Kentucky Land and Hunting Tips

How Can a Professional Deer Management Service Benefit You?

2008-06-20T14:24:00.001-07:00

How many of you folks live in one state and own a hunting property in another? I know there are lots of you because I sell hunting properties for a living in Western Kentucky and most of my clients live in the Southern states. With $4.00 gas and being limited on time away from your family and work it has become difficult to scout your property in preparation for this upcoming season. How nice would it be to enjoy your time on your farm out of season by not having to scout, do food plot work, complete deer censuses, move stands, and gather game camera pictures? How much enjoyment would you have just being able to arrive the day before the season started, talk to your deer herd manager: get the hottest stand placement to hunt and then just go hunt! If this sounds pretty good to you then hiring a professional deer management service may be the answer you are looking for. Let me tell you how a service like this can benefit you and help you harvest more trophy deer.

Harvesting trophy bucks is the goal of all Whitetail deer hunters. Unfortunately, most hunters do not ever seem to get that prize and it is due in large part to a lack of management and preparation. When you are an out of state land owner it is difficult and expensive to travel hundreds of miles, multiple times a year to develop your hunting property. A professional deer management service can be more cost effective, due to travel costs; it can enhance the value of your property and increase the chances of consistently harvesting those trophy bucks you desperately want. I have listed some of the benefits of using a professional deer management service below:

If you are an out of state land owner a deer management service can be more cost effective than driving to and from your property multiple times a year. Saving you money on all of the other expenses incurred with each trip as well, such as meals, lodging, and supplies.
A professional deer management service can enhance the value of your property by improving the deer herd, creating and maintaining food plots, establishing and documenting a deer management plan, maintaining a deer census, keeping harvest records, and game camera photos. All of these things will add value to your property and enhance the resale value of your property.
The service can increase your chances of harvesting a trophy buck because the scouting has been properly done. And with the use of game cameras bucks have been identified and patterned for harvest.
A deer census can be compiled to identify the age of the herd and the buck to doe ratio. With that information a plan can be created to develop the herd into a trophy buck producer.
Tree stands can be moved and properly placed for maximum effectiveness for the hunt.
Game cameras can be utilized to pattern deer movement and identify bucks to harvest. The service usually supplies the cameras and gathers all of the information. All of the photos are the landowners and in most instances can be sent via email.
Most services compile a written document verifying harvest data and census information.
Many services provide food plot creation and management.
Some services even provide timber management as an optional service.
Aids in the security of the property by having someone monitor the farm while you are not there.

As you can see by the list it would literally be impossible for an out of state landowner to implement this type of management on his/her property without hiring a full time farm manager to do it. However, all of this can be accomplished by professionals that know how to manage deer hunting properties. Usually, it is considerably cheaper than you might think. In addition, it will greatly increase your chances of harvesting a trophy buck and increase the value of your investment. So if you already own a property in another state or you are thinking about buying one you need to give some thought about utilizing a professional deer management service to enhance the value and enjoyment of your investment.

For more information about Professional Deer Management Services Click Here!

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Know What You Want in a Recreational Real Estate Property before You Look

2008-06-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

When trying to find that ultimate recreational real estate property or hunting tract, the one that will turn your dreams into reality, you need to have a defined goal in mind. That goal should be well defined before you start to look at properties. The question you must ask yourself is why am I buying this property? Is it for family entertainment and recreation with hunting being important but not the only reason for the purchase? Or, is it strictly a whitetail hunting property for the hardcore hunter? How you answer this question will play a role in what type of properties you need to consider. Once you know why you are buying the property it becomes easier to define the parameters that will define your purchase. Now that we have answered that important question we can start to take a look at why it is important to know what you want before you look.

If you are a hardcore hunter and you are looking for that dream hunting tract your goals should be different than the person looking for a recreational piece. A truly great hunting tract combines multiple environments that melt together to create awesome deer habitat. These properties may not have the breathtaking views and most likely will contain some pretty thick and nasty habitat areas. One example is cut over timber tracts, they make awesome hunting properties. However, they usually are not the most beautiful tracts to look at. Great whitetail deer hunting properties will combine some or all of the following traits:

· Thick bedding areas for cover this can be cut over timber areas, old crop or pasture fields that have become over grown, or thickets and briars.

· Open timber that can produce some quality mast for late fall nutrition.

· Water, either ponds, lakes, springs, or perennial creeks.

· Areas to plant food plots, if food plots are not already established, for nutritional needs and to utilize to hunt.

· Access to the areas you hunt is important. You do not want to have to walk or ride through the heart or bedding areas of your property to access your stand or blinds. You also want to consider how easy it is for unwanted trespassers to get on the property.

