Wind Gypsy
5 year old buck +
I have done some searching and found old threads but nothing particularly recent on this topic. I purchased a 40 acre parcel about a month ago and all the reading and ideas makes my head spin. I'd prefer to hire a pro to help me come up with a plan for laying out improvements, stand locations, access routes, and hunting strategy so I have less chance to mess things up with my incoherent ideas. I don't expect this spot to produce monsters due to the neighborhood (pressure and lack of age class management) but my hopes are to regularly have 3+ YO bucks using it.
I have consumed a lot of Jeff Sturgis's content. He makes things seem simple to me and I like that about how he explains things. I sent an inquiry via his website last week but haven't heard back.
Google has turned up a couple other MN (or close enough) options:
https://www.habitatprollc.com/ - I sent Joe an inquiry today. Have not previously heard of him, anyone familiar with him or his work?
https://www.kanatiwildlife.com/ - They are located very close to where I work and not far from my land which may be convenient. Seem pretty new and I haven't found much for reviews or proven results.
https://www.whitetailhabitatconsulting.com/about - Steve Bartylla's brother Joe does actual land visits and consulting which I prefer in theory to a remotely marked up topo. I know Steve is well respected here but I wasn't sure if folks felt similarly about Joe.
Don Higgins' minimum fees of $5k might be more than I'm bargaining for but Wes Delks consults through Higgins for a minimum fee of $2500 which seems more in line with the going rates.
Below is an aerial of the parcel (edit:deleted for now). Biggest opportunity for improvement IMO is the SW corner. Need to screen it from the road but i'm also kind of at a loss on how to create food plots, cover, and access routes that would allow me to hunt it without burning it with pressure. The deer use the immature timber and swampy stuff directly adjacent to it as bedding.
Any input is appreciated!
I have consumed a lot of Jeff Sturgis's content. He makes things seem simple to me and I like that about how he explains things. I sent an inquiry via his website last week but haven't heard back.
Google has turned up a couple other MN (or close enough) options:
https://www.habitatprollc.com/ - I sent Joe an inquiry today. Have not previously heard of him, anyone familiar with him or his work?
https://www.kanatiwildlife.com/ - They are located very close to where I work and not far from my land which may be convenient. Seem pretty new and I haven't found much for reviews or proven results.
https://www.whitetailhabitatconsulting.com/about - Steve Bartylla's brother Joe does actual land visits and consulting which I prefer in theory to a remotely marked up topo. I know Steve is well respected here but I wasn't sure if folks felt similarly about Joe.
Don Higgins' minimum fees of $5k might be more than I'm bargaining for but Wes Delks consults through Higgins for a minimum fee of $2500 which seems more in line with the going rates.
Below is an aerial of the parcel (edit:deleted for now). Biggest opportunity for improvement IMO is the SW corner. Need to screen it from the road but i'm also kind of at a loss on how to create food plots, cover, and access routes that would allow me to hunt it without burning it with pressure. The deer use the immature timber and swampy stuff directly adjacent to it as bedding.
Any input is appreciated!
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