Govt. programs - there are several govt. programs that require allowing access to your property...butmost do not. Since there are so many programs out there, it would be impossible to start listing them all out. Best would be to answer a few questions and we can go from there. I think Farm Hunter would also agree that he could also offer better advice and direction with a few more details. Here are some basic answers that we would need to offer more options...

- Address of property - (This allows me to access aerial photos, soils maps and topo maps for observing current landuse and management options. I have access to these resources through my TSP status with USDA. I will pass on these resources to you so that you may use them as well for your own property planning. Note...some states are not fully digitized yet and may require mapping the old fashion way.)
- Total acres of property-
- Total acres farmed - (approximate is fine as well)
- Cash rent per acre for crop land or what the going rate is -
- Total acres pasture or meadow -
- Cash rent per acre forpasture or meadow or what the going rate is -
- Total acres woodland -
- Goals and objectives - ...what do you want to accomplish
- What have you done so far -
- Any other info -

With this info, I may be able to quickly put together some resources and info for you to use with your own management. I will e-mail it all to you for review.

Starting - you really should have a good sound plan before you start. Identifying suitable soils and slopes is very important as well as identifying the current landuses. I would agree that you would not want to start re-doing an area that the deer already like to use. I would also wait on the decision to clear "thick areas" as those might be your current areas that the deer find safe refuge.

The reason I can hold so many deer and not be dependant on adjacent properties is due to the over-all design of the property. I have the "sanctuary property". No doubt that the deer wander across property lines but for the most part I am running a "bed and breakfest" rather than what most have as "travel through" properties as I describe them.

There is no cookie cutter plan as Farm Hunter has expressed as well. Take it one step at a time and maximize the options.

Land DR