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The Benefits of Setting Up Trail Cams on Your Property

Trail cameras, or more commonly, trail cams, are a helpful tool when it comes to monitoring your property.

Scouting and glassing for this year’s hunt can be thrilling – catching a glimpse of the trophies that might be waiting there as the season nears. Adding some additional eyes to the effort, including late in the evening and at night when some animals become particularly active, can help your odds even more. Trail cams are providing this kind of visibility, and gaining popularity because of it. Those are only a few of the benefits of setting up trail cams.

Trail cams are discreet cameras people position throughout property – and sometimes on public lands – to get a complete picture of animal activity. These types of cameras are triggered by a motion sensor, capturing pictures as the animal moves through the field of vision. They range from relatively basic, taking pictures that are stored on a secure digital card and retrieved later, to much more high tech. REVEAL’s Cellular Cameras fall into the latter category, offering a mobile app that sends trail cam images to your device in real-time. 

While the technology continues to get better and better, the strategy behind mounting and positioning trail cams is also important to consider. Three Hayden Outdoors recreational real estate experts recently chimed in on how they use trail cams for hunting, safety, and general wildlife management. As lifelong hunting guides and outdoor enthusiasts, Shad Sheldon, Heath Thompson, and Lonnie Gustin provided a brief master class in proper trail cam management. Hailing from the Plains, the South, and the Rocky Mountain West respectively, their insight spans a variety of purposes and touches nearly every corner of the country.

 

 

Trail Camera Basics

Quality and capabilities vary, but most cameras feature:

 

Power source

Make sure to see how long a camera’s battery lasts.

Detection circuit or PIR sensor

This piece detects both heat and motion, then triggers the camera. 

Infrared LEDs

The small lights allows for night-vision pictures. 

Protective casing

Make sure yours can stand up to the elements in your area.

Mounting apparatus

Choose a camera you can easily install

 

 

 

 

Types of Trail Cams

Modern trail cameras fall into two categories: cellular and non-cellular. Each has their benefits. Non-cellular cameras don’t allow for real-time viewing, but they are typically less expensive. Alternatively, cellular cameras allow you to keep an eye on animals without having to retrieve camera chips or disturb the area.

Shad Sheldon has been hunting since he was 7, and bagged his first deer at 10. He started bow hunting in his late teens, a passion ever since. He and his wife ran a hunting lodge in Goodland, KS until about 10 years ago, when they turned to Hayden Outdoors to help them sell it. Not long after he joined Hayden as an agent, specializing in hunting properties and farmland.

These days, Shad and his wife spend their time in eastern Kansas, as close to the land and its rhythms as possible. He relies on trail cams for a variety of reasons, both personally and professionally when he’s helping clients list their land. We asked what he looks for in a good trail camera.

“I like good resolution and good pictures with true color. Most cameras will fire right away; you won’t get a lot of blurry moments. I like to put great pictures on our website to help clients sell property. And of course, it needs to be easy-to-use.”

 

Choosing a Trail Cam

Before you throw down a good chunk of change – trail cams can range from $50 – $600 – it’s good to know what you want to accomplish with your equipment. Talk with your local dealer about the features of the camera. Some important things to think about are:

  • Do you want a wireless camera, or will traditional work?
  • Do you need video capabilities as well as still shots?
  • What kind of image quality do you want?
  • What is the trigger time – the time between the animal moving across the field of vision and the picture being taken? Slower trigger times result in blurrier images.
  • What is the power supply and/or battery life?
  • Does the camera offer security features to help prevent theft?

 

Setting Up Trail Cams

Heath Thompson grew up on a farm in Georgia, and has a degree in Forestry. He’s been in the business a long time, hunting, guiding, and managing land. These days, Heath’s family owns 1,500 acres, row crops, and grows hay. He has a history in agricultural, hunting, timber, recreational, and farmland with Hayden Outdoors in the Southeast. He understands the importance of the perfect hunting property like no one else.

When it comes to trail cams, Heath doesn’t mess around. “I worry about additional scents on my cameras, so I’ll hang them outside at my house in the yard for a while to get the correct smell. When I go to place them on the property, I’ll wear rubber boots and gloves.”

 

Placing trail cams in the right spot is key. Our agents have some tips:

  • Set up near scrapes so you can see which bucks are scraping when.
  • Set up feeders year-round to see seasonal and yearly patterns.
  • If allowed, consider bait such as a mineral lick, soy, alfalfa, or scent.
  • Look for game trails. Mount your camera alongside them to track animal movement.
  • Look for water sources, and mount a camera nearby. 

How many cameras you hang depends on the size of the land, your objective, and your budget. Heath offers these tips on trail cam height. “I hang mine three feet from the ground to the bottom of the camera to get a full view of the animal. I also keep the sun’s direction in mind, pointing cameras northeast or northwest to avoid over exposure.”

Look closely for nearby plants that might trigger the camera. There’s nothing worse than hoping for a great shot of that Boone-and-Crockett buck only to get hundreds of pictures of grain or a branch.