· Make sure there is sign of deer on the property. Don’t worry about how big the deer are right now. If you are buying properties in the right areas of the country the genetics are there to grow big deer. You are buying the property for the long haul and quality deer management will generate the deer to meet your goals.

· Access to power and water if you are looking to build on the property. Don’t let this keep you from buying that proven hunting tract. Today’s technology allows for water and power to be attained in creative ways. Some examples would be using a cistern for water instead of running a waterline. If you are only going to be at the property a few weeks a year this can be an option.

Great hunting tracts combine a mixture of these traits. It takes it all to have that special property and if managed right even small tracts can be very successful hunting properties. You notice I did not mention crop ground! That is because crop ground is nice to have as an income source but it is not a requirement. You can create nutrition with food plots, mineral licks, and feeders. Crop ground, while great for income, is not a year round food plot. They are a bonus to any great hunting tract but not a requirement. In my opinion, these are the traits to look for when trying to buy a great hunting tract. If the previous owners hunted the property find out how they managed the farm. Ask for deer documentation through the form of pictures of harvested animals, game camera photos, and video.

For the recreational buyer that has hunting as a secondary goal your priorities are a little different. Most recreational buyers want to build so views and access to power and water become more important. Great recreational tracts don’t have to contain all of the important traits of a hardcore hunting tract. Properties with a higher percentage of open ground to woods may work better for the recreational enthusiast. Location of the property can play a role. Being close to towns, state parks, lakes, or rivers for entertainment is important for a lot of landowners that wish to enjoy themselves.

Remember, that there never has been the perfect property created but you can transform a high quality piece of real estate into that dream hunting or recreational piece. Having, that decision made before you start to look will save you valuable time and effort in your quest to finding that dream parcel. I would also encourage you to use a professional Realtor that specializes in the kind of properties you are looking for. Residential Real Estate Agents are not always the right choice when buying hunting or recreational real estate. Look up a land specialist in the area you are looking to buy for the best results.

If you are interested in some Quality Whitetail Properties click here!

To Food Plot or Not to Food Plot?

2008-03-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

Food plots have become the in vogue thing to do these days when hunting whitetails. They can be a great asset to hunting and harvesting deer. Unfortunately, most hunters have relied to heavily on them. Food plots are not the savior to bagging that trophy buck that takes more than just sowing some seed. However, food plots are an integral part of any successful QDM program. There are some traps not to fall into when thinking about food plots on your farm.

Do not over hunt the plots!!!
Actually, you need to have some plots designated just for nutritional plots and others for hunting.
Placement and shape of your plots are vital for success.

First, let's talk about how you hunt your plots. Hunting food plots in early season can be a great way to bag a trophy buck. Early in the season you can catch those monsters while they are still in their late summer feeding pattern. It is important to get the plots established in the spring or early summer for some late summer feeding. Once established stay out of the food plots, it is important to keep your scent out of the area. In addition, every time you check on that plot you are disturbing the feeding pattern of the deer that use the plot. If you feel the need to check on the plot make sure you do it during the middle of the day and be quick to get in and get out. When it is time to hunt make sure to make the kill and get the prize out quickly. Then give the food plot a rest for a week or so until you hunt it again. If you over hunt the plot you will notice a decrease in the number of deer you see as the season progresses. So establish the food plot, stay out, then hunt early and allow time to rest the plot. Make multiple hunting plots that you can rotate on.

If you have the space you need to develop some food plots on the property that are strictly nutritional food plots. The plots are off limits to hunting! They should be safe havens for deer to feed. Food plots are an economical way to increase the level of nutrition into your deer herd. Increased nutritional levels will promote antler growth in bucks and higher and earlier conception rates in the does. Hunting plots should be placed near bedding areas or travel corridors that deer use. It makes no sense to put a plot in an area that deer do not normally travel in. You will not pull deer into areas, in daylight hours, if they do not feel safe. If it is not a natural travel corridor or near a bedding area you are wasting your time and money. Setting up hunting food plots leads us to our last pitfall.

As mentioned in the last paragraph you should place hunting plots in or near areas that are heavily used and travelled by deer. These areas could be near bedding areas, funnels, pinch points, or travel corridors. Make sure you plan ahead and scout your farm before you spend your money and time building food plots. Learn where your deer are bedding down and the routes they travelling. The shape of your huting food plots is also important. Square or rectangular food plots are poor design shapes. You might be able to see them better but this is not about you it is about the deer! Highly successful hunting plots should be odd shaped with some curves in them. You might not be able to see them as well but deer feel safer and you will get more utilization. Plots need to have a curved, snaky, look to them. Additionally, they should have some transitional zones in them from the timber to the open plot. This can be achieved by letting the vegetation grow or planting corn or some native grasses.

