Written by Justin Park| 02/12/2026
In Nebraska, rolling fields and timber breaks produce the kind of terrain hunters see in their dreams. Austin Rose, HLRBO field rep for the region, has a front-row seat, and he’s helping open the door to hunters around the state.
While Nebraska might not get the attention of other Midwest whitetail states, the mix of large tracts of crop land mixed with timber pockets creates ideal trophy habitat. Hunters looking for an alternative to ultra-competitive leases in Kansas and Iowa should take a look at HLRBO's Nebraska listings.
As the man behind the leases in the Cornhusker State, we interviewed Rose to learn more about the hunting landscape in Nebraska.
Tell us about your role with HLRBO. What does a Field Rep do?
As a field rep for HLRBO I am responsible for finding new properties or even ones already on the site. I talk with the landowners and am often going out to walk the property and getting some pictures and videos highlighting their property. We do a lot of different things from creating listings, placing trail cams, helping landowners decide what the lease would be worth, and helping them advertise their property to others.
Nebraska's rolling terrain and vast geography make it an overlooked hunting mecca
For someone who's never been there, can you explain what your region is like in terms of the natural landscape and wildlife that’d be of interest to hunters?
I live in south-central Nebraska, not too far from the Kansas border. It is a very rural area full of farming and ranching communities. The Republican River runs through the area providing excellent deer hunting. Whitetails are the main attraction throughout this area, but we also have some great turkey hunting and a little waterfowl hunting.
Is land leasing for hunting common in your area? Give us a sense of the type and size of the leases most people are looking at in your area?
Austin Rose, center, with his hunting party and a Nebraska bird haul
Leasing has really taken off over the last 5 years. Landowners are starting to realize that they can make pretty good money by letting someone come in and hunt. The most valuable leases are along the river with a mix of crop ground and timber. You run into a few bigger leases of 500-1000 acres but for the most part the leases around here are a couple hundred acres.
What’s the most interesting property you’ve brought online in your time as a rep?
I’ve recently had a chance to get some properties up in north central Nebraska. These areas are desolate, which makes it ideal hunting and relaxing knowing nobody is going to bother you. The views from the top of the hills are some of the best you’ll ever see and there’s nothing but wide-open spaces for miles and miles.
Rose harvests trophy bucks in the region when not scouting for HLRBO
How about you personally? Are you a hunter? What's your hunting background?
I grew up hunting everything I could but as I’ve got older it has become harder to find the time to get out as much as I used to. I still love to go out and do some deer hunting in the winter when time allows and do some coyote hunting as well.
Outside of hunting and HLRBO, what's your life like? Family? Do you have a job outside HLRBO?
I’m married and have one boy and another kid on the way in April. I work a full-time job as a crop adjuster and farm/ranch with my family as well as my time as a field rep for HLRBO. I love the outdoors and staying active and this gives me the opportunity to do all that.
To get in touch with Austin or another Field Rep, send an email to info@hlrbo.com.
Justin Park is a Colorado-based writer, editor, and avid hunter with a passion for the outdoors. He contributes to leading publications such as GearJunkie, Popular Mechanics, Powder, and Men's Journal, and serves as Editor of Wild Snow. Park is deeply involved in conservation and recreation advocacy, serving as Chapter Chair of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) in Summit County. He also represents RMEF on a state recreation committee focused on proactively addressing land use conflicts.