LandTalk Blog | Hunting Land, Recreational Property, Land for Sale, and Georgia Land

Identifying Whitetail Calls and Communications

2009-07-14T13:50:00.005-04:00

Whitetail deer communicate with scent, various vocalizations, and body language. The trick is to know how to interpret these sounds and body language to help you in your quest for that trophy Whitetail.

The off season is a great time to brush up on your knowledge, and a great time to practice imitating some calls and understanding body language so that by Fall you'll be a master.

Whitetail Calls and Communication:

This information is from the Outdoor Adventures Network:

Non Aggressive Deer Calls

Contact Calls :
This sound is a doe's way of locating other deer of her family group . This call can be used all year long.

Doe Grunt :
Grunts are a doe's way of saying come here, also to call her fawns at feeding time. It is critical to keep the call soft as a loud grunt is too aggressive of a call.

Buck Bawl :
This sound's a lot like a calf bawl , but it is a series of buck bleats. This signals the bucks desire for company.

Sparring :
This is a non aggressive and social behavior that all bucks do after shedding their velvet. This is when the bucks learn who can whip the other. This process does not prevent serious fights later on during the rut.

Aggressive Deer Calls

Sniff
:
Deer make this sound to intimidate other deer and prevent fights. This call is often made by a rut- crazed buck when confronted with a rival. This sound can send smaller buck running from the area.

Wheeze
Another rut crazed Bucks sound to intimidate other deer and prevent fights when confronted with a rival. This sound can also send smaller buck running from the area.

Rattling

Aggressive Rattling
:
This is a short aggressive rattling sequence to possibly lure in less aggressive, but curious buck, as well as the local dominant whitetail buck of the area. To make this sound like a real fight sniffs, wheezes and grunts have also been thrown
in for added effect.

Take Photos to Preserve Your Hunting Memories

2009-07-02T09:53:00.003-04:00

By Stan Sheram, Photographer

The preparation, the rifle, the bow, the special ammunition, the camp, the fresh morning air, the hunt, the kill, the trophy... It's all about creating memories, and nothing captures those memories like a photograph.

If your hunting gear doesn't include a camera, you're missing an opportunity to capture the special moments that you've invested a lot of time and money to create. For about what it costs for a pair of hunting boots, you can buy a decent digital pocket camera. You'll wear out the boots, but the photos you take with that camera will last for generations.

How To Choose A Camera

The first question I'm often asked is, "What's the best camera?" I can't tell you that anymore than you can tell me the best rifle for target shooting. I can, however, give you some suggestions that will help you choose a good camera. Here are some considerations.

You wouldn't buy a no-name firearm from some guy named Sully who yells at you on television hawking his "AS SEEN ON TV" brand. So, don't buy a camera like that either. Buy a brand you've heard of: Nikon, Canon, Kodak and Olympus are four good brands.

You can spend as much on a camera as you did for your last 4WD truck, but it's not necessary to spend a fortune to get good photographs. Last week I saw a Nikon pocket digital camera at a local warehouse club store for $80. You've spent that much on gas going to a dove shoot and come home with a sore shoulder and no birds.

Don't get too excited about the megapixel thing. Almost any digital camera you buy today will be 6 or better megapixels and that will be adequate for your purpose. If it has more megapixels, great, but don't let that be the only determining factor.

Look for a camera that uses AA batteries. It's easy to carry spares and you can find them most anywhere. A deer stand isn't the best place to find an outlet to charge a special purpose battery made specifically for your camera.

Don't worry about all the special features; you won't use them anyway.

A good display on the back is helpful, especially if you are trying to view it in sunlight.

Many pocket cameras are weather/water resistant, a nice feature to have outdoors.

Check the telephoto zoom on the lens. Optical zoom is typically 3 to 5X; the higher the number the better. Digital Zoom is worthless.

Setting Up Your Subject

You'll only get one chance to photograph your trophy kill in the field, and it only takes some common sense and a couple of minutes to do it right.

Keep in mind that the animal is the focal point of the picture. Show the animal in a dignified manner by cleaning up excessive amounts of blood or rubbing a handful of dust on areas that might be a distraction. Move anything from the camera view that might distract from the primary subject. Position the animal as close to its natural lying position as possible. Try folding its front legs underneath to raise the head. A hunter shown in the photo should be behind the animal and close enough to touch it. Kneeling 5 feet behind a small buck won't make it look twice as big; it will just look like you're kneeling 5 feet behind a small buck. Check your clothes. Your hat turned backwards and a blood-smeared shirt hanging out of your pants makes you look like an idiot not a hunter. If you want to include your gun in the photo, make sure it's unloaded and not pointing at your head...the idiot thing again.

Tips On Lighting

Lighting is very important. Keep the sun behind you as much as possible. Available light (no flash) may give a more natural looking photograph, but shoot both with and without flash. Using flash in daylight can fill in shadows that can be a distraction. If your shot is made after sunset, flash is a must on subjects close to you. Note that the flash on a point-and-shoot camera is only effective at night for a short distance-typically 5-10 feet - important to keep in mind when you set up your shot. I always laugh when I see a stadium full of people with hundreds of flashes going off trying to photograph something a couple of hundred feet away. They've effectively illuminated the back of the person's head in front of them and ruined any chance at all of getting the shot. If you have a distant shot in a low light situation, turn off the flash. Most of today's cameras have an auto ISO feature that can automatically compensate for very low light and sometimes the effect is quite pleasing. I want to emphasize shooting with and without flash. If the subject is farther away than the effective flash range of your camera, you'll usually get a much better shot without the flash.

Tips On Composition

Composition is the one thing that can ruin an otherwise perfect shot. You can have a great camera, great subject, great background, perfect lighting and then spoil it all with poor composition. You can minimize this problem if you shoot several shots and shoot them from many different angles. Keeping your eye not just on the subject, but also on what you're about to capture in the background. Try a few shots from a low angle, eye level with the subject. Experiment with both close in and wide shots being careful that you're entire subject is in the frame. If you're unsure, shoot a wider shot, as you can always crop it later. Don't forget to try vertical shots as well. Many subjects will standout better when shot from a vertical perspective rather than the standard horizontal perspective. Snap a lot of shots. The great thing about digital photography is that, since there's no film, it doesn't cost anything if you don't print them. You can delete an unwanted shot but you'll probably never get another chance to shoot the same shot again.

The hunting experience isn't just about the hunt. Don't forget to capture the Cook stirring his secret recipe chili or Old Bo stretched out beside the fire. I'll let you decide whether Old Bo is a dog or one of your hunting buddies...or both. The only bad picture is the one you didn't take.

One more tip - you already know this but you just haven't done it yet - read the camera manual. If you're one of then that thinks manuals are for sissies, then at least read the "quick start" guide. If you can't do that, then please, please find the "Fully Automatic" setting (usually a green symbol on a dial), and set it there and shoot away. If you want to really go out on a limb, find the setting that turns the flash off for those distant low light shots. If the flash is set to "On" or "Automatic", and it fires, your camera thinks that the subject is less than 10 feet away and sets the exposure accordingly. You'll ruin an opportunity to shoot a beautiful sunset.

On your next outing, pack a camera with your gear. It will give you an opportunity to share your experience with others and preserve your memories for a lifetime.

Stan Sheram, retired banker, poor journalist and worse hunter, a pretty good photographer sometimes, and owner of ScenicImage.com.

Trends In Land Management | Landscaping Can Lure Wildlife To Your Backyard

2009-06-15T16:13:00.002-04:00

By Mark Bailey

Everyone enjoys watching wildlife. In fact, wildlife watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in America. Having wildlife near our homes makes it possible to view many species from a window, so even the elderly and physically disabled can benefit. Interacting with and providing for native animals and plants seems to bring us a pleasure unlike any other e

xperience.