 

 

Using Trail Cams to Enhance Wildlife Observation

You might be using trail cams for hunting, or just to get an inside view of the wildlife. Lonnie Gustin is familiar with both. He’s been hunting and wandering the mountains of the West his whole life, but is quick to tell you he’s never been an outfitter. “I always said I liked hunting too much to be a guide.” Nowadays, he hunts with his boys along the Rocky Mountain Front throughout Wyoming and Colorado. He calls 4,000 acres along the Western Slope of Colorado and Wyoming home, and joined Hayden Outdoors “back in the day,” about 13 years ago. If you’re looking to buy or sell a farm, hunting property, or ranch land in the area, Lonnie is your guy.

He uses trail cams all the time, most commonly placing them near water sources where he might catch a glimpse of big game – typically elk or mule deer in his neck of the woods. And sometimes, a camera will capture something else – another big Western predator making its way across the land. Trail cams are an excellent way to learn more about the wildlife in the area. Bears, wolves, lynx, mountain lions, coyotes, fowl, and varmints – trail cams paint broad strokes of the wildlife living on your land. For Lonnie and others, trail cams also offer a unique way to understand the local wildlife population – how and where animals are moving; which water sources they rely on; and how land use shifts from one season to the next.

 

Using Trail Cams for a Better Hunting Experience

While trail cams can certainly enhance the hunting experience, Heath gives fair warning, “The worst thing you can do is look at trail cams. It’ll make you sick; big buck after big buck you might never see again.” And while he’s right – some of the biggest racks don’t make it onto the wall – having trail cams on the property can help you prepare.

He adds, “We use trail cams for animal counts. We count every deer we see. It lets us know what’s on the property.” Lonnie counts on trail cams for knowing the time of day animals are coming in. And Shad likes to use them to learn more about what comes after hunting season. “After last rifle season was over, we had about three to four 150-class bucks show up. We saw new deer move in.” Heath notes trail cams aren’t just for big game. “They’re great for turkey hunting, too. Trail cams let me see where the turkeys are, because down here, turkeys don’t gobble a lot. So we’re using trail cams to see where they’re traveling in and out.”

 

 

Using Trail Cams to Increase Property Value

Hayden Outdoors real estate agents are known for showcasing every aspect of a property when it comes to selling it, and cutting-edge cellular trail cams are a big part of the strategy. Shad sums it up this way: “The bigger bucks I pull off the property, the more it’s going to go for. The more good pictures I have of those bucks, the more money we can bring in.”

Lonnie agrees, “Trail cams are pretty damn important when I’m selling land. They let me prove the wildlife moving on the property. If I can actually show people some background and some shots and they can see where that huge elk was, it’s an important selling point.”

Heath goes so far as to compile entire albums for the properties he represents. “You need to have proof, and you can’t get it in just a week. Property trail cam capture takes a long time. Having historical timestamps on a lot of photos adds a lot more value than just having one good buck on a single trail cam shot.”

In addition to buying and selling, trail cams add additional value to the property by aiding in pest control and property security. Placing trail cams at a property entrance or lesser known access point is a great way to see if people are wandering in when they shouldn’t be.

 

Conclusion

Setting up trail cams on your property offers a variety of benefits, including:

  • Hunting preparation 
  • Wildlife observation
  • Property security
  • Habitat conservation

Adding a trail cam system to your land can help bolster its value over time. It’s also an excellent way to learn the ins, outs, and animals who call your acres theirs, too. Chat with your local sporting goods dealer about the best setup for your land, or upgrade to trail cams that let you know which four-legged creatures are cruising though as soon as they’ve crossed the camera’s lens.

Best Practices for Wildlife Management on Western Ranches

wildlife management on western ranches - mule deer on a ranch in cody, wyoming

Duncan Clark knows cattle ranching. Growing up in a ranching family in West Texas, he learned the life balance between the magic of wide open spaces and the work it takes to maintain them early on. These days, he lives along Colorado’s Front Range, just shy of the Wyoming border, a short drive from his family’s 6,500-acre cattle ranch where he spends much of his time. 

After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in finance and real estate, Duncan turned his love of the land into a full-time job as a recreational real estate agent for Hayden Outdoors. He’s gone on to help broker a number of notable ranch real estate transactions in the past decade. From summers spent mending fences to balancing the intricacies of maintaining forage in the extreme winter months for wildlife and stock alike, Duncan understands the rhythms of ranch land like few others do. At the heart of that connection is a passion for the intersection of wildlife and ranching. Duncan is an expert in managing and maintaining range and wildlife habitat in a way that elevates both.

“Wildlife management on a ranch is critical for a lot of reasons. The healthier the animal population, the more your ranch is going to be worth.” From guided hunting and fishing income to proper land and habitat management, Duncan dives into the key factors to consider when managing wildlife on ranches in the West. 

