Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Monday, November 06, 2006

Hey, Sucker, Look What You Can't See Any More!


Before I demolished the illegal tree stand on my property I climbed up into it and took a few shots of 1/3 of our property there. As you can see, this was a perfect spot to spot deer and other wild animals. I'll go back every other day and see if these Idiots return?

8 comments:

joe albero said...

gr ass roots,

Although I personally think you're an a-hole I'll answer this question. I purchased the land this way. 10 acres of our land is involved in a Forestry Program for 10 years. We'd like to keep it that way for good and probably will. The other 22 acres will be developed with only one home on it, barns and other Zoo related exhibits. When and "if" we decide to grow, well, we've got the 10 acres to work with at that point.

swampcritter2 said...

Joe, most rural landowners use the money from hunting leases on their properties to pay their property tax. I live on a tree farm in Worcester County. Hunting land is at a premium right now. In my area some woodland tracts can go over $10 per acre. I met a guy who worked in soil conservation who told me that he charges a flat $500 per hunter per year. No matter what you charge, have to be judicious about who you rent to and watch 'em real close. You need a contract that absolves you of all liability. If anyone drives a nail in a marketable tree on my tree farm it's an automatic adios. Something for you to consider if you go that route.

joe albero said...

Swampcritter,

Thanks for the advise. However, let's not forget the woman I am married to worked in a Zoo for 18 years caring deeply for animals. NO ONE is going to humt and kill "animals" on this property, if you know what I mean?

Besides that, the forestry program we're in far exceeds to tax payments yearly on this property, so we wouldn't need hunters anyway.

Anonymous said...

there is 2 sides to that arguement Joe.
I counted no less than 8 dead deer on the side of the road today, and nearly ran into one tonight leaving deal island. Harvesting is far more desirable to Detroit's Disease or starvation. There are no natural predators on the shore except man and motor vehicle. In the state of Pennsylvania last year more deer were killed by motor vehicle than by all types of hunting combined. Hunting in and of itself is an honorable sport, it's the idiots that hurt all of us. By the way I quit hunting about 5 years ago because of them.

joe albero said...

SRR,

We agree with that theory as well. Jennifer isn't actually against hunters. However, she is against illegal hunters and these people are definitely spotting deer on the pond at night and would be next to impossible to catch then unless DNR or someone like them staked out the place. We're working on that as well.

What makes this property so desirable is the multiple places for deer to bed. The vegetation is perfect, water for them to drink regularly and it was undisturbed for so long.

We let a friend hunt there last season and he got a 12 pointer. As we were driving up to the property one evening there were at least 5 deer slowly walking onto the property.

Sunday we were within 3 feet of a fox when we got there, that was really cool! It will make for a nice home one day.

Oh, by the way, if you're going to kill it you MUST eat it! That's our other rule.

Anonymous said...

I you aren't going to eat it then shoot it with a camera!

Anonymous said...

but that policy is really old fashion!
CMT awards are great tonite.
Martina McBride is still #1 in my books.

swampcritter2 said...

Joe, If my wife felt the same way as yours about hunting deer, I'd have to admit I'd probably acquiese also. I'll never have that problem though as my wife hates deer. Since we moved to the boondocks, we have struck deer with our vehicles no less than 8 times. Because they are such a nuisance we've had to opt to include the comprehensive package on our auto insurance.I admit I have to hang my head in shame when family members ask me when I will make the choice to shoot deer instead of hitting them with cars. I haven't hunted in many moons (don't have time) nor has my wife. but there are too many deer. There are actually more deer today than there were when this country was settled over 350 years ago. Hard to believe, but true nonetheless. Also, you're to be congratulated for participating in a state-sponsored forestry program. If more forest landowners did this you'd see less development and more efficient use of woodlands where everyone benefits, including the damned deer.