Habitat is the combination of food, water, shelter, and space arranged to meet the needs of wildlife. Given the urban sprawl that is occurring today, natural wildlife habitats increasingly are being altered or destroyed. Although many native wildlife species have declined, some adaptable species have actually benefited from habitat modifications in developed areas. And the good news is that many others can thrive near our homes with a little help from us.

No matter the size of your yard, you can landscape it to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other small animals. Trees, shrubs, and other plants provide shelter and food for wildlife. You can even help determine which wildlife species will be attracted to your back yard based on the specific plants you use for food and cover. Nesting boxes, feeders, and watering sites can be added to improve the habitat.

Developing A Plan

Odds are, you already have some wildlife in your yard, but by making just a few changes, you can greatly enhance the habitat. Diversity in the landscape is essential for a diversity of wildlife. Some plants provide food but very little cover; others provide cover but little food. Productive and attractive wildlife habitat near people's homes is usually the result of careful planning and proper management. When considering your property, think not only of its two-dimensional area but of its vertical dimension as well, from the soil to the treetops.

This vertical area is composed of several zones. The tallest tree branches form the canopy, while smaller trees, shrubs and vines provide the under story vegetation. The groundcover layer has herbaceous plants, mushrooms, and lichens, while the leaf litter and soil support a variety of organisms. Different wildlife species live in each of these zones, so, even on a small piece of land, you can provide many habitats.

Trees and shrubs are the backbone of landscaping design. In addition to providing shelter, many tree and shrub species are sources of food for wildlife. Probably the best thing you can do to enhance wildlife habitat is to plant nursery-grown native trees and shrubs that once grew naturally in your area. (Never dig native plants from the wild). While exotic ornamental shrubs frequently used for landscaping will provide some benefit, most do not yield adequate food for native wildlife and therefore are not recommended.

In addition to the wildlife benefits native plants provide, they are adapted to your local climate, soil, and water conditions. Once established, they are virtually maintenance-free. Selection of the proper plant material can meet both your aesthetic needs and the food and shelter needs of wildlife. Remember that the habitat you create is going to be your habitat, too!

Backyard Habitat Plan

After these steps have been completed, to implement a backyard habitat plan, you must first identify all existing trees and shrubs on your property and evaluate them according to three criteria:

The condition/location of plants.

The degree of shade provided by the trees and shrubs.

The value as a food source to wildlife.

Next, make a sketch of your yard, showing all trees, shrubs, buildings, utilities, and pathways. Don't rule out the option of removing some plants, particularly those exotic species that may be of little wildlife value. Once you know which plants you want to keep, star for plants that will work well with these species. On your sketch, denote the open areas that receive sunshine and the areas that are shaded most of the day. In addition, indicate low, wet areas and those that are usually dry. Make several copies of your sketch, and try drawing different layouts with plants indifferent areas. Add native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and groundcover plants to your plan.

Unless you have a small yard, don't feel that you must implement your entire plan all at once. Your money and/or time may be limited, so do what you can, and consider it a work in progress.

Plant a variety of trees first. Evergreen species, for instance, provide year-round cover and shelter, while fruit and nut-bearing plants are important food sources. When choosing and placing trees, always consider the eventual size of the tree. Deciduous trees are a good choice for the south side of a house because they provide summer shade but will not completely block winter sun. Select plants that flower and bear fruit at different times of the year. Some shrubs that produce berries can provide food throughout the year. Trees with nuts and fruit can also provide seasonal foods.

Beneath the existing or recently planted trees, fill in with smaller shade-tolerant understory trees and shrubs. These will enhance the vertical structure that is characteristic of natural landscapes. Dogwood, redbud, and many other midstory trees are colorful in the spring when they flower, and they provide berries or seed for fall and winter forage.

Wildflowers add color to the yard and can be added at any stage to attract birds and butterflies. If you have space, consider converting a sunny part of your lot into a meadow for wildflowers and native grasses.

Meadows are mowed only once every year or two. A native wildflower garden can be fun to maintain and, at the same time, can provide important wildlife habitat.

Remember: Most wildlife species are not particularly attracted to well-manicured lawns. Animals are more likely to come out into the open for viewing when the boundary of the yard is designed and maintained as a retreat for them. Try to avoid straight lines and perfect symmetry.

Select at least one location for a permanent water source. Whether a birdbath or an excavated pond, the presence of water will be a magnet to wildlife. A backyard pond does not have to be large to be productive, and if you don't stock fish, you really don't need to worry about filtration. You can buy plastic pond liners at larger home supply stores.

Mark A. Bailey is a consulting biologist for Conservation Services Southeast; mbailey@ConservationSoutheast.com exploring options.

How to Keep Deer out of the Garden | Deer Repellant Ideas and Home Remedies

2009-06-09T16:03:00.012-04:00

While deer can seem majestic and the thought of them may cue childhood memories of Bambi, but the reality is that deer and your garden do not mix.

So how do you keep deer out of your garden?

Here are the top remedies for repelling deer (click to skip down to details):

Plant Things Deer Hate

Use Soap and Fabric Softener Sheets

Use Netting

Use Organic Repellents

Noise and Lights

Sprinklers

Fencing

Plant Things Deer Hate

There are some species of plants that are a deterrent to deer because of their taste, texture or smell.

Flowers: marigolds, astilbe, morning glory, buttercup, foxglove, dahlia, Four O'Clock, flowering tobacco, larkspur, poppy, snapdragon, strawflower and vinca
Herbs: rosemary, lavender, and catmint
Shrubs: boxwood and forsythia
Trees: birch, crape myrtle, maple, and spruce
Sidenote-- Deer Love: azaleas, rhododendrons, daylilies, hostas, roses, Columbine, geranium, impatiens, pansies, redbud, and tulips. Many vegetables including beans, potatoes and tomatoes attract deer too.

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Use Soap and Fabric Softener Sheets

Deer are deterred by unnatural, perfume smells. Hang fabric softener sheets on the trees around your garden. You can also sprinkle perfumed soap shavings in your garden. Replace the softener sheets and soap after heavy rain.

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Use Netting

Most hardware stores sell sturdy plastic netting that is specially woven to keep deer from getting through to your vegetables. Before you install the netting, drive sturdy stakes or poles into the ground around the perimeter of your garden. Space them two feet apart and attach the netting to the stakes to make a netted fence. The netted fence should be at least seven feet high to discourage deer from jumping over.

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Use Organic Repellents

Spraying an area around your garden with a special organic odor-based repellent will also act as a deterrent for deer. Spray on bushes, grass, and trees close to the garden. The lasting of the odor varies, and many organic repellents need reapplication after heavy rain. You can get several of these at garden/hardware stores.

You can also create your own repellents with chili powder, cayenne pepper and hot peppers. Try chopping some peppers and blending them in a blender and add water, let the solution stand overnight, then strain it through cheesecloth and empty into a spray bottle.

Baby powder can also be sprinkled on plants as a perfumed repellent. Try cracking a few eggs and mix with 2 quarts of water and apply the solution to plants. The eggs will decompose and deer won't like the smell.

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Noise and Lights

Noise and lights will scare off unsuspecting deer. You can hang reflective material like pie plates or old CDs. If your area is void of any wind this method might not be as effective. Another noise suggestion would be to hang a group of wind chimes or use a motion activated noise maker.

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Sprinklers

Installing sprinklers that are timed to turn on at twilight and early morning will startle deer. Some companies manufacture motion sensitive sprinkler systems that are specifically designed for deer. The sprinklers are activated as soon as movement is detected.

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Fencing

If you have tried everything and the deer seem to be winning the battle, install an eight-foot high wire mesh fence around your garden. Although this is the most expensive way to protect your garden from deer, it is the most durable. This fence will last for years and will keep determined deer away from your garden.

