Steve Hanson

Hard to find small recreational farm with great income in southern Iowa. This 65.5 acre Decatur County tract checks all the boxes. The farm offers excellent habitat diversity with CRP income, hardwood draws, cedar thickets, and a pond, all while sitting in a neighborhood known for producing high quality whitetails. The current owner has enhanced the property with additional food plots, now totaling five, giving a new owner immediate hunting opportunities. Alongside the food sources, the farm features 52.6 acres enrolled in CRP, providing $8,526 annually through 2027. A hardwood draw cuts through the property, holding a mix of mature timber including walnut, while the north end offers thick cedar cover that makes ideal bedding. Access from the south and east allows for low-impact entry, making stand setups more effective. Whether you’re looking to chase big deer, enjoy weekend recreation, or plan for a future build site, this property delivers. Utilities are nearby, and the hilltop views overlooking the Grand River would make for a beautiful home or cabin location. Located just south of Grand River, you’re within easy driving distance of Leon and less than an hour and a half from Des Moines.

Located less than 50 miles from Des Moines, this property offers a rare combination of strong income, high-quality wildlife habitat, and excellent recreational features. With over $30,000 annually in CRP income, a proven track record for giant whitetails, and an 8-acre lake, this farm checks every box Don’t let the absence of big timber fool you—this is a true big buck sanctuary. In the 2024 season, two bucks scoring in the mid-180s and near 200" were captured on trail camera here and later harvested by neighbors. Photos and official scores are available. The farm includes 4 acres of electric-fenced food plots, designed to provide dependable late-season hunting opportunities. CRP cover consists of tall warm-season grasses including Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switchgrass—excellent bedding habitat for deer and strong upland bird potential for pheasant and quail hunters. At the heart of the property is a clear, 8-acre lake over 20 feet deep, stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish—ideal for year-round enjoyment. Additional improvements include new fencing along more than half of the property’s boundary, including the road frontage. In the 2024 and 2025 spring seasons, the owner planted over 1,200 trees to establish future thermal cover and wildlife habitat. All CRP maintenance (MCM) work has been completed under the current contract. While this property offers world-class hunting opportunities and investment potential, the seller is motivated due to a current lack of access to a non-resident deer license.

Located just north of Centerville, IA, this 140-acre property offers the ideal combination of productive farmland and top-tier hunting. The farm includes 95 acres of tillable ground with an average CSR above 67 for high productivity. It generates $19,000 annually in cash rent and has a consistent history of strong crop yields. All tillable acres would also be eligible for future CRP enrollment if the next owner chooses to transition to conservation programs. Over 40 acres of dense river-bottom hardwoods provide thick bedding cover and strong whitetail habitat. This area is truly a sleeper neighborhood where mature, trophy-class bucks can be consistently found year after year. The property sits off a dead-end road with very few surrounding roads, located in the middle of a large block of crop fields, timber, and river corridor—offering limited access and ideal seclusion for deer movement and unpressured hunting. The current owner has worked with the farm tenant to leave standing grain in key locations for food plot effectiveness, further improving late-season hunting. In addition to whitetails, this farm supports quality upland game and turkey hunting with healthy populations of quail, pheasant, and wild turkeys.  Additionally, its location within minutes of Rathbun Lake makes this a true investment opportunity with excellent recreation potential.

Appanoose County 159+/- Acres – Hunting, Income & Building Potential Located just north of Centerville, Iowa, on the east side of Highway 5, this 159+/- acre farm offers excellent hunting, row crop income, and prime building sites.  This area offers beautiful rolling hills and a multitude of recreational opportunities within minutes of town or Rathbun Lake.   Diverse Habitat & Proven Hunting This farm features a mix of mature creek-bottom timber, oak and hickory ridges to the south, and thick, overgrown pasture to the north, creating ideal south-facing bedding areas. Hunting pressure has been minimal, with only one buck harvested in 2024—a mid-170s-class deer. Two newly constructed creek crossings provide better access and expand options for food plots and stand locations.   Income-Producing Farmland & Timber The farm currently generates $12,250 annually from 70 acres of cash-rented cropland at $175/acre. Additional tillable acres are available for farming but have been left in wildlife cover for habitat enhancement. The mature timber stand, including walnut, white oak, and bur oak, offers future income potential through timber harvesting.   Long-Term Solar Lease Opportunity The current owner has received an offer for a long-term solar lease, including a three-year due diligence period before commitment. Details available upon request.   Ideal for Hunting, Investment & Building With utilities available, this farm offers excellent building sites along with strong hunting and income potential. Additionally, an existing open front shed is currently utilized for equipment storage with great renovation opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a premier hunting property, an income-producing farm, or a great location to build, this tract is priced to sell.