Creating a Steady and Sustainable Farm Income By: Darrel James

Sun, 24 May 2009 13:14:48 -0600

Farmers work tirelessly in an effort to achieve a steady and sustainable farm income. The socially and politically changing landscape of the world combines with the nature of commodities in general, and the result is the creation of legitimate concern for anyone making their livelihood in farming. The nature of the work many farmers do requires long days during busy seasons of the year. During these seasons the absolute last thing any farmer wants to incur is an interruption. It should go without saying that several interruptions, or several weeks of constant interruptions, drastically impacts the amount of work accomplished. Bearing this in mind, it is easy to understand why many farmers and ranchers simply find it easier to not allow hunting of any kind on their property. This is a travesty, as many farmers have in place everything they need to create sustainable income solely through the control of their farm or ranch land as it relates to hunting.

When examining sustainable farm income, income from all sources must be examined. In addition, the current use of resources on the farm must be compared against their alternate uses in order to accurately determine which use will provide the maximum sustainable income. For example, if one is growing five acres of corn, one must examine the final cost of the corn when sold at market and compare it to other crops that might be grown and their final cost at market. If the difference between what is being grown and what could be grown is positive, it is likely the best choice has been made. Conversely, if the result is negative, perhaps a change is in order. Similarly, if a farmer has 500 acres with regular wildlife and does not hunt the property, a fair question for the farmer to ask is “how much might I make if I allow hunting on my land?” This question has many answers.

Providing private land to hunt can be a lucrative source of sustainable income for farmers and ranchers. The types of animals that can be found on the property as well as the frequency with which those species can be hunted often provides the first indication as to what kind of sustainable income might be generated by allowing hunts. For example, if there is good potential a hunter could harvest a trophy elk, the land will generate more income than if there is only a chance cow elk licenses can be filled. Similarly, if a small section of a stream that never freezes is abundant with waterfowl, the price per day, per gun for allowing hunting can be commanding compared to a similar property without such a water feature.

Simply having property ideally suited for hunting and determining that hunting will be allowed only goes half the distance required to realize an increased, steady and sustainable farm income. Marketing the property to hunters is the second half of the equation. To this end, one of the primary reasons farmers and ranchers do not allow hunting is due to the constant interruptions they encounter during hunting season. Marketing your land to hunters on your own might seem cost effective initially, but during the busy seasons, this can create a situation where interruptions are constant and the work required on the farm or ranch suffers or is only completed with increasingly long days. There exists no practical advantage to allowing hunting and creating a situation previously avoided by not allowing hunting.

There are many services geared to get hunters onto private land, ostensibly operating to help the landowner and the hunter find common ground. Taking time to find the most appropriate service is worth any landowner’s time as this is the key in developing a sustainable income. The fine print in many service agreements often prohibits the landowner from using their land as they see fit, any agreements should be entered with caution. Many outfitters gain the rights to hunt private land then collect thousands of dollars from out of town or out of state hunters by allowing them to hunt the property. In exchange, the landowner often times gets little more than a bottle of scotch and a thank you. There is not anything wrong with free scotch, the point here is the landowner could often fair far better simply by enlisting the help of a company whose purpose is to legitimately serve hunters and landowners.

When selecting a company, landowners should consider many things. First, whether or not there is a cost associated with enrollment. This should be a red flag to any farmer or rancher. An enrollment fee is akin to an Internet scheme where you are told you won the lottery but have to pay the processing costs up front. Do not do it, keep shopping. Another consideration is with regard to the exposure their land will get. Many services limit the exposure of the land to “members” or collect an annual subscription fee from hunters before they are allowed to look at available properties. This too is ridiculous. Imagine you are in the market to buy a car so you go to the dealership and are told for $19.95 you can have all the test drives you want for a week. You would find another dealership, so should you also find another company. Another red flag should be noted if a company guarantees your land will be hunted, and more importantly, that you will realize instant revenues from hunting. The nature of the industry is such that any guarantee should be very closely examined. Odds are you will find a ponzi scheme in somewhere in the guarantee.

Building a steady and sustainable source of income simply for allowing activities such as hunting on your farm or ranch is easier than you might think. If you could use extra money, weigh the pros and cons of allowing hunting. Take time to find a company or service that can help you realize your goals while simultaneously requiring as little of your time as possible. Make sure you read the fine print associated with any agreements before you enter into them. And finally, be realistic in your expectations. Do not expect a flood of well-funded hunters to over bid for the privilege of hunting your land simply because it is now available. Focus on the long-term outcome and a steady, sustainable income will be realized.

Copyright 2009

Let Your Land Make You Money: The Free Market Farm Subsidy By: Darrel James

Tue, 19 May 2009 12:50:46 -0600

Farm subsidies began in 1933 as part of FDR’s Agricultural Adjustment Act. However, well before and long after farmers, ranchers, and landowners have often asked: How can my land make money? Creative utilization of assets of any nature have longed served to make individuals extra money. With an asset like farm or ranch land, there exists many opportunities for farmers and ranchers to let their land make money.

Several considerations should be made by farmers, ranchers, and landowners when they initially put in place the practical steps needed to have the question “how can my land make money?” move from the abstract, to a steady stream of income. The size, location, current use, potential use, and accessibility of the land are all important considerations. In addition, the goals of the landowner will also dictate the manner in which land is used to make money.