 

 

Understanding Western Ranches and Wildlife

 

Ranches in the West provide ideal habitat for deer, elk, and antelope. Commonly, a ranch will be home to one or two of these species, but if you’re lucky enough to gain access to an expansive ranch in the western plains, you might come across all three. Additionally, ranches with viable water sources, including rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes can offer premier fishing. But as Duncan is quick to point out, you don’t have to be an avid hunter to want to manage the wildlife on your property. “The unique thing about land is that it’s an investment you can enjoy. Maybe you hunt; maybe you don’t. Regardless, driving around a ranch watching herds of elk and deer is a pretty special thing to see” 

 

That said, hunting and fishing can be a viable income opportunity for ranchers in the West. Hunters and anglers spend an estimated $2 billion annually in Colorado alone. “Wildlife is big business in the West, and it provides incentives for landowners to manage this profitable resource, whether the focus is on cattle, farming, or recreation.” Guided elk hunts can garner anywhere from $5,000-$20,000 a hunt depending on trophy quality. If a rancher is able to work with a local outfitter or guide to lease the land for hunting, the revenue can offset a large portion of ranch expenses. 

 

Planning and Implementing a Wildlife Management Plan

 

Before you begin building your wildlife management plan, it’s important to outline and understand your objectives. This includes the wildlife population objective that will dictate how many animals to harvest from the property each year in order to maintain healthy herd numbers. It’s also essential to work with an expert – local fish, wildlife, and land managers as well as nearby guides and outfitters – in order to optimize both wildlife and cattle health on the ranch. Start by evaluating how many animals you currently have on the property. Trail cams are an extremely useful tool for this. Additional considerations include the size of your property, any adjacent public lands or ranch sizes, and if there’s a well known hunting outfitter in the area. If so, how many animals are they harvesting?

Assess the habitat health, including water sources, food plots, vegetation, and landscape. From there, develop a management plan that balances your economic and conservation goals, working to maximize revenue while simultaneously catering to wildlife health and safety on the property. Manage and monitor progress throughout hunting seasons and year to year. 

 

Moose in the wild - wildlife management on western ranches

 

Wildlife Habitat Management Techniques

 

Duncan outlines the following guidelines for optimum wildlife habitat management on western ranches:

Water Sources:

  • Water is a key ingredient to any farm or ranch property and the leading factor in determining the value of the land and the quantity and variety of wildlife it can support. While many western ranches have multiple water sources, including springs, creeks, or rivers, these sources aren’t always accessible to animals and they’re susceptible to drought. “With a prolonged drought that affects groundwater sources encompassing much of the West, I’ve seen a number of different ways to maximize water resources. I’ve worked with clients to build ponds, develop spring water catchment systems, and even implement water guzzlers. If you want your ranch to maintain its value, paying close attention to the water sources on the land is step number one.”

 

Brush & Range Management:

  • Controlling the right blend of escape and bedding cover, along with the number of openings wildlife use to feed, is important for all species of wildlife. “Often, we see mountain ranches with dense deadfall of pine and aspen that provide little value to wildlife. If controlled burns are not an option – and they typically aren’t on a private ranch – a sound brush control strategy can maximize the wildlife value.” 

 

Wildlife-friendly Fencing:

  • Duncan notes that this oft-overlooked aspect of wildlife management on ranches is an incredibly important one. While barbed wire might still line the perimeter of a ranch, it can be detrimental to healthy migration paths. You don’t have to pull out all of the barbed wire fencing in place, but Duncan does suggest modifying it to more modern standards. “By taking off the bottom and top strands of barbed wire and installing a smooth or high-visibility wire, you can drastically improve the viability of the fence. I recommend leaving an 18-inch space between the ground and the bottom strand of wire to allow animals to crawl underneath it.” 

 

Rotational Grazing Strategies to Maximize Browse:

  • Another important tool for wildlife is balancing the grazing strategy. But as Duncan notes, this tip is particularly specific to each and every ranch. “If you were to ask a hundred different folks the best way to effectively run cattle on a property while also maximizing the hunting potential, you would likely get a hundred different answers.” 

 

Food Plots that Attract More Animals:

  • Food plots have long been an important tool for farmers and ranchers in the South and Midwest who also lease the property for hunting. However, there just isn’t enough information or data available for western landowners trying to create food plots for elk and mule deer. Enter Duncan’s expertise. “I’ve done plenty of trial and error food plot tests and this is what I’ve found to work at an elevation of approximately 7,300 feet. With a disc and grain drill, we have successfully established food plots consisting of a blend of winter grain rye, annual clover, and sainfoin (a perennial drought-resistant legume). With ample rainfall and the right soil, I believe this can be done on most ranches in the western states. I’ve seen it work first-hand, especially when the native browse starts to go dormant and the winter rye and clover hold green browse late into the fall.” 

 

Wildlife Population Management Techniques

 

Maintaining healthy populations, including cattle, deer, elk, and antelope, on your ranch is another pillar of ranch wildlife management. If overgrazing or overpopulation become an issue, you might need to manipulate habitat in order to draw one species to a different part of the ranch. Another important aspect of wildlife population management is the utilization of predator control. Predators are elemental to a healthy ecosystem – every ranch needs a sound predator control program to benefit both wildlife and cattle – but again, ranchers need to understand the ideal predator population for their land. 

When opening your ranch land to hunting, fishing, and trapping, make sure you do so with best practices top of mind. Has everyone hunting the property taken any necessary hunter’s safety course? Know when to fish, and when doing so might stress fish populations. Talk with local outfitters, guides, and other experts about current trapping regulations. Doing so will help ensure your ranch is hunter- and angler-friendly for years to come. 

