How to Increase the Value of Your Hunting Land

When it comes to owning or selling hunting land, one of the primary objectives for many landowners is maximizing its value. Whether you plan to sell in the future or simply improve the overall utility and enjoyment of the land, there are several strategies you can implement to enhance its worth. From habitat improvements to structural additions, there’s a wealth of opportunities to increase the value of your hunting property. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to increase the value of your hunting land.

1. Prescribed Burning

Prescribed burning, or controlled burning, is an inexpensive yet valuable tool for landowners looking to improve the quality of their hunting land. This practice involves setting a fire under controlled conditions to achieve specific ecological goals.

Benefits of Prescribed Burning:

• Improved Habitat: Burning removes dead vegetation, opens up the forest floor, and promotes the growth of native grasses, shrubs, and forage that wildlife depend on.

• Increased Wildlife Population: Fire stimulates the growth of desirable plants that attract deer, turkey, quail, and other wildlife. These burns can help diversify the types of vegetation that grow on your land, creating a healthier, more abundant ecosystem.

• Enhanced Aesthetics: It can also help maintain the natural beauty of your land by reducing invasive species and promoting the growth of native grasses.

By incorporating prescribed burning into your land management plan, you can not only help the land regenerate but also attract more wildlife, making your hunting land more valuable. If you are not sure how to get started, reach out to your local forestry or wildlife commission for help.

2. Establishing Food Plots

Creating food plots is one of the most effective ways to increase wildlife activity on your property, and in turn, increase its value. These plots provide supplemental food sources for deer, turkey, and other game species, particularly during critical times like winter or early spring.

How to Create a Successful Food Plot:

• Select the Right Location: Choose areas that are accessible and have plenty of sunlight and moisture without being too wet. Food plots should be strategically placed along wildlife travel routes to attract game without disturbing them.

• Choose the Right Plants: Opt for crops that are appropriate for the region and the species you're aiming to attract. Common choices include clover, legumes, corn, and brassicas.

• Regular Maintenance: Food plots need to be maintained to ensure they continue to attract wildlife. This includes planting, fertilizing, and regularly monitoring soil health.

Food plots not only improve the habitat for game species but also boost the overall value of your property by improving its reputation as a desirable hunting spot.

3. Improvements

Structural improvements such as building barns, shooting houses, and a cabin can significantly increase the functionality and marketability of your hunting land. These additions enhance your ability to enjoy the land for extended periods and attract potential buyers if you're thinking of selling.

Types of Improvements:

• Barns and Storage Buildings: A barn can provide valuable storage for equipment, vehicles, and hunting gear. It also serves as a central location for managing your land, making it easier to handle maintenance tasks.

• Cabins: A cabin offers a comfortable place to stay during hunting trips. It enhances the overall appeal of the land by providing a home base that extends your time spent on the property.

• Shooting Houses: Elevated shooting houses and blinds provide better visibility and safety while hunting. They increase the comfort and effectiveness of hunting trips, making them attractive to hunters with families.

Adding these structures not only makes the land more enjoyable to use but can also raise the overall value by making it more versatile and marketable to potential buyers.

4. Planting Trees

Planting trees can have multiple benefits for your hunting land. Trees improve the aesthetic appeal, create cover for wildlife, and can even increase the timber value of your land.

Why Plant Trees?

• Wildlife Habitat: Trees provide cover for game species and nesting areas for birds. They can also help improve the overall habitat diversity by offering shade, shelter, and food sources, such as acorns or fruit.

• Timber Value: Depending on the type of trees you plant, they can grow into valuable timber over time. This provides an additional income stream, while simultaneously enhancing the beauty and ecological health of your land.

• Erosion Control: Trees help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the ground with their root systems. This is especially beneficial if your property is on a hillside or near a body of water.

By carefully selecting tree species that thrive in your area, you can ensure your land offers both long-term ecological benefits and potential financial rewards.

5. Establishing and Maintaining a Road System

A well-maintained road system is essential for the ease of access to your hunting land, especially during hunting season when you may need to transport equipment or game. It also adds value by improving the overall functionality and accessibility of your property.

Why Invest in Roads?

• Ease of Access: Well-established roads make it easier to get to hunting spots, food plots, or bodies of water. This reduces the wear and tear on the land and helps maintain the integrity of the terrain.

• Improved Management: Roads make it easier to manage the land by allowing access to remote areas. This also makes it easier to implement other management strategies like prescribed burning or planting. “Daylighting” or widening existing roads and planting the edges increases ease of travel and creates travel routes for wildlife.

• Increased Property Appeal: Potential buyers are way more likely to view a property favorably if it has good road access, especially if the land is in a more remote location.

Incorporating a well-thought-out road system on your land not only adds value but also ensures you can fully access the different parts of your property.

6. Build a Pond

Building a pond can transform your hunting land into a more diverse ecosystem while providing benefits for both wildlife and landowners. A pond can attract a variety of species, offer recreational opportunities, and increase the overall aesthetics of your land.

Benefits of a Pond:

• Wildlife Attraction: A pond attracts waterfowl, deer, and other wildlife who need water sources to drink and bathe. It also provides a reliable food source for aquatic species that can support other forms of wildlife.

• Recreational Opportunities: If you're not just interested in hunting but also fishing or other outdoor activities, a pond provides those opportunities. It adds another layer of enjoyment to your property.

• Increased Land Value: A well-placed and maintained pond is highly desirable and increases the overall value of your land by adding both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

When building a pond, make sure to consider factors like water flow, erosion control, and fish stocking. A pond should be managed properly to ensure it remains a healthy and attractive feature for both wildlife and landowners.

Final Thoughts

Increasing the value of your hunting land involves both enhancing its appeal to wildlife and improving its functionality for you as a landowner. By implementing strategies like prescribed burning, establishing food plots, adding structural improvements, planting trees, creating a road system, and building a pond, you can significantly enhance the overall value of your property. Whether you plan to hold onto the land for years to come or sell it in the future, these improvements will pay off in the long run, making your hunting land more enjoyable and valuable.