It looks like our lease was part of the recent land deal that went to the "The Conservation Fund" purchase of land surrounding the Red Hills in Monroe Co. The lease is year to year so we have no idea what to expect coming next year. Its bittersweet that this chunk could become public land (i hunt public and am appreciative of every bit we have). Just wondering if anyone on here has had something similar happen and what timeling i can expect to be pushed out.

Appreciate any insight

Don’t have any experience but I hope they don’t turn it into another SOA.

The Conservation Fund bought some land we leased several years ago, and turned it into a walking trail. They leased it back to us. The big draw back is you can be hunting and someone can walk up on you. They do mark the walking trail, so if people stick to the markers, you will know about where someone may walk up on you. It's a problem, but at least you keep the property.

Our lease was purchased by Forever Wild 4 years ago and added to the Red Hills complex the following season. We were north of River Ridge road from the train tracks to the cemetery. I’m guessing you are east of me at River Ridge and John Shannon roads. It was my understanding that FW got control of those conservation tracts last year but I noticed they hadn’t made it onto the WMA map so far. I’m hoping it stays that way for both of us.

The Conservation Fund is not owned by the State..

For several years, I leased slightly over 2000 acres that had been part of the Kaul Family Trust. In places it joined Coosa WMA. About 5 years ago, there was a meeting between the WMA folks, Forever Wild folks, and the Conservation Fund. I have a friend that was part of that meeting. He said the plan was for the Conservation Fund folks to buy the property, hold it for a few years, then give it back to the state for Forever Wild. I asked about continuing to lease the property while TCF had it and was told no leasing and no hunting.

the hope was that the meeting would be hush-hush because they were afraid the county government folks might try to interfere. (The county will get no property tax once it is Forever Wild.) The WMA folks were invited because the plan is for it to be part of Coosa WMA, with the WMA folks then being responsible for the property maintenance.

Id like to know where its at so i can start scouting..thanks

No, thank you.

With the size of some of these SOA's its entirely possible. Much preferrable would be something like Splinter Hill Bog Complex which is Forever Wild land but not any sort of SOA.




Thanks for the response. Thats reasonable. Im all for the state acquiring more public land for multi use purposes. Id rather to be able to continue to lease the land to hunt then it to be sold off to yet another foreign timber company or worse, parceled out into farmettes/mini ranches.

Thanks for the response and likewise, hope we get to continue as is. Im a good bit south of you though. Its actually an isolated tract so hopefully its several years down the road before any changes are made.





fully aware but thats the general trajectory The Conservation Fund>Forever Wild>State

Thats unfortunate to hear that you lost your lease. The TCF's "Working Forests" Program seems pro hunting and states "Our goal is to support habitat protection, restoration, public hunting and fishing access" Hopefully that is the case.

I work for the county assessor and the amount of taxes levied on active timber tracts is super low honestly. In certain situations im sure the creation of public lands increases local tax revenue, others possibly not. Depends on the size of the tract/circumstances.

Wont you just hunt it when its wma🤷🏻

For sure but that isnt really the point here.

Was the property a Red Hill West LLC property?