How is the state for a neighbor?

farmerbrian · #1 03/03/10, 07:54 PM

We are just at the beginning stages of planning our move out of the burbs onto some rural acreage. This journey will likely result in many more thread starts here for me but here is my first question:

Whats the good and bad of living next to public land?

The first piece of property that im interested in walking abuts a 13,000 acre state forest.

Thanks,

Brian

Kazahleenah · #2 03/03/10, 08:03 PM

When hunting season comes, you'll most likley regret living near state land.

wy_white_wolf · #3 03/03/10, 08:35 PM

How close is the public access to the land? The farther the better.

How far into it do you have to go before reaching a road?

beaglady · #4 03/03/10, 08:57 PM

We live in a rural township with 400 human residents, 11,000 acres of State Gamelands, and 800 acres of a private children's camp. Our property does not adjoin the state lands and we've had no problem with stray hunters. Personally I'd much rather have empty forest land nearby than any land use that's filled with people year round.

Hoop · #5 03/03/10, 10:25 PM

It is of course a mixed blessing. While its generally a good thing to border county/state/national land, its not always a blessing.
I recall a couple that built a huge home on a hill overlooking State of Wisconsin forested land. The couple built the house only about 25 feet from the State of Wisconsin lands. The forested lands were clear cut!!

Mel- · #6 03/04/10, 04:32 AM

some of the land I have been looking at is also surrounded by state or national forest and one thing I've found out is some have atv trails and I sure would hate to have a bunch of those peeling past my homesite.

however, living where I can just hop ON a trail would be fun

beaglebiz · #7 03/04/10, 06:27 AM

our land is backed by state game lands. I love it. People dont hunt in this area, as their are a few houses on the line. I like it personally, as there is plenty of privacy, and it can never be developed. Plus, there is deadfall (firewood) every year you can drag out for firewood (we do have a deadfall permit, because we also take downed trees from the state park that is nearby), walk in the forest (there are cliffs and creeks ), pick mushrooms and wild berries and nuts.
I dont know what your state hunting laws are, but no one even comes near this way (no way to get in, plus the houses, you have to be quite a distance from a home to hunt), I would check into that first, but we have no regrets. We dont own as much land as I originally dreamed, but our place is paid for, and this sure makes it feel much larger.

Micahn · #8 03/04/10, 07:10 AM

We like having public land backing to ours. Sure in hunting seasons you hear a lot of shooting but none so far has been real close. By law (at least here in Florida) they have to be I believe it is 100 yards from a building. I know that is not all that far but I have never heard one even near that close.
What is nice is that no one will ever build on the land. We also enjoy the animals that we see every thing from deer to bear to every thing else running around.
We live sort of inside Ocala National Forest, We are in a development but all the lots are a acre plus. The development is surrounded by NF for the most part.

geo in mi · #9 03/04/10, 07:55 AM

Try Google Earth, or some aerial phptography that your county may have. You may be able to get a view of trails, etc.

**Cabin Fever** · #10 03/04/10, 07:58 AM

Parcels of state forest land are often leased to loggers....via a bidding process...to harvest timber. I would check when the last time the land adjacent to yours was harvested. If it was a long time ago....or if the timber on the state land next to yours is mature....don't be surprised if one day soon a logging company shows up and clear cuts it.

foxtrapper · #11 03/04/10, 08:29 AM

Most of it depends on the type of land you're backing up to. Things that are preservation are different than recreational park areas, which are different from logged public lands, which are different from camping areas, which are different from... Well, you get the idea.

Personally, I'd love to live at the end of a dead-end road backed up to a preservation or educational parkland.

farmerbrian · #12 03/04/10, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wy_white_wolf

How close is the public access to the land? The farther the better.

How far into it do you have to go before reaching a road?

This is something that concerns me. There is a seasonal access road only a few hundred yards away from the property line. This road connects to the main circuit of marked foot trails that criss-cross the forest.

I'm not overly concerned about hunters in general, I plan on becoming one soon myself, but I certainly dont wont to live next to what feels/sounds like a shooting range.