 

 

Benefits of Wildlife Management

 

As Duncan will tell you, the primary financial goal of any ranch is to break even. Wildlife can be a key factor in doing so. “If you’re running a hunting outfitter on your ranch property, you can certainly offset a lot of your operational costs.” These regulations and opportunities vary state by state. Colorado and New Mexico are very land-owner friendly, for example. If you’re looking at ranches for sale in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, or Arizona, it’s important to work with a ranch real estate specialist to learn more about the revenue opportunities for that particular property. 

Of course, the benefits of having wildlife on your ranch go far beyond potential profits. Wildlife and cattle can pair perfectly when it comes to maintaining habitat health, with opposing grazing and range seasons. There’s the opportunity to watch out the truck window as herds of elk or deer or antelope make their way across your acres. Those who don’t have immediate access to wild spaces and species can find it on your land. Wildlife management on your ranch runs the right direction both ways, providing safe, healthy refuge for the animals and a balanced value-add for your property. 

 

Conclusion

 

Wildlife management on western ranches is the future of this unique way of life. If you’re interested in buying ranch land where you can prioritize wildlife management, the recreational real estate agents at Hayden Outdoors are experts in the field. And if you simply want to learn more about how you can integrate healthier wildlife management practices into your ranch, give Duncan Clark a call. With a lifetime of ranching in his back pocket, he’s your guy. 

What Really Makes the Best Turkey Hunting Land?

A large eastern turkey strutting in a field spring turkey hunting land

Here’s a challenge: talk with Brandon Pendergrass of Hayden Outdoors for more than two minutes and try your hardest not to fall in love with turkey hunting. And not just the idea of it, but the lifestyle of it – the actual interaction with the birds and the habitat and how it all comes together on one idyllic springtime day in Missouri. Or Nebraska. Or Tennessee. Or Texas. Take your pick of premier turkey hunting land in the US. 

“Turkey hunting is a great gateway for anyone looking to learn more about hunting or just wanting to be outside, connecting with the land. It’s the perfect day because it happens in the spring, when the weather is warm. And it doesn’t take all day if you’re with someone who knows what they’re doing. So after hunting it’s time to fish in a nearby pond, river, lake, or creek where the fish will be hungry, because – again – it’s spring and all animals are. Then go scout for some mushrooms. Then fire up the grill and cook that fish or that turkey while you drink some sweet tea. Maybe in a field, maybe in a small stand of timber, maybe along some water. Sit in the sun and enjoy. That’s what it’s all about.” 

Sign us up.

Brandon has been an expert on turkey hunting nearly his entire life, beginning with his morning chores on his family’s 500-acre farm in southern Missouri when he was a kid. “It was my job to feed the pigs before the bus came to take me to school, and the turkeys were always gobblin’ back there, so I spent a lot of time with them, watching them, listening to them.” From there, he started hunting turkeys with friends, became a devout turkey hunter by age 16, and he’s been all-in ever since, moving onto guiding, hunting show appearances, and competitions all over the country.

 

Brandon recently gave a rundown on what to consider when buying turkey hunting property. Here are some tips, including his expertise and insights. 

 

Cook Mountain Turkey Spring Turkey Hunting Land

 

What makes a good turkey hunting property?

 

When buying turkey hunting land, you should consider factors such as location, size, terrain and habitat. Look for land that has plenty of natural vegetation, water sources, and cover for turkeys. According to Brandon, a mixture of landscape is key, as is close proximity to water. “The perfect property would be 50% open space and 50% timberland. Big, mature timber will offer a lot of roost trees and food sources like acorns and berries. Look for some overgrown fields with native grasses and property that provides a variety of food sources. A majority of the time, turkeys will try to find roost sites that are close to water, so if you use the land year-round, it’s important to have a water source such as a spring, pond, lake, or other source that’s resistant to drought.” 

 

Why is now a good time to invest in turkey hunting land in the Midwest?

 

Brandon cites one of the tenets and most important truths of real estate investment, “There’s never a bad time to invest in land, because there’s only so much of it.” This is particularly relevant to turkey hunting property. Luckily, the United States features a variety of states that offer premier turkey hunting land, such as Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. The time to buy is when the right property pops up, so the best thing you can do is be prepared. Make sure your financing is secured, and contact your local recreational land real estate expert. Hunting land can be a very valuable and lucrative investment – monetarily, personally, and generationally. Back to Brandon’s ideal spring day, owning your own turkey hunting land can be a great way to bond with friends and family, establishing the kinds of adventurous traditions that are harder and harder to come by in today’s busy world. 

 

What are some ways owners can offset the cost of buying turkey hunting land?

 

Logging the timber on your property is a great way to generate income from the land. Selective logging can help open up food plots and create road systems. If the land is conducive to farming, you can lease the land to a producer, which is also great for turkey hunting habitat as it provides a consistent food source. 

Another income opportunity to consider is leasing the land to other hunters, hunting outfits, or hunting guides. This can add to the value of your asset, demonstrating the property’s productivity and income possibilities. 

 

What are the biggest differences between turkey hunting on private and public land?