Utilizing these techniques may take a little trial and error, but you are sure to find something to work to keep your garden deer free and safe from being eaten.

Back to List

** Image credit: Millet

Bassmaster Elite Series Season Opener - a recap

2009-03-17T10:39:00.003-04:00

What: Bassmaster Elite Series season opener, the Optima Batteries Battle on the Border.

When: March 12-15 2009

Where: Del Rio, Texas on Lake Amistad

Who: Jason Williamson (First, 96-6) over Alton Jones (Second, 87-15)

Airs on TV: Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2

Recap:

Jason Williamson is a third-year BASS pro from Aiken, S.C., and ended up posting more than 68 pounds through the final two days. It was more than enough for Williamson to climb from 38th to third on Day 3 and secure his first BASS victory and the accompanying $100,000 top prize Sunday at the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season opener, the OPTIMA Batteries Battle on the Border.

Williamson's four-day total of 96 pounds, 6 ounces, was enough to hold off a consistent Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, who finished second with 87 pounds, 15 ounces. Williamson was able to overtake Jones with a tremendous two-day charge, which accounted for more than 70 percent of his weight.

Williamson's catches Saturday and Sunday all came from a spot that yielded nothing for him in the first two days of competition. But, once the weather got better, that same area became crystal clear and an ideal area for big bass.

The area included three to four submerged trees that were around a drainage channel and was a pathway for visiting and departing bass. Williamson fished in the area with an 8-inch Osprey swimbait, which he threw to the trees in nearly 20 feet of water.

"There were so many fish in that area that I think they were in competition for my bait," said the 28-year-old. "That's not a bad thing when you can get that going. It was like clockwork."

The key to enticing the right bites this year, he said, was allowing the swimbait to sink and keeping it wet for lengths of time.

Williamson has been close to a BASS victory before, scoring two second-place finishes, but he was able to close the deal this time at Amistad with a final-day total of 34-12, the biggest bag of the tournament. His limit was buoyed by a 10-4 lunker, the largest Williamson has ever landed.

While Jones finished second, he didn't really slip. It was more like Williamson just seized the day. Jones, a steady veteran approaching $2 million in BASS career earnings, stuck with what put him in contention instead of going the unpredictable route and hunting for big bass.

While many others shuffled around the leaderboard throughout the tournament, Jones hung near the top, establishing a solid pattern that yielded fish in the 4- to 6-pound class.

Adapted from ESPN.

Photo Credit: Topato

Hunting for Shed Antlers

2009-01-27T17:10:00.003-05:00

Hunting for shed antlers can shed light on the deer you hunt.

From mid-January through February bucks will be shedding their antlers. Analyzing those sheds will allow you to understand much that will improve your hunting success.

While the prize of the hunt is a benefit, you can also benefit from understanding the quality of bucks that made it through the end of hunting season, the number of bucks that were in the area, and the specific areas that the bucks choose to hang out in.

Tips for hunting shed deer antlers:

You must search for deer sheds in the deer's wintering grounds. It's obviously important to correlate the time of season when you intend to hunt with the places where bucks are during the time they shed their antlers.

Using dogs to help find shed antlers can be a great idea

The timing of your hunting is important.

Then the sooner you can be in the field after an antler is dropped, the better the dog's chance of finding it. Rodents will also eat and destroy antlers due to their mineral content. Also as spring comes grass may grow making it difficult to spot antlers. BUT--

You don't want to risk scaring the bucks away if they are exposed to human pressure or dogs. If you go in before they've dropped their antlers you risk scaring them away. So really you should only go in early if you know of a special spot other hunters aren't likely to find.

Look in and around food plots

Look around easy-to-travel areas like trails or water sources

Check out our game camera to see when most bucks have shed

Image Credit: Crowhand

Buying Land: Strategies on how to make an offer

2009-01-20T13:29:00.004-05:00

Curtis Seltzer wrote a fantastic article over at LandThink about how to submit a written offer based on:

The value you determined the seller's property is worth to you
The appraisal value
The market
The tax-assessed value

Buying land for sale can be a confusing journey. There are several strategies to employ.

Seltzer maps out your options as follows:

1. Play it straight

Offer less than you believe the land is worth with hopes that you can negotiate a deal up to what the land is worth to you. Just make sure you justify your price based on your research.

2. Roll High

Offer over the seller's asking price BUT:

Only offer a $10,000 down payment and insist on seller-financing.
Make the offer contingent on a three-month study of the property's "assets and liabilities," which the results have to be acceptable to you. If they are unacceptable, you can void the contract and offer without penalty.
Seller has to pay your closing costs.

As Seltzer puts it, "Your plan from the beginning has been to tie up the seller with your bogus contingency, string him out for three months and soften him for your hardball offer."

3. Take-it-or-Leave-it

Offer the price you are willing to pay with no contingencies and a reasonable down payment. Explain how your research got you to your price, and make it known you aren't going up.

4. Make a Deal

Seltzer had a great idea in realizing the seller's attachment to his land. Say a seller values his 500 acres for hunting, but needs the cash for retirement. Seltzer proposes offering a 10 year, no cost hunting lease to the seller as part of a offer you're willing to pay. The seller doesn't get as much money as he wants for the land, but he gets what he wants in the property, the ability to still hunt on the land.

It's a great article that gives insights into a land buyer and a land seller's point of view.

How to Buy Land for Sale

Questions to Ask When Buying Land

Buying Land v. Buying Stocks

Types of Hunting Dogs and Gundogs

2009-01-13T11:15:00.006-05:00

Depending on how the dog is trained, dogs can be used in a variety of hunting situations. Gundogs or bird dogs are especially useful in finding and retrieving game.

There are several types according to their method of work:

Retrievers
Flushing Spaniels
Pointers and Setters

Retrievers

Retrievers are mostly used when waterfowl hunting. Retrievers are trained to wait patiently when birds move into range, and follow the hunter's gun as he shoots. When each bird is downed, the dog "marks" or remembers where it falls. When the dog is signaled he retrieves the fowl, or if he misses a downed bird he is trained to follow the handler's signals as to where it is. This is called a "blind" retrieve. When multiple dogs are used on a hunt, a well trained dog is taught to "honor" the retrieve on another dog by waiting while the other dog is working.

Retrievers include the following breeds:

American Water Spaniel
Barbet
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curly-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever
German Water Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Irish Water Spaniel

Flushing Spaniels

When hunting non-waterfowl, or upland game, flushing dogs work closely with the hunter. They must be kept in shotgun distance. These dogs are used on birds that run from the hunter, like pheasants, to get the bird to fly or spring to wing. Once the dog is flushed, the dog will watch the flight of the bird to watch them fall for retrieval.

Flushing spaniels include:

Spaniel (American Cocker)
Spaniel (American Water)
Spaniel (Boykin)
Spaniel (Clumber)
Spaniel (English Cocker)
Spaniel (English Springer)
Spaniel (Field)
Spaniel (Irish Water)
Spaniel (Sussex)
Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Pointers and Setters

Once he/she reach the field, the handler will "cast" or direct the dog in a wide circle, and he begins making his way through the field to find game. When game is found, the dog freezes and points or crouches towards it. If other dogs are hunting they also "honor" the first dog's find and crouch or point also.

Next, some dogs are trained to remain motionless until the hunter flushes the game, and other times the dogs are trained to flush the game. If a bird is downed, the dogs are trained to retrieve it.

Pointers and setters include:

English Pointer
English Setter
Gordon Setter
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter

Whatever dog you hunt with, just make sure he is well trained and knowledgeable about the hunt. A well-trained and steady dog is a beautiful thing, and represent the efforts of generations of breeders and hunters.

photo credit: me'nthedogs

Using Land Held in Your IRA for Hunting and Fishing

2008-12-11T09:06:00.011-05:00

This is a follow up post to How to Invest in Land Using a Self-Directed IRA.

