your rental business by quite a bit — especially during hunting season!
Here are five features that will attract hunters to your cabin so you can enjoy the extra income and they can enjoy a vacation getaway while doing something they love.
1. Storage Options
Hunters typically take a lot of gear with them when they head out on a trip. Some of the most common items include:
- A compass
- Maps
- Decoys
- Game calls
- Scent eliminators and attractors
- Guns, bows or other hunting weapons
- Clothing
- Hunting packs
Hunters will carry different gear depending on the season and what they’re hunting. It’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with different hunting seasons so you can prepare your space accordingly.
No matter the season, you can offer a “perk” for your hunting guests by having a separate storage space somewhere on the property for their gear. It could be a shed, a separate room or a space in the backyard. If you have a large hunting party coming, having a separate area for gear is a great way to keep your cabin feeling spacious while helping them stay organized.
2. A Large Kitchen Space
While some people hunt for sport, many seasoned hunters love what they do for the primal aspect of it. Many deer hunters, for example, use as much meat from the animal as they can, often having it processed and frozen so they can enjoy it throughout the cold winter months.
Duck hunters, fishermen and other wild game hunters also often process and eat what they kill. You can make that easier for them by having a large kitchen space in your cabin that’s optimized for processing wild game. A large counter space for trimming and cleaning is ideal, and if you have a vacuum sealer and grinder on hand, you’ll gain even more points with your hunting guests!
3. Do Your Research
While it’s important to know the different hunting seasons, it’s just as essential to know the laws and regulations of each season, so you can keep your cabin and your renters safe.
Understanding state gun laws will help you put policies in place for your cabin that renters must agree to. You might even be able to recommend local shops that allow guns or supply stores where they can buy more gear during their stay.
Having a basic knowledge of your state’s hunting laws will not only keep everything you’re doing legal, but it will make it easier to market your cabin. Every state is different when it comes to licenses, permits, tags and stamps.
The last thing you want is for your property to be associated with any illegal hunting activity, so knowing the laws for your state and passing on that information to your renters can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.
4. Proximity to Public Hunting Lands
Your cabin might be in a heavily wooded area, but that doesn’t necessarily make it an ideal rental property for hunters. If your property is private, you might not want people hunting on it. That’s especially true if your property lines aren’t clearly drawn out for the hunters who stay in your cabin. You don’t want to risk them walking onto someone else’s land on their hunt. That could end up getting you both in trouble.
So, it’s a good idea to ensure your cabin is near a public hunting land. Use that as a marketing tool for your niche audience, and remind any hunters staying at your property of the four Cs of public hunting, which are to be:
- Courteous
- Considerate
- Capable
- And careful.
You won’t necessarily be at fault if your hunting guests don’t follow those guidelines on public lands. However, if you’re trying to rent out your cabin consistently, you’ll need positive reviews and the support of other hunters and community members in the area. Making sure the people who rent your space are respectful on their hunt is crucial.
5. Feature the Right Amenities
Many people choose cabin life because they want to go off the grid and live simply. If your cabin is off-grid, market that to your advantage. Some hunters would love the opportunity to go “old school” with their adventure. Advertising your home as a rustic getaway can help hunters who want to unwind and escape the stress of their everyday life.
If your cabin is on-grid, you can take advantage of that as well by offering some modern amenities that will make your guests more comfortable. That could include things like free Wi-Fi, adequate heating and cooling and energy-efficient appliances or smart devices. Not only will these amenities make your cabin more marketable, but you can lower your utility costs by investing in energy-efficient upgrades. You’ll end up saving money on your bills instead of seeing them spike whenever you have guests.
As you can see, there are plenty of features that will make your cabin rental a hit with hunters. The most important thing is to understand the laws and rules surrounding hunting in your area. If something happens on your property, you’re the one that will be held responsible. So, while your guests should feel safe and comfortable, they also need to be made aware of the rules, as well.
Keep these ideas in mind if you want to make a little extra income with your cabin, and it won’t be long before you attract hunters both locally and across the country.
Sam Bowman writes about people, tech, wellness, and how they merge. He enjoys getting to utilize the internet for the community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore.
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