Good afternoon everybody. It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on here but I know there is a great community around that could offer me some words of wisdom and support. Three years ago I settled into Western Kentucky with a new job and the most unexpected find of a beautiful little gem of a property. 5 acres of land that directly borders over 5000 acres of state forest, with a barn and a modest trailer home. At 26 years old I fulfilled my dream of buying that property, for the first time in my life I was hunting private property that had my last name attached to. The first three seasons proved I had a gem, over a dozen 150” bucks and a few that would make any hunter in America lose sleep over. I was blessed in 2024 to shoot my personal best buck at 15 yards. My tree stand was close enough to the house that I was still connected to WiFi. I wasn’t rich, but I was living my dream.
On Friday May 16 at 7:30pm life would change forever though. I got directly hit by an EF3 tornado. It completely destroyed my house and 35 years of growth in the most beautiful little forest a guy could have. 45 mature cypress, dozens of oaks, 6 Chinese chestnuts that the deer loved, and dozens of cedar, pine and maples. Gone in an instant. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I have a feeling the deer hunting will still be productive, surely deer will carve paths through the rubble and find their way to my field again, the hardest part will be sitting in the stand all day looking at my mess. Has anyone hunted tornado damaged woods? I am all ears from my fellow hunters on what you might do if you were in my position. I don’t want to come off that I am sympathy farming here, but I am really at a loss of what to do in life right now. 3 days after the tornado my boss came out and fired me on what used to be my patio, he didn’t want to pay while I recovered. If anyone has any insight for a 30 year old fella that’s down on his luck, I’d really appreciate some advice. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Good for the past with notable deer. Sorry for the loss of your property and job. Buildings and be rebuilt. Trees will grow back. Glad there was no loss of life. If your boss was that kind, IMO, you are better off without him.
You're alive and well, that is the main take away. A blessing in that aspect. Damage to your home and land as it affects you is the second concern. If insurance is covering it you are in a good situation as far as recovering from it and living. If not, that is another aspect to it I am not familiar with. Wildlife impacts are the least of concerns, they don't have shelters or warning systems beyond instincts and reactions. They'll be there just the same, maybe altering their travel route should they survive.
That is a pathetic move on your companies part, never been hit by a Tornado so I don't have advice. I would talk to an employment attorney if you got fired because you got hurt.
It will take a year or two, but the OP will be okay as far as hunting is concerned.. Tornado damage is much like controlled burning as far as wildlife habit is concerned; it is a reset for the landscape. I hunt a few WMAs that have been hit by tornadoes over the past 10 years, it works out for the land. People are far more affected than the land.