We've received the question, "Can I use land held in my IRA for hunting, fishing, or recreational use?"

Answer: You are unable to use any land or property held in your IRA for personal use.

The IRS speaks of specific acts to avoid so that you don't incur any extra taxes or other costs, included loss of IRA status:

Prohibited Transactions

Generally, a prohibited transaction is any improper use of your traditional IRA account or annuity by you, your beneficiary, or any disqualified person. Disqualified persons include your fiduciary and members of your family (spouse, ancestor, lineal descendant, and any spouse of a lineal descendant). The following are examples of prohibited transactions with a traditional IRA:

Borrowing money from it.
Selling property to it.
Receiving unreasonable compensation for managing it.
Using it as security for a loan.
Buying property for personal use (present or future) with IRA funds.”

Source: IRS Publication 590

You may not personally perform maintenance on that land either. You may hire someone else to perform this tasks, and pay for it with money from your IRA.

Once you retire, you are free to use the land as you please!

How to Score Deer Antlers

2008-12-09T16:36:00.009-05:00

How do you determine if your deer has made it in the record book?

Deer are scored based on the size of the tines, the diameter of the bases, and sometimes other measurements as well---such as the total spread between antlers. All these measurements are added up, and the total number of points is the deer's score.

Deer are further divided into "typical" and "non-typical" depending on the configuration of the antlers.

Each record book (such as Boone & Crockett, for firearms, and Pope & Young, for archery) has it's own minimum criterium for what constitutes a trophy (which means you made the book).

Although you can learn the systems, and score your own deer for fun, official scores must be taken by somebody certified by the record keeping organization.

If you want to score them yourself, here is the method:

(there is also a useful video demonstrating the how to score deer antlers below)

To start off you need your rack, and a few tools:

masking tape
marker
a piece of paper
a zip tie or a metal band deer tag
tape measurer, the kind a seamstress uses

1. Tear pieces of tape around an inch long. Places the tape along the main beam where each tine originates. If non-typical growth comes off another tine, mark that tine's orgin as well. Mark on the tape exactly where the tine originates. In other words, envision where the beam would continue if the tine did not exist, and make the mark there. Use a metal band deer tag or another tool to make your mark as straight as possible. Do this to each side of the beam.

2. Start measuring the rack. Start on the tag side of the beam at the burr. Follow along the center line of the main beam on it's outside edge. Tape the measuring tape in place so it doesn't slip. Once you have your measurement, write it down.

3. Measure the antler tines. Start measuring the tines at the line you marked on the tape to the tip. Do this for each typical and non-typical tine.

You are to measure to the nearest 1/8, and record your measurements.

4. Take mass measurements. For each mass measurement you are going to take the measurement at the narrowest point. You get credit for the smallest area of circumference for each of the 4 locations per side.

The first measurement is to come between the burr and first point. The second measurement comes between the first and second point. The third measurement comes between the second and third point. Finally the last measurement is taken between the third and fourth point. If no fourth point is present (like an 8 point) you take the mass measurement half way between the third point and the end of the main beam. Do not take the measurement over the burr. Record your measurements.

5. Measure the inside spread of the main antler beams at the widest place. This measurement should be at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the skull, and parallel to its horizontal axis.

6. Add it all up!

Here is an example (click to see photos too) of how to add up your points:

Right Left Difference

MB 22 4/8 21 7/8 0 5/8

G1 3 5/8 3 7/8 0 2/8

G2 9 3/8 8 0/8 1 3/8

G3 7 7/8 8 2/8 0 3/8

G4 4 3/8 5 5/8 1 2/8

G5 2 4/8 2 4/8

Abnormal Points.

3 2/8 3 2/8

4 0/8 4 0/8

Mass

H1 4 6/8 4 5/8 1/8

H2 4 2/8 4 1/8 1/8

H3 4 6/8 5 0/8 2/8

H4 4 3/8 4 3/8 0

Total Right Total Left Total Difference

65 7/8 68 2/8 14 1/8

(+ abnormals 73 1/8)

Inside spread

17 1/8

Gross Non-Typical- 158 4/8 (Gross non-typical includes every inch of antler no deductions.)

Net Non-Typical- 144 3/8 (Net non-typical includes the gross typical score, minus the side to side differences, but then you add on any abnormal points.)

Gross Typical- 151 2/8 (Gross typical score includes all typical points, including deductions that are not considered abnormal points. Abnormal points are never added to the typical score.)

Net Typical- 137 1/8 (Net typical includes all typical points, then subtract all side to side differences and any abnormal points.)

Click here to download score charts as a pdf.

photo credit: nosha

How to Buy Land for Sale

2008-12-08T15:20:00.005-05:00

Buying land can be a bit stressful. Understanding how to buy land for sale will help to ease your mind in that you will be familiar with what is to come. Of course, getting a great land agent can help your situation, but the buying process is the same regardless.

The Basic Land Buying Process:

1. Locate the property

2. Understand the property rights

3. Value the property

4. Complete the transaction

Finding the best location for your property:

You must clearly define the major intended uses for the land you want to purchase. Have a list of attributes to help narrow your search. Also identify the important geographic attributes to easily identify where your land should be.

Understanding property rights and do due diligence:

Potential buyers should view the property as if they eventually intend to sell it. Understanding property rights can sometimes be difficult because they are less tangible and encompass issues from verifying ownership to identifying easements. All these stipulations need to be understood during the due diligence process.

Doing due diligence is the buyer's responsibility. Advance research gives you a fact based offering price.

Check into what the seller discloses, boilerplate inspections, fee ownership, general warranty deed, access, acreage, boundaries, easements, and more.

How to value the property:

Valuing land is a specialized activity requiring knowledge of local markets and the influence of property features on prices.

Land price reports may assist buyers as they begin to formulate an offering price. The reports reflect general market conditions rather than particular farms or ranches. Here is where an informed agent's help is very practical.

How to complete the transaction:

After negotiating a price, a land purchase typically culminates in a contract. Dr. Gilliland. a research economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, details how this isn't always so easy:

"A young couple wanted a particular tract and inquired about the property of a nearby homeowner. The homeowner offered to provide a deed for a cash payment. The couple paid the cash, and the homeowner delivered the deed.

The buyers, however, discovered their deed was a quit claim deed instead of the more familiar warranty deed. The quit claim deed simply stipulates that the person providing the deed relinquishes any claim to the property in favor of the person receiving the deed. It does not guarantee or warrant that the person executing the deed even had a claim to the property. Had the homeowner owned the tract of land, title would have passed with the quit claim deed. However, in this case, the homeowner did not own an interest in the property, and the deed conveyed nothing."

Gilliland concludes:

"These difficulties by no means represent all problems for land buyers. Buyers unfamiliar with different properties in their target area, property values and different legal documents should avoid completing a transaction without competent assistance."

How to Invest in Land Using a Self-Directed IRA

2008-11-26T10:26:00.006-05:00

Investing in land using a self-directed IRA is an interesting and effective way to leverage your assets.

What is a self-directed IRA?

A self-directed IRA is a retirement account that is controlled by the owner, and allows investment in nontraditional vehicles.

While you must be willing to do due diligence when looking for the land for sale, and have high risk tolerance (as the investment is not as liquid as stocks), a self-directed IRA is a great outlet to diversify your portfolio.

How a self-directed IRA works:

Establish a Self Directed IRA account with an independent IRA Custodian that permits truly self directed investments.
Fund your new Self Directed IRA account or transfer funds from your existing retirement account to the new custodial account.
Direct your new Self Directed IRA custodian to make an investment in your Self Directed IRA LLC.
Find a suitable investment vehicle in which you want to make your investment.
Purchase the new investment in the name of your Self Directed IRA LLC.