Don't make the same mistakes most hunter's make when it comes to food plots. Use these tips to avoid the pitfalls of food plots to make your hunting more enjoyable and successful. Food plots are a vital part of quality deer management and can be a great harvesting tool. However, they are not the silver bullet when it comes to bagging that trophy buck. Learn to use them right and you will increase your success rate and create a trophy herd of deer.

Good Luck on the Hunt!

If you are interested in some Quality Whitetail Properties click here!

Start Preparing for Hunting Season, Now!!!

2008-02-21T15:48:00.000-08:00

If you want to land that trophy Buck you need to rely on skill and management not luck. The time to start getting ready for Whitetail hunting season is now. Some of the things you need to begin doing with your property is planning your food plots, looking for sheds, getting soil samples, and monitoring your herd. Having a plan going into the season will pay huge dividends in the quality of bucks you will harvest. Below are some items to think about as you prepare for the fall.

Start thinking about food plot placement. Look for places that coincide with the natural movement of deer. Make sure the areas are safe for deer to feed in so they don't feel threatened. Deer will utilize more of the plot if they feel safe.
Take soil samples to make sure you get the proper application of fertilizer. Your local extension office can help.
Start looking for sheds on the property. Hunting sheds is a great tool to see what bucks are left from last year.
Track and monitor your herd. Use cameras and maybe some video to help determine patterns in travel and feeding.
Establish a sanctuary on the property that you can use for a bedding area. Once establsihed make sure you stay out of that area!! You could set up game camera's on the travel corridors going in and out of that area to help monitor the deer bedding in that area.

If you will use these tips and start today getting ready for the fall you will increase the chances of landing that huge buck. Keep in mind that harvesting quality deer takes proper management and a little bit of luck! However, if you use proper QDM practices you can increase your odds of harvesting the Trophy Whitetail.

If you are interested in some quality Whitetail Hunting Properties take a look here!

Exciting News!!

2007-12-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

I have some exciting news about my Kentucky Land and Hunting Properties web site. There are two big things going on that I think you will like. These changes will help me provide better service to you.

The first is the official announcement of my partnership with Whitetail Properties. Many of you have seen their show on the Sportsman Channel. I will be a real estate representative for them in Western Kentucky. I am excited about this opportunity because I am committed to offering the best hunting tracts in my region. This will separate myself from other Realtors in my area and signify me as a true professional in my field. I was honored to have the opportunity to join the Whitetail Properties team. There a many new and exciting things that we are going to be offering in the very near future. Since I specialize in Hunting and Recreational Properties my partnership with Whitetail Properties provides me an avenue bring higher quality hunting tracts to my clients. In addition, it identifies me as a true professional in the Recreational and Hunting Properties Real Estate Industry.

The second announcement is I am going to be adding a new affiliate in Bass Pro Shop to my web site. My visitors will have the opportunity to shop from the Nation's Leading Outdoors Retail Store. It is under construction and I will let you know when we are about to launch. I think it will provide you an added service that you deserve.

Take a look at my latest Property Listings.

Thanks

Mark Williams

What is Quality Deer Hunting Ground?

2007-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

As a professional Realtor that specializes in Recreational Properties, primarily deer hunting properties, I get asked that question all the time. A quality hunting tract does not have to be a large tract of ground. You can easily make a small acreage tract a super hunting tract. There are 4 qualities a superior hunting tract must have.

Food - A food source is a must!!! It does not have to be crop ground as a lot of people might think. If there is a large amount of nut producing trees that might be sufficient. However, the best way to get high quality nutrition into your deer is to plant food plots that will meet the nutritional demand for that time of the year. When antler production starts it is important to get a lot of protein into the diet as well as minerals. A farmers crops are an excellent food source but they might not meet all of the demands for your deer year round.
Water - A water source is vitally important. The object is to keep the deer from having to travel long distances to meet their needs. Make sure the property you are looking at has ponds, creeks, or a river that can provide a year round water source.
Cover - Deer would rather travel under cover as to walk out into open ground. To hold big deer you must have cover. The thicker parts of your farm is the better!!! A tract that is all open timber without much underbrush will not hold many deer.
Bedding Area - Your farm needs adequate bedding area for deer to feel safe when bedding down. It must be an area that has plenty of cover and will make the animal feel secure.

Not every property combines everyone of these criteria. The good news is that you can create any of these needs on your farm. When you do you will notice a huge difference in the amount of deer you will see.

Get all four of these needs met on your farm and you will start harvesting bigger bucks!!! That is what it is all about.

Take a look at some of the Whitetail Properties I have available in some of the best Whitetail Deer Hunting areas in North America. Take a look at Quality Whitetail Properties