seat time for hunting rights

teach · Mar 17, 2005

This one is for all you folks who like to hunt and/or cut firewood. Here in Little Rhody it is getting very hard to find private property to gain access to for hunting. but I just scored 200 acres! How? I traded seat time for sole trespass rights. I offered to help the landowners with their forestry plan, which is for tax purposes, by using my little "orange" 16 hp tractor to cut in some trails and make two very small clearcuts. At first I wasn't sure my little tractor was up to skidding out trees, but today it worked great! I was taking out trees up to 20" in diameter and anywhere from 12' to full length long, depending on the diameter. It is slow going because I have to drag them some distance, but I enjoy the seat time. In return, I get to keep all of the wood, and I gain sole access for deer/turkey hunting. This might be something for other hunters to keep in mind. In the future I will maintain the trails with my brushhog. It enables me to not only maintain a positive relationship with the landowner, but also to project a positive image of hunters to the general public.
teach

MMM · Mar 17, 2005

That's a cheap lease fee! I hope it works out in subsequent years for you.

willfick · Mar 18, 2005

I've got a similar deal with the hunt club that leases 3 or 4 thousand acres of timber company land between me and the river. Free dues (usually $1250 a year) in return for as much backhoe work as I feel like doing.
Goes both ways; I don't hunt and fish much, and prolly don't come out ahead cash-wise anyway, but it sure is fun digging in the swamp.
Wm

JeffSpencer · Mar 18, 2005

MMM has a point. I had the same kind of deal awhile back. After going above and beyond the requirements, I lost access after I got the property "just right." I would suggest working out some sort of agreement in writing.

Panache · Mar 18, 2005

Most paid for leases are the same way. Renewable at the discretion of both parties. I allow the same work for hunting rights on my place and I will provide the tracator. Peop[le would rather pay $1000 than work.