Owning a wood

[Bavarianbrit]

In 1971, I bought 51 acres of grade 3 land for £13,000. Some closeby is now changing hands at £20,000 and acre!
Now if I had put the £13,000 in a deposit account...........

In 1974 I bought my first 2 bed new build terraced house for £7500.

 

[JTO]

In 1974 I bought my first 2 bed new build terraced house for £7500.

I remember my dad selling the last of his father's houses in the 50s for £400.

 

[VSS]

If there are no deer , then no reason to be granted a firearm for deer

How about all the people who get a friend to write them an invite letter in support of a variation? Is that any different?

I should say it would have to be a particularly pig-headed firearms licensing officer to reject an application from a landowner who's title deeds specifically mention the exclusive right to control deer, regardless of whether there are actually any deer present at the time of submission.

 

[Kjf]

I do, but shooting in it is only a small part of the pleasure of owning it. A 25 acre, long and relatively narrow strip (sub 100 m wide for the most part along the edge of the local river system where the main tributary meets the principle river. A 700acre ‘commercial‘ neighbouring forest provides any replacement deer. It had been clear felled of softwood prior to my acquiring it, and we planted 23k mixed hardwoods for the longer term added values, both in financial and ecological terms (the before and after pics are striking!). Made a 1/2 mile access track through the middle portion of it, and a couple of flight ponds, one at either end. A couple of high seats, but plenty of open enough stalking to enjoy a through stalk too, or an informal walk up with a couple friends for wild pheasant, pigeon woodcock and duck. Lovely to stalk a roe or two, but great pleasure in the quiet (no traffic nearby), hammock camping near the quietly burbling river, picnics, pottering and tidying up, gathering firewood, listening and watching the birdlife, etc. One of life’s real pleasures, and though we will sell it in the coming years, it will have been one of our best investments, quite beyond the financial aspects.

And that's what it's all about ,

Bang on

Kjf

 

[User00047]

If there are no deer , then no reason to be granted a firearm for deer

Perhaps he needs the firearms for when, in future, the deer do appear on the land?
Deer aren’t always in the same place are they? They have legs you know.

 

[slider]

Woodland generally does not fetch as much as agricultural land.

Perhaps he needs the firearms for when, in future, the deer do appear on the land?
Deer aren’t always in the same place are they? They have legs you know.

unfortunately I dont think the Police would accept "might appear on my land" as "good reason" for authorizing a firearms certificate.

 

[tdawson]

View attachment 296801


"In such a manner as to become a danger or nuisance or annoyance to any person".

That seems like an open invite for someone to say you've annoyed them.

At the end of the day, the definition of nuisance or annoyance will be determined by a court of law, if it ever gets that far. If your shooting (rather than stalking) every night and making lots of loud bangs, you have an over-abundance of deer in your tiny wood (e.g 7 acres), or you’re a rubbish shot I doubt a one a week visit for deer control will be seen as a problem as long as you’re safe!

 

[Dickie]

I saw a narrow piece of woodland for sale in Devon 3.5 Acre £75000.

 

[Pete6.5]

What has elevated the price of woodland is the inheritance tax dodge that's available. You don't have to own it very long and you can hand it over without needing to pay inheritance tax. The same as farm land but in a shorter time frame.

 

[Scotty99]

Firstly check for any restrictive covenants and especially if the sporting/shooting rights are included, often they are excluded when small woodland plots are sold so as not to annoy the neighbours. As for its suitability for shooting you will need to review for suitable backstops, high seat placement proximity of public footpaths, farm tracks and roads. Oh and if deer are present expect poachers.

 

[VSS]

One option worth considering, if you're making a long term commitment, is to buy clearfell. The big forestry companies, such as Tilhill, often buy up blocks of standing timber, strip out every saleable tree, then sell the denuded land. They're just looking for quick turnover. Only downside is that there's often a compulsory replanting obligation (so you can't just let natural regen take over), but there are ways to soften that.
It's certainly something I'll be looking at if I ever find myself with a chunk of money to invest for my children's future.

 

[jall55]

One option worth considering, if you're making a long term commitment, is to buy clearfell. The big forestry companies, such as Tilhill, often buy up blocks of standing timber, strip out every saleable tree, then sell the denuded land. They're just looking for quick turnover. Only downside is that there's often a compulsory replanting obligation (so you can't just let natural regen take over), but there are ways to soften that.
It's certainly something I'll be looking at if I ever find myself with a chunk of money to invest for my children's future.

Hi VSS - in many places letting regen take over is the option now actually

 

[VSS]

Hi VSS - in many places letting regen take over is the option now actually

Yes, if you can put together a good conservation plan, it is sometimes possible to get the replanting obligation waived. Trouble is, the replanting obligation may have been part of the felling licence, so there's a certain amount of bureaucracy to negotiate to get it lifted.

 

[Spix]

There are quite a few very small plots for sale at the moment with very fanciful and imaginative descriptions.

 

[Roebuck9]

There are quite a few very small plots for sale at the moment with very fanciful and imaginative descriptions.

Yes at very high prices too, for the rich who would like a picnic place to take their children and do not know the real price of forest land, if you are considering buying then use a land agent and get a better deal.

 

[slider]

Yes, if you can put together a good conservation plan, it is sometimes possible to get the replanting obligation waived. Trouble is, the replanting obligation may have been part of the felling licence, so there's a certain amount of bureaucracy to negotiate to get it lifted.

The restock obligation will often only specify the number of stems per hectare and this can be achievable by natural regen. See this quite a lot now (Scotland)

 

[VSS]

The restock obligation will often only specify the number of stems per hectare and this can be achievable by natural regen. See this quite a lot now (Scotland)

That's good to know.

 

[unimog72]

I've seen a wood for sale and is 7.5 acres. It has a pond and a transient deer population. Would this be OK with a high seat and a .243 and .308? Does anyone else own a small woodland for shooting?

Thanks

S

i have a small wood only 2.26 acres and i take a few deer there told my FLO and he said as long as the bullit does not leave my land its fine i shoot only from a high seat i also shoot muntjac in gardens but again only from a high seat

 

[Dickie]

Another bargain in Devon

Oak Stream Wood Particulars

This mature broadleaved woodland has numerous features that include a stream, an internal track a pond, a quarry and the remnants of an old stone barn which may be suited to restoration.

www.woodlands.co.uk

 

[VSS]

Another bargain in Devon

Oak Stream Wood Particulars

This mature broadleaved woodland has numerous features that include a stream, an internal track a pond, a quarry and the remnants of an old stone barn which may be suited to restoration.

www.woodlands.co.uk

From what I've heard (although no first-hand experience, admittedly) I wouldn't touch woodlands.co.uk with a barge pole.