6,000 acres

[duckriver]

Just watched the NWTF show called Turkey call. It said in the US we average losing 6,000 ac per day of wild life habitat to development. That's a lot of land

 

[redblood]

thats why any hunter should be buying land land land, instead of new trucks, bows and four wheelers. better get your piece soon

 

[duckriver]

That's why we decided to add on to the house instead of build another. Hoping the neighbors that border us will sell some day.

 

[Columbia Scott]

Decent land is 3-4,000.00 per acre. Who can afford that? I think that 100 acres or more is a good, huntable parcel. Maybe the right 40-50 acre plot if it has the "just right" situation.

 

[Poleaxe]

Maybe somebody might sell me their farm and I can buy quarter acre at a time.

 

[Inkstainz]

Most of the time land prices differ but I want to begin buying some. Was looking around Tennessee river. Decent 1 acre lots for 500-1800 bucks. Guy I work with started with one and bought 11 adjoining his. I will find some somewhere.

 

[Hunter 257W]

Yeah, one of my favorite hunting spots from the 1970 and 80's in now covered with houses. They took about 100 acres of woods and bulldozed it all down and put houses on about 1 acre lots. Sickening to look at it.

 

[TheLBLman]

But the sky is not falling, at least for deer hunting.

Despite the losses to development, there have been major gains from deer herd expansion. In other words, just a few years ago there were no deer in many places they are today hunted.

Despite the complaints about public land hunting, I've never seen it so good (again, just talking about deer, and just in TN).

Finally, and not saying this is a good thing, but it does lend to good deer hunting for those who deer hunt, the number of hunters is shrinking. Fewer hunters need fewer acres to hunt. Eventually, it may be fewer sportsmen deer hunting that becomes our Waterloo, rather than a loss of acreage to development.

Of course, I would like to see less "development" where subdivisions are replacing hunting lands, just don't see the sky falling anytime soon.

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . one of my favorite hunting spots from the 1970 and 80's in now covered with houses.

One of my favorite hunting spots from the 1970's is now chock full of big bucks. When it was among my favorite hunting spots during the '70's, it was chock full of quail, but had zero deer. Now, the quail are gone, and it's full of deer.

Things change over time, and we and the deer will adapt. The quail seem less adaptive, although I know of many areas with no or few quail in the 80's that now are seeing quail make a comeback.

 

[Lost Lake]

I don't think the sky is falling, but I grew up in Clarksville and during and after college surveyed for a few years. It was eye opening to say the least. Farms that I grew up deer hunting and riding horses on disappeared faster than I could blink.

Moved to Murfreesboro and saw much of the same thing and now live in Williamson county. I guess when you live in the faster growing areas you are more aware of the growth and the realization that once these areas are gone, there ain't no gettin em back.

 

[Lost Lake]

Oh yeah, the older I get the more I think Redblood's advice to buy land when you can is spot on. They ain't makin no more of it.

 

[woodsman87]

I just hope that myself, children, and hopefully grandchildren are long gone before all the trees are cut down.

I used to worry that by the time I was 40 there wouldn't be a tree left. I now realize that even if I live a full life and die of old age, there will still be plenty of hunting land. My children should be able to enjoy it to, not so sure about grandchildren.

 

[TheLBLman]

On the other hand, may rural areas are seeing a migration of people away and to more metropolitan areas (which are encroaching on their surrounding farm and hunting lands via housing development). In other words, some localized areas have been becoming "less" developed. And some are good deer hunting areas.

Found out something somewhat interesting to me a few years ago about Stewart County (although this is not a county now with more moving out than moving in). Back in the 1850's, more people lived in Stewart County than live there today, mainly because of the iron-ore industry. In fact, in the late 1800's and early 1900's, many rural areas had small farmsteads closer to each other than they may have today. Since then, many small farmsteads have been combined into larger farms, with many parts of many counties having fewer people living in them than a few decades ago.

It will probably get harder (and/or more expensive) to find good deer hunting opportunities close to metropolitan areas, whether we're talking from downtown Memphis or downtown Clarksville. We may have to drive farther or go to another state. But many hunters are currently experiencing better deer hunting than they had a decade ago.

 

[Lost Lake]

On the other hand, may rural areas are seeing a migration of people away and to more metropolitan areas (which are encroaching on their surrounding farm and hunting lands via housing development). In other words, some localized areas have been becoming "less" developed. And some are good deer hunting areas.

Found out something somewhat interesting to me a few years ago about Stewart County (although this is not a county now with more moving out than moving in). Back in the 1850's, more people lived in Stewart County than live there today, mainly because of the iron-ore industry. In fact, in the late 1800's and early 1900's, many rural areas had small farmsteads closer to each other than they may have today. Since then, many small farmsteads have been combined into larger farms, with many parts of many counties having fewer people living in them than a few decades ago.

