I own a farm in IN, lease in IL and typically do an annual guided hunt somewhere too. Speaking from first hand experience, I can tell you that a deer killed on farm ground you bought for hunting will be by far the most expensive venison you ever chewed on.

For the cost of owning the farm, taxes, investments in equipment for maintenance, food plot costs, fuel, etc. etc. I could easily hunt Alaska every year cheaper.

The notion that you can find a piece of hunting ground that will pay for itself is largely fiction. If that was doable, everyone would have their own hunting land.

I really recommend leasing in another state. Better than outfitted hunts, because you can keep going back all season and hunt as much as you want. Also with IN being one buck, you have a chance to hunt the other state and pick up a second buck. If you hook up with a good partner or two it's pretty affordable, and those little 3-4 day trips are a bunch of fun.