Hunting Alabama Land for Investment or Recreation?

Thinning hunting land in south Alabama can be easy but, you should pay attention to a few specific details to ensure what’s best for the land, the remaining timber and your pocketbook in the present and for future land sales.

The first step I take is hiring an Alabama registered and licensed forester, preferably one recommended by a trusted source. I’ll ask him to provide a timber evaluation, also referred to as a “cruise.” The cruise will give the age, type, quantity, estimated volume, present dollar value and future value if managed properly. I will also ask him to make note of any parasites and diseases and to provide recommendations, such as burning, fertilizing, pesticides… and in his opinion, where would he put wildlife attracting green fields for hunting.

When considering timber management, it is important to understand that at some point between seedling and maturity the trees will have outgrown their area. At that point they will begin competing with each other for sun and water. As a result, the stand (area of same age trees) will begin to suffer and basically stop to growing in both size and weight. That’s very bad because it is the timber’s weight that determines its sale value. So… now what? Now, it’s time for “select thinning,” which simply means harvesting every 3rd or 4th row (about 25% to 30%) and any stunted or non desired trees out of the stand. This is repeated every time they “outgrow the dirt” until only large, mature timber remains. Each time you thin the timber on your hunting property, the remaining trees get a chance to age, become larger and increase in quality thereby enhancing the sale value of your next harvest.

Choosing and hiring an established and reputable timber company is not a task to be taken lightly. Nightmare stories abound from contracting with “fly by nighters”. In all parts of the country, including Alabama, word of mouth is a great way to find quality companies. Once found, research them and ask them to look at your property and give their bids. Remember to reference the forester’s notes, to show the placement of green fields. They will then, provide a list of the different types of trees to be harvested and how much they’re willing to pay per ton.

Once the high bidders are found, ask them to show you some of their older and most recent work. Also, don’t hesitate to ask the landowners about their experiences with the timber company. Looking at other sites will give you an idea of the quality of work by that company and show the differences of appearance between lesser and heavier thinning.

Now is the time to ask for “favors!” If you need some ditching, road repair, a culvert replaced (you provide culvert) a raw road pushed up or any dozer work this is when you need to ask!

Once a company is chosen and all is agreed, a contract with all mentioned, from the sale prices quoted, percentage to be harvested, (where and which rows) favors and the time in which they have to be finished, is written and signed by both parties. If you’re ever uncomfortable, never hesitate to run any questions by a real estate attorney before proceeding. If someone “can’t wait”, just walk away from the deal. The risks just outweigh the rewards.

Now, hire a kid! Yes, hire a kid or someone to take a ledger of the timber as it leaves the hunting land. Simply set up an area for someone to take a picture of the back of each truck’s load of timber as it’s leaving. Make sure the camera is set to show the date and time. Most do not go to this measure but it’s a good way to be sure that all is accounted for. On that note, you should receive payment for the sale of harvested timber within 10 days to two weeks. This should continue regularly, as long as the weather does not interfere.

What to expect and do next. First, expect the property to look awful! There’s nothing pretty about logging or their aftermath. They’re noisy, destructive and because of the typical south Alabama mud, the roads may be impassible by average vehicles. But, this may be necessary to accomplish their goal. Unfortunately, others, such as hunters do not, or will not want to accept this. Therefore, sometimes, war has been known to break out between the two. So, if hunters are part of the equation, make sure to let them know exactly when and on which part of the hunting land the logging will take place. Furthermore, insist that both the loggers and hunters respect YOU by respecting one another or you will dissolve any further agreements. Be prepared to stand by your words and never lose control of either party. Periodically, drop in and check things out. The logging is quite interesting to watch and it’s a good idea to make sure things are going “as planned” because once cut, there’s no putting them back!

Okay, the thinning is complete. But while at it, why not go ahead and complete all that’s good for your trees to further help them out? Again, refer to the forester’s notes as to any pesticides that may need to be applied. Also, consider a controlled burning, followed by chemical brush killers to keep the underbrush from building back up anytime soon. If needed, fertilizing should complete the process for some time. The less underbrush, the more sun, water and other essential nutrients will reach the pines resulting in healthy, heavy, valuable timber for the next thinning. Also, the previously unassailable property, due to its thick underbrush will soon be full of wildlife coming in to take advantage of the fresh green shoots and new found habitat, resulting in much better hunting land. Not to mention, if a wildfire threatens your property, the risk of damage is far less than before because the fuel (underbrush) has been removed! Oh, yes. By the next year and each to follow, the property will grow prettier and take on an all new look.