Popular alternatives that are relatively “hands off” for the landowner include allowing individuals to hunt, fish, or camp on the property. Some hunting leases for big game animals bring in thousands of dollars over a relatively short period of time. Other hunting leases, such as those for goose hunting, bring in less on a per hunt basis but are more manageable and provide a steady source of money over a longer period of time. Similar to hunting, if the property has water fixtures suitable for fishing, selling per day or per week authorization to fish provides another way landowners can let their land make them money. Finally, there are a number of outdoor enthusiasts who love to camp but shun the idea of being constrained by the boundaries of a public campsite. If the land in question is suitable for camping, landowners can market these attributes as well.

Hunting, camping, and fishing are not the only ways landowners can find an answer to the question, “how can my land make money?” Not all land is ideally suited for the aforementioned activities. Notwithstanding, there are other opportunities to make money from land. Heavily treed areas can be thinned and the wood cut can be sold. If the property is good for grazing or pasturing animals, arrangements can be made with ranchers in need of such land. Instances of this nature provide landowners an opportunity to barter or trade which may provide some tax advantages depending upon the size and scope of the arrangement.

Even if the property appears to be good for very little, do not discount the notion that it may be able to make extra money. Perhaps a cellular service tower or other fixture could be placed on the property. An arrangement of this nature could provide anything from a steady stream of income to free cellular phone service, or both.

In short, there exist numerous ways and opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to realize a tangible monetary answer to the question, “how can my land make money?” Regardless of the size, shape, or current use of the land in question, a creative outlook will certainly help segue the abstract question to an answer that is money in the bank.

Copyright 2009

How to Value a Hunting Lease By: Darrel James

Sat, 2 May 2009 12:49:32 -0600

Among the considerations hunters make during the various seasons they choose to hunt is whether or not they pay for a hunting lease. If a hunting lease is undertaken, valuing the lease appropriately is an important part of the hunting lease process. Whether the hunting lease is for a one-week elk hunt, or a season of goose hunting, several tangible and intangible factors should be considered when valuing a hunting lease.

Comparable leases, abundance of public land, and productivity of the land relative to the game hunted are all tangible considerations. The first step in properly valuing a hunting lease is to do some research and find out what similar leases cost. Be careful to make an “apples to apples” comparison here. The value of a lease for elk hunting on a 500 acre parcel known for monster bull elk, surrounded by over-crowded public land is not the same as the same 500 acre parcel if there is little game on the property and a good mix of public and private land surrounding the parcel. Similarly, one cannot reasonably compare the price per gun rate on a one-day goose hunting lease to a trespass fee associated with a successful bear hunt. Logic and common sense should serve as the metric here when comparing hunting leases. Sound research on comparable hunting leases, public land, and average game harvested from the land will serve to guide any hunter in the right direction when looking for a hunting lease.

The primary intangible factor that must be considered when finding a hunting lease is hunter motivation. Motivation and goals may serve to add value to a lease that other hunters may not find. If a hunter has only two or three solid days to hunt, there may be an intangible value to the hunter if private leases are already in place. If a hunter knows the area well, when seasons are busy and when public land is crowded, there may be value in a private lease depending upon when the hunt will take place.

Like any other aspect of a hunting trip, determining the need for a hunting lease and the underlying value of such a lease takes some thought, time, and planning. Taking time to compare hunting leases, examining land availability, and researching harvesting trends will provide any hunter with excellent insight into the underlying value of a hunting lease.

Copyright 2009

Find Private Land to Hunt By: Darrel James

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:47:41 -0600

What is the easiest way to find private land to hunt?

Anyone who has hunted for more than a season or two has faced the dilemma common to all hunters, crowded public land. For some hunters, hunting takes place locally and they know the landowners who will and will not allow hunting on their private property. This works great for locals, but what about all the hunters who have a familiarity with the area only because they did some scouting, or only because that is the area where they drew a license? How can these hunters find private land to hunt and not fritter away the few days they have to hunt?

The law is very clear in its requirements that hunters obtain permission to hunt on private property. When violated, this single rule can lead to a five-year suspension of hunting privileges in some states. Indeed it is worthwhile to plan ahead and find private land to hunt in order to avoid overcrowded public land, or being tempted by a close shot that is “barely” on private property.

The two perspectives you should keep in mind are yours as the hunter, and the landowners. Hunting season is a frustrating time not only for hunters, but also for landowners. The requirement to get permission before hunting on private land combines with the fact that hunting season is limited in its duration and the results are sometimes less than positive. This combination creates a situation where landowners feel constantly intruded upon by strangers seeking only to find private land to hunt. Conversely, hunters feel frustration when permission cannot be gained either by the inability to contact a property owner, or the property owner's denial. During hunting season, land owners and hunters have two things in common: increased frustration and wasted time.

A few simple steps can be taken to avoid the headaches normally associated with finding private land to hunt. First, take time to plan the hunt. Many hunters spend time preparing their gear, sighting in guns, testing equipment, and doing many other activities in preparation of the hunt. Include research in this list. This is particularly important if you have not hunted an area previously. Getting there early to scout is one thing, but a wealth of information can be found about an area via the Internet.

Landowners vary in their approachability with regard to hunting on their land, but it pays to have information in advance. Look in public records to find anyone who owns large parcels of land, see about a contact number. You will wish you did if you find the only thing separating you from a trophy bull is a fence with a sign that says, “Ask first”.

When the season comes set out with your hunting gear, as well as information and contacts. After a day or two of scouting you will be in great shape and ready to be successful during your hunt.

Happy hunting.

Copyright 2009

Spring Turkey Time is Here!!!

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 18:18:51 -0600

Well at long last Spring Turkey Time has arrived. We have several specials available at the IronAim store to celebrate this fabulous season.

Happy Hunting Everyone!

Visit us at store.ironaim.com for our turkey specials and much, much more.