Tree Farmer - March/April 2011 - (Page 40)

profit from Your Jeff Text and Photos by Jackson hunting resources A cabin in the woods made of salvaged doors. wildlife matters hunting leases 40 several years ago i was touring a group of natural resource managers from india on our land. They had come to america to learn about american forest management. They had seen various versions of our industrial forest management. now they were curious to see a small family-owned forest – and they were amazed. “you have a private forest?” they asked. “Just yours?” They were stunned; they said that in india only the extremely wealthy could afford such a luxury. further, we had a diversity of wildlife for hunting. in india, as in a number of countries, many species of wildlife have been extirpated. only the very rich get to hunt. such is the case in much of the world. In America, nearly everyone can have access to wildlife, hunting, and wild places. We spend a lot in pursuit of wildlife. According to the 2006 national survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife association recreation, 87.5 million Americans spent $122 billion on wildlife-related recreation. Landowners can get a share of these dollars by providing access to their lands by leasing and guiding. Guided hunting in its various forms means assisting a guest achieve “success.” Leasing is easier, and requires less work and attention to detail. Get appropriate liability insurance for whatever kind of recreation you provide for guests. and helps create success. A simple lease provides a private environment where leasees can connect with your land and create their own experience. Almost any land with huntable game is leasable. Deer are the main thing in most of the country; small game is an attractive addition. Bird hunting – quail, pheasant, turkey, mourning dove, and ruffed grouse are favorites – and waterfowl hunting, especialJeff Jackson is a wildlife management consultant, based at his Tree Farm in Arnoldsville, Georgia. He is a retired professor of wildlife management and former Extension wildlife specialist at the University of Georgia. Reach him at (706) 543-2656. For most Tree Farmers, the easiest way to profit from wildlife is a lease. Deer leases are the most common kind of lease in much of the country. Hunters rent the rights to visit and hunt the land for a certain time. The landowner’s role in managing a hunting lease is different from guided hunting. A guide plays a major role in the hunter’s experience International Year of Forests, 2011 Tree Farmer MARCH/APRIL 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tree Farmer - March/April 2011

Tree Farmer - March/april 2011
Contents
Cover Story
A Farm Bill Progress Report
West Point Tree Farm Profile
Ties to the Land
Land of Enchantment
2011 National Tree Farmer Convention
Wildlife Matters
Sharing Your Experiences

Tree Farmer - March/April 2011