 

The first part of the answer is probably the most obvious, “When you own a good piece of hunting ground, you control all of that,” says Brandon. No competing for spots on opening day, pressured birds, or other bird hunters. It also ensures your hunting experience is private, uninterrupted, and most importantly, safe. He adds, “Safety is a big point. There’s also the pressure put on the turkeys. You can control or better regulate the pressure on the flock when hunting private land. Public birds can be pressured making it harder to hear or locate them. It also allows you to better control the habitat.”

 

small turkeys in the brush spring turkey hunting land

 

What are some effective ways to scout for quality turkey hunting land?

 

Start with mapping. Mapright, onX, and Google are all excellent sources of information as is aerial imagery. Look at the area as a whole to understand the location and surrounding properties. Talk with other local landowners and hunters to gain insights. Look at the habitat. 

Pull on your best hiking boots and walk the property (with the current owner’s permission). This is particularly important to do right at daylight in the spring if possible. This is probably the most effective way to locate signs of turkey activity and learn more about the habitat. 

Brandon’s pro tip? Bring binoculars so you can glass fields. This can help you scout and see the landscape and population or activities of the turkeys. Also consider calling the listing agent to ask about the history of the land as it relates to turkey hunting, including looking at any trail cam pictures or other documentation. 

 

What kind of land maintenance should you consider to improve your chances of success in the field?

 

The beauty of owning the land is your ability and freedom to personalize it to your needs and preferences. You can design the property to attract turkeys by planting specific vegetation, building cover such as ground blinds, putting in roads or openings, and planting food plots. It’s important to understand how flocks have behaved in previous seasons, and customize the land to cater to those habits.

Brandon suggests establishing a road system and watering holes. “Turkeys rely a lot on their eyesight. They like spaces where they can feel comfortable coming out and strutting with their hens. Road systems allow you to slip around quietly as you’re turkey hunting.” He also suggests letting some old fields grow to become more dense with native grasses and flora, while cutting down other taller grasses. Consider planting chicory, clover, or other turkey-friendly food sources. In short, habitat variety is essential. And when you own the land, you can establish multiple hunting locations for cover and ground blinds based on previous flock activity for different scenarios. 

 

What is the biggest benefit of having a turkey hunting land expert as your real estate agent?

 

Brandon points out that working with a recreational land real estate agent offers huge benefits. “You’re talking to someone who not only understands the business of real estate; they’re also passionate about the outdoors. As outdoorsmen and women, even if they’re not a turkey hunter, they will have been paying attention to the land, making note of when and where they see wildlife, and for how many days in a row. These details set the experience apart from working with a traditional residential or commercial agent.” 

 

The Investment of a Lifetime

 

Brandon leaves us with this thought, “Purchasing turkey hunting property you can utilize in the springtime will be one of the best investments of your lifetime. It’s an all-inclusive experience that creates an immediate connection between you, the birds, the land, your friends, and your family.” It’s a pretty special thing – to have that kind of unlimited access to prime turkey hunting land, and to create the traditions and memories that come along with it.

If you’re looking to buy prime turkey hunting land, contact the recreational real estate specialists at Hayden Outdoors, where the reason you should is right there in the name. All of the agents are experts in the great outdoors. They know where to look and what to look for when it comes to buying an ideal hunting property in your neck of the woods. 

Brandon Pendergrass photo below with fellow agent Jeff Lovan and Bree Lovan.
Also pictured with hunters in Hawaii as a guide. 

Pro Tips for Buying & Managing Duck Hunting Land

When it comes to vast swaths of land, it doesn’t seem like 300 yards would affect whether or not that land serves its purpose. Give a partial river bank here, take a slice of sand bar there; it’s all the same in the grand scheme, right? Not exactly, and according to professional recreational real estate agents, Jake Hyland and Taylor Dunnigan, definitely not when it comes to looking for prime waterfowl hunting land. Spend a moment talking with these two about finding the perfect property for duck hunting, and you’ll quickly learn how situational an effort it is. “Acre-to-acre, foot-to-foot,” according to Taylor.

Buying waterfowl hunting land for personal recreation or as an investment isn’t easy. Taylor says, “It might be once every five years that a duck hunting property in your budget comes up for sale. And you need to be ready.” It’s why Jake and Taylor are the people you want to talk to if you’re in the market for the waterfowl hunting property of your dreams – they’re both seasoned recreational real estate agents with a long history buying and selling this type of property. But their expertise extends well beyond that. Both grew up smack in the middle of some of the best duck hunting in the West, on Colorado’s Front Range. They went on to guide on some of the most coveted goose and duck hunting land in the country. Give these two a few minutes walking a potential property and they can tell you if it’s worth your time or not.

We spent some time with Jake and Taylor – goose and bird dog pictures mounted on the wall squarely behind them – to learn more about finding the ideal waterfowl property and getting their expert advice on buying duck or goose hunting land.

 

 

What are the primary attributes of quality duck hunting property?

 

These two agents have a four-point checklist when looking for prime duck hunting land: food, refuge, open water and location.

According to Jake and Taylor, water controls everything when you’re hunting waterfowl. It’s where birds take refuge – a spot where they can loaf and hang out. It’s why finding duck hunting land with an ideal water source is not only essential, it’s also important for the overall management and use of the property as it can affect other aspects such as flight paths and feed for waterfowl. If water doesn’t currently exist on the property, is there an opportunity to catch water and move it around? The abundance of duck- and goose-friendly water is what makes South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas so good for waterfowl hunting.

