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Pro’s Perspective on Buying Real Estate in the West
Advice Before Buying Land in the Big West
There are the real estate agents who know the square footage, can speak to how many bathrooms are enough, and whether or not the school district fits the bill. Then there are the uncommon agents with a different kind of experience. They know cows, grazing limits, water rights, minerals rights, and irrigation systems. And if they don’t have the answer, they know the experts who do. Austin Callison with Hayden Outdoors is a mix of both – equal parts seasoned residential real estate agent and highly knowledgeable expert on buying real estate in the west.
As the West becomes a hotbed for real estate activity, Austin knows the questions clients should ask when trying to find the perfect property in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and even California, since that’s where Callison grew up ranching. Austin is a ranch kid at heart, as he grew up in a small ranch community in Northern California. He moved to Boise in 2002 after playing college football in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He’s been in the Treasure Valley ever since, enjoying the ways of the West and tapping into the intrinsic beauty of it. He’s an expert in both real estate and the nuances that come with buying farm and ranch land in the region. He gave us a glimpse into what he’s seeing in the market right now, and what he looks for on behalf of buyers and sellers.
Two Types of Buyers and a Potential Market Correction
“We’re seeing a couple of different market drivers right now. Relocation buyers are driving the housing market in my territory, mostly those relocating from California. I also work with people who are selling property somewhere else wanting to move out here and live on a little bit of acreage. It could be a horse property or maybe they want to raise their own food. That trend has definitely driven the market up. In order to stay in business, local farmers need to step up to California prices.”
While the market continues to be one of the fastest growing in the country, Austin notes a downward trend in real estate prices. “In Ada County, prices have increased 5x in the past ten years. It’s not sustainable. But we are starting to see some sort of correction, especially with rates going up.
The Ins and Outs of Buying Ranch Land
As hit shows like Yellowstone evoke the romance of the West and ranch life, Austin notes it’s not quite as easy as simply pulling up stakes, hitching the U-Haul to your pick-up, and purchasing some ranch property. “I work closely with buyers to understand which leases are in place on the property. We’ve run into situations with gas and mineral leases. These can be a real ‘gotcha’. Purchasing ranch land should always be contingent on a title report. I also look at the productivity of the land and water with the property, which can be significantly impacted by drought.”
Austin is the first to tell you he might not have all of the answers, but when he doesn’t, he knows who to turn to. “I like to think of myself as a resource. When it’s time to bring in an expert, I know smart people I can put clients in touch with to help them with due diligence.”
Advice Selling Ranch Land
When it comes to selling your ranch, Austin has a cornerstone piece of advice.
“If you want to get top dollar for your ground, make sure fences and water are in place. Also, the ground shouldn’t be over-grazed. Whenever someone owns land and they don’t know the specifics of running cows, they can quickly ruin the land.” The same concept applies to farm land, especially if you plan to rent it out. “Make sure your tenant is set up to succeed. Clearly outline what is going to be planted and harvested, and have a good irrigation system in place.”
Key Questions to Ask When Buying Farm or Ranch Land in Idaho, Washington or Oregon
How many water rights or shares are included? Cost?
What type of fencing is on the property?
How are the neighbors?
What’s the carrying capacity of the land?
How many cows has the owner run on it in the past?
For farm ground, what is the productivity of the land? For example, if the farmer is growing alfalfa, how many tons to the acre are they getting, and how many cuttings are they getting?
What are the power costs?
Are there any easements?
How a Real Estate Agent Helps in Development Projects
For buyers searching for development projects in his region, Austin says due diligence needs to be front and center. “In most cases, there is a significant amount of due diligence required for development projects. Make sure you understand which hoops you’ll have to jump through.” So, what are some of those hoops? Austin quickly rattled off a list, just to name a few. “Understand water rights, soil types, how deep the water is, where the utilities are located and whether or not you’ll need to bring utilities to the property. Is the project high or low density? Does it have a private septic system or is it on a public county or city sewer system? Are the neighbors going to push back?”
