Habitat Consulting Question

[butrunt]

I asked about a year ago if anyone would consider using the services of a professional consultant in habitat management.

I have went on the web and searched for these types of services and have had very little luck. After working in the natural resources field for 15 years I am considering starting my own business. I did a few projects last year for a few members from this site. I never advertised my service professionally.
With all the talk on these sites about habitat plantings and all the work people are putting into their land for wildlife I started reconsidering starting my own business. Your land is a large investment.

I managed a state game area for several years and did all of the timber management and habitat plantings and assisted or developed habitat restorations.

If anyone would be willing to give me some feedback I would appreciate it. If I am going to do this I would like a little input into what people would want from a habitat consultant or even if they would use one.

I would just like to state I am not advertising here but asking for input.

[Munsterlndr]

Might try posting this in the habitat forum since the people who frequent there are focused on improving the habitat on their property.

Here is my thought, it would all come down to the cost involved. Owning hunting property and improving it is an expensive proposition. If you could market yourself in a way that you might actually save the landowner money by helping them make the right decisions, it might be worth it. There is so much information available over the internet for free these days, however, that you would really have to make the case for why someone should use your services.

[butrunt]

The way I approach many of the landowners concerns about cost is that it would be offset with timber harvesting. If your property has suitable timber for harvest and needed to have some improvements done. I write a contract then submit it for bids by reputable loggers. This way you make money by harvesting timber and you get the work done by someone else and they are paying you.

[Michihunter]

In what areas are you going to concentrate your services? Is there travel cost involved? I believe cost is the key. What yuo propose with timber sales is a fine idea and one that should avail you some clients. But what if there isn't marketable timber available on the land? What would be your next step?

[butrunt]

What I did in the past is a one time visitation fee and the visit could be all day. If we determine that nothing is of marketable value we can discuss other options and end it there or continue on. In the past if we continue then the work is based on an hourly base and that includes travel time.

[Alpha Male]

Good luck.

There are many free and next to free resources, and any recreational property owner who has ever seen what a logging company does to the landscape usually balks at the idea.

The economy in Michigan stinks, and even the prices of vacant land have been stagnating and dropping in some areas. Parcels we looked at two years ago are still on the market and now my 'unreasonable' offers are being gratefully entertained. Your target demographic will be extremely small.

As a 'hobby job', sure why not. As a start up business that would need a business plan to obtain capital to begin operations...no way.

Good luck.

[john warren]

i suppose some might use a service like that, if they have plemty of money. i know here in michigan you can call the county or state agriculture dept. and they can give you very good advice.

[A-plus]

I have a degree in Fisheries & Wildlife and have worked on many projects over the years, from research projects, to timber harvests, wildlife habitat improvement projects, soil erosion issues, wetlands projects, etc.... My background also includes real estate sales, zoning and residential construction and have done some consulting on those issues as well.

In my experience, it is a huge uphill battle to sell people on seeking professional help when there is already so many resources out there for no or very little cost, such as MSU Extension, Soil Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the consulting foresters who either work for corporations like Weyerhauser and will look at your land for free or will work for a percentage of the sale price. Not to say that there is not room at the top for someone who gives great service for a fair price, but it will probably be a very long time establishing that reputation before you can make a decent living at it.

If you can figure out a better way to make it pay, other than working for a federal, state or local agency, please let me know. It would be very gratifying to be able to help folks make informed decisions regarding their property and make a living from your own small business at the same time.