You have timber property and are considering managing that resource. You want to maximize your property for deer , turkey, rabbits, quail, or a little of all the above while still benefiting from your properties timber value. So where do you start? A good forester is a great start! Part 2 is dedicated to picking the right forester.
Growing up in a family of loggers and being blessed to work in and around the timber industry for a descent portion of my life has given me a little insight. I am sure if you ask around you will come up a "not-so-good" story that someone has had with timbering their property. I admit that just as there are in any industry, you can pick a bad apple. As hunters, we all shrug our shoulders when we see hear about one of our fellow hunters putting our sport in a bad light. And just as it is with anything in life, the bad eggs and bad experiences are usually the ones told the most and portray the whole industry in a bad light.
There is good news. There are associations out there to help us land owners. A good place to start is http://www.ncforestservice.gov . The North Carolina Forestry Service recommends from its website " Landowners may want to request information from several consulting foresters before selecting one. Landowners should evaluate the forester's qualifications, references and fee estimates for specific services needed before choosing a consulting forester. Once a qualified consulting forester has been selected, a contract or written agreement should be signed. It should include: a list of services to be performed; how and when they will be performed; who will perform them; and the cost of the services agreed upon." There is the Association of Professional Foresters " http://www.acf-foresters.org/default.aspx " as well as the Society of American Foresters "http://www.safnet.org/ " which can also aid in your choice.
There is a word of caution. Be honest with the forester about your intentions and your wants. Try to pick someone who is willing to help manage your property for wildlife. You shouldn't just have to clearcut all your mature hardwoods. Diversity as we talked of in part one is a great key to hold mature bucks on your property. Question your potential forester and see if he or she is on the same page or even has as clue about where you want your property to go in the future.
I will end this article by assuring you that it doesn't have to just be money from trees or managing your forest for deer and wildlife. The two can coexist together. In the preview for part 3 we will about TSI as well as planting options for your woods.
