This morning I wanted to update everyone on a few changes that have happened around here over the last few months. First, as I briefly wrote about a while back, I will not be managing Cubbedge Hill Plantation this year. I have run out of time to do everything that I want in my life, so some changes had to be made. Giving this up was one of them. And it was a tough decision since I have so enjoyed working with my family and having access to truly one of the best chunks of deer country in the state.

I will also not be managing Jericho either. Times are tough and filling memberships on highly managed deer hunting clubs has been even tougher. Don’t get me wrong, I would have filled up what I needed to, it just was taking longer than expected. And there was another group that was committed to treating the place right (and had the funds ready), so they have taken it over. And while I was a little disappointed in this, this development has also worked in my favor as far as my goals and time management go.

Please note that I didn’t immediately stop advertising my lowcountry hunting services since I considered leasing a smaller piece of property for just a few of the right clients. However again, this was going to take up too much time for not enough return. So a couple of us are headed over to hunt with Marion at Gohagan’s Guide Service. He is doing everything that I would have done and just as good, so I am going to enjoy the benefits of hunting a great place without expending all of the time.

Don’t misunderstand. I love managing prime hunting properties. However the amount of time required to properly do so is enormous. And so is the money. Just to give you an idea of what it takes to fully fund one here in the lowcountry, take a look at these numbers… A prime lease will run around 25$ an acre; that makes a 1000 acres worth around $25,000 a year! Then add in 500 to 1000 bushels of corn at the current $8, and that will tack on an additional $4000 to $8000. And of course everyone likes to have a nice place to stay at night along with sitting over some nice green fields that require planting with $5 a gallon diesel, good seed and fertilizer. Add that all up and you are at around $35,000 to $40,000! Do the math, and 12 members (about right for that acreage) and each one will have to pay $3500 a season. That is a lot of money for most folks right now… And that is all just to cover the costs.

I also have a family that I must take care of, so that has made me look at my life goals as well as at our finances. In addition, I have something else that I would like to do more of that requires time - writing about managing for big bucks and hunting in the lowcountry. So, since there are only so many hours in a day, I have decided to use my time for other projects including several new websites and a magazine. I will be posting much more about these undertakings very soon. However that may not be on this blog (or this blog in its current form).  I may have to switch this site over to a self-published one in the very near future, so please bare with me as I make any of these changes.

As you can see I have lots of big stuff going on, but believe it or not, there is more. Since I still want to continue to work in the hunting field, manage for big bucks and gain valuable experience, I have another exciting development to tell you about very soon…Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

Jeff

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