I have done both. Currently I hunt family land and have access to some swampy land that has good hunting.
As Miles stated, the only reason we had to start leasing in north La., was because the timber companies started it. We had been hunting on the timber co. land all my life and one year they came to us with the option to lease. They knew we had been hunting the land and never abused or trashed the place, so we had first option... lease or leave. We saw the handwriting on the wall and leased. Other folks in the area laughed at us, but 2 years later were begging to join our club, because everyone started leasing.
There are Wildlife Management Areas (free state lands) in the state, but they are crowded with city folks, so I avoid them like the plague.
