land management

[hoggsback]

Looking for some info/advice on land management. I would like to make my land the best it can be for deer and grouse. Where can I find this kind of info? Anyone have experience they would share? Are there programs from the DNR or Federal side?

[luckey]

Check the DNR site for "forest stewardship" plan. I signed up my property about 5 years ago. They came out and did a site survey and after discussing with me, came up with a comprehensive plan. I have been following some of the items and plant to implement some others in the future. The cost is minimal. I think around $50 - $75

[Hotspotter]

The forest stewardship program is now free of charge. They've provided us with some excellent advice in enhancing the wildlife habitat on our land. If you can, schedule a time for a walk-thru with a DNR Forester when you're available as well. Have all of your questions built up, and soak as much information from them as possible. As an added bonus, you'll learn your trees better.

Joel

[fishroger]

I write alot of the forest stewardship plans in the cass-crow wing county area, also in the st. cloud area. I am a consulting forester who contracts with the DNR to write them. There free of charge. Its a good deal. If you register the plan you are eligible for cost sharing, which means you can usually get reimbursed up t0 50% of the cost of planting or site prep, plus they will also send you notices for forestry field days and updated literature. You may also qualify for some tax benefits through the Sustainable Forestry Iniative Act. If your in those areas I can do a plan for you fairly soon. If you call the Brainerd or Sauk Rapids DNR Forestry office tell them you want Roger to do the plan.

[Northland Sportsman]

There are programs and a lot of info available to help better manage for wildlife. A agree w/ above posts on DNR stewardship plan is the first thing to do, contact DNR for details. You can also get a lot of info from the Soil & Water Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Service by contacting your county offices. Most programa will offer cost sharing and other insentives to manage property. Good Luck, it can be a lot of work but fun too!

[Mark Christianson]

Forest Stewardship plan was our first agenda.

From there it exploded.

Several avenues to pursue.

Call your local DNR wildlife manager for a site meeting, call your local USFWS office and do the same.

Between all that, you will start to get ideas from those professionals what to do with your land, and they will know where to go from there and should know of programs available in your area to tackle some of your objectives.

I will say this. Its not an easy process, nor does it all happen quickly. But its worth it.

[hoggsback]

Thanks for all the posts and info.

I will be calling the DNR office in the Duluth area and setting up a time to meet with them. I know it will take years to get somewhere but I want to enjoy the land while I'm alive and leave it better for my kids and theirs, and so on.

Again thanks!

[BLACKJACK]

fishroger, do you get as far south as the Brooten/Belgrade area? What determines whether they farm out this planning process to you or whether the DNR does it themselves.

[fishroger]

There in Stearns cty. I have a good working relationship with the DNR forester in Sauk rapids and have a stewardship contract there. Before they had a long waiting list of plan requests, often more than a year. I can do them usually within 3 - 4 months or quicker. Call the DNR forestry office in Sauk Rapids (320-255-4279)and ask for Marlin Hage and say you know Roger does the plans. Thanks

[RogersMN]

What does the plan look like? What kind of advice do they give? Just curious, I have the paperwork at my house but havn't mailed it in yet.

[Mark Christianson]

A 3 ring binder about 3 inches thick with info!

I bust that thing open periodically after 4 years. Tons of great stuff.

I love the specific detailed info on our property, the goals we have, and the supporting information to attain our goals.

[fishroger]

you get a information binder full of just about everything you need to launch your plan recommendations, plus you get a management plan written by a professional who has dealt with private landowners for many years. The plan includes a cover type map of your property, I personally use the DNR air photos and dilineate the cover types. I then briefly go over each cover type and give recommendations on what should be done. I also put some soils data in the plan. I also cover the wildlife aspects and what could be done. Its a good deal. If you get in any of the state or federal programs they all require a mgmt plan. Its good to have one even if you dont get in a program. Its free to the landowner and will give you some incentive to be a steward of the land.

[Mark Christianson]

Hey,

fishrog, do you know Chad Converse? He is the independent that did our stewardship plan.

[RogersMN]

wow! I didn't expect much for info. I thought it'd be real general. I just pulled out the documents and I'm going to have them in the mail tomorrow!

[fishroger]

ya, I know Chad, he is out of the Staples-Motley area. He is a consultant also . Good guy.

[BLACKJACK]

fishroger, I actually live in NW Kandiyohi county, should I still contact the Sauk Rapids person or the Kandiyohi DNR office?

[fishroger]

If the actual property is in Kandy cty call the kandy office, if in stearns call sauk rapids.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I have a simple piece of advice. Plant clover.

[Mark Christianson]

I wish land management was that simple....

If you want real results, you gotta go just a tad beyond that.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Quote:

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I wish land management was that simple....

If you want real results, you gotta go just a tad beyond that.

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Yes, but it helps. I wasn't saying thats all you need to do.

You need alf alpha too DUH