An example or scenario of a self-directed IRA used in real estate:

For example, Patrick Rice, owner of IRA Resource Associates, and author of "IRA Wealth: Revolutionary IRA Strategies for Real Estate Investment," says, "Let's say I'm interested in a $250,000 vacant office building; I can use my IRA to option the property. I take $10,000 out of my IRA and say, 'I'll give you $10,000 for an option to buy this property for $250,000 within the next year.' Now, the reason I did this is because I know Joe Blow down the street needs an office building. So I say to Joe Blow, 'I'll sell this to you for $350,000.' I have only $10,000 wrapped up in the deal, but I'm making $90,000."

Obviously not all deals will go that smoothly, but it demonstrates that using your self-directed IRA to invest in land or real estate may be a great way to grow your wealth.

What else can I invest in using my self-directed IRA:

It is a common misconception among Americans that the only investments allowed in a retirement fund are stocks, CDs, and mutual funds. However, with a self-directed IRA you can make more diversified investments in real estate, LLCs, private stock, partnerships and joint ventures, secured and unsecured notes, and more.

Investments the IRS excludes from an IRA are collectibles (for example, art, antiques, jewelry, or coins other than U.S. gold coins), life insurance, and S corporations.

Bank rate advises, If you're going it alone, in addition to a custodian, you should have a financial planner who will help you set goals; a real estate broker who will find properties; an attorney who will draw up leases, purchase contracts and the like; an accountant who can review all the numbers, and a title company.

Deer Hunting in Georgia: the best places to find white tailed deer by region

2008-10-30T13:34:00.004-04:00

Deer can be found all over Georgia, but some regions have more white tail than others. However, comparing one Georgia region to another isn't an accurate comparison. We'll break it down for you by getting to the points in the article, Georgia's 2008 Deer Update.

TIP: Press Ctr + F (Windows) or Apple + F (Mac) and search for the county you are interested in for a quick find.

Northwest Georgia
 This area is the Ridge and Valley, the western edge of the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont geophysical regions.

Overall Prediction:
There are some great deer in this area, but there are also a lot of people around which make it difficult because of the competition. The state-managed wildlife management areas in this region offer some good hunting, along with some national forest land outside of the WMA system.

Best Hunting in the Area:

Berry College firearms hunters had an 18 percent success ratio last season and hunters at Crockford-Pigeon Mountain had an 11 percent firearms success rate.
Down in the Piedmont area of Region 1, hunters at Paulding Forest WMA enjoyed an 8 percent firearms success rate on this very popular tract near Dallas in Paulding County.
Moving from the Piedmont up into the Blue Ridge, the Cohutta WMA in Fannin, Gilmer and Murray counties offers tough, but rewarding mountain hunting.
Firearm hunters had just a 3 percent success rate last season --respectable, given the rough terrain and reduced numbers of deer in the mountain habitat.

In conclusion:
Generally hunters in this part of the state expect to see more deer in the more-developed areas at lower elevations and few deer higher up, where the deer depend solely on what Mother Nature chooses to deliver in terms of the mast crop.

Northeast Georgia 
This is the heart of the Georgia mountains, and some northern Piedmont counties as well. Things are expected to be looking up this season.

Overall Prediction:
Wildlife biologists say hunters will be more successful is there is more vegetation this year than last.

Best Hunting in the Area:

Barrow, Madison, and Hart counties in the Piedmont are our best for overall success rates. However, there is very little public land in those counties, so it may take some work to find somewhere to hunt.
Our top three WMAs for overall success most years are Lake Russell, Dawson Forest, and Coopers Creek for numbers of deer. All of these WMAs have a proven track record.

New Opportunities:
Wilson Shoals WMA is in Banks County. Last year was the first year of a new season structure there. Wildlife biologists felt the small 2,800-acre area was getting too much pressure, so they changed the seasons around a little to more archery and fewer firearms either-sex days to reduce the harvest a little. Coinciding with the change in season structure is an effort to improve habitat. They planted 70 acres of shortleaf pines this year with plans to plant 200 more, and thinned about 100 acres to create more early succession habitat and improve food and cover for the deer.

Northern Central Georgia 
Senior wildlife biologist I.B. Parnell has several tips on the upcoming season.

Overall Prediction:
The upcoming season will be about like last season, maybe a little better.

Best Hunting in the Area:

The best counties for overall success in Region 3 are Burke, Washington, and Wilkes.
Our best WMAs are the 8,100-acre Di-Lane in Burke County, which had a 19 percent success ratio last year; the 1,700-acre Big Dukes Pond WMA in Jenkins County, with a 14 percent success rate; and the 4,800-acre Oconee WMA in Greene County, which had a 13 percent success ratio.

New Opportunities:
Both Di-Lane and Tuckahoe WMAs are underutilized by hunters. The facilities have been improved in the last year by constructing a bathhouse, so hunters might want to give them a try this season.

West Central Georgia 
Region 4 is in west central Georgia.

Overall Prediction:

Most areas have very reasonable deer densities. However, there are a few that are still overabundant and even a few that have been slightly over harvested. The mast crop last season was spotty -- exceptional in some areas and a complete failure in others.
The population is lower in some areas than it has been in the last few years, a result of widespread quality deer management and the willingness of hunters to harvest does. This is actually a good thing though; populations are now at a healthier level.
The region has some good public lands available.

Best Hunting in the Area:

The best WMAs in this region for overall success are B.F. Grant and Cedar Creek in Putnam County and Joe Kurz WMA in Meriwether County.
B.F. Grant had a firearms success ratio of 11 percent last season, Cedar Creek had 17 percent, and Joe Kurz 28 percent.

New Opportunities:
Archery hunters have some real opportunity in Region 4.

After firearms season opens, the Archery-Only areas turn into ghost towns. For bowhunters who stick it out, they have Berry Creek on Rum Creek WMA, Sprewell Bluff Natural Area, Fall Line Sandhills Natural Area, Standing Boy Creek State Park, Dixie Creek on West Point WMA, and Gum Swamp Creek on Ocmulgee WMA virtually all to themselves. Fall Line Sandhills Natural Area is brand new too, 876 acres of archery hunting in Taylor County.

Southwest Georgia 
Wildlife biologist Julie Robbins keeps tabs on the deer population--

Overall Prediction:

The deer herd in Region 5 is stable overall.
Some counties in the northern portion of the region have seen declines in deer densities over the past 10 years -- Stewart County in particular -- where others have seen stable to slightly increasing deer herds. Declines in deer numbers can be attributed to increased hunting pressure, changes in the landscape, and possibly other factors such as predation from coyotes and domestic dogs, as well as competition with feral hogs.

Best Hunting in the Area:
Look closely at Chickasawhatchee, to the southwest of Albany, with a firearms success ratio of 17 percent, and the quota hunts at Flint River WMA in Dooly County and River Creek WMA near Thomasville.

New Opportunites:

The 9,000-plus-acre Silver Lake WMA in Decatur County will be open for hunting this year. This area includes the newly-acquired Silver Lake and Hog Farm Tracts which are part of International Paper's Southlands Experimental Forest, as well as about 1,000 acres of what used to be part of Lake Seminole WMA.
The area is planning to offer either-sex archery and primitive weapons hunts, two quota hunts, and two buck-only firearm hunts. The projected deer density is 15 to 20 per square mile. The area is a mix of open longleaf pine stands, industrial forest stands, and hardwood drains and should be good hunting.

Southeast Georgia
This covers Southeast Georgia on the Coastal Plain.

Overall Prediction:
The Altamaha River cuts through the region and its extensive bottoms are good deer habitat. Several large WMAs offer hunters plenty of room in which to spread out.

