Habitat consultants these days are a dime-a-dozen. The vast majority of them are trying to help you kill big deer. That’s great – but how do you know if they’re legit? If their only qualification is that they’ve hunted deer or been a consultant for a long time, it should be a major red flag.

If you just want a hunting strategy, those consultants may be for you. But if you’re looking to dive into habitat management, whether to improve your deer hunting or to increase habitat for songbirds and pollinators, then you should only trust your land management to somebody with the qualifications and experience to help you do what’s right for your ground.

Habitat management is a complex science and art – that’s why I went to school for it. Even in high school, I could tell there was way more to it than simply planting a tree or mowing some grass. For every action, there is a reaction, and choosing the wrong one can lead to seriously disappointing results.

If a consultant can’t tell you off the top of their head the native plant communities on and around your land, or which species you should be using based on soil types and the surrounding landscape – run.

I’ve written dozens of habitat management plans for private landowners and non-profit organizations, and I have extensive experience in both prairie and woodland ecosystems. My goal is to make sure each piece of the puzzle fits just right. Each plan is unique and tailored specifically to the property and landowner it was written for.

Do you want big deer? Let’s plan out a diverse, resilient habitat complex that will give you results now and well into the future. While we’re at it, let’s plan out your stand sites and add some little features that put the cherry on top.

Looking to hire someone to do the habitat work? Let me be your general contractor. I have worked with numerous contractors whose specialties run the gamut of habitat management, from no-till seeding to timber stand improvement to wetland restoration. I’ll take the work out of management for you.

Let’s turn your land into a haven for wildlife and create the landscape you’ve always dreamed of.