Exploitation and making a profit...hmmm When I talk a landowner (who wants to enjoy the recreation value of hunting, not necessarily timber profits of his property) into taking a profitable timber stand like this:


and turning it into this:


Do you have any idea of the opportunity costs and future income he has lost? This is not for profit that they do it. It is because they have a stewardship mindset and want the wildlife to be not only healthy but populations to increase. THe ones that are doing it only for profit will maintain the stand with a pine straw understory throughout the rotation. By the way, can you see any "rows" once it is thinned this open?

If you think this woods provides only "minute value for the average hunter, little to no value for the whitetail and turkey, and yet enterprising for the manager." You are CRAZY


Do you think this guy is maintaining this woods for $$.. If he was it would have been cut years ago. Do you think it has no wildlife value? You should read up.

Do you have any idea how much more it costs to do this:


instead of this?

Good post, I have never seen a "timber company" do anything for the benefit of wildlife. Mission is somewhat right in that regard, they are only protecting their assets and rightfully so. Its no bait and switch, they make no bones about it, they are in the timber business.
The only pine stands that I have seen that open have all been quail plantations and privately owned.

You are exactly right. But they are also not claiming "management" for wildlife or the environment. MOST of our clients are NOT quail plantations but nearly all have open woods like the photos. Stewardship minded landowners who like to hunt deer and turkeys, etc. Missions issue is with "habitat management and deer management was skillfully created and succinctly developed strictly for the purpose of exploitation of natural resources for making a profit." My point is I would argue the exact opposite

Great post Gobbler. So true. Habitat management is definitely not for profit! Anyone who has done much in the way of habitat improvement has often wrestled with the dilema of how much can they afford to do. I know many people who consider the expense I have incurred through habitat management as foolish. Perhaps it is only the true conservationist who sees reward in the unselfish action of incurring the labor and expense of an enterprise with no guarantee of monetary gain. I can certainly understand those that would rather spend their dollars otherwise, but to question the intentions of those that do, or the undeniable benefit to wildlife...absurd.

QDMMAV8R, I was just joking with gobbler in my post. The thread was getting a little heated and I tried to add a little levity by being very, very facetious. Sorry I didn't make it more clear, friends.

I'm truly a supporter of QDM. Sorry for not adding an emoticon, QDM,and gobbler. Heck, I even added my support to anyone who hunts high fences...in the other thread. Hunting and wildlife has been an important aspect of my life.

I've practiced a little qdm on my land (40 acres) and it worked fine. Hillside land is more difficult to manage with the poorer soil and washing/erosion.

I do love longleaf pines, though. That part of my post was the only part I really meant. lol

Those are beautiful photos of qdm work. Thanks for posting them. I wish I had the resources and physical ability to do the same to my land. Wow !

Y'all keep up your great work and help our wildlife thrive !

mission

Seeing those pics really brings home the different kinds of habitat we enjoy here in Alabama.

In Jackson county where I hunt, it's nothing but miles of very steep mountains and all hardwoods. Pretty tough hunting on both man and equipment!

Seeing flatlands and endless pine stands is completely foreign to me, but great hunting I'm sure.

We're truly blessed with a cool variety of countryside here in the great state of Alabama.

Cheers,
Aught

No apologies necessary. Differing viewpoints encourages sensible debate. Unless someone has a superiority complex and thinks everyone else is wrong, debate is healthy Only correction I would add mission is that those pics have nothing to do with QDM. It is simply good land management for multiple use. As much as some hate it, good habitat management benefits deer, turkey, quail, songbirds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, wildflowers, butterflies, soils, water quality ......

Great >> land management, QDMAAV8R, and thanks for understanding. I'd like to have a bit of that done to my land !

My pines trees are in dense thickets...in old pasture land. I need a place for turkeys to strut ! One good thing...I have water on the place...about 3 springs that run year round.