96.3 Acres in Monticello, FL - $187,785

The tract is in close proximity to the new 11,000+ acre State land purchase which consists of a large State Park and Wildlife Management Area (WMA). In addition, existing large WMAs are already in the general area. The Nature Conservancy maintains the Fanlew Preserve, a nature preserve, to the south.

Direct access to the properties is by short, well-maintained County graded roads connected to major paved roads. The area is not highly developed nor is it remote. Several small farms, ranches and homesteads share boundaries with the properties ensuring County maintenance that allows car usage, and places power on the boundary.

Land qualities

The land has been used for timber production for over 50 years. The upland soils are productive and have been used to grow planted pine for the active local timber market. Pastures and hobby farming are a common use on adjacent properties. The lowland soils have significant mature pine, hardwood and cypress timber.

The road system is extensive and provides good access to the property. Wide fire lines have been pushed along the upland/lowland boundaries giving good walking and ATV type access to the interior of the parcels.

High ground suitable for a building is available on the tract.

Timber qualities

The upland planted pine was largely harvested by the prior owner. One mature planted pine stand covers the northeast portion of the tract. The remainder of the uplands are being professionally reforested to high production, planted slash pine stands. Final planting will occur sometime in December through February. These newly established stands are designed for fast growth, productivity and a high rate of return. Tract prices include this professional reforestation work.

The lowland timber is largely mature pine, hardwood and cypress of significant volume and quality. Lowland sites include mesic hammock (seasonal) and hydric hammock (non-seasonal).

Hunting

It is hard to overstate the desirability of the hunting on the property. Given the large number of un-hunted or lightly hunted acres surrounding the property, the game populations and amount of undisturbed habitat are very high. Deer and turkey numbers are far above the norm. Hogs feed in the wetland borders and wood ducks are common in the ponds, depressions and creeks. The hunting in this area speaks for itself.

The new 11,000+ acre State land purchase (Big Horn Springs) is directly to the west, the Nature Conservancys Fanlew Preserve is directly south and the Aucilla WMA is located a short distance to the east. Each of these large areas either provide additional hunting opportunities, or nearby land with low to zero hunting pressure.

Recreation

In addition to hunting the land and fishing the ponds the property lends itself well to ATV-type riding and exploration, horses and wildlife viewing.

Recreational opportunities off the tract are numerous with the new State Park which will include hiking, kayaking and other activities in and around the multiple large springs it contains (Big Horn Spring is the most noteworthy) and in the WMA that will surround the park and be immediately accessible to the WoodVest tracts.

The headwaters boat ramp and swimming area of the Wacissa River is a short 10 minute drive from the property. The crystal clear Wacissa includes Blue Springs, a large, beautiful spring and swimming area accessible by watercraft. The pristine river, an Official Florida Waterway (OFW), continues south all the way down to Goose Pasture in Taylor County and serves as one of Floridas best paddling routes.

Twenty minutes south of the tract down highway 59 and 98 is the entrance to the internationally known and acclaimed St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge along the coast. The Refuge includes a boat ramp for coastal fisherman and boaters, hiking, biking, fishing, a historic lighthouse and pretty much anything applicable to a beautiful and unique natural coastal setting.

Individual Tract Description

Hardy Sink Tract

Hardy Sink is a well-known, local landmark featured on many Florida maps. The creek-fed Sink is beautiful, deep and great for fishing, and the surrounding area features multiple hunting opportunities. It is a rare and truly unique feature of the natural landscape.

In addition, this tract features a mature stand of planted pine and a professionally reforested newly planted stand. As such the timber resource provides for cash-flow in the short-term and significant value growth in the long-term. Total tract acreage is 96.3 acres (MOL).

Wetland timber is seasonally wet hardwood and cypress.

The hunting is nothing short of excellent.

There are multiple locations for buildings/camps and power is immediately available off Brooks Road.