It will probably get harder (and/or more expensive) to find good deer hunting opportunities close to metropolitan areas, whether we're talking from downtown Memphis or downtown Clarksville. We may have to drive farther or go to another state. But many hunters are currently experiencing better deer hunting than they had a decade ago.

Yes that is interesting about Stewart county. I believe I heard that Cumberland City was in the running to become the State Capitol and only lost out due to Nashville being more centrally located. I left a lot of footprints in Stewart county as a child.

 

[Hunter 257W]

Wes, I agree that regardless of a general loss of available land for many hunters, these are still the "Good ol' Days" of deer hunting. The two factors you mentioned, way more deer than 25+ years ago and fewer hunters make that possible. This is one reason that I can't get excited about working to recruit more hunters. I remember the days when deer hunting was more popular in my area and trucks would line the roads on Opening day. IT got to the point that it was hard to find a spot on public land that didn't interfere with another hunter. Honestly, I don't want to ever get back to that point. However, I do realize that if hunter numbers dwindle down too low then there could come a day when emotions rather than reason win and the public demands a stop to hunting because of a perceived cruelty to the animals by allowing hunting to continue. Even on this I am optimistic though because of the way the general public has stopped jabbing at deer hunters in recent years for killing "Bambi" since "Bambi" has started eating their flowers in subdivisions. For that reason I can't see hunting ever being outlawed and there will always be a few people who want to hunt. I think we are right on the brink of a golden era for bow hunters for this very reason. As deer populations increase in heavily populated areas where guns can't be used bow hunters will get more and more chances to be the hero and save the day by killing a few of the flower munchers.

Back to land availability. It is true that available public deer hunting land in TN hasn't changed a lot in say the last 20+ years - there are a LOT of WMA's - but private land has definitely shrunk. And that private land will now cost you way more than it did 20+ years ago to hunt whether you chose to lease or buy. To any hunters who don't own land, I say push hard and buy some as soon as you can. Even if it's just a few acres. Get it now and pay for it and at least you have the value of that land plus whatever increase in value it gains. Then later when something better comes along you can sell you small property and grab that.

 

[treefarmer]

Most of the time land prices differ but I want to begin buying some. Was looking around Tennessee river. Decent 1 acre lots for 500-1800 bucks. Guy I work with started with one and bought 11 adjoining his. I will find some somewhere.

I own land near Cuba Landing that has the land you are speaking of and have 4-wheeled through the area. It was high grade timbered years ago and is off private dirt roads that aren't maintained and is very hilly. The forest won't improve unless you are willing to put in a lot of work and have a lot of time. It is cheap, but for a good reason.

 

[Hunter 257W]

Most of the time land prices differ but I want to begin buying some. Was looking around Tennessee river. Decent 1 acre lots for 500-1800 bucks. Guy I work with started with one and bought 11 adjoining his. I will find some somewhere.

I own land near Cuba Landing that has the land you are speaking of and have 4-wheeled through the area. It was high grade timbered years ago and is off private dirt roads that aren't maintained and is very hilly. The forest won't improve unless you are willing to put in a lot of work and have a lot of time. It is cheap, but for a good reason.

When you say the forest won't improve without a lot of work, do you mean improvement towards a future logging or deer/wildlife habitat? I would think that any fairly recent logging would have only benefitted wildlife by opening up the canopy and letting in more light?

 

[BSK]

thats why any hunter should be buying land land land, instead of new trucks, bows and four wheelers. better get your piece soon

I'm soooooo glad we bought while land was still relatively cheap.

 

[treefarmer]

Most of the time land prices differ but I want to begin buying some. Was looking around Tennessee river. Decent 1 acre lots for 500-1800 bucks. Guy I work with started with one and bought 11 adjoining his. I will find some somewhere.

I own land near Cuba Landing that has the land you are speaking of and have 4-wheeled through the area. It was high grade timbered years ago and is off private dirt roads that aren't maintained and is very hilly. The forest won't improve unless you are willing to put in a lot of work and have a lot of time. It is cheap, but for a good reason.

When you say the forest won't improve without a lot of work, do you mean improvement towards a future logging or deer/wildlife habitat? I would think that any fairly recent logging would have only benefitted wildlife by opening up the canopy and letting in more light?

The forest is filled with lots of crooked hickory's, elm, sourwood, broom sedge and stunted, crooked smaller chestnut oaks. It was logged a couple decades ago and hasn't recovered because of what they left behind. It can recover but will take work and time. There will be deer there but not many because there isn't any agriculture for many miles and the forest is low quality. However if I owned land next to some of it and could buy some cheap, I would, but would plan on firing up my chain saw right away and maybe planting some trees. I guess I'm saying look close before you buy because in the summer all forests look good from a car window.

 

[BSK]

Decent land is 3-4,000.00 per acre. Who can afford that? I think that 100 acres or more is a good, huntable parcel. Maybe the right 40-50 acre plot if it has the "just right" situation.

Wow, you can still get land in my area for $800-1,200/acre. Now it's not agricultural land, but it's still good hunting.

