LRNut
Well-Known Member
Some states give tax breaks to timber companies that allow public access; MN used to and probably still does. When I first moved there Boise Cascade would give you a lease that let you build a shack on the land for a whopping $25/year. There is a ton of land in northern MN from which to hunt. I used to go every year but last fall my hunting buddy of 33 years ending his life - same day I shot an elk in NM. His son wanted to me continue to hunt, but I just can't go back there. My SIL and daughter live in the cities and are looking for a property; if they find one, I will buy, but their focus right now is her pregnancy.Good idea. When living in Washington state the timber companies allowed hunters and campers to use the property. Although I'm sure you would have to pay a lease or trespass fee today. I did see a public land locator in N,C, that can be googled.
Forty years ago paper companies owned their own land, but financial wizards convinced them they had too much capital tied up growing timber; better to sell and buy the timber on the open market. Furthermore, companies that focused on timber production could be organized as REITs, which offer some tax advantages. A number of them now sell land after the timber is cut; that is what happened to the land my buddy used to lease; he got 80 acres for $80k. Since he had about 20K in his shack (more like a cabin), it was a no-brainer for him - there is a ton of state land around his property.
So my advice is try and identify who owns timber in your area. There are a number of paper mills in NC, most of whom are my customers.