Developing land in the West has gone from luxury to necessity as rural areas absorb larger populations. “Once again, I’m a resource for my clients. I connect them with the engineers, county planners, water rights specialists, and architects to make sure the development is a successful one.”
Conclusion
Austin calls Idaho’s Treasure Valley home because he knows they call it the Treasure Valley for a reason. He hunts, fishes, ATVs, and snowmobiles. He adventures through the foothills and sage-lands with his wife and two kids. He’s a family man, a ranch kid, an outdoor enthusiast, and a real estate agent. Austin gets the West in the same way the West gets him. His career is built on sharing that connection with his clients, helping them find their own tillable, ranch-able, or development acreage. Learn more about large acreage real estate in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California by visiting our website or getting in touch with a Hayden Outdoors real estate professional today.
Waterfront Property in the Southeast U.S. – Where Your Dream Lifestyle Comes to Life
Where to Find Your Dream Waterfront Property in the Southeast U.S.
As Hayden Outdoors expands its high-end real estate services to include the enriched states of the Southeast U.S., one question tops the list for many buyers, “How far do I have to run before I’m in open water on my own waterfront property?” Which is to say, according to Hayden Outdoors Partner Greg Liddle, “The Southeast offers a certain type of freedom – thousands and thousands of untouched acres and endless miles of wide-open ocean blue. Florida alone is one of the most moved-to states in the country right now, and for good reason. The seafood is a helluva lot better on the coast!”
To listen to Greg talk about life and real estate in the Southeast is to fall in love with it almost immediately. There’s the affordability of it— if the most desirable areas of the coastal Carolinas or Florida aren’t an option, consider the quiet and sanctity of the Florida panhandle, Alabama or inland Georgia – as well as the opportunity to tap into a way of life in a place you might not have considered until now. Of course, the Southeast is as geologically diverse a part of the country as any, and Greg notes the important things to consider when looking for waterfront land, investment property, or homeownership in this region.
As a child of Florida, Greg has an intimate knowledge and understanding of the state and its many nuances. “For me, Florida’s beauty and its draw lie in the vast wilderness of ocean people can access from the nearly 2,500 miles of coastal Florida we represent at Hayden Outdoors. Hop in the boat, get beyond the No Wake Zone and open up the throttle before parking yourself in the midst of some of the bluest, clearest salt water that surrounds this country. It’s a lot harder to get stuck in traffic when you’re out on the ocean.”
Greg outlines some additional important things to consider when buying real estate in Florida, including:
Easy access by boat to restaurants, special events, neighbors, access to water sports and more!
When looking at beach and waterfront properties, make sure to work with your real estate professional to identify those that are above the flood zone.
Consider your desired property’s proximity to medical services and shopping.
Florida is a popular place for people to spend the winter months. Be mindful that some areas will see the population double during this time.
You’re going to be in a hurricane corridor every few years somewhere in Florida. Work with your real estate agent to better understand how this might affect your purchase and securing the proper homeowner’s insurance for it.
Florida is particularly friendly for short-term rentals and investment properties.
For aviation enthusiasts, Greg adds a particularly enticing bonus, “The Blue Angels train in the Panhandle. There’s nothing quite like going out in your boat and fishing while the planes acrobat in the sky. Blue up above, blue down below.”
The coveted red snapper fishing season. This is a biggie for everyone from those tossing their line into the water for the first time to the fishing-is-life crowd. Florida boasts a relatively extensive season for red snapper, which typically runs mid-June through the end of July and then again for a handful of weekends throughout October and November.
While Georgia echoes many of the coastal benefits of Florida, it also boasts expansive farm land, unique hunting properties, and expansive equine properties.
Keep these things in mind when buying real estate in Georgia:
To coast or not to coast? It’s a big question, but a good place to start if Georgia is on your real estate search list. There are the vast beaches of Savannah, the bluffs above the Savannah River, and waterfront along Lake Sinclair. And then there’s the Low Country of Burke County and hidden historic cottage gems that pepper the state’s spectacular countryside. Chat with your real estate agent about your lifestyle goals and where you might best meet them in Georgia.
