Don't forget guys. Not only do they charge premo price for land, you also pay them to put greenfields in.

no pm received yet...maybe try again Rebelman

That is not entirely true. Please reread the food plot program. Rayonier put in this program to allow hunters to push food plots in areas where they are growing or plan to grow pine trees. They do charge a nominal fee to offset the value from growing timber in those areas. Logging decks, roads, power lines, utility lines, etc have no charge.

For those of you that complain about the rates please understand it is what the market brings. We have been 100% leased for the last 4-5 years. As a hunter, I don't like lease rates increasing Anymore than you do.

I'm not complaining Rebelman. I'm just stating that, $135.00 fee for planting food plots is what you have to pay unless it's in areas other than what you stated. And that is an added cost in addition to your lease price.

Again, that isn't entirely correct. It is $85/acre for clearing an area in a recent clear cut. $135/ acre is only if you clear established pine trees.

I can name a half dozen companies that do not allow hunters to create food plots. Rayonier developed this program to benefit hunters.

It is worth it if you have 10 fields that are a 1/4 acre or less on a thousand acres. It's hard to have good fields with very small plots. I'd rather pay to have a little bigger fields to hold more deer.

Is that $85/$135 per acre per year?? I spend around $200 per acre for sight prep and planting pine. My return has been around $2400 over all cuttings in a 25 year rotation(clear cuts in the last year or two). I would NOT take $135 on any of my property if it has already been planted. In my opinion speculating timber prices in 25 years, land for timber production $$$ for the land owner, the land/timber owner is losing. The lessor needs to be thankful, its a good deal

Rebelman what is the cost to plant between the trees after thinning and skidder trails

No charge.

Wow, someone that gets it. That's a first, it is rare that somebody understands how a business works

I think a lot of hunters are very educated now and know how a business works. Let's say according to what has been stated so far, I lease a property for 25 years? I pay $135 to plant a food plot to replace the cost of the pines for those 25 years. That comes out to be $3,375. According to the facts given, that comes out to be a $975 profit for the company or the person you are managing the property for. Of course we as lessors are thankful that companies allow us to lease their property!!! Otherwise, the majority of hunters would be stuck hunting on public land or not at all. Not that there's anything wrong with that other than more hunters. I am in no way trying to bash any company for trying to make a profit. If they fail to make profit, then no business equals no land to hunt. We lease land from timber companies and are happy with our properties. And so far we have been lucky and thanful that there are no fees for food plots and the lease is priced fair. I personally have leased land from Rayonier. They have a very professional staff. They are very helpful and work with the lessor!!! And We would consider leasing land from them again. So I understand.

2014 - $2400

2039 - $3375

This is making speculation on timber prices, inflation, etc. Timber is like buying stock, gambling on speculation. Just not as liquid in early years. Rayonier, who I have never had any dealings with, appears to me to be trying to just break even accommodating the hunters and wildlife. I believe wildlife management and timber production can and should co-exist. Land owners just differ in how much $$$ they are willing to sacrifice. Same as the hunters.

We have majorly highjacked Rebelmans thread and for that I apologize. I am a non-deer hunting land owner who comes to sites like this to further educate me and get others ideas at no cost. I am pro wildlife and pro hunting even though the number one problem I have had through the years has been deer hunters. But I know they are not all bad and just handle those few individuals. I understand a lot of you individuals are spending your hard earned money to pursue the sport you love. I was just trying to explain the other side and from what I see, Rayonier is being generous. Now, lets let Rebelman get back to offering opportunities for wildlife and nature while still doing timber management. Sorry Rebelman.

That's why I didn't want anybody to think I was bashing anybody. It is extremely important that we maintain a relationship with each other. It's just with the downward economy, getting members to pay big bucks to maintain leases is getting harder. Just like timber business expenses, hunting clubs feel the same pressures. Price of seed, fertilizer, and fuel have doubled. Thus, making establishing and maintaining food plots more expensive. I agree also that the business is a lot different from past. It's a lot tougher I know to make much as money. Guess that's where we are at this point? I'm not thinking it will get any cheaper lol.