Management Plans
Switching from agriculture or timber to wildlife management is a significant decision for your property. Your initial wildlife plan and application will shape your land’s management and wildlife efforts for years and play a key role in how your property is viewed by the appraisal district. Choosing a reliable wildlife management company to guide this process is essential.
Step 1: Contact the Appraisal District
When we begin work on a wildlife plan, the first step is for one of our wildlife experts to contact the appraisal district on your behalf. The purpose of this conversation is to verify that your property is eligible, notify the appraisal district that a wildlife management plan and application will be filed, and inform them that you've hired a professional to assist with the process. From that point forward, we will handle all communication with the appraisal district.
Step 2: Schedule a Wildlife Expert Visit
Next, we schedule a visit from a wildlife expert at a time that works for you. The primary goal of this visit is to discuss your property and wildlife goals. What species are you most interested in? Which practices, such as brush management, food plots, or adding water sources, would you like to explore? Our wildlife expert will recommend practices that benefit the land, enhance wildlife, and fit your goals and budget. During this visit, we’ll evaluate habitat conditions and discuss management opportunities. This visit is a key part of the process, as we only draft wildlife plans for properties that one of our experts has personally evaluated.
Step 3: Draft a 4-Year Management Plan
The next step is to create a four-year wildlife management plan tailored to your property. The plan will outline target species, recommended practices, and details about the land's habitats and plant communities. It will include aerial, topographic, soils, and activity maps to highlight property features and indicate where practices should be implemented. While many clients hire us to carry out these practices, the plan is designed to give you enough guidance to implement them on your own if you prefer. Of course, we’re always just a phone call away if you need assistance.
Step 4: Review Management Plan
Once the plan is complete, we’ll send it to you for review. If you've reconsidered any of the practices discussed during the visit, we’ll make the necessary adjustments before submitting the final version to the appraisal district.
Step 5: Submit the Application and Follow Up
Finally, we send the completed application and plan to the appraisal district via certified mail. We’ll follow up to ensure approval and notify you as soon as your plan is accepted. Throughout the duration of your wildlife plan, you’re encouraged to reach out to your wildlife expert with any questions about implementation, species identification, or other wildlife management topics. We’re here to support you every step of the way.