If you do buy a waterfront property, understand your property rights, high water marks, and other important waterfront property considerations.
Recreation.
Georgia offers a variety of ways to get outside and play. These include some of the country’s most renowned golf courses to fishing, sailing, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, and more.
If you haven’t put Alabama on your “Top 10 Places to Move” list, then you probably haven’t been there. The inlet of Mobile Bay combines ocean living with calm waters and lively nightlife. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a vast river delta and wetland – one of the largest in the country in fact. Waterfront living comes in all ways here, from bays and beaches to storied bayous.
Here are a few things Greg recommends considering when buying real estate in Alabama. Roll Tide!
For those with new-found work-remote freedom who want to tap into one of the best kept secrets in the country, make sure to talk with your Hayden Outdoors real estate representative about Alabama. Neither your pocketbook nor your way of life will be disappointed.
Climate – and really, this is a big consideration anywhere in the Southeast because it can vary more than one might think. The trade winds blowing off the coast can cool things down quickly, while inland climes tend to be more humid and consistent year-round.
Chat with your real estate agent about how living near a flood zone might affect your property purchase and long-term viability.
Like many other states in the region, look for higher indications of hurricane incidents where you’re considering buying, and note the costs of insurance when buying property.
If you’re looking to rebuild or remodel, you might need to build your home up above the floodplain.
If you don’t want to make an investment in a waterfront property, Hayden Outdoors can help you find a boat slip or more affordable property that includes waterfront access.
“Carolina beach music,” Dupree said, coming up the porch. “The holiest sound on earth.” It’s a line from Beach Music by Pat Conroy, one of South Carolina’s most notable writers. He wrote about South Carolina the way so many of its residents live in the state – with love, celebration, exploration, and an undeniable island vibe. The inlets of Hilton Head, the cobblestone history of Charleston, the 60 miles of serene coastline of Myrtle Beach – South Carolina doesn’t shy away from everything it has to offer.
Keep these things in mind when looking for real estate in South Carolina:
Assuming you’re moving to South Carolina for its beach life, think about which beach might be the best fit. Surfers often love Folly Beach best. Those looking for a little luxury should consider Hilton Head and its many amenities. Investors might want to consider Sullivan’s Island, while first-time home buyers can often find friendlier costs in Surfside Beach.
Scuba diving is fantastic here (and this includes rivers and lakes as well as oceans), so for those who want to infuse their lifestyle with as much underwater exploration as possible, South Carolina is a must on the consideration list. Natural wonders and artificial reefs such as shipwrecks beckon all day long.
To this end, chat with your real estate professional about water clarity in your area.
Consider erosion, hurricanes, and flooding as it relates to your potential real estate purchase.
North Carolina says it all in its name. It combines the waterways and coastal amenities of South Carolina with an abundance of forests, meadows, coves, and ancient mountain ranges including the Appalachian, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains. While North Carolina’s real estate might be lesser known and lesser sought by those looking to relocate, people who live there understand its endless beauty.
Is North Carolina real estate on your list? Consider this:
Small town living. North Carolina has plenty of it, and it’s the kind of small town living so many of us crave right now.
Big land living. On the flip side, North Carolina’s rolling hills and mountains offer a variety of property types, from vast farmland to hidden coves surrounded by endless green trees. If you’re looking to relocate to a place where you can afford some serious recreational land just far enough away from it all, North Carolina might be your best bet.
There’s water here, too. From the nightlife of Wilmington to the storied Outer Banks (literally storied, as in the current Netflix hit Outer Banks), and famous off-shore fishing of Nag’s Head, North Carolina’s shoreline is the choose-your-own-adventure-kind.
Hurricane season does descend upon the state, so make sure you understand the implications of this when buying real estate here.
Winters here are short and mild. Summers are subtropical and the mountains can experience heavy rainfall.
