Buying land next to state land

[Familyhunt]

I am looking to buy 60 acres in Michigan for the family to mainly deer hunt- the land has 1000s of acres of state land bordering 3 sides. Do you think that is good or bad?

 

[yoderjac]

It depends on access to the state land for hunting. If the state land is non-hunting land, in some cases deer numbers could be high for the habitat. If the land is public hunting land, then access plays a role. I know of some places that are small and surround by public hunting land on 3 sides, but the closest drivable access point to the state land is 5 miles away. That means hunters would need to walk over 5 miles to trespass on your land. This can be ideal because you only own a small amount of land but can hunt on the public land as well with little competition.

On the other hand, I know if folks with small plots of land adjoining public hunting land with access points nearby. They get a lot of trespass from hunters using the public land that stray off of it.

So, like most things, the devil is in the details. It could be very good or very bad.

 

[Mennoniteman]

It sounds like a good deal to me. Often hunters on state land will push the deer onto the adjacent properties on the first morning of hunting season, essentially making a deer drive towards you for free. I had land against state land and then the state wanted to buy it for better access to their land. Although I didn't end up selling to them, the location increased the eventual sale price.

 

[theowilder]

It depends on access to the state land for hunting. If the state land is non-hunting land, in some cases deer numbers could be high for the habitat. If the land is public hunting land, then access plays a role. I know of some places that are small and surround by public hunting land on 3 sides, but the closest drivable access point to the state land is 5 miles away. That means hunters would need to walk over 5 miles to trespass on your land. This can be ideal because you only own a small amount of land but can hunt on the public land as well with little competition.

On the other hand, I know if folks with small plots of land adjoining public hunting land with access points nearby. They get a lot of trespass from hunters using the public land that stray off of it.

So, like most things, the devil is in the details. Consulting an experienced Edmonton Condo Realtor can help you understand the specifics, ensuring it turns out very good rather than very bad.

That’s generally very good. Bordering thousands of acres of state land provides more hunting area, attracts more deer, and offers privacy and reduced risk of nearby development.

 

[yoderjac]

That’s generally very good. Bordering thousands of acres of state land provides more hunting area, attracts more deer, and offers privacy and reduced risk of nearby development.

In some cases, that is absolutely right. In others it can be problematic. An example of how the sword cuts both ways is state game lands in PA. They are often on the mountain with limited access roads through them. The adjoining land in the valleys is farm land. If you have a farm in the valley and are far from one of the access roads, hunters may need to walk miles to get to your land and trespass is not a big problem. On the other hand, if you are close to an access point, since game from the mountain is often attracted to the farm crops and hunters know that, folks who are willing to trespass will, and that can be a real problem.

 

[Mennoniteman]

In some cases, that is absolutely right. In others it can be problematic. An example of how the sword cuts both ways is state game lands in PA. They are often on the mountain with limited access roads through them. The adjoining land in the valleys is farm land. If you have a farm in the valley and are far from one of the access roads, hunters may need to walk miles to get to your land and trespass is not a big problem. On the other hand, if you are close to an access point, since game from the mountain is often attracted to the farm crops and hunters know that, folks who are willing to trespass will, and that can be a real problem.

I have lots of experience with PA State Game lands and you have described it very well, most of the advantage/ disadvantage of public land hinges on how close the private land is to a public parking lot.

 

[yoderjac]

I have lots of experience with PA State Game lands and you have described it very well, most of the advantage/ disadvantage of public land hinges on how close the private land is to a public parking lot.

Completely agree!