 

[Hunter 257W]

In my area the good agricultural land sells for $3,500+ per acre. Woods are cheaper. It all depends on whether or not you are within an easy commute of a city with lots of high paying jobs or not. Either way, buying hunting land is not going to be easy. It's going to take commitment and years of hard work to pay for it. 100 acres at $1,500 per acre is $150,000 and most people can't just pay that with their pocket change. You have to decide it's a priority. Use the "investment" as a justification if you have to - although it's not really an investment if you are a hunter. You can only gain from an investment if you sell it and convert it back to cash but if you love hunting, I can't see you ever selling your land unless you intend to buy another piece of property that is larger and will likely cost more. In the big picture though, even if it's not an investment for the hunter, when you are gone your family can benefit from the value of the land if they decide to sell. Money spent on a lease won't leave them anything.

 

[treefarmer]

When we bought our 289 acres in Humphreys County 20 years ago I tried to think of ways to generate an income from it. As a teenager I had seen my grandfather's 240 acres of deer hunting heaven sold because my widowed mother couldn't afford the high (Michigan) property taxes and I didn't want my heirs to sell my new place that I was going to put so much work into. That's why I decided 20 years ago to manage the forest mainly for timber and enjoy the wildlife that came along with it. Land is expensive and if you own too much somebody down the line is going to want to sell if it doesn't pay it's own way. Forestry won't make you rich but it will more than pay the taxes, plus you can manage for timber and wildlife. A year ago we thinned our planted pines and received almost half the price we paid for the land and we haven't cut any hardwoods yet. It is now set up as a fun place to hunt or an heir may want to keep it as an investment. I kick myself for not buying more.

 

[BSK]

Well said treefarmer. We haven't been as focused on long-term monetary return with our timber management as you have, but over the last 15 years, we've cut enough timber in patches to not only pay for the land, but also the cabin we built on it. Now I'll admit, we got some good quality timber cheap when we bought 27 years ago, but at least paying maintenance and tax fees on land is very doable through timber management.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I couldn't agree more, Treefarmer, on focusing on land that can generate some sort of income. At least enough to pay the taxes. I bought land that is part agricultural myself so it pays me back that way.

 

[TeamMainStreet]

I dont see how anyone is expected to be able to buy land anymore. Prices are outrageous. What gets me is when you find a peice of land and they want some stupid amount of money for it PLUS its already been timbered. Oh well I guess until I win the lottery Im SOL.

 

[Winchester]

Buying land is a definite plus if you can afford it as we are definitely losing huntable land every day. As for the #of hunters shrinking I don't know if that's exactly right? I do know the % of people that hunt is definitely dropping, but our population is growing like crazy. I would love to know if there are actually less people hunting these days or just a smaller % of our growing population hunting?

 

[BSK]

Buying land is a definite plus if you can afford it as we are definitely losing huntable land every day. As for the #of hunters shrinking I don't know if that's exactly right? I do know the % of people that hunt is definitely dropping, but our population is growing like crazy. I would love to know if there are actually less people hunting these days or just a smaller % of our growing population hunting?

Winchester,

I'll look up the actual numbers, but I heard rumors that for the first time since they began running the survey, the every-five-year census of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreating (conducted by the Census Bureau) found hunter numbers INCREASED over the last 5 years. And it appears this increase is being fueled by: 1) more women getting involved (they were the fastest growing segment of hunters); and 2) people interested in local sustainability have discovered what great quality meat wild game provides, and are jumping into hunting by the thousands.

 

[BSK]

What gets me is when you find a peice of land and they want some stupid amount of money for it PLUS its already been timbered.

And do you know why that is? Because hunters are buying up as much land as they can, and they don't care as much if it has already been timbered. Give a clear-cut 5 or 6 years, and it will be crammed with deer, and THAT is the value of the land to the buyers.

 

[landman]

Buy the small tract in the right place.
Or get out ahead of the market growth.
Still many great hunting tracts for way less than the $3,500 per acre your talking about

 

[Bone Collector]

I don't think the sky is falling, but I grew up in Clarksville and during and after college surveyed for a few years. It was eye opening to say the least. Farms that I grew up deer hunting and riding horses on disappeared faster than I could blink.

Moved to Murfreesboro and saw much of the same thing and now live in Williamson county. I guess when you live in the faster growing areas you are more aware of the growth and the realization that once these areas are gone, there ain't no gettin em back.

I can't tell you how true this is. I have witnessed farm after farm disappear or be bought up by developers for future development.

I grew up 20 miles south of Washington DC and when I was a boy it was all subdivisions in the 80's and early 90's. there was lots of woods between the neighborhoods that were common areas but hunting was a NO GO. My grandfather would tell me how in the 70's it was all cow fields. I remember I was told that you needed 20 acres to hunt with a gun in Fairfax County and at that time, no one owned 20 acres of land in Fairfax Co...... It happens quick, but I don't think we are there YET as a state, even around Nashville.