If you’re buying waterfront property in North Carolina, understand the difference between public and private beach access. Greg points out, “In some areas, you’ll own a portion of the beach, but you can only build up to a certain point. Sand dune fencing can go to a certain point and the public can still access through your property. It’s important to understand which part of the beach you do, or do not, own.”
The Southeast is an extraordinary place, and for many, a very accessible and appealing one. If you crave the kind of lifestyle you can make all your own, with instant access to waterways, forests, bayous and back roads that are getting harder and harder to find, reach out to a Hayden Outdoors professional. They have the important lifelong understanding of how to achieve the kind of life this region of the country holds so dear.
How Winchester Firearms Continues to Build the Ultimate “Rifleman’s Rifle”
With rifle season officially upon us, it’s time to consider adding the ultimate rifleman’s rifle to this year’s hunting kit. When it comes to the best firearms out there, one name comes to mind: Winchester. The new Model 70 and XPR bolt action rifles are the benchmark against which every other bolt-action rifle is measured.
The Model 70
Never your ordinary bolt action, the new Model 70 continues to elevate the excellence that has defined this firearm since it was created in 1936. Key features include:
M.O.A.™ Trigger System
Improved fit and finish
Enhanced accuracy
Classic Pre-’64 controlled round feeding
The new M.O.A. Trigger System takes accuracy to an entirely new level, providing the most precise three-lever trigger system in the world. The Pre-’64 controlled round feed fully controls the cartridge from magazine to chamber to ejection. Trip Zero Advantage means there is zero take up (the distance the trigger piece travels prior to the shooter feeling resistance), zero creep (perceived movement of the trigger just before the release of the firing pin or striker), and zero overtravel (rearward movement of the trigger once the firing pin or striker has been released). In short, this is as smooth a shot as it gets. The new Model 70 also has a three-position safety, which is easy and convenient to operate with the thumb of your firing hand.
The Winchester XPR Rifle
Like the Model 70, the Winchester XPR was designed with hunters’ needs in mind. Leading in both performance and precision, the XPR’s innovation caters to the following key issues:
Overall accuracy
Quality of the trigger system
Advanced features
Lasting value
The M.O.A. Trigger is also at the heart of the XPR, complemented with the highest quality barrel and action, including its rifling, crown, action interface, and headspace. The result is a comprehensive, expertly crafted, advanced firearm that promises remarkable accuracy. It’s the details that set this rifleman’s rifle apart. Additional features include:
Bolt release button for opening the bolt with the safety on
Fast 60-degree bolt lift that leaves ample clearance for your scope
Superior Inflex Technology recoil pad system
Winchester has been creating world-class weaponry since 1866, from rifles to shotguns and accessories. Make this hunting season your best yet with the superior firearm you deserve – a new Model 70 or XPR bolt action rifle.
Archery Hunting Tactics for both Public and Private Lands
Bowhunting combines unique appeal and unique challenges. On one hand, it honors a timeless tradition that requires a tremendous amount of skill. On the other, the physical demands of drawing a bow, the practice and the shorter shooting distances for hunting big game with a bow can create more barriers to entry. In anticipation of the upcoming archery season, here are a few pro tips to better prepare, practice and persevere – whether you’re hunting on public or private lands this season.
Spend Time on Pre-season Preparation
Choosing the right bow, correct draw length and draw weight is an important place to start – archery is definitely not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. If you’re new to it, head to your local sporting goods store to be properly fitted by an experienced bow tech. Beginners often benefit from learning with a compound bow – one that uses a cam system to make holding & aiming easier – versus a traditional recurve or longbow that doesn’t offer relief at full draw.
Given the risk of wounding an animal, practice is paramount when it comes to bowhunting. Buying a foam block or compressing enough bails of hay for target practice works well. Or you can take it to a more sophisticated level by setting up 3D Big Game Targets in real life scenarios across acres of your land or hike a 3D course on public land to practice.