Best Hunting in the Area:

Bullard Creek WMA provides 13,900 acres of public-land hunting on the Altamaha River near Hazelhurst.
Another Altamaha River tract, 8,100-acre Horse Creek WMA west of Hazelhurst, isn't quite a true river bottom, but is proper lowland nonetheless.
Another WMA that hunters may want to take into consideration is Dixon Memorial WMA just south of Waycross near the Okefenokee Swamp.

Coastal Georgia 
Senior wildlife biologist Brooks Good has advice to offer hunters--

Overall prediction:

The deer herd in the coastal region is in good shape, and continues to offer hunters high percentage hunting opportunities. This past season's mast crop was good to excellent throughout the coastal plain and provided a viable food source for deer late into the season.
Getting some rain this spring was encouraging and as long as the summer was not too dry, browse should be good going into fall.

Best Hunting in the Area:

Top counties in the Lower Coastal Plain are Wayne, McIntosh, and Camden. While deer on the coast tend to be smaller than their cousins in the Upper Coastal Plain and Piedmont, these counties still produce for hunters in good numbers.
The best chance for harvesting a deer is on Sapelo and Ossabaw Islands. Both of these barrier islands offer hunters a unique experience to hunt deer in some of the most beautiful maritime forest in the country.

New Opportunities:
The state of Georgia purchased Clayhole Swamp WMA in Glynn County and Penholoway Swamp WMA in Wayne County. These recent acquisitions have already produced some quality deer and should only get better as improvements continue to be made in wildlife habitat on the property. I would rate these as the up-and-coming WMAs on the coast.

In conclusion...  Wherever you live in Georgia you will be able to find a great hunt. It's time to get started, and with gas prices decreasing, maybe you can even travel to a part of the state you've never visited before.

Photo Credit: (Flickr, By: Alodor)

Looking for a Georgia land sale? Questions to ask when buying land.

2008-10-28T15:55:00.005-04:00

Are you looking for a land parcel to use as "investment land"? Well whether you're looking for a Georgia land sale or an Alabama land sale one thing is the same. The only way to determine if the land is a good buy is to define your intended use for the land.

Many people are looking for cheap land or a good land deal, but how do you define a good buy when you haven't clearly laid out what that criteria really is.

When you are searching for investment land, work to have the following questions answered:

How much land do I need?
Once you know how much land you need it's easier to think through the other facts that play into the cost of land.

Where should my land investment be located?
Often more remote land is cheaper because it is further from shopping, recreation, and schools. Determine if the remote quality of the land will actually cost you more over the long haul.

What type of soil do I need?
Research how the type of soil on land plays into your intended use. Farm soil is different than rocky ground, and you need to determine what fits your needs.

What type of possibilities do I need in terms of vegetation?
Buying timberland can be a great investment, but are you looking for pasture land? Sometimes it is cost effective to buy cleared land rather than taking the added expense of clearing heavy growth later.

What kind of terrain do I want to look for in land for sale?
Obviously unusable topography will make for cheap land. You need to determine your stance on this issue.

What type of utilities do I want available?
Land can seem like a good deal when utilities are not available. After further inspection, the reason the land is so cheap is because septic tanks, phone lines, high speed internet, electricity, and cable are not available.

Do I need a water source on my land investment?
Depending on what you need it for, it can be expensive to create a source of water. If having water is not necessary it can be good that you don't have to worry about potential flooding or environmental regulations.

Do government regulations limit my intended use of the land?
This is pretty self explanatory, but research how the land is zoned to ensure you are able to use the land as you had hoped.

What kind of weather is necessary for my land investment?
If you are buying farm land, what type of weather do your crops need to grow? Consider how weather can effect energy costs and preferred use.

Has the land been affected by environmental issues?
What is the water quality and runoff like on the land? Consider if the area has been exposed to toxins and if there are any industrial plants nearby.

How accessible do I want my land to be?
Determine if you are going to need to pave any roads and how easy it needs to be for others to find your land.

Having the answer to these questions will transition you from a casual buyer to a serious investor.

Buying Land in Today's EconomyIs buying land better than investing in stocks?

2008-10-20T11:02:00.004-04:00

LandThink published an interesting article comparing land investment and stock investment. The article was great, but I thought the best content was in the article's comment section.

A recap of the article:

More Americans own corporate stock than rural land. It seems counter intuitive because stock is risky, but land is not.

People invest in stock because:
1- They are easy to buy and sell
2- They're easy to follow
3- Each company provides information
4- Stock trends lend a certain level of reliability to forecasting it's future
5- Much investing wisdom is free for the listening
6- Ordinary people occasionally "win"

Compares a land investment and a stock investment:

"As a whole, Professor Jeremy Siegel of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School says that stocks show an average gain of seven percent a year when the data are controlled for inflation. This average works when looking at many stocks over many years. It may or may not work for any individual stock; it doesn’t work for the three lousy decades in our memory—the 1930s, 1970s and this one.

Adjusted for inflation, a dollar invested in the S&P 500 in April, 1999 produced no gain at the end of March, 2008. The performance of big U.S. stocks amounts to an average annual rise of 1.3 percent during the past decade after dividends and inflation are counted in. (E.S. Browning, “Stocks Tarnished By ‘Lost Decade,’” Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2008.)"

Seltzer says, "Ordinary cash-strapped, middle Americans usually do better investing in rural land."

Because--

1- Unlike stocks, land investments are decipherable. The information is reasonably transparent. Buyers can learn how to assess liabilities and assets.
2- Scoping a land purchase is more like checking off a list to see if it's all there rather than trying to translate corporate reports.
3- Demand for land grows as the American population grows

In the comments, Julie remarks,

"I don’t think I would rush out and put my money into land. The trouble with rural land is that nobody is paying for it while you hold onto it - it’s not like urban land which can be a parking lot or some other rent generating building until such time as the time is right for development. And buying any type of property with the hope that it appreciates is pretty risky. It’s only one of the ways to make money in real estate. I’d rather bank on generating income from a property and having someone pay my mortgage down for me, then wait for that fickle mistress appreciation to come around so I can make my money."

Which is an interesting point, but I agree with Robert King's rebuttal,

"Rural land can have the benefit of several potential streams of income, just as urban property. Timber harvest, farmland rents, and hunting rents are all passive ways that rural land can generate income. I’m sure some of you can think of others as well.

The smart money is spent on pursuing those rural properties that are, or will be in the near future “transitional” in nature. Meaning, a property that is now rural, but potentially the highest and best use may be something else entirely–a higher valued use. Properties such as these can often be purchased at rural land values, held short-medium term, generate income during the hold period, and benefit from rapid appreciation as the highest and best use changes.

5,000,000% returns is quite a lofty goal. My argument is that land only needs to be a steady 7-10% return to become a better investment than a volatile 10-15% return from stocks, but that does have a great deal to do with one’s tolerance for risk. Take a look at the characteristics of “old money” in America…especially the old money that still has money today. I’ll bet you will find rural real estate as a common thread between them."

Lastly, Richard Ward chimes in,

"As one example, DailyWealth.com likes timberland as an investment property over ANY OTHER form of real estate. Here is what he says:

http://www.DailyWealth.com – “Timberland has actually beaten the stock market since 1960 (as far back as data goes). Stocks did extremely well in that time… up nearly 12% a year. But the total return on timberland was even better, at nearly 14%. Another nice thing is timber is completely uncorrelated to the stock market. It makes sense… the trees have never heard of the NASDAQ bubble… and they don’t know what a War on Terror is.”

Also, I can appreciate Julie’s comments because I hear that objection often. I make offers on land at half-price and then quick turn it to an end-user clearing $5K or more on each deal. If I was in Julie’s position, I would look for parcels that she can get at a rock bottom price and resell them at a healthy profit.

