Southwestern Illinois LandGuys land broker specializing in hunting properties, recreational land, and outdoor-focused marketing
Chris Walker is a LandGuys land broker licensed in Illinois, serving landowners and buyers across Jersey County, Greene County, southern Calhoun County, southwest Macoupin County, and northwest Madison County. He specializes in hunting properties, recreational land, rural acreage, and lifestyle tracts, helping clients price, evaluate, and market land with a clear strategy and strong presentation. With a professional background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and years of outdoor media experience, Chris brings a unique blend of mapping expertise and hands-on land knowledge to every transaction.
Chris is known for his practical approach, strong attention to detail, and ability to help clients understand what truly drives value in a recreational property. He focuses on access, habitat, water, terrain, and the features that impact how a property hunts and how it performs in the market.
Chris is based in southwestern Illinois and has a lifelong passion for the outdoors, land management, and whitetail hunting. He earned a degree in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Illinois State University, building a strong foundation in mapping, spatial analysis, and land evaluation.
Throughout his career, Chris has worked with both government agencies and private companies solving complex GIS and land mapping challenges. That experience translates directly into rural real estate, where understanding topography, access, boundaries, and land use plays a major role in property value.
Chris is also an accomplished videographer, editor, and photographer with years of experience producing outdoor content for well-known platforms. As a core member of Team Radical Outdoors, he helps create hunting and land management media that educates and inspires outdoorsmen. He is also a dealer for 360 Hunting Blinds and Deer Ponds, and he enjoys helping landowners improve habitat, access, and hunting functionality.
Chris helps sellers identify what makes their property valuable, then builds a pricing and marketing plan that highlights the features serious buyers care about. He uses GIS mapping tools, high-quality media, and clear property information to ensure land is represented accurately and competitively.
For buyers, Chris evaluates properties based on how the land actually functions, not just how it looks on an aerial photo. He focuses on terrain, timber, access routes, water sources, food plot potential, and how the property sets up for hunting pressure and wind direction. His goal is to help clients understand what they are buying, what can be improved, and what makes a tract stand out in the market.
Licensed in Illinois
Serves Jersey County, Greene County, southern Calhoun County, southwest Macoupin County, and northwest Madison County
Degree in Geography with GIS specialization from Illinois State University
Professional experience with GIS mapping and spatial land analysis
Specializes in hunting properties and recreational land marketing
Experienced videographer, editor, and photographer in the outdoor industry
Core member of Team Radical Outdoors producing hunting and land management content
Dealer for 360 Hunting Blinds and Deer Ponds
Strong understanding of habitat improvement, access planning, and property functionality
Skilled in combining mapping tools and media to market rural property effectively
Yes, absolutely. Many great hunting farms did not start out as turnkey properties. What matters is what can realistically be improved, such as timber stand improvement, food plots, screening cover, water sources, and stand locations. I look at what habitat features already exist and what changes can be made to improve hunting success over time. Access and layout also matter, because even a good farm can hunt poorly if it is set up wrong. Part of my job is helping buyers recognize long-term potential, not just current condition.
Recreational land prices are strong because people are not just buying acreage, they are buying privacy, lifestyle, and long-term value. Buyers today include hunters, investors, and families looking for something tangible that they can use and enjoy. Properties with good access, reliable water, strong habitat, and proven deer potential continue to stand out. Even when other markets slow down, quality recreational land often holds value because demand stays consistent. Well-managed farms with clear hunting functionality usually bring the strongest offers.
For many sellers, yes. Demand is still strong for quality recreational land, hunting farms, and rural properties with good access and habitat. Buyers are active, but they are selective, which means presentation and pricing matter more than ever. Properties that are priced correctly and marketed well continue to move efficiently. The goal is to create strong exposure early so you attract serious buyers quickly. I focus on making sure the property stands out from competing listings in the area.
I determine pricing by reviewing recent comparable sales, current market demand, and the specific features that drive value on your tract. Factors like access, timber, terrain, water, food plot potential, and overall hunting layout all impact value. I also look at how the property competes with other listings currently on the market. The goal is to price it strong but realistic, so it attracts serious buyers without leaving money on the table. Correct pricing from the start usually leads to better offers and a smoother sale.
Recreational land is sold based on lifestyle, usability, and potential, not just basic specifications. Buyers want to understand how the farm hunts, where the access points are, where deer travel, and what can be improved. That is why strong photography, video, and mapping matter so much. Clear explanations of timber, habitat, water, and layout help buyers make decisions faster. The right marketing helps buyers see the full value of the land before they ever step foot on it.
Chris enjoys helping landowners and buyers who care about improving land and getting more value from a property over time. His background in GIS, outdoor media, and hands-on habitat work gives him a practical understanding of how hunting farms are built and managed. Chris takes pride in helping clients make informed decisions and presenting rural property accurately and professionally.
Member of the National Association of REALTORS®
Licensed in Illinois (475.216428) | LandGuys, LLC of Illinois | Springfield, Illinois