Have the Right Equipment
Help ensure success by dressing the part and heading out with the proper equipment. Here are some key items for every bowhunter:
Trail or game cameras can be helpful in learning how deer and elk are moving through your property and the public lands you want to hunt. (Note: if installing game cams on public land, make sure to check your state’s regulations on when, how, where and if they can be used – these regulations vary from state to state.) Cams can help identify where game might bed or feed, giving you a better idea of where their location or general habits come opening day.
Pro Tip: Speaking of opening day, it’s best to keep human interaction minimal in the week or two leading up to it. During this time, leave the area alone to help foster an environment in which big game feel safe to bed and eat freely.
Scout – Both Digitally and In-person
It’s a good idea to begin with researching the area in which you’ll be hunting. For public lands, digital resources such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and apps such as Caltopo and onXmaps can be incredibly valuable. Invest time in understanding the greater region, neighboring properties, geological features, and areas of private land that might help you glean insight into the animals’ behavior.
Then take to the meadows, mountains, hills or basins to look for signs of big game or the animals themselves. Learn what to look for when you’re glassing, such as small sections of hide or antler, the twitchy movements of a tail or ear, and moving brush.
Mind the Wind
Even the most extensive preparation doesn’t matter if you’re battling unfavorable wind or weather conditions, so learn seasonal wind, daily thermals, and weather patterns for your public or private hunting land. Always having the wind in your favor is key to bowhunting success. Wind patterns help determine where you should stage to ensure breezes and gusts don’t blow your cover.
ProTip: It’s best to always have a wind checker to help confirm wind behavior in the field. In a pinch, tie on a short piece of yarn or thread to the bottom of your bow!
Know Where You Stand with a GPS with Hunting Map Layers
When hunting on private land, GPS mapping is less critical, however this can be a helpful tool for sharing info with your hunting party. For those venturing into public land, it’s a vital tool that helps inform your hunt from beginning to end. GPS mapping allows you to map the area and mark waypoints in the field – everything from the trailhead, to fresh sign, game trails, or where your shot was taken. Additionally, apps such as onX show private land boundaries and detailed owner information that can be critical information accessible right from your phone when needed.
Master the Art of Stealth
Being able to move through the field without creating dramatic disturbances helps ensure your bowhunting success. Learn how to be still, observant, and patient, moving low when needed, to lessen disturbances that might cause a ripple effect that pushes the herd out of the area. While this skill is not easily mastered, each time you venture into the woods – try to make it a goal to make as little disturbance as possible. Since, you cannot always guarantee that other hunters won’t disturb the game you are seeking on public lands – consider looking into the small steps you can make today to purchase the hunting property of your dreams!
Turning Your Old-Growth Property into a Deer Sanctuary
One of the biggest rewards of owning Hunting land is the coexistence of owner, wildlife and natural resources.
Learning how to mature your property to improve opportunities for deer hunting and migration is an important part of hunting land management – and enjoyment! With fall comes the promise of big bucks and a year of deer meat, so long as the deer have good reason to move through your property.
Here are some things to consider when priming your land for long-term success and an improved environment that allows big game to thrive on your hunting property. Before you begin making ad hoc changes to your land, draw up a strategic plan that establishes the locations and co-existence of each of the elements below:
Food
While deer feeders and salt licks seem like an easy and enticing way to encourage deer onto your property, they’re not a long-term solution and add no value to your land’s ecology or forest health. It’s much better to integrate natural forage into your forest for a consistent nutrient source. A great initial step is to thin your trees, removing sick, weak or otherwise undesirable ones. This benefits in two ways – it opens up small corridors through stands of trees that allow deer to wander through with more ease and it lets sun rays reach the forest floor, contributing to the growth of deer favorites such as grape, honeysuckle, blackberry and others.
You can also add food plots throughout, making sure to locate them in or near cover such as wooded areas and swamps. It’s also important to adhere to the 60:20:20 rule – 60% cool-season perennials; 20% cool-season annuals; and 20% warm-season annuals and grasses. Seed mixes are available; you’ll just want to be consistent with weed management, mowing and fertilization as necessary.
