BigFatKen
Member
Wisconsin has a Managed Forest Law (MFL) that allows land owners to pay almost nothing for property taxes if you allow hunters, among other users, to use your land. You must sign up for a 25 year contract. If you want out, you must pay the back taxes with interest. You can wait the 25 years and not renew.
This is from WI MFL people.
"Tigerton Lumber Company recently made the decision to remove over 10,000 acres of its property in Waupaca and Shawano Counties from the Managed Forest Law so they can close their lands to public hunting and then lease their lands for hunting at a rate of $1600 per 40 acre tract. In addition to this lease cost, hunters will be required to follow harvest restrictions in an effort to manage for trophy deer. This will impact many, many hunters who have traditionally deer hunted on this land."
I leased out my 80 acres in 1991 and got $400. In 1983 I leased someone else's 20 acres for $80.
I used this law when I lived in WI. It saved me money. I did have to pay a "stumpage fee" when the trees were cut, but was little.
Land simply costs too much now to just let it set. A forty in Iron County, would sell for $8600 in 1990. If it had really good trees, it might bring $9600, rarely more. Now, add a zero at the end.
This is the future. The hunting will be better on this land. 90% of 1.5 year old bucks are now harvested. I'm sure this place will insist on waiting for older bucks and a 30% doe harvest, at least.
ps; Don't shoot the messenger.
This is from WI MFL people.
"Tigerton Lumber Company recently made the decision to remove over 10,000 acres of its property in Waupaca and Shawano Counties from the Managed Forest Law so they can close their lands to public hunting and then lease their lands for hunting at a rate of $1600 per 40 acre tract. In addition to this lease cost, hunters will be required to follow harvest restrictions in an effort to manage for trophy deer. This will impact many, many hunters who have traditionally deer hunted on this land."
I leased out my 80 acres in 1991 and got $400. In 1983 I leased someone else's 20 acres for $80.
I used this law when I lived in WI. It saved me money. I did have to pay a "stumpage fee" when the trees were cut, but was little.
Land simply costs too much now to just let it set. A forty in Iron County, would sell for $8600 in 1990. If it had really good trees, it might bring $9600, rarely more. Now, add a zero at the end.
This is the future. The hunting will be better on this land. 90% of 1.5 year old bucks are now harvested. I'm sure this place will insist on waiting for older bucks and a 30% doe harvest, at least.
ps; Don't shoot the messenger.