A property design includes several fundamental steps that will reduce potential hiccups down the road. It seems almost crazy to think this occurs, but very few landowners know their boundary lines. To rely on tools like OnX Maps or Hunt Stand are great options for getting a general sense of things, but are not nearly as accurate to begin the process of implementing a habitat plan. Knowing property lines, with little to no uncertainty, is the very first step to ensuring you stay legally within your right to work the land you are on. It is recommended that landowners mark their properties, with professional help. Hiring a surveyor may seem expensive or beyond what one might want to do, but it will eliminate painstaking issues down the road. A prime example of a legal impact as a result of a property line dispute occurred several years ago on a property I was working on. The property included a small parcel near its boundary line that was not marked. The landowner decided that they would continue to clear this area at their own discretion since it was impacting their ability to put in a prospective food source. The net result is a two year unresolved lawsuit that will likely end in a settlement that is 5 to 10 times what the section of property is worth. It is an unfortunate event to experience, but it happens all the time.
Once a Whitetail Landscape Habitat Plan is developed the landowner has the option to GPS mark or flag every change needed for implementation. With timber markings and other habitat improvements, flagging begins to tell the story of what is to come. Flag marking is my go-to, as it portrays a visual picture of where and what will occur. Flagging areas with colored tape allows the team implementing the change to note bedding areas verse a section designated for a select timber cutting.Taking the same referenced flagging and creating a legend on a map that is tied to the Habitat Plan can be passed out with ease to individuals associated with making changes to the property.
Taking the right amount of time and being patient is really the most important step to any habitat plan. For example, on my own property habitat changes are done in steps. Creating attraction, and filling the void of what is necessary to reach my short-term goals is typically step one. Step two is fine tuning step one, to ensure my hypothetical and early phased implementations are working to my desire. Step three is putting the press on some long term philosophies so I can reach my long term goals. Of course much can change due to neighboring properties, etc., but knowing what is not working as much as what is will impact the time and effort to making a class A property a reality.