Water
Of course, water is as important as plenty of food. If you need to establish a water source or sources on your property, you can build a small water hole, add a stock tank, kids pool or other rain collection vessel, or create a small dam or watering hole in a river or stream. Again, make sure these water sources are maintained and near a place that offers cover.
Cover
While good food and water might invite bucks through your land, keeping them there requires efficient cover. A good rule of thumb is “bed high, move low” meaning bucks like to bed higher on the property and then move through lower trees to feed and chase does. Forest management practices, like the ones mentioned above, will largely contribute to creating safe, healthy areas of cover for bucks. If you want to establish additional coverage on the property, find a spot away from any human activity – then cut down select small trees and limbs, hinge-cutting some, to help manage the overgrowth. You can also use these trimmings to create a fort-like area for additional ground coverage.
Corridors
Natural pathways such as brushy hollows, open strips and ditches offer bucks a “safe zone” to move between their bedding areas and feed fields. If these don’t occur naturally on your land, it’s easy to create them. They don’t have to be highways – 25 to 50 feet is more than sufficient. Apply the same thinning and bed-making rules to establish linear paths and trails throughout the property, naturally winding them between bedding, doe and feeding zones. Additionally, be considerate of the wind patterns that are consistent on your property before designating your planned corridors.
Weather Havens
If your property is subject to early-season freezes and large snowfalls, it’s important to plan for winter deer habitat. Diversifying your forest with endemic trees that shield from harsh winter weather, such as cedar, pine, spruce and hemlock, is important. Since deer change their behavior to survive the winter – they are typically less active to save energy, so you should account for this by including more shelter on the property.
Staging
Consider staging friendly transition zones between travel corridors, fields and food plots. A brushy edge along a field or food plot is ideal. If this doesn’t occur naturally on your land, plant shrubs in these areas and combine with felled trees from other forest thinning activity. Create a 15- to 20-foot buffer zone of bushes along the field’s edge.
Deer Stands and Blinds
It’s important to keep stand approach trails unobstructed. Remove sticks, logs and other noise-making elements and trim back brush that might absorb smell so you can reach your stand silently without detection. Also trim back branches that might get in the way of shooting lanes to increase your shot opportunities. Additionally, you can create small piles of cut trees and branches that prevent the deer from seeing you as you near your stand.
Own the Hunting Property of Your Dreams — Small Steps You Can Take Today
Ask the avid hunters in your life where they harvested their trophy deer or elk and you might get this answer: “In the Nowhere Region of the Never-tell Mountains.” Prime public hunting land is often considered sacred to sportsmen and sportswomen and for good reason – there are plenty of other people out there exploring those spaces looking for the same thing.
But what if you owned your hunting property? You determine how many people can hunt on the land. You know the prime terrain where the animals graze, gather and rut. You get to discover other hunting opportunities, such as ducks, turkeys and pheasants. Sound like an unrealistic daydream? Actually, purchasing your own hunting property is possible, especially when you consider these small steps.
Step One: Put the dream down on paper.
Which is to say, outline your goals for the property. It’s important to articulate what you’re looking for in a hunting property. Deer? Elk? Waterfowl? Upland Birds? Are there good water sources on the land? What about food sources and areas of protection from predators? Be realistic about how remote you want to be, current infrastructure available such as cabins, a well or areas for a hunting camp, habitat improvement opportunities and migration corridors.
Step Two: Adjust the dream accordingly.
Which is not to say you need to make drastic compromises to turn your hunting land purchase into a reality. But it is important to be realistic about the fact that your first hunting property might not be your ultimate dream property, and that’s okay. In fact, it can be an excellent way to help you invest and work toward an end goal of owning more acreage down the line. For now, have a good grasp on how much land you can afford and effectively manage.
Step Three: Calculate your down payment and financing.
You will need approximately 20% of the total property cost as a down payment, or $20,000 on a $100,000 piece of land (for example). While it might seem like a lot now, small monthly savings can add up quickly. Once you have down payment funds secured, it’s important to calculate how much your monthly payment will be using a mortgage calculator so you don’t become over extended. If you can put more cash down, that’s better. Interest rates vary and cash is king.