I dont think (hope) any hunters would operate like this so close to the edge of state land and houses....but in general I certainly see the access road (one of many) being so close to the property as a potential negative. I wont know until I walk it but the topography may put the road behind a ridge.

weedlady · #13 03/04/10, 08:37 AM

Dh and I were seriously considering a piece of land bordered on 2 sides by 800 acres of county land. It had everything we are looking for. I specifically asked the realtor about the possibility of it being logged..I was assured that "the county is not in the lumber business". It is a good thing I subscribe to the local newspaper, because we found out (just before making an offer) that the county is taking bids to log that very 800 acre parcel and it will probably be done this year! Knocks that one right off our list.
I guess the fact that it was way overpriced was a blessing in disguise.
Martha

farmerbrian · #14 03/04/10, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

Most of it depends on the type of land you're backing up to. Things that are preservation are different than recreational park areas, which are different from logged public lands, which are different from camping areas, which are different from... Well, you get the idea.

Personally, I'd love to live at the end of a dead-end road backed up to a preservation or educational parkland.

THis is state "forest" as opposed to "management area" if I have the CT jargon right. So I believe the primary purpose is multi-use recreation. Where I live now is close to a management area and was just heavily logged. Not clear cut, but close enough.

I will look into logging operations in this forest though. I'd be suprised if it was not logged at all.

Bearfootfarm · #15 03/04/10, 08:56 AM

Quote:

There is a seasonal access road only a few hundred yards away from the property line

Not all those roads are open to the general public.
Often they are maintained just for fire equipment.
I wouldnt let it stop me from buying the property

Cascade Failure · #16 03/04/10, 08:56 AM

I would be more concerned about the size and nature of the parcel you are looking to purchase. As you know, decent acreage/terrain can allow for a buffer.

I assume you are not moving out of state. A higher population density puts a greater strain on the nearby state forest. Think CT vs. mid state/northern Maine. A forest near New Haven will likely be worse than one near Griswold

I wouldn't hesitate to live near some of the larger forests near me such as Natchaug, Salmon River or Patchaug. Some of the smaller ones though are more like glorified parks with hunting allowed.

Cascade Failure · #17 03/04/10, 09:00 AM

Spring turkey starts Apr. 28th. That will give you an idea of how heavy the area is hunted.

This reminds me...I need to go get my tags.

Wolf mom · #18 03/04/10, 09:14 AM

I have 2 parcels of land, both bordered on 2 sides by the National Forest. I live on the smaller parcel.

It's like having a huge back yard with no neighbours encroaching. I could dance nekid in the moonlight if I wished.

I love being able to saddle up & ride forever - or just going for a hike without having to drive or walk in the road. It's also nice to be able to have my dogs under voice command and not always on a leach when going for a hike.

During hunting season, I have a radio playing so no one gets too close.
I do have coyotes prowling around once in a great while but have everything fenced & double fenced where necessary. Coyotes are not just on public land tho., so its not an issue.

Before I got the parcel field fenced, I did find a cow munching on my hay - but that was only once and I thought it was kinda cute.

Sometimes you gotta' change your attitude from irritated to go with the flow.

As a former realtor, I've found the best pieces of land are those that have something a little unique about them. Having the largest back yard is one of them.

I really can't say enough good about it.

MN Gardener · #19 03/04/10, 10:55 AM

We border the county forest and I love it. Although it is huntable by the public, there is a huge ridge that makes it difficult to reach the side we are on, so we see very few hunters in that area. The amount of acreage on our side of the ridge is not worth the hike. We have access to tons of hiking, ATV and snowmobiling trails, which is really nice. If you get a set up like that, go for it. The only trouble we have is that the land we just bought use to be owned by Potlatch and they would let anyone hunt on it. Most people don't know this and still try to use the trials for access to the County forest. The first few years we had some problems, but now its not so bad (lots of No Tresspassing signs, etc). If you feel it will effect your enjoyment of the property, then you do need to find out about any possible timber cutting. They county forest we live next to was cut a few years back, but it did not really effect us because they were very careful on what they cut and our parcel is heavily wooded.

Wis Bang 2 · #20 03/04/10, 11:23 AM

I've seen this from the opposite side. My family has a leased camp site on PA state forest land. We are the 'first' camp on the blacktop road as it enters the SFL and the amount of development nearby has been a problem. There is alot more traffic, breakins, litter, etc. from all the development.

The OP needs to check this site during an open hunting season to see if the access road is a popular hunting parking spot. If this property is undeveloped, the locals may just consider it an extension of the state forest and wonder around disregarding the boundary. Safety Zone regulations usually make a buffer, in PA it is 150 yards from any occupiable building so a tool shed close to the boundary pushes the safety zone into the public land. NJ has the same rules and I notice the areas w/ the safety zone signs streach the 150 yards a good way past the 450 foot mark...You need to look into your states hunting regulations and act accordingly.