But there are other great regions for duck hunting property, if you’re working with a real estate agent who knows where to look and what to look for. Certain areas in the Midwest and along the Mississippi and Platte Rivers can also offer ideal waterfowl hunting land ownership opportunities.

 

How important are historical flyways for waterfowl land?

 

Very. Historical flyways are important for waterfowl hunting properties because they indicate the migration patterns of ducks and geese. And they can shift. Taylor points out that we’re starting to see shifts in the flyways wherein geese are moving much farther west. In fact, migration can shift 50 to 75 miles east or west of a particular zone. It’s why agent knowledge about the location and history of the property is so valuable in determining its potential for waterfowl hunting.

Taylor also looks at agriculture and other large bodies of water around the subject property. One of his biggest considerations on behalf of his clients is pressure. For example, 200 acres of hunting property that borders 2,000 acres of public land can be a catch 22. If you can find a collective of private landowners all managing for the same purpose – hunting waterfowl – you’ll do ten times better.

Jake notes the time of year.

“It’s easy to assume a property is ideal for duck hunting in the fall or early winter when you can see the ducks. But our knowledge shines when we visit a property mid-summer and need to paint the picture for a potential client. We might see three ducks during that time, and the client has to trust our knowledge and experience about the flyways and potential of the land.”

 

 

What are other ways owners can offset the cost of buying waterfowl land?

 

There are various ways to generate income from a hunting property, such as leasing it to farmers or conservation organizations. Taylor chimes in, “If you’re looking at a property that has everything – water, ag, etc. – you can rent that land out to a farmer and then reap some of the benefits of the harvest. I also know guys who will contact Denver University to put properties under conservation easements. If you’re solely a hunting property, these easements improve the habitat, which improves the hunting. These easements do come with some restrictions, so it’s important to understand those before going down this path.”

 

What kind of habitat maintenance do you need to attract waterfowl to your land year after year?

 

Habitat maintenance is important for fostering the property as a viable resource for wildlife. Land improvements such as fencing, hunting pits, ground blinds and other infrastructure also add value. Wildlife photography, videography and trail cams are an excellent way to document migration patterns and wildlife land use for future sales opportunities. Jake even tells us of a client who keeps a rolodex of duck kills, taking pictures of ducks on the property, which can come in handy when talking with potential buyers or guides.

Back to water, water management is another key way to improve the quality of your duck hunting investment or recreational property. This can include flooding or water capture that improve the habitat, but these measures will be regulated differently in different states. Colorado, for instance, can be a difficult place to move water due to irrigation restrictions, which is why it’s important to understand what it means to own land with water rights in Colorado. According to Jake and Taylor, if you can move water on your waterfowl hunting property, that’s huge. You’re maximizing improvements to your duck hunting land and what it can do.

 

How important is it to have a recreational agent advise you before buying waterfowl hunting land?

 

Very important. And Jake and Taylor can’t emphasize this enough, for good reason. Jake notes, “Duck hunting properties are the highest supply and demand right now when it comes to recreational or investment hunting land. There just aren’t that many of them per the factors we’ve talked about. There isn’t a surplus.”

Taylor adds, “There are properties that were good 20 years ago, and they’ll probably be good in 20 years. They’re just historically special properties. However, there are parts of the country where duck hunting is absolutely terrible. There are parts where it’s really good, but finding special properties comes down to working with a recreational land agent who is knowledgeable and has the expertise on waterfowl hunting in a specific regional flyway.”

If there’s still a question as to whether or not Jake and Taylor are experts on the subject of waterfowl hunting properties, Taylor puts those to rest. “We both grew up obsessing about this hobby and guiding all over the country. And now it gets to be our career. Jake and I have put in that time.”

Jake continues, “It’s a passion. It’s the pinnacle hunting property and inventory is slim. We know where to look and what to look for. We view ourselves more as advisors than traditional real estate agents when it comes to this type of property transaction. We work with some clients for years finding them the right duck hunting property within their budget.”

It’s a relationship that goes beyond the exchange of cash and land. Jake and Taylor stay in touch with their clients, providing advice and counsel on how to better the land and optimize the hunting. “Reach out to us, even if it’s early on, so we can understand what you’re looking for. We have the inside track.”

 

 

 

Archery Hunting Tactics for both Public and Private Lands

Rocky Mountain Elk

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:

  • Bow, arrows and broadheads
  • Release and arrow rest
  • Bow sight and extra pins
  • Range finder plus extra battery
  • First aid kit
  • Headlamp plus batteries
  • Wind checking device
  • Field dressing kit
  • GPS or Smartphone AND compass
  • Game calls
  • Camo clothing (Check out True Timber)
  • And Great broken-in Hiking Boots!

 


 

Learn the Animals’ Corridors and Patterns

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!