It’s worth mentioning each of these more than once because both are so elemental to making your dream a reality. Spend time learning about the area that interests you. Talk to local wildlife biologists. Read up on any recent diseases that have affected local deer, elk and bird populations and migration patterns. Google Earth, Mapright and other mapping apps are excellent tools when it comes to getting a comprehensive bird’s-eye view of the land. Invest the time upfront to ensure your purchase meets your expectations.
Step Five: Find a real estate agent who specializes in hunting properties.
This is an important one if you want your purchase and experience with the land to be successful. Real estate agents who understand the nuances of rural property ownership know which questions to ask, both of you and of the seller. Hayden Outdoors is here to help. A good and helpful agent will understand the region in which you hope to purchase hunting property and can help guide you to the ideal fit. When they discover hidden hunting benefits for your property you will be glad you went with a pro!
Step Six: Likewise, find a lender who specializes in rural property mortgages.
These specialists can help with the specifics of buying hunting property, including current mortgage rates and land classifications. Check out your local Farm Credit lender, Conterra Ag or Outdoor Lending. All of these sources offer great insight to financial requirements to seek lending for recreational properties.
Step Seven: Consider land improvement, revenue opportunities and security.
You might want to limit your hunting land’s use to family and friends, or, you might be looking for ways to monetize it to help offset mortgage and maintenance costs. Consider farming, land lease opportunities or if you have to, short term partnerships with local hunting outfitters for seasons you don’t plan to hunt. Small additions, fencing, cabins and hunting blinds can also add value to your property.
SECURITY TIP: Be careful on who you hire to help with land improvements to make sure they aren’t hunting the land without you knowing. A good trail camera can help keep trespassers from harvesting your future game.
Step Eight: Enjoy!
It goes without saying, but come hunting season, it’s time to get out, explore and enjoy your new hunting property purchase. Living so closely with the surrounding environment and wildlife can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The team at Hayden Outdoors can help you find the perfect piece of land zoned for hunting or bordering public lands with hunting access.
Binocular Vocabulary
Decode Basic Technical Jargon Associated with Consumer Optics
A good pair of binoculars is a must-have for a landowner, the kind of essential gear that should always be close at hand to provide a better look at livestock and wildlife, scan for predators, or check fence conditions from afar.
“Binoculars Seem Simple Enough”
Look through the lenses and what’s far away appears close. However, when shopping for binoculars, consumers often find just enough technical lingo, rooted in the vernacular of optical engineering, to find the process intimidating. Buyers shopping for a basic set of binoculars can benefit from some decoding of the most common technical terms.
Magnification
Binoculars will be described with a set of numbers – for example, “7×35.” The first number refers to magnification; in this example, the binoculars would show the subject seven times closer than it would appear to the naked eye.
Objective Diameter
That second number – the “35” in the above example of “7×35” – refers to the lens diameter, the measurement across a binocular lens; the larger the number, the larger the lens; a larger lens allows in more light, providing for a brighter view.
Field of View
This might be described as a linear measurement, in feet or meters, or as an angle, in degrees, and indicates the width of the area that will be visible through binoculars. In general, the greater the magnifying power, the narrower the field of view.
Eye Relief
The distance between the back of the eyepieces and the user’s eyes when the user has a clear, “un-vignetted” view through the binoculars. This is a particularly important detail for users who wear glasses. As a means of reference, longer focal length generally means greater eye relief.
Image Stabilization
When using high-powered binoculars, users might struggle to keep an image steadily in view. Higher-end options can come with image-stabilization technology that helps lessen the effects of an unsteady hand. On the downside, binoculars with such technology tend to be heavier than options without it.
Anti-reflective Coating
This helps prevent a hazy, low-contrast view of a subject, caused by lenses “losing light” due to reflection.
