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Post by kbiddle on Dec 11, 2007 10:45:20 GMT -5
Guys, I am considering starting a part time wildlfe consulting business, that would include things like a site evaluation, action plans to improve site for various game managment. I would also be able to do the site work , food plot preperation, planting, enrollment in state subsides program, etc so that the client could just enjoy the output. Do you all think this is something that is would work or am I just day dreaming out loud? My thought is that folks who have private land to hunt may not have the equipment or know how to make the improvments. This is something that could be provided from just a plan all the way though actually doing the work. I am just kind of getting started on this ideal but I have a biologist that would also be assisting with the plans evaluation etc. Let me know what you think good or bad and any things you think it should include....
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Post by parrothead on Dec 11, 2007 10:57:39 GMT -5
Do you have a degree in any of these areas?
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Post by kbiddle on Dec 11, 2007 11:04:38 GMT -5
I have an architecture degree and computer degree but the biologist will review and approve all plans.
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Post by hountzmj on Dec 11, 2007 11:05:43 GMT -5
I think a good place to start would be to see if there any sort of certifications in this area. My wife has a friend who is a "Certified Lake Manager." Maybe something like that.
If I were looking to hire someone to do that sort of thing for me the first thing I would look for would be a certification or a degree that backs up what they claim to know.
my $0.02.
--hountzmj
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Post by parrothead on Dec 11, 2007 11:07:19 GMT -5
There is a licensed Forestery here in Seymour who also does wildlife consulting work. He will do controlled burns plant whatever and so on.
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Post by parrothead on Dec 11, 2007 11:08:44 GMT -5
I do think there is a market for someone with the equipment to work up soil, plant, spray, etc. A lot of guys dont have that stuff.
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Post by kbiddle on Dec 11, 2007 11:14:04 GMT -5
Thx Parrot.... Thats kind of what I was thinking too... I know when I bought my place if I could have found someone to do all the work I would have probably hired it out versus making the investment in all the equipmnet... which I did... It just seems to me that there should be a market out there for someone to actually do that type of wrok versus going and hiring a excavation company or something along those lines... but just not sure on how you would get taped into folks looking to have that work done.
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Post by parrothead on Dec 11, 2007 11:16:57 GMT -5
A guy I hunt on in Madison. Does some stuff for hunters around. He charges 25.00 perhour and the clock starts as soon as he starts the tractor and until he gets home.
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Post by duff on Dec 11, 2007 12:54:15 GMT -5
I am pretty sure the state foresters will provide the plans for free, you just have to work with them. They will taylor the forest mgmt plan based on your desire (tree production or wildlife), recoment TSI, tree harvest stuff like that. I hear they do a decent job at it too.
I would start out doing the ground work and try to build from there. A full service pond management company in Indiana started as just a pond builder and worked their way from there to a full blown Midwest pond management company. They cover IN, IL, MI, KY, MO last I saw anyways. Aquatic Control based out of Seymour
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Post by kbiddle on Dec 11, 2007 13:43:35 GMT -5
Duff, You are correct kind of how I was thinking about it was the one source to take care/coordinate of all that, work with the state biologist or forester coordinate it all then execute the work.
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Post by duff on Dec 11, 2007 13:56:31 GMT -5
There are already consultants that provide the forest management analysis, cutting, and probably even food plot construction. My good friend has a forestry degree and has worked with some of the major timber harvesters in the state. He's looked into the consultation part too.
Good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2007 17:47:39 GMT -5
What I think is that it won't work. Hunters all want food plots, but most have no clue in the amount of labor or the costs involved. In order for you to make a profit, with a large amount of travel to different regions, you would have to charge a pretty penny for your work. Not many guys would pay it. Plus, most state agencies have people that will do what your going to do for free, at least the advice part.
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Post by danf on Dec 11, 2007 19:09:08 GMT -5
It would be iffy at best for the first few years. I wouldn't count on it for living expenses. If it's something you can do "on the side" then do it that way first to see how much interest there might be.
There are so many resources out there right now for anyone to tap into if they would just start looking. I'm like timex- I don't really see it being successful as a full-time job and making a decent living.
If it is something you do decide to get into, you WILL need a pesticide certification in order to do any for-hire spraying. I can help get you set on track for that, but the certification and licensing is through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC). The OISC has a website through Purdue's, holler if you want me to find it for you.
Good luck!
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Post by steiny on Dec 13, 2007 19:33:19 GMT -5
I think there is plenty of opportunity for you, if you are willing to travel a bit and do good work. Heck, I'd probably pay you to do some stuff for me. My time is better spent working my job than trying to save a nickle by doing my own food plots, etc.
As you probably know, there is a little more to it than just tilling up some dirt, shaking out some seed and expecting a good food plot. That route usually winds up with a nice weed patch. It takes good cultivation and planting equipment, soil analysis, fertilization, weed control, etc. if you want a good stand.
I'd love to have you plant me a few acres of corn to leave stand. Plant a bunch more trees, some misc. food plots, etc.
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Post by danf on Dec 13, 2007 22:14:31 GMT -5
I'd forgotten about trees... If you've got a tractor, a planter and a couple of guys, it's possible to plant state nursery seedling trees and make some money. It's a pretty narrow window of opportunity in the spring, but there's nothing like being able to say that you planted 20,000 trees in a day!!!
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Post by larryhagmansliver on Dec 14, 2007 7:30:10 GMT -5
The good side of this is it won't cost you much to get started. I wonder if you could work with someone like BaseCamp on this sort of thing. It sounds like a fun gig. I hope it works out for you.
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Post by drgreyhound on Dec 15, 2007 9:57:43 GMT -5
Mbogo is a biologist--this kind of thing is right up his alley.
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Post by kbiddle on Dec 24, 2007 6:32:54 GMT -5
I agree there is MUCH more to it then just scratching the gound and thorwing out some seed..and hmm the basecamp is a good ideal...
I have been working with the DNR on my property on a little over 10AC of food plots here and the biologist said it was an amazing transformation... best he had seen in hos 20+ years...Just wish I would ahve taken before pcitures...Anyway I have accumlated quite a bit over the past couple of years.... So adding a tree spade would be no big deal... I think I have everything else... Kubota RTV 1100, Kubota 3830... backhoe 12" & 30" buckets, 6' bush-hog, 6' tiller, 6' box blade 6' landscape rake...., post-hole digger, 6'cuitipacker, 500lb capacity seeder, 6' finish mower... If someone is needing some help just PM me...
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Post by drs on Dec 24, 2007 7:48:37 GMT -5
kbiddle, Go out to the area you're wishing to improve for wildlife; and pick up a handfull of soil. This is where it all begins, at this level. Your soil type determines what you can grow for habitat and food for various species, and what you need to add to improve that soil. GOOD LUCK!
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Post by danf on Dec 24, 2007 12:52:24 GMT -5
So adding a tree spade would be no big deal... I think I have everything else... A spade is not what you need for seedlings. Unless it's a foot powered one. A seedling planter essentially cuts open a furrow that you stick the tree in, then there should be wheels trailing that close the furrow back up. You'll probably need to "stomp" them in once they are in the ground. I'm not sure if there are commercially available planters out there. If there are, they are probably $$$ and special order since they aren't a high demand item. The only one I've been on was homemade. Wish I had some pics to show you but I don't.
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