 

Colorado’s Historic Year of Forest Fires

colorado wildfire

2020 was a historic year of wildland fires in our state. According to an article in 5280 Magazine, over 625,000 acres burned and three of the largest fires ever occurred last year (Carodine 2020). Total firefighting costs exceeded $266 million (gacc.nifc.gov). One of the blazes, the East Troublesome Creek (ETC) fire, scorched over 150,000 acres in only 1 day. That fire started and spread through forests comprised mostly of standing dead lodgepole pine trees from the bark beetle epidemic from earlier this century. 

From a real estate perspective, 366 homes and 214 additional structures were damaged or a total loss in the ETC fire (cpr.org). According to a Larimer County Assessors Report, 243 buildings (of which 184 were homes) were damaged or lost in the Cameron Peak fire, affecting 469 privately owned properties (larimer.org). Total market value losses are approximately $6.4 million. The combined homeowner and auto insurance claims filed for both fires exceed $614 million, making 2020 the most expensive wildfire year ever recorded (rmiia.org).

 

Mountain and Rural Property Owner Resources

Wildfires across the western United States are becoming larger and more destructive and unfortunately, it may be the norm moving into the future (denverpost.com). Given the destructive nature of these large fires, it may seem that mountain and rural landowners cannot do anything to protect their investments. However, there are many steps that can be taken to improve safety while maintaining property values. These include doing mitigation work around homes and outbuildings to enrolling in a federal or state program that can help offset the cost of bringing in a contractor to do work on a property. There are a myriad of websites and articles on the internet available to landowners to help guide the decision-making process. Included here are a curated selection that may be valuable to readers of this article (Hayden Outdoors Real Estate does not endorse any specific organization or program, these are for information purposes only)

 

Forest Fire Preparedness Resources

 

 

 

East Troublesome Creek and Cameron Peak Fires: A Photo Tour

In March 2021, Dr. Christopher Licata, a Forest Ecologist who recently joined the Hayden Outdoors team, did a driving tour of the area impacted by these two wildfires. His wife, Segrid, documented the damage to the forest and several of her photos are included here. Visit Dr. Licata’s Profile page to contact him for more info on this topic.

Hayden Outdoors National Sponsor Of Pheasants Forever

In an effort to support the preservation and growth of upland bird habitat on both private and public lands, Hayden Outdoors Real Estate has launched their National Sponsorship of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Hayden Outdoors will market farm, ranch and recreational properties for sale to PF and QF members while making a significant gift commitment to upland wildlife.

Access to upland habitat for hunting with family and friends is a goal that Hayden Outdoors hopes to help sustain in the future.  “As a real estate brokerage specializing in farmland and recreational property, Hayden Outdoors understands the importance of land stewardship and the value of quality wildlife habitat. When we decided that we wanted to do more for upland wildlife habitat, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever was a natural partner,” stated Dax Hayden, Hayden Outdoors managing partner and Life Member of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. “Our family and passionate real estate agents recognize ‘The Habitat Organization’ as an effective and efficient conservation partner. When we learned more about PF’s vision for the future, it became clear that we needed to provide additional support to ensure an upland legacy for future generations.”

Just in the past year, Leo Hayden has helped with the “Build a Wildlife Area” program in coordinating Pheasants Forever’s acquisition of 1,080 acres of land in Sherman County, KS that was recently transferred to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. The property, now called Veteran’s Wildlife Area, is now open to public hunting and being managed for sustained wildlife habitat.

In addition, Hayden Outdoors will work to bring together private landowners and PF wildlife biologists to help them create and conserve upland habitat by way of the “Private Lands Wildlife Habitat Assistance” program. Efforts to help maximize unused potential wildlife habitat, grow incremental income for private landowners from unused land, and enrolling more lands into existing management programs, such as Corners for Wildlife, are examples of Hayden Outdoors’ efforts to help landowners and the future of upland bird hunting.

“To create a high-level partnership with one of the premier land brokerage companies in the county is a giant step forward for the future of upland wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage,” said Chris Kalis, director of corporate partnerships for Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. “Not only have they committed financially for increased wildlife habitat and public access, but the opportunities to assist private landowners with landscape-level habitat upgrades has major implications for private lands conservation.

Hayden Outdoors will be featured as a National Sponsor in many of PF and QF marketing mediums, in addition to being featured at the upcoming 2019 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Schaumburg, Illinois.

 

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 740 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $867 million on 540,000 habitat projects benefiting 18 million acres nationwide.

 

About Hayden Outdoors

Hayden Outdoors, LLC is a family-owned and operated real estate brokerage started in 1976 that is based in Windsor, Colorado. With over 100 licensed brokers, agents and staff, Hayden Outdoors is recognized as one of the largest land brokerage in the central United States and “Best Brokerages” every year since 2011 by The Land Report Magazine.

Collecting Rainwater: Water Supplementation by Harvesting Precipitation

Harvesting Rainwater

 

Collecting runoff from the roof of a home or outbuilding, for instance – is a common-sense, self-sufficient strategy that can reduce a property owner’s reliance on well water or a municipal water supply.

In one of the most straightforward rainwater-collection systems, water runs off an angled roof and into a rain gutter, which drains into a storage container; that container might be as simple as a barrel, or as elaborate as a cistern. Water is then available for garden irrigation or even household use, or as a reserve supply for emergencies.

