“We can’t accept bids from anyone who hasn’t provided the required deposit,” she mentioned. “It’s really critical to thoroughly read and follow the instructions in the auction announcement.”
“When a successful bidder takes on the lease, we apply their deposit to the first year’s rent. If they don’t complete the lease within the necessary 30 days, they’ll lose their deposit, and we’ll keep trying to lease that area,” McCurdy explained. “So, even if you’re not the highest bidder initially, you still have a chance to lease the area you want.”
If you can’t attend the public auction, you can send in a written absentee bid to Folsom Management Building, 64 N Union Street, in Montgomery, Alabama. Details about how to submit this absentee bid are laid out in the auction announcement linked above.
McCurdy noted that the state will accept absentee bids starting the day after the earlier deadline. Bidding in the May 31st auction will commence at either the minimum bid from the full regional list or from the highest acceptable absentee bid that meets auction requirements.
“After we open the written absentee bids, we’ll do our best to publish a list of the best bids received by the closing time on May 29th using the same website link provided earlier,” McCurdy stated. “This way, hunters will know what to expect on auction day in terms of their bidding starting point and how much others might be willing to offer.”
“Even if you put in a written absentee bid, you can still show up at the auction and raise your bid to secure the area you want. If you include a qualifying bid deposit with your absentee bid, you won’t need to bring an extra deposit for the same amount to the auction,” she added.
McCurdy also emphasized the importance of reviewing sample leases prior to bidding. She stated that bidders need to be ready to adhere to the lease terms for the entire five-year duration.
“One requirement is general liability insurance,” she mentioned. “Successful bidders must also submit a list of proposed hunters for their area, and we’ll check those hunters for any game violations. The tenant is expected to get support from the landowner and generally return the area in at least the same or better condition than when they received it.”
Certain lease terms include restrictions on property use, specifying that only lessees, certified guests, and club members are allowed. Leaseholders must maintain the property, including carrying out minimal bush hogging, and are responsible for fertilizing and planting in approved areas. New food plots or agricultural practices require state approval, and lease assignments are not permitted. It’s also important to note that access to the tract isn’t guaranteed.
“My team invests significant time evaluating available tracts to see if they fit this lease opportunity, and we rely on an appraiser for necessary information to determine minimum bid amounts. It’s quite a bit of work, but it pays off because the leases benefit not just the state but also the hunters. They provide revenue for state agencies while enabling unique hunting chances. Anyone can participate in the bidding if they missed out on their preferred area in 2020.”