The Trophy Case

June 20, 2018

Considering Purchasing A Property: Don't ignore the trees!

June 20, 2018

Uncategorized

If you are considering purchasing a recreational property, you might be looking for something that will give you a return on your investment. After all, a two or three percent annual return certainly comes in handy when it is time to pay property taxes or put in a food plot place! While tillable land can generate that return, there may be another asset on your future property that you might be overlooking: Timber.

Oftentimes, properties with marketable timber are not properly assessed and they are priced similar to properties that have timber but with...

June 13, 2018

What's Your Property Worth?

June 13, 2018

Uncategorized

What's my property worth? As you might imagine this is a question that comes up often as a land sales professional. It's a good question and there is no one right answer except to borrow a quote from a real estate veteran, "your property is worth as much as someone will pay for it."

Before you dismiss this as cliche' you need to realize there is an element of truth to it. The value of your property has much more to do with how the public views your property and less about the money you have invested in the property. It can be a harsh reality to learn...

June 6, 2018

The Waiting List: Patient Buyers Win

June 6, 2018

Uncategorized

As I've grown older and hopefully a little wiser, I don't mind the waiting game. My grandfather used to say, "If you are not willing to wait for something, you don't really need it in the first place." And while that statement might not apply to healthcare, it does apply to many of the material things we seek.

Now, if I want something, I don't mind waiting to get it. I often find myself on the waiting list because I am looking for something specific and that requires waiting until it becomes available. Land is no different.

If you are consideri...

May 30, 2018

Wetland Drawdown Timing

May 30, 2018

Uncategorized

The question, "when should I draw the water down on my wetland?" is one I consistently hear from private landowners, duck club owners, and property managers in north Missouri.

It is not easy to answer without knowing the current condition of the site as wetlands vary in successional stages and plant types, which are key indicators of what your management approach should be. Choosing the right strategy will encourage moist soil production and increase the potential duck-use-days on your favorite hunting spot. To help provide some direction, we will bre...

May 23, 2018

Bow Hunting- The Right of Passage

May 23, 2018

Uncategorized

I can still remember, I was around 7 or 8 years old sitting in our kitchen, waiting for my dad and older brother, Steve to get home from shotgun season in Southern IL. Back then, we didn't have cell phones, so they couldn't send a text message to instantly tell me they had killed a deer- I had to wait and the anticipation was killing me! I was excited to hear their stories and to look in the back of dad's truck. Would he have shot a doe? Would he have a nice buck with 12 pts that would go on the wall? I lived for that time of year back then, and still do tod...

May 16, 2018

Clover Food Plot Maintenance

May 16, 2018

Uncategorized

In my opinion, it is hard to beat clover as a year round food plot. Besides the fact that it is very high in protein, it also is a great attractant for deer and turkey. Some people think that once they have a clover field established, their work is done. This is far from the truth, it's just the beginning.

Every Winte...

The Trophy Case

Categories