This is Just Sweet

[Trapper John]

The secrets of the family farm were finally revealed to me by my great uncle. The farm sits in Decatur County and is used primarily for timber production. I've been told for years that our farm produces "higher quality" timber than some surrounding farms and they finally told me why.

It turns out we have a man with the forestry service who comes out and evaluates the timber and makes up a plan for us to follow to maximize production. They told me that this forestry worker absolutely loves the farm because it's one of a very few that sits on a limestone deposit in the county. This contributes to what my uncle called, "abnormally healthy timber and soil" for the county.

I've been hunting this farm since 1995 and working it since 2002 and just now found out about this. What made me excited about this information is that the forestry worker also told us the benefits to the soil would filter down and help the wildlife, especially deer. Better soil, healthier trees (oaks mainly), and higher acorn production were some of the things he said would help the wildlife.

The only downside (from a wildlife/management standpoint) is this limestone formation is a textbook example of places where oil might be located. We were warned at some point someone might offer the chance for us to search for oil. No one in the family wants to do it but that possibility is looming out there.

Just had to share. I thought it was exciting.

 

[Chaneylake]

they will do very little damage if any searching for oil, make your best deal possible, money up front and royalties

 

[Trapper John]

We're looking into the process in case it ever comes right down to it. Basically we're not offering. Chances are nothing is there but we want to know what it all involves in case someone comes along in the future wanting to check.

The whole family loves the land so we're just resistant to the idea of it.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

They wont damage hardly anything by putting out some oil wells.

 

[Chaneylake]

if they hit oil, think about all the land you could buy

 

[Trapper John]

True. But we're a strange bunch. Family history outweighs cash at the moment. The property has been in our family since the 1800s and we're pretty protective of it. If they could tap it without doing any damage then it would be an option. At the moment everyone has decided not to pursue it.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

So what your saying is you have a Forest Stewardship plan? Im having one of those drawn up for my place.

 

[Trapper John]

The property is in a variety of programs. Even after learning about the lime deposit and the timber production I still don't know everything. I know we're in a wetlands program with Ducks Unlimited and I know "something" was drawn up with the forestry service to help in the production of timber but I don't know what the title of the program is. That's more of the business side of things and I'm not in charge of that. My great aunt is majority owner so she handles most of the details. I get information that I need so I can plant food plots and fruit trees without conflicting with any programs.

They also randomly call upon me to work the tractor to help the programs be carried out. For example, this past fall gates were installed to control flooding in the lower portion of the farm. I had to clear the roads so the equipment could be brought in to install the gates.

I'm their first call when they need work done. In return I get unlimited hunting rights. Plus at some point I will inherit the property and working it helps me become very familiar with it.

 

[ferg]

Well - take it from someone that used to work in the oil exploration business - 'if' you allow 'them' to 'look' for oil on your property they will do very litte damage - some shot holes for blasting and some tree triming for the seismic line.

If they find something that 'looks' promising - they will develop a plan to drill.

HOWEVER - ALL negotiations with you will be a done deal - LONG - before any of this process takes place.

This is how they 'make their money' - you will be contacted by a leasor - he's a guy that works for the oil company and goes around purchasing mineral rights on spec. - you will know when he is in the area because his activity will be all the buzz around the county.

He's going to 'offer' you a deal for you mineral rights - something like X number of dollars up front (on spec) and IF they find something (and here is the kicker) WHEN the actually pump it from the ground you will get X dollars per barrel pumped out of the ground. (WHEN THEY PUMP IT)!

IF they find it, drill it, CAP THE WELL, you sit there with a well head on your property and NOTHING.

Now here is the kicker - if you DO NOT agree to their deal, and retain your mineral rights and all your neighbors lease theirs and they find oil - they will 'side drill' it out from under your property and there is nothing you'll be able to do about it.

Why? Because it will be EXTREAMLY unlikely that the 'pocket' of oil is solely contained within your property, unless you have mega square miles of land. And all they need to do is get their drill head wet - on the next door neighbors land (he collects his cash) and 'your' supply is sucked dry by the well on the next door neighbors property.

So, what do you do - ?

When the lessor comes by to make his 'deal' with you - get your best deal - if he is offering one dollar a barrel pumped, you should be asking for 10, and so on - plus - get a clause in your lease that if the do put a well down on your property and then CAP it and NOT pump, that you want a certain amount of lease money for having the well head capped and sitting. They DON'T have to pay for that once they have the mineral rights, but I sure has heck would ask for it up front - just in case.

Just my .02

ferg....

 

[Trapper John]

Good info. I'll pass that along. Thanks.

 

[holstonangler]

Sounds like a Jed Clampett story to me. swimming pools, movie stars..

 

[Boone 58]

Great story to share!! Thanks! you are in an envious situation!!