So if you don't know a retired biologist to run your logging what is the next best thing ? I will have that coming up here in the next couple of years. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dean, I was thinking about Kretz. I was also thinking about Whitetail logging out of Crandon. But how important is it to have someone oversee the logging instead of the logger just watching themselves? Also Kretz may know about logging but do they know about where to put the bedding and stuff like RJ mentioned.
We recently had a consultation with Grant Woods. While he didn't deliver anything eye opening, it was great for me to have an "expert" reassure my landlord (and myself) I both, know what I am doing and am going in the right direction. As a (self proclaimed) land manager I have to admit that I felt a little insulted at first when I was presented with the idea of bringing in a professional consultant, however, I soon came to terms with it and have to admit is was a great tool for both party's sake. I got some useful info to add to my skillset and both my landlord and I got confirmation that we're (I'm) doing things right. So in the end, he actually paid just to hear a "professional" say, "You guys don't need me, you're already farther advanced than anyone I consult for". So in that sense it was a bit of a waste but as just an old clodhopper without a PHd, I can tell you that many times I would have paid to have had that endorsement when my knowledge and plans were being questioned and scrutinized just because I do not have a PHd to stand on. That one line was a lot of comfort to both myself and my landlord because as much as I KNEW that I knew what I was doing...there is no way of guaranteeing someone spending tens of thousands per year that a country hick with little formal education and only his word to stand on....DOES ACTUALLY KNOW what he's doing. All the results in the world will never EVER lay all doubt to rest in that situation. So, in my case it was a bit wasteful but still very helpful to us both. We got piece of mind, I got a pretty impressive pat on the back and we both got a bit of help "tweaking" the overall property plan, help with new foodplot shapes and stand placements from the new pinchpoints. And I got something that was basically priceless...instant gratification.
I see nothing wrong with it and wouldnt feel any worse about the property if I got a reassuring hand or one extra tip to make it all come together. I have land in my family and I want to suck every great memory out of it for the next 40 years of hunting. I can put my pride aside for that for sure. So far I have gone along on a walk through and the jury is still out on that. I have also came very close to pulling the trigger on the photo plan but there were a few things involved that just made me hesitate. Mainly that I could show you a map of my land and have you pick a few so called obvious spots to hunt. I can then tell you with 10 years of experience on that parcel that those spots are not very good, even though the map says they should be. People think that because I have foodplot I must have deer just herded up 20 deep on my land, and this is just not the case. I can tell you on one hand how many bucks I have seen on stand in September and October and it will make you shake your head. That statement alone just made me wonder why I even hunt during that time frame....oh yeah its the only place I have to hunt. If you are on these sites as much as alot of us are you have alot of the information that will be provided already. Not sayign we know it all but he have a very good start. The biggest factor for me is just knowing that I cant get everyone else that uses the property to go along with a no doubt, low impact hunting and woods use strategy. If a consultant can get my partner to stop sawing fire wood on our best foodplot all of october and november I will give him my right arm.
I dont want to make this thread about me but it is the most frustrating property I have ever been involved with. 9 years we have owned it and our best buck is a pair of 2 yr 8s. This year I have pictures of a 180 and 135 killed 20 to 80 acres away. Last year same story. Every year I get some pictures of deer that will make you drool. Early season its does and fawns pretty consistently and then comes the rut. I can go days at a time typically and not see a deer. These trends are getting better year by year, especially the last 5 years. I passed several bucks this year but they were all 3,4,5,6 pointers. My only shooter in my eyes ran by me at mach 10 behind a doe and he was a busted up 2 yr old 8 pointer. Anyway enough about me. I would not feel bad getting a consultant, but talk first hand with someone who had him first before you put down the money.
BJE80. Different generations. I had a conversation last week about how it was nice to see some of the 1.5 and 2.5 old bucks on camera camera after the season had closed. That conversation end with this exat quote. "I'd like to shoot a spike, never got one yet". Everyone has a different priority on what a woods is. I am just trying to make the best of my oportunity on this chunk, despite some limiting factors.
I wouldnt mind hiring someone to look over my land and give me pointers. Id be doing all the work so still get satisfaction. The only problem is there's no one to really bring in that is somewhat local. So I'd be paying for travel too, which isnt cheap. It's more of a money thing for me. I'd like to bring in a habitat/lumber person to check things out. We have a bunch of pine on our property which really cuts down on the land improvements I can make unless taking a huge loss in profit. Just like someone to come in to help improve the stand, but also help with the planning of bedding areas.