Range-finding Capability
Look through binocular lenses and you might see a superimposed scale showing the angular height of the subject in view. With a fairly basic algebra formula, a viewer can use that scale to estimate the range, or distance, to the subject, if that subject’s height can be estimated. That formula:
Distance = (Estimated Height/angular height of object) x 1000
The Ultimate Landowner Utility
Once a landowner begins using binoculars, it can be hard to live without the utility they offer. Having a set of binoculars in the home and in every vehicle can help meet the unpredictable need to get a quick, up-close look at a trophy elk, an injured horse, a trespasser, or a distant gate that appears open. Equipped with a basic understanding of the technical specs associated with binoculars will help ensure a consumer is properly equipped.
Elk Hunting With Tree Stands
Have you ever thought of hunting for elk in a treestand? Wonder why so many whitetail hunters use a stand to harvest a big buck?
The trend of using a treestand to hunt game is as strong as ever, and the manufacturers of these stands are making big improvements to the products used in the woods. Gone are the days of the basic steel platform ratchet strapped to the side of a tree or a wood platform nailed int he crotch of an old oak. In modern hunting trends, hunters out west are utilizing strategies that east and midwest hunters have been using for years. Although using a stand on public land may be risky and expose it to potentially being stolen, if you know of a great location, then it will prove a huge key to bagging a big bull or cow elk.
Modern Treestands are Durable & Comfortable.
There are three basic types of treestands: Ladder, Climber and Lock On. From double wide stands to large platform areas, ladder stands seem to be the most comfortable, but are harder to get back to the woods, especially on public land where you have to carry it in. Lock on stands are the lightest and smallest, but you need to either use ladder pegs or stick ladders to get yourself up to the stand. Climber stands are packable but you need to carry it in and out and use it to get up and down, making them more dangerous to use. Whichever stand is the best style for you, be sure to do research online to analyize customer reviews and don’t pick the stand because of who is on the label.
Elk can be hunted from treestands successfully, but some key things should be done to place the stand in the right location and get in and out of the stand at the right time!
Stick to these tips when placing your treestand for elk in the woods:
Scout out the top 3-5 locations for placing a stand in the woods. Make sure the trails are not seasonal, or are used during the season you plan to hunt.
When scouting, place trail cameras near your top locations 1-2 months before you plan to hunt so you can find out which location is best.
About 3-4 weeks before you plan to hunt, check the trail cameras and decide which location is being used consistently.
Install your stand in a location where the elk will be trailing up wind from normal wind patterns. Anticipate thermals going up and downhill and place your stand to the side of the trail, not right on the trail.
Try to make sure that the stand is not visible from the uphill side from elk trails, so they are not looking directly at you from the side of the hill.
Make sure when the sun rises or sets, it won’t be in your eyes.
Secure your stand, spray it down with Scent control spray, and mark the location on your GPS and on a printed map.
Tie a small rope to the stand that can be dangled down to raise up your bow or firearm. Screw in a bow or gun holder next to your stand in the tree.
Plan your entry and exit strategies based on elk patterns from trail camera photos.
Make sure to use a safety vest when hunting in a treestand, ALWAYS!
Mark a trail with reflective tabs on trees to help you find the stand in the dark with a flashlight ot headlamp.
Do Not leave anything or drop anything at the bottom of the stand
BE READY BEFORE LIGHT and LEAVE AFTER DARK as the elk use these trails early mornings and late evening!
If you are on a wallow, SIT ALL DAY! These elk come to cool off on hotter days of archery and early rifle seasons.
Placement of these stands is crucial to a great hunt. Many elk hunters are successful in placing the stands:
Next to dark, wooded escape corridors
Next to wallows or frequested ponds or stream crossings
Next to farm croplans where trails meet the field
Above lateral trails
NOT in bedding areas
NOT in wide open or sparsely wooded areas
NOT on the downside of a lateral side trail
The next time to decide to go back to the woods, think about using a tree stand to hunt for elk. As you can see it takes some learning, research and time in the woods. But, with the proper use of treestands, you can take that bull of a lifetime, especially one that would never give you a shot in a wide open meadow!
Example of Treestand style, by Ameristep: Lock On, Climber and Ladder Stands