As another option: many are dropping money in their 401K for retirement each month. I would instead step up a Self-Directed IRA, find a good buy on land, purchase the property with IRA funds and grow my money that way. Then I can sell that property at any time and the proceeds of the sale are tax deferred. Then take that money and buy another property and continue to grow your money. You are more in control with your ROI and you can never appreciate how many great buys you can find it you look hard enough.

In this economy, with the roller coaster ride with stocks, I would take land over stocks any day. It’s a no brainer…."

I enjoyed the tips and opinions in the comments. I think the consensus is that buying rural land is typically a wise investment.

How to Get Free Land

2008-10-16T12:52:00.002-04:00

I just invested in hunting land and recreational property in Georgia. I've never been to the exact spot, but it was a deal I could not refuse!

With the state of the economy, should you invest in land? If it's free you should!

Ok ok, this is sort of a joke.

I stumbled across the Own a Piece of America Web site today. The concept is an interesting one.

Through their Web site you can get land in any state of your choice. It's free and legal, and you don't have to pay taxes or maintain the land. You just can't develop or sell the land either. Through the site you can claim your ownership of one square inch lot. It's not really a land investment, but it's a lot of fun!

The owners have purchased all the land and it is fully legal for them to divvy it out an inch at a time.

You can buy framed deeds through the site to give family and friends as gifts, and your name goes on their list of owners.

Definitely borderline gimmicky, but I still think it's fun.

As always, if you actually want to buy land, check out Southern Land Exchange's land for sale. We have real lots with real value. :)

No Child Left Inside: A case study for other states looking to expand their outdoor recreation programs

2008-09-18T10:13:00.006-04:00

Today I came across a blog post about the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's program No Child Left Inside. It's a fantastic initiative to get kids outside enjoying the outdoors. I recommend this Web site to any state's outdoor recreation department looking for ideas. I love the look of the site and its organization(I'm overlooking the broken navigation). It outlines what makes Connecticut special, and all the possibilities its environment has to offer.

More than any other generation, today's kids spend a great deal of time indoors. No Child Left Inside is a promise, and a pledge... to help Connecticut's children live active, healthier lives while they enjoy the natural treasures of our state parks and forests - and discover the rewards of becoming environmentally conscious citizens.

This very special outreach, education and public awareness campaign was created to encourage families to enjoy all the recreational resources and outdoor activities offered by Connecticut's state parks, forests and waterways.

No Child Left Inside is comprised of several programs:

The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure
Park Passes for Foster Families
Park and Forest Interpreters
Urban Fishing Program (my personal favorite)

Through this program, ponds and rivers in cities are stocked with trout; city school children participate in fish stocking events; and volunteers work with students both in the classroom and outdoors to teach them lifelong fishing skills.

Environmental Education
State Park Passes at Libraries
Water Safety

Getting your kids outdoors is a great thing to consider, especially right now. In the South, we're cooling off from Summer and gearing up for some great Fall weather! We're starting to have some great camping, hiking, fishing weather, and I hope everyone will begin taking advantage of it.

The No Child Left Inside Web site got me really excited about the changing weather and spending time outdoors. If anyone knows of a comparable site for Georgia please let me know.

Daily dove bag limit increases in Georgia and South Carolina

2008-08-22T14:32:00.004-04:00

The daily bag limit for dove hunting has increased from 12 birds per day to 15 birds per day.

According to Lake Front Hartwell News, "this change is based on extensive analysis and recommendations from dove biologists from eastern states striving for a consistent mourning dove season and bag limit throughout the Eastern Management Unit (EMU). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the increased bag limit and it is available for the 2008-09 dove season."

Previously if the daily bag limit increased the hunting days decreased, but this year hunters will be able to hunt 15 birds with the full 70-day season in Georgia and South Carolina.

The dove hunting season is segmented into three parts. Georgia will open it season for the first segment on September 6 until September 21. The second segment will open October 11 until 19, and the last segment runs from November 27th to January 10th.

Hunting hours (except for September 6th in Georgia and September 1-6 in South Carolina) will be 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset in both states.

So you ask, "Where do I go dove hunting in Georgia?"

Dove hunting land in Georgia is usually found on or around agricultural fields. Doves like to gather around recently harvested crop fields. Features such as water and perching places (trees, snags, power lines) also appeal to doves.

From the Georgia DNR Web site: "Georgia has more than 90 wildlife management areas (WMA) throughout the state, and there's one within an hour's drive of every Georgian. Through the WMA system, hunters have access to nearly one million acres of hunting land for the price of one WMA stamp."

Here is a PDF from the DNR site that includes hunting regulations and the locations of the WMAs:Hunting Regulations and WMAs

Tips for Buying Land for Sale

2008-08-11T17:08:00.004-04:00

Whether you are looking into buying land for sale as a real estate investment or you're looking to find hunting land for sale there are several general things to consider.

As with any project large in scope, clearly define your goals and expectations. Having a clear understanding of why you want to buy land makes the process a little bit easier. This may seem like a "head-smacking tip," but you'll be glad you clearly outlined your purpose.

Determine what you want your land to be near.

Obviously land further from development is cheaper, but it will be more expensive if you intend to build on it. Builders often charge more the further they have to drive to the site. It can also be costly to dig a well or build a septic tank, and these things may have to be built the further you are from the city.

Determine if you can even build on the land.

According to a CNN Money article, the checklist below will help you determine if the land for sale can be built upon:

ZONING How the land is zoned determines what rises on it. Farmers across the country are subdividing their excess farmland into homesites and hanging FOR SALE signs -- but if the land is still zoned for agricultural use, the law may allow just one home for every, say, 40 acres. A five-acre parcel, therefore, isn't worth much.

Back at city hall, find out what your zoning designation means, whether a zoning change is planned and how to obtain a building permit. Ask what kind of setbacks from the property boundaries are required. Check flood maps to see if the property is in a flood zone. And if your land borders water, environmental regulations may limit your ability to develop the land as you'd like.

UTILITIES Are there hookups for water and sewer, electricity and telephone? If not, find out when the city plans to extend access. If there's no sewer, you'll need to order soil tests from the county health department or a local engineering firm to determine whether the land can support a septic system.

SOIL QUALITY Depending on the region, you may need soil borings to determine how far down builders must go to excavate for your foundation -- too much moisture can add tens of thousands of dollars to building costs. Also, if you need to dig a well for water, find out how deep you'll likely have to go; well digging can get expensive.

TOPOGRAPHY Hills or steep slopes will affect what you can build and how much it will cost. That woodsy tract also means you'll spend big bucks on tree removal in order to build.

ROAD ACCESS If your land isn't accessible by a public road, there should be a deeded right-of-way that gives you the right to access your land. That means you and your neighbors will be responsible for road upkeep, adding more costs to the project. Find out if the road floods during heavy rain or snow.

Finding the money to buy the land for sale is the next step in the whole land buying process. It is also a step that unfortunately can't be skipped.

Many lenders see vacant land as a risky investment so they require large down payments. If you finance the land locally, the lenders may be more familiar with the area, and therefore be more willing to take the risk.

Bird Watching in Georgia-- A sometimes forgotten activity on your recreational land

2008-08-04T16:35:00.003-04:00

While bird watching may seem as exciting to you as watching paint dry, it can actually be a very thrilling past time to adopt on your recreational property.

Now is a perfect time to do a little research on bird watching in Georgia. The fall migration season is just getting started.

Bob Zaremba, a birder in Georgia says, "The fall migration season begins in July with the arrival of the first migrants around the 4th of the month. The first arrivals are usually black-and-white warbler, Northern parula and black-throated green warbler. The migration slowly builds over the next few weeks as cerulean and worm-eating warblers begin to pass through. By the end of the first week of August, prairie and hooded warblers are making an appearance. The migration picks up in late August and into September peaking towards the middle of the month."