 

Benefits of Harvesting Precipitation

The advantages of rainwater collection are numerous: rainwater is free and generally clean, and can create a water supply over which a landowner has complete control. Redirecting and collecting rainwater can also mitigate stormwater drainage issues that might otherwise exist.

 

How to Start Collecting Rainwater

Collecting rainwater, though, isn’t always as simple a matter as one might expect. A handful of states restrict rainwater collection, to varying degrees; restrictions are generally based on the premise that precipitation supplies water to streams and creeks, and that curtailing that supply has a negative effect for subsequent users with rights to use that water.

Some states, though, actively encourage rainwater collection, motivated in part by studies showing that such harvesting efforts have a positive environmental impact, reducing demand for municipal water and reliance on wells. Landowners interested in collecting rainwater should first research applicable state regulations.

 

Where Legally Allowed, Rain-collection Systems Include:

 

Rain Barrels

A gutter downspout simply empties into a barrel, which might be a barrel specifically marketed for this purpose, or a recycled barrel repurposed from another use. This simple strategy requires next to no engineering, but on the downside, even a 100-gallon barrel can fill quickly, resulting in overflowing and wasted water.

Storage tanks

In what is essentially an expanded version of the basic rain-barrel approach, a property owner can install a much larger tank – one holding hundreds of gallons – next to a home or building, with the collection pipe feeding water directly into the top of the tank. This is still a simple system, no more complicated than using a rain barrel, but it does require the installation of a large tank right next to a structure – probably acceptable for a barn or shop, but perhaps a drawback for a home.

Underground Pipes

In this more elaborate system, multiple downspouts (perhaps from multiple buildings) feed into underground pipes that supply water to a sizable tank, which can be located away from any buildings. With this system, more rainwater can be collected from more surfaces, but installing underground pipelines creates a significant expense. There are some minor engineering needs: pipe connections obviously need to be watertight, and the tank inlet must be below the height of the lowest gutter on a building that’s part of the system.

 

What to Know Before Building a Rainwater-collection System

Most rainwater-collection systems require next to no maintenance; even a relatively elaborate system with underground pipes carrying water from multiple rooftops is essentially just a pipe carrying water into a container. Any collection system, though, has significant potential benefits; a roof area of 1,000 square feet, in a region getting just 10 inches of rain a year, can result in more than 6,000 gallons of useable rainwater.

Wind Energy: On-grid Power with a Wind Turbine

Wind Mill sunset

Supplement Power with a Small-scale Turbine on Your Property

 

Most of us might envision wind energy as an industrial effort, defined by arrays of massive turbines generating enough power for entire municipalities. But wind energy has been harvested by individual property owners for centuries; think of that low-tech windmill, out on an open plain, pumping water from the ground and into a stock tank.

 

Steps to Leverage Wind Energy on Your Property

Rural landowners can also utilize single-property windmills in generating power for their homes and barns. Wind energy can offer a green, self-sufficient option for supplementing on-grid power from a utility company, and can lower utility bills by as much as 50 to 90 percent. Pursuing a small-scale wind-power option, though, requires some research.

First, a landowner should check zoning regulations and property covenants for any regulatory barriers to installing a wind system. A building permit might be required. And, the height of a wind turbine – the hub might be 80 feet off the ground – can prompt objections from neighbors due to views being blocked. (Noise generation from wind turbines generally isn’t an issue, as they don’t produce much sound.)

Next, determine if wind is common enough in your location to make a power-generating windmill feasible. A small wind turbine might require a minimum average annual wind speed of nine miles per hour. A nearby airport can provide data for a rough estimate as to wind speeds in a particular region, but property owners would likely be better served by investing in a wind-measuring system to get accurate reads, specific to the property, on wind frequency and average speeds. (If a property simply doesn’t get enough wind for a turbine system, it’s best to know that up front.) According to the US Department of Energy, the cost of an adequate measuring system might run $600 to $1,200.

 

Optimal Turbine Placement for Power Production

Select a site location in which a turbine will catch enough wind; a hilltop would be an obvious top candidate. Keep in mind the prevailing wind direction, and site the turbine upwind of any potential barriers, including tall trees and other structures. The DOE recommends that small turbines be 30 feet above anything within 300 feet. Remember that ground space will be needed to raise and lower a wind tower, not just during construction, but also for maintenance. And, ground space will be needed for guy wires to secure the tower.

 

Wind Turbine Preparation & Installation

Installation will likely include pouring a concrete foundation, erecting the tower, and wiring the system. It’s a process best left to professionals. Turbine dealers should be able to handle both construction and installation, or recommend contractors.

 

Wind Energy Statistics

According to DOE stats, the typical US home uses 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A turbine rated for 5 to 15 kilowatts is needed to “contribute to” this demand; that wording is important, as a wind turbine might not meet a home’s full electricity need, meaning a connection to a conventional utility will still be needed.

And, wind systems aren’t cheap, averaging close to $6,000 per rated kilowatt.

 

Wind Turbine Maintenance

As for maintenance, a tower owner will need to plan on keeping bolts and connections tight, checking for corrosion, and maintaining guy wire tension. Turbine blades may need replacement as often as every 10 years, but a well-maintained system can last a good two decades.