Non-migratory birds can also be found year-round in the state. Birds that do not migrate are called resident birds. In Georgia, our year-round resident American goldfinch waits until around this time to breed. Apparently there is a relationship between the flowering of thistles and the start of nest building.

Are you wondering, "Where can I find sites about bird watching in Georgia?"

There are many fantastic resources online that point to what Georgia land is best for birding. You can use these sites to bird watch on your own, or sign up for a bird walk.

Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
http://www.oconeeriversaudubon.org/index.html

eBird
http://ebird.org/content/ebird

Georgia Birding
http://www.georgia-birding.com/

Georgia Hunting Brings Big Bucks to the State

2008-07-31T16:52:00.003-04:00

Our last blog post reported on the delicate issue of land conservation v. lowering the prices of commodities, and it got me thinking about how hunting, fishing, and sportsmen affect the economy.

After a little digging around I stumbled upon a news article that analyzes a report from The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation that "spotlights the immense impact hunters and anglers have on the economy at the national and state level."

The report uses the results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2006 Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and statistics provided by the American Sportfishing Association and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The numbers are pretty staggering.

Sportsmen support as many jobs in Georgia as Delta Airlines and Hewlett Packard combined, two of the largest employers in the state (31,000 jobs).

Annual spending by Georgia sportsmen is nearly four times more than the revenues of the Atlanta Hawks, Braves and Falcons ($1.8 billion vs. $460 million).

Annual spending by Georgia sportsmen is more than the combined cash receipts for cotton, greenhouse/nursery, eggs, and cattle - the state's top agricultural commodities ($1.8 billion vs. $1.67 billion).

Georgia sportsmen spend $207 million annually on outboard boats and engines to get out on the water and around the marshes for fishing and hunting.

Georgia sportsmen could fill every seat at Atlanta Motor Speedway more than nine times (1.2 million vs. 124,000).

If all hunters and anglers living in Georgia voted in the 2004 presidential election, they would have equaled 56% of the entire vote.

You can view your state's data by following this link the the reports' landing page.

Farmers Still Penalized if They Plant on Conservation Land: Ruling is a major victory for conservationists and hunting groups

2008-07-30T15:11:00.005-04:00

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Ed Schafer, the United States agriculture secretary, decided that farmers will still be penalized if they plant crops on land set aside for conservation.

His decision was made based on improving harvest expectations for this year. Recent forecasts indicate that there will be a larger crop than was expected after the floods in the Midwest this June.

After the floods washed farm fields in the Midwest, bakers and livestock owners began to intensify the pressure to erase penalties for planting on lands designated for conservation. If bakers and livestock owners could increase the harvest it would lower high crop prices.

But Schafer says, "We don't feel that the corn and soybean crop will be as bad as we originally feared."

Director of agriculture conservation policy for Ducks Unlimited said, "The Conservation Reserve Program is the holy grail of conservation, and we are pleased that the U.S.D.A. will maintain the program and the benefits that it has had."

On the flip side many farmers believe that the penalty will hurt business owners and consumers who are struggling to pay higher prices for commodities and food.

Schafer did acknowledge that the situation is one that can change rapidly, and that he would reconsider his decision depending on crop conditions.

Learn about herb gardens from The State Botanical Garden of Georgia's Twilight Toasts

2008-07-15T16:09:00.005-04:00

As gas prices and food costs continue to rise many people are investing in a garden.

A great way to learn about gardening is to visit The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Check their Web site for events and classes. They have a great educational and social gathering series called Twilight Toasts--they "combine live music, horticultural information, wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres in a relaxed atmosphere within the Conservatory—the perfect evening event to meet your friends or make new friends!"

The next Twilight Toast will educate guests about herbs:

Thursday, July 24, 2008
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Visitor Center & Conservatory
$10 Friends members/ $15 non-members

From the garden's Web site:

"Twilight Toasts just keeps getting better and better! If you haven’t tried Twilight Toasts yet, now’s the time to meet all of those who wouldn’t want to miss one! Twilight Toasts is an evening adult gathering in the Conservatory, with live music, light hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting from Gosford Wine. Our horticultural segment this time will be an herb tasting, looking at fresh herbs and tasting herbed butters and oils on fresh bread from Big City Bread. Mmm…yum! You’ll find out exactly which herbs to add to your garden to harvest the flavors you enjoy. Call 706-542-1244 for tickets."

Hunting Leases and How They Benefit the Recreational Land Owner

2008-07-14T08:53:00.004-04:00

Owning recreational property is not just a great investment because of the old saying, "buy land, they're not making it anymore," but it can also generate a secondary income like other vacation properties.

There are several property management sites that allow you to list your mountain house or beach home rental, and the same goes for hunting leases.

There are professional listing services that specialize in hunting leases. Making money by renting your land for recreational purposes is a great money making venture.

Land can be leased for other purposes besides hunting. The water sources on the hunting land can be leased for fishing, and the nearby land is probably is a great place for camping as well.

The benefits are numerous for landowners:

Preservation of the land is facilitated by having it tied up in the lease. It will be protected from being converted to housing developments.

The hunters' wildlife management programs reduce your crop damage.

By having a professionally written hunting land lease it will include a release of liability clause.

Leasing your recreational property will allow you to build relationships with other respectful hunters.

Leases will also allow you to know who is on your land, and eliminate trespassing and poaching.

You can create a lease for as short or long as you prefer. Going through a professional service is recommended.

Professional Leasing Agencies:
Base Camp Leasing
National Hunting Leases
High Tech Redneck

Pond Management Instructions from Instructables

2008-07-10T11:23:00.004-04:00

Everyone has an expertise, and that is the basis behind Instructables, The World's Largest Show and Tell.

This Instructable, from Progressive Farmer explains how to manage your farm and fish pond. It covers the basics, and gives you a good idea of a few things involved when considering a pond for your recreational property.

Here is the video-- with an outline and prompts at the bottom:

Introductions:

Dan Miller, Senior Editor of The Progressive Farmer Magazine
Terry Goldsby, from Aqua Services, Inc.

Building the Fish Pond-- :55

There is no recommended set size for any pond, but for bass under an acre is difficult to manage, but 2-3 acres is a good size.

Goldsby recommends not having cattails around the pond. They are weedy, and should be avoided.

Levee by the Pond-- 1:10

Here they are using compactable dirt to raise the water level, and for aesthetic reasons they are covering the aeration pipes.

Pond Slope-- 1:30

It is important for your slope to be steep. When the slope causes the pond to get deep quickly it prevents weed growth.

The Pond's Natural Water Source-- 1:51

It is important to be able to control your water source. In this case they have built a dam on an existing drainage ditch.

When you are able to control your water source you are able to control:

weeds
algae
wild fish
nutrients

You should also use a rain gauge in order to know how much the rain affects your water level.

Evaporation should also be a concern. You can lose 12 gallons/minute/acre, and that is up to 15,000 gallons of evaporation from every acre of pond a day.

The solution is to have an alternative water source like a well.

Fish Habitat-- 2:53

You can create spawning beds with pea gravel in a 10x10 square.

3:17-- Aeration systems are important to have in place in order to provide adequate oxygen for the fish.

3:34-- Fish Attractors

You can buy a fish attractor that acts as a fish's habitat or you can create them with trees and rocks.

3:52-- Natural fish attractors can also by cypress trees. They will grow in the water acting as a fish's natural habitat.

Stocking Fish-- 4:27

When stocking fish you need to form the basis of the food chain. In this case they stocked the pond with small blue gills and small shellcrackers six months before they put in the large mouth bass.

Feeding Fish-- 5:10

Getting an automatic fish feeder is a good idea. It is programmable